discover kerala
(Cochin-Munnar-Thekkady-Kumarakom-Alleppey/ Houseboat cruise)
Day 1 Cochin: Arrive
Cochin by flight or train. On arrival, meet and greet by Concept Voyages
representative and transfer to the City Hotel. Go for a short sight seeing
tour of Cochin. Known as the queen of the Arabian Sea is one of the most
interesting cities of India and has one of the finest natural harbours in
the world. St Francis Church, built in 1510 by friars brought to India by
Vasco da Gama, is the first European church built in India and is the site
where da Gama was buried. The Jewish Synagogue was built in 1568, Chinese
hand-painted tiles are one of the attraction. This, the only Synagogue in
India has a nostalgic past of a Jewish Diaspora. The "Dutch Palace" was
built in the 1550s; the palace contains excellent mythological murals and
a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring - a subtle mix of burnt
coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg whites - which gives the effect
of polished marble. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 2 Cochin-Munnar (130 kms, 3hrs): Morning, after breakfast,
proceed to Munnar, known as nature lover’s paradise. Munnar is a
breathtakingly beautiful place, a haven of peace and tranquility with
unending expanse of tea plantations, pristine valleys and mountains,
exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests. To
top it up an aroma of spice scented cool air will engulf you while you are
there. It is Munnar, known as the Kashmir of South, the idyllic tourist
destination of God's own country. Munnar, once the summer resort of the
erstwhile British Government in South India, has sprawling tea plantations
and picturesque views making Munnar a popular hill resort town in South
India. Afternoon visit to Rajamala and Eravikulam National Park. Overnight
stay at the Resort.
Day 3 Munnar: Breakfast at resort, proceed for sight seeing tour of
Munnar. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams -
Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Apart from being a popular hill
station in India, Munnar is also one of the major centers for tea trade in
Kerala. Surrounded by almost 30 tea gardens that give it a picturesque
view, Munnar is near Anaimudi, the highest peak of the Kerala Western
Ghats. Besides tea and other plantations, the old-world charm of colonial
establishments attracts visitors to this place all the year round. The
hills around Munnar are covered with the rare Neelakurunji plant giving it
a wonderful look, especially when the flowers bloom to cover the entire
mountain range. It is said that this exotic plant flowers every 12 years
and the next scheduled flowering time is the year 2018. Munnar a misty,
lush green hill station up in the Annamalai range of Kerala, Munnar's tea
gardens, some of the highest in the world, stretch up the sides of the
hills and are interspersed with pockets of forest rich in wildlife. On
your holiday, enjoy the scenic beauty of Munnar with its marvelous
waterfalls, lush tea gardens and high mountains with low flying clouds.
This days sightseeing can include visit to Mattupetty for boating, Kundala
dam, Eco-point, Top station, Indo-Swiss cattle farm. Overnight stay at the
Resort.
Day 4 Munnar-Thekkady (90 kms, 2 hrs, 30 mins): Breakfast at
resort, transfer to Thekkady, the famous wildlife destination of Kerala,
assisted by Concept Voyages representative. Perched amidst dense greenery,
in the outskirts of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, the sole Tiger reserve of
the Country, Thekkady, with its bountiful treasures of tropical flora and
fauna, is the ultimate reservoir, of many an endangered species and a rich
tribal culture. Thekkady - The very sound of the name conjures up images
of elephants, unending chains of hill and spice scented plantations. Here,
in the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats you will experience the most
enchanting holiday. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest
wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are
picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for
treks and mountain walks. The Thekkady sanctuary is one of the best in the
country for watching and photographing wild life. A cruise through the
waters of Periyar Lake around which the wildlife sanctuary is situated,
offers a soul-stirring pleasant experience. This is the only sanctuary in
India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at
close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest
attraction of Periyar remains the large herds of wild elephants that come
down to the lake's edge. The tiger and leopard are sighted when the forest
water holes dry up and these animals come and drink water from the river.
India's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where you can watch
wildlife at close range; the vegetation, the flora and fauna and the birds
of Thekkady are uniquely rich, vast and varied that it does not bear
resemblance to any other wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Thekkady - The
very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of
hill and spice scented plantations. The Thekkady sanctuary is one of the
best in the country for watching and photographing wild life. Overnight
stay at the Hotel.
Day 5 Thekkady -Kumarakom (145kms/ 3hrs,30 mins) & Kumarakom-Alleppey
by Houseboat: After breakfast, check out from the Hotel & proceed to
Kumarakom, which is famous for its backwater & scenic beauty, sprinkled
with traditional houseboats, country crafts, rural lifestyles and
tranquillity. On arrival at Kumarakom check in for the Houseboat cruise to
Alleppey. What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking
view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it
offers. The houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel
including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen
and even a balcony for angling. Meals would be cooked on board and
supplemented with fresh fish from the backwaters. Today, the tradition is
still continued and the food from the local cuisine is served by the
Kuttanad localities, on board! Enjoy your dinner & overnight at the
Houseboat.
Day 6 Alleppey-Cochin: After breakfast, disembark from the boat &
proceed to Cochin Railway Station or Airport for the departure transfer.
End of Tour!
tour inclusions & pricing
Tour Booking Code: CVDKL-11
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