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DAY 01 COCHIN
Arrive Cochin from your home country by morning. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit of Cochin, famed for its natural harbour, one of the finest in the world, Cochin has earned the sobriquet “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. Here you can see the oldest church in India and also ancient temples. From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese Sea fearers followed the sea route to Cochin and left their impression on the town. A Jewish community with roots going back to 1000 AD, a 16th Century synagogue, and a palace built by the Portuguese and given to the Raja of Cochin which was later renovated by the Dutch are part of Cochin. The entrance to the Cochin harbour is dotted by the Chinese Fishing Nets called Cheena Vala in Malayalam. There are large nets, which hang from bamboo, or teak posts and are still used by local fisherman of Fort Cochin to catch fish attracted by lights suspended above the nets. Silhouetted against the sunset, they present a spectacular sight of Cochin’s waterfront. O/n Hotel.
DAY 02 COCHIN TO ALLEPPEY
The boat ride from Cochin (about 75kms/ 06hrs) will transport you to a world of quiet and peace, of warmth and friendliness and many beautiful sights greets you on the way. Today our stay will be on the beautiful resort, which is on the banks of Vembanadu Lake. The rest of the day for leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03 ALLEPPEY
Morning after breakfast embark an houseboat from the hotel Alleppey, which is hailed as the ‘Venice of the East’, because of its intricate maze of backwaters, canals and bridges. Our boat cruise through the Kuttanad, we will find ourselves travelling along canals where the level of water is often higher than that of the green fields on either side. O/n Houseboat.
DAY 04 ALLEPPEY TO KUMARAKOM
Today we make an hour cruise towards a beautiful backwater spot Kumarakom. Breathtakingly green, the village slumbers by the Vembanad Lake. Disembark from the houseboat, check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 05 KUMARAKOM TO KOLLAM
Morning after breakfast we again start our cruise towards Kollam by motor boat (about 100kms/08hrs). The route winds up the Pampa River to Champakkulam, an island hamlet, then into the Karumadi Canal. The statue of the Karumaddikuttan is believed to be of Buddha. Some see it as a remnant of a bygone era when Buddhist monks came to Kerala with the message of love and non-violence. Then past Trikunna-puzha, across Kayamkulam Lake and Ashtamudi Lake, finally drawing in to the ancient port of Kollam. Through out, the scenery continues to be ravishing. Check into the hotel based on Ashtamudi Lake. Free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 06 KOLLAM
Full day for leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 07 KOLLAM TO VARKALA
Morning after breakfast we start our 16kms-cycle ride (fully supported by vehicle) through the narrow winding road leads away from the town passes through the sides of beaches, flanked by thousands of palm trees. Check into the hotel. Evening visit the 2000 years old Janardhana Swamy (Vishnu) Temple and also to Papanashini Beach. O/n Hotel.
DAY 08 VARKALA TO CAPE COMORIN
After breakfast today we drive to The Land’s End – Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) (about 135kms/03hrs) where elemental nature has hallowed this place where the land, three seas and the sky meet, and called out to people of all faiths. More recently, two saints of modern India – Swami Vivekananda & Mahatma Gandhi found sanctuary here where now stand everlasting representation to their memories. Check into the hotel.
Afternoon we visit the Vivekananda Rock, standing on the rocks; you can look into the mainland in a view otherwise possible only from a ship in the sea. Enjoy the beautiful sunset in the evening. O/n Hotel.
DAY 09 CAPE COMORIN TO KOVALAM
Morning after watching the sunrise we drive to Kovalam (about 90kms/ 02hrs). Enroute visit the Suchindram with its beautiful carved Sthanumalayan Temple is a repository of art treasures belonging to various periods. On the same route is Padhmanabhapuram, 32km. the old capital of the Travancore state. The Palace here is worth a visit, set in an area of six acres and with a rich museum in its compound. The museum houses epigraphic records and stone sculptures. Proceed to Kovalam, check into the hotel. O/n Hotel.
DAY 10 KOVALAM
Kovalam is a sheltered natural bay, enjoy the luxury of its sun and surf. The boundless blue of the Arabian Sea and the unwinding miles of fine – sandy beaches washed by the surf which roars and hisses at the feet of the stalwart palms.
Full day for leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 11 KOVALAM
The day for relax on the beaches or to experience the real touch of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is the ancient of Indian health sciences developed through centuries long research works of sages, who were eminent scholars. As the term ‘Ayurveda’ denotes to the ‘knowledge of life’ it is not only a system to cure diseases but the system teaching us how to achieve ‘Perfect Health’ from diseased or abnormal conditions and how to lead our life, both physical and mental, to attain the bliss of real life.
DAY 12 KOVALAM TO TRIVANDRUM
Morning transfer to Trivandrum airport to board flight to your onward destination.
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