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DAY 01 KOCHI TO MUNNAR
Arrive Kochi airport station by mid morning. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer directly to Munnar (about 140kms/03-04hrs), situated in the heart of the Cardamom Hills, at an altitude of 1700m, Munnar is surrounded by endless green, rolling hills and 30 of the world’s highest tea estates. Arrive and check into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 02 MUNNAR
After breakfast we make a short drive to 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.
Afternoon we drive to visit the picturesque Mattupetty dam, free time for boating. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03 MUNNAR TO THEKKADY
After breakfast drive to Thekkady (about 110kms/03hrs), through the cardamom hills of Idukki. Arrive and check into the hotel and further in the afternoon explore the Periyar wildlife sanctuary, which 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.
Explore the sanctuary, which offers a lovely, and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife area encircles. O/n Hotel.
DAY 04 THEKKADY
Early morning explore the park by hiking through the buffer zone of the forest with tribal tracker as a local guide from the forest department. We return from our hike at 08.00hrs and back to hotel for breakfast. Further make a short drive to nearby plantations to know more about the spices of Kerala and the plantation crops. Afternoon free to relax or stroll around the small spice & antique shops of Kumily. O/n Hotel.
DAY 05 THEKKADY TO KUMARAKOM
After breakfast drive to Kumarakom (about 140kms/03hrs), the journey itself is interesting as the road to the plains descents from the hills through tropical evergreen forests, tea and cardamom plantations gives way to spice plantations, pepper on the low land and the rubber. On arrival, check into the hotel located on the banks of Vembanadu Lake and relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 06 KUMARAKOM TO ALLEPPEY
Morning free to relax, afternoon board your houseboat that comprises furnished bedrooms, 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 07 ALLEPPEY TO KOCHI
After breakfast disembark from the houseboat, straight drive to Kochi (about 60kms/02hrs) for a short sightseeing of this cosmopolitan town which has been eulogized as the “Queen of Arabian Sea”. We start your sightseeing with Mattanchery Palace, built by the Portuguese (1557) as a gift for the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights; the new occupants, the Dutch, largely rebuilt it. Further visit Jewish Synagogue adjascent to the Palace. This gem of a synagogue dating from 1568 (rebuilt in 1662) at the heart of what is called locally Jew Town, now a fascinating mixture of shops (some selling antiques), warehouses and spice auction rooms. Later on drive to Fort Kochi beach area to visit St. Francis Church originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Portugal, St. Francis Church is the first to reflect the new, European influenced tradition. Vasco da Gama died on the site in 1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. Fourteen years later his body was removed to Portugal. Our final visit will be to huge Chinese Fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the late 14th century although, today, parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names.
Late afternoon transfer to airport/railway station to board flight to your onward destination.
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