Kerala Sojourn

Day 1 - Kochi

On arrival in Kochi, clear immigration, collect your bags and pass through customs, making your way towards the exit of the terminal building. A representative will be waiting to greet you with a paging board with your name on. You will then be met and transferred to your hotel. 

A scenic city sprawled over several narrow islands and a strip of peninsula sheltered within a saltwater lagoon. Coastal Cochin is an intriguing mix of giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj.  In the evening enjoy a sunset cruise in the Cochin Harbour. See the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets and the beautiful coastline from the motor boat. 

Meals Included – None

Day 2 - Kochi

After breakfast enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry.  Chinese Fishing Nets -These nets believed to be introduced by the traders from the Courts of the Chinese ruler, Kublai Khan are unique to Kochi. The numerous nets that dot Fort Kochi and Vypeen Island can be seen only in Kochi outside China.  St. Francis Church - Started in 1503 and completed in 1516 by the Portuguese this is the oldest European church in India. It gained prominence as it housed the remains of Vasco Da Gama the Great Portuguese Explorer who first came to Calicut, Kerala in 1498  Dutch Palace (Closed on Fridays) is a quadrangular structure built in Nālukettu style, the traditional Kerala style of architecture, with a courtyard in the middle. The glory of the palace lies in its mural paintings depicts scenes from Ramayana.  Paradesi Synagogue (Closed on Friday Second Half, Saturdays & Jewish Holidays) One of the oldest and very few functional synagogues, this was built by the European and Middle Eastern Jews in 1568.  In the evening proceed to witness Kerala Kaleidoscope.  Showcasing quintessentially magnificent vignettes of Kerala’s rich cultural traditions, Kaleidoscope Kerala is essentially an exclusive, uniquely choreographed repertoire of live classical dance and music performed in a heritage theatre with legendary ritualistic folk invocations and martial arts.  Optional – Enjoy Cooking Demo with Lunch / Dinner with an Indian Family (To be pre booked at the time of booking) 

Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 3 - Kochi - Munnar

After breakfast, check-out and be transferred in your private car to Munnar. Munnar is a nature-lover’s paradise, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.   Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 4 - Munnar

Enjoy a day of  Munnar sightseeing.  Visit Tea museum (Closed on Monday). The Tata Tea Museum diligently portrays the growth of Munnar tea estates, veritably conveyed through some of the displays like the rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory.  Late visit Echo point, Mattuppetty dam, photo point etc. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. 

Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 5 - Munnar - Periyar

Today, drive to Periyar, a chain of hills, elephants and spice-scented plantations create this heavenly town. Lying close to these plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary  On arrival in Periyar, proceed to check-in at the hotel.  In the evening visit Kalarippayattu show. Kalaripayattu is a martial art which originated as a style in Kerala. The word Kalari first appears in Sangam literature to describe both a battlefield and combat arena. 

Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 6 - Periyar

First thing, enjoy a guided trek in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq. km. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake.  Return to the hotel for breakfast.  Later, enjoy a visit to Spice Plantation.  Tour Highlight - Rendezvous with the owner of a Spice Plantation followed by lunch. The plantation tour is an opportunity to meander through cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and many other varieties of spices and medicinal plants and gives you an insight into how these are grown, harvested and processed. 

Meals Included – Breakfast & Lunch 

Day 7 - Periyar - Alappuzha

After breakfast travel to Alappuzha where your houseboat awaits.  Climb aboard the traditional kettuvallams (rice boats) converted into houseboats with bedrooms and attached toilets. Originally these boats were used as ferries to carry rice. Cruise through the backwaters of Kerala. The backwater cruise through the narrow canals that criss-cross a typical Kerala Village, rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees and is a thrilling experience. Lunch and dinner will be served on board. 

Overnight on the Houseboat 

Meals Included – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - Alappuzha - Kovalam

Leave the houseboat, you will be met with your driver, then drive to Kovalam.  On arrival transfer to hotel and check into your hotel there.  Kovalam Beach is a natural bay, sheltered from the high waves. Here you can treat yourself to an Ayurvedic massage, famed for its rejuvenating qualities or simply chill out by the sea. 

Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 9 - Kovalam

Enjoy a full day of leisure in Kovalam.    Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 10 - Kovalam

Enjoy a full day of leisure in Kovalam. Perhaps treat yourself to another Ayurvedic therapy.

Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 11 - Kovalam

Tour Concludes.

Today you will be transferred in your private car to Trivandrum Airport, for your onward destination.