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Focus:
Monuments, Chinese Fishing nets, Wildlife, Tea plantations, Backwaters, Bird sanctuary & Beach.
Highlight: Cycle ride, Jeep safari, Trekking & Bamboo rafting
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DAY 01 KOCHI
Arrive Kochi airport by mid morning. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to your hotel and further in the afternoon sightseeing of this major port of call, which was on the ancient trade route from China to Rome. The mixture of influences here is a heady brew. Chinese fishing nets dot the coast, Roman coins are dug up as treasure trove, the Mattancheri Palace was built by the Portuguese, the Bolghatty Palace by the Dutch, and Willingdon Island was created by the British. Here you will find Hindu Temples, Christian Churches, mosques, and a synagogue (the Jewish settlement dates from at least as far back as AD 400). Cochin is a melting pot of races and cultures, charmingly emphasizing that variety is indeed the spice of life.
We visit the monuments, churches and the huge Chinese fishing nets followed by a Kathakali dance show in a local theatre. O/n Hotel.
DAY 02 KOCHI TO MUNNAR
After breakfast drive to Munnar (about 145kms/04hrs), a major centre of Kerala’s tea industry, and close to Anamudi, at 2,695 m the highest peak in South India. It is surrounded by about 30 tea estates, among the highest in the world, and forest that is still rich in wildlife, including the reclusive Nilgiri Tahr. The surrounding hills are home to the rare Neelakurunji orchid (Stobilanthes), which covers the hills in colour for a month once in 12 years.
Arrive and check into the hotel and further if interested free to walk around your resort, which stands out in a sprawling 66 acres of cardamom and coffee plantations. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03 MUNNAR
After an early breakfast we take a local Indian Bicylce for an 8 km ride to Letchmi Estate. The ride goes up to a gentle slope through a beautiful valley, there is a chai stall at the estate and the road continues to the head of the valley for views down to the forest beyond. Back to hotel and further in the afternoon make a short drive to nearby Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary proclaimed as a National Park since it supports the largest population of Nilgiri Thar existing in the world now. A wide variety of plant life is present here. The Nilgiri Tahr is seen in the highlands and rocky regions of this national park. Explore the sanctuary by walking; the views are superb from here. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 04 MUNNAR
Early morning bed tea and check out from the hotel with a packed breakfast and lunch and transfer to trek head at Kuzhukkumalai by an adventurous jeep safari (about 03 hrs to reach the trek head).
After breakfast and refreshment we will start our trek to complete our unforgettable trek to Kuzhukkumalai the “one of the highest tea growing estate in the world” and onto Suryanelli.
In this trek we will be climbing through the rolling grasslands and the forests with the vast view of mountain ranges and the last stretch will be downhill to the small picture book town Suryanelli.
Conclude our trek in Suryanelli and transfer to hotel (about 10 minutes drive) and relax. O/n Hotel.
Duration of Trek : Approx 05 - 06 hrs (Up & Down hill).
DAY 05 MUNNAR TO THEKKADY
After an early breakfast drive to Thekkady (about 110kms/03-04hrs), through the cardamom hills of Kerala. Arrive and check into the hotel and further by late afternoon explore Periyar wildlife sanctuary, set on attractive Periyar Lake side, is in a beautiful setting and was designated a part of Project Tiger in 1973, though Tigers are very rarely seen and it is better know for its elephants, which are very likely to be seen until Mar/Apr. Most bull elephants here are tuskless. Bison, Sambar, Wild boar and the barking Deer are fairly common. In addition to 246 species of birds, there are 112 species of butterfly. The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife area encircles.
At 16.00hrs, board a motorboat for 02 hrs ride on the manmade lake, which encircles the wildlife. O/n Hotel.
DAY 06 THEKKADY
Today our day starts with a whole day trekking and bamboo rafting through Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a dawn to dusk range hiking and rafting programme through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Starting at 8 am from the boat landing, a mosaic of habitats will be traversed before the party gets into rafts made of bamboos.
The forests are rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. The rafting is for about three hours and one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.
The team hitchhikes back to the boat landing by about 5 pm. An armed guard and 4 guides will accompany a maximum of 10 tourists. Tea, snacks and packed lunch will be served enroute.
Evening back to hotel and relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 07 THEKKADY TO KUMARAKOM
After breakfast drive to Kumarakom (about 140kms/03hrs), a picturesque small village located on the banks of Vembanadu Lake. Arrive and check into the hotel and rest of the day free to relax & experience some Ayurvedic massages. O/n Hotel.
DAY 08 KUMARAKOM TO ALLEPPEY
Early morning we make a short visit to nearby Kumarakom bird sanctuary; back to hotel for breakfast and further in the afternoon board your houseboat that comprises twin beds, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. We start our sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. The houseboat will cruise through the Chambakulam area by mid-morning and anchor to explore the boat yard, which displays the traditional long snake boats used in races. Visit St. Mary’s Church, established by St. Thomas in 1721. In the evening, catch a glimpse of village life along the backwaters and experience a way of life unique to this region. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the backwaters of Alleppey and moor up for overnight in Vemabanadu Lake. O/n Houseboat.
DAY 09 ALLEPPEY TO KOVALAM
After breakfast disembark from the houseboat and straight drive to Kovalam (about 165kms/04hrs), check into the hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea. Rest of the day free to relax on the beach. O/n Hotel.
DAY 10 KOVALAM TO TRIVANDRUM
Very early morning transfer to Trivandrum airport to board flight to your onward destination.
End of Service
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