God's Own country with Kovalam
Duration: 9 nights and 10 days
Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Kovalam
Day 1 Kochi
Arrive Kochi. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Overnight
in Kochi.
Day 2 Munnar
This day after breakfast proceed for a half-day tour of Kochi. Visit Fort Kochi
walk to the church of St Francis, the oldest European-built church in the country.
Continue with a visit to Mattancherry, where you will visit the historic synagogue
in the Jewish Quarter. You will also visit the Mattancherry or Dutch Palace, with
its fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics. Thereafter,
drive past the amazing Chinese Fishing Nets. Later, drive to Munnar (128 kms / 3.5
hrs approx). Arrive Munnar and check into your hotel. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 3 Munnar
Proceed for a full day tour of Munnar. Visit the Tea Museum, which showcases some
of the interesting aspects of tea plantations in Munnar. Also visit Mattupetty,
known for its dam and the beautiful lake. Afternoon visit of Kundala tea plantations
and the Kundala Lake the mountain slopes here are thick with undulating, evergreen
tea plantations. Here you can view the entire process of making tea, right from
plucking of tealeaves to their processing. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 4 Thekkady
Drive to Thekkady (90 kms / 3 hrs approx). Arrive Thekkady and check in to your
hotel. Proceed for a half day tour of Thekkady. Visit Thekkady wildlife sanctuary,
where herds of wild elephants have made Thekkady Lake their favorite haunt for frolicking
in the water. Later, take a spice plantation tour. Spices found in here include
pepper, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, vanilla and curry leaves. Enjoy
an elephant ride in Thekkady. Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 5 Kumarakom
Drive to Kumarakom (140 kms / 3.5 hrs approx). Arrive Kumarakom and check in to
your hotel and relax. Overnight in Kumarakom.
Day 6 Kumarakom
Proceed for a tour of Kumarakom bird sanctuary. An ornithologist's paradise, the
sanctuary is spread across 14 acres, and is the favorites haunt of local birds
like Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Owls, Egrets, and Wood Beetle. In the evening, unwind and
relax. Overnight in Kumarakom.
Day 7 Alleppey
Drive to Alleppey (35 kms / 1.5 hrs approx). Arrive Alleppey and board your houseboat.
Alleppey, "Venice of the East" has a large network of backwater canals that meander
through the town and surrounding villages. Overnight on houseboat.
Day 8 Kovalam
Drive to Kovalam (159 kms / 3.5 hrs). Arrive Kovalam and check in to your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 9 Kovalam
Proceed for a full-day excursion to Trivandrum (one way 11 kms / 30 min approx).
Visit the Napier Museum which houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic
artifacts. Visit the Kuthiramalika Palace, built by the King of Travancore. The
palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal
family. End your tour with the Veli Tourist Village a beautiful picnic spot where
the Veli Lake merges with the Arabian Sea. Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 10 Onwards
Proceed to the Trivandrum airport (11 Kms / 30 Min approx.) to board the flight
for your onward destination.