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| KERALA, THE GOD’S OWN COUNTRY |
With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 ms in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil streches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, every one of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers. |
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Duration: 08 Nights/09 Days
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Cochin - Munnar - Thekkady - Kumarakom - Kovalam Kanyakumari |
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Day 01:- Cochin Arrival at Kerala
Arrive Cochin and transfer to Hotel. Afternoon proceed for city tour of Cochin which includes Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace etc.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02:- Cochin – Munnar |
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Breakfast at hotel. In the morning depart for Munnar (approx.4 hours journey), enjoying the scenic beauty & the marvelous waterfalls, high mountains with the low flying clouds passing by.Arrive Munnar and check in at hotel. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. 1600 meter above sea level this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in the blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking. Overnight at Munnar.
Day 03:- Munnar
Morning proceed for Munnar sightseeing after breakfast. Move through the tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers. Lush green hills all around - a place difficult to describe. Very low population and moved away from the city pollution makes Munnar a special destination. Sightseeing includes Raja Malai, a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats), Muttuputty dam and the Indo Swiss project. You can also enjoy boating in the Lake. Overnight at Munnar.
Day 04:- Munnar - Thekkady
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Thekkady - drive through tea estates, spice gardens and wild forests. Arrive Thekkady after a memorable drive of approx. 4 hours. Check in at hotel. In the evening visit Kumily market to buy the best spices available. Overnight at Thekkady.
Day 05:- Thekkady - Kumarokom
In the morning proceed to Kumarakom after breakfast. Arrive at Kumarakom, after a journey of approx. 5 hours enjoying the beauty of the traditional Keralian houses. enchanting backwater destination, Kumarokom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Kumarokom. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms, are an out-of-this-world experience at Kumarokom.
Check in at Hotel. Overnight at Kumarakom.
Day 06:- Kumarokom
Morning go for boat cruise in the lake. Afternoon will be at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07:- Kumarokom - Kovalam
Morning drive to Kovalam, the international beach Resort with full of Coconut trees. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs, Catamaran cruising etc. Evening enjoy the beach.Overnight at Hotel.
Day 08:- Kovalam - Kanyakumari - Kovalam
Day excursion. Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to Kanyakumari, Enroute visit Padmanabhapuram Palace and Suchindram Temple. At Kanykumari visit Vivekanada rock. Drive back to Kovalam in the evening.
Day 09 :- Kovalam – Home Breakfast at hotel. Transfer at leisure for flight |
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ITINERARY : 2 WEEKS |
KERALA, THE GOD’S OWN COUNTRY |
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Day 01:- Trivandrum APT – Kovalam.
Arrival at Trivandrum Airport meet assistance and transfer to Hotel, Kovalam. Rest day is for relaxation and free for personal activities. Overnight stay at Hotel , Kovalam |
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Day 02:- Trivandrum Sightseeing
After Breakfast full-day sightseeing of Trivandrum.
Trivandrum, the State Capital of Kerala is famous for its historical temples, museum and a long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, backwater stretches, and a rich cultural heritage.
Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of sculpture and architecture. The temple pond and the traditional Kerala style buildings surrounding the temple are the other interesting attractions.
Shree Chitra Art Gallery
This art gallery display select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.
Napier Museum
The Indo-Saracenic structure dating back to the 19 century boasts of a "natural " air conditioning system, houses a rare collection of archaeological and historical artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings.
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum
This palace was built by Maharaja Swathy Thirunal Balaramavarma-The King of Travencore, who was a great poet ,musician, social reformer and states man. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travencore style of architecture also has exquisite woodcarvings.
The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the Royal family and is located near the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple.
Overnight stay at Hotel, Kovalam. |
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| Day 03:- Kovalam (27 th Feb, Wed) |
After B/F, free for personal activities.
Kovalam : India’s most spectacular beach. Here the boundless blue of the Arabian Sea and the unwinding miles of fine white-sanded beaches are washed by the surf which roars and hisses at the Coconut Palms.
A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are |
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plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural program, Catamaran cruising etc. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. Life on the beach begins late in the day and it carries on well into the night.
Overnight at Hotel, Kovalam |
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Day 04 :- Kanyakumary
After breakfast daytrip to Kanyakumary. The southern most tip of India, Kanyakumari is the point where the three mighty water bodies, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean converge. The famous Vivekananda Rock memorial amidst the turbulent sea is a major attraction. Kanyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunset views and the Devi Temple. Places you would be visiting on the way are Padmanabhapuram Palace, the majestic old palace famous for its 17th and 18th century murals, carved mahogany ceiling, coloured mica windows, secret underground passages, inner courtyards, durbar hall, museum, four poster medicinal bed, Belgian mirrors, Granite dance halls and special lac shiny floors made of a unique combination of egg white, jaggery, lime, burnt coconut, charcol and river sand. The palace is built in the traditional Travancore architectural style, Suchindram Temple, it is another famous attraction . The temple which is a popular pilgrim centre. The temple also houses an emporium of art treasures from various periods in history.
Overnight stay at Hotel, Kovalam. |
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Day 05:- Kovalam – Thekkady
After Breakfast drive to Thekkady. On arrival at Thekkady , check in to the Hotel. Rest day is for relaxation and free for personal activities. Overnight stay at Hotel , Thekkady ( Periyar ) |
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Day 06:- Thekkady |
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Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary – one of the well-maintained wild life sanctuaries of South India. Situated on the banks of an artificial lake formed with the construction of an irrigation dam the sanctuary is spread out over an area of 777 sq kms. Now declared as a tiger reserve, this sanctuary is the best place to see the wild elephants, bison’s, wild dogs, deer’s, water birds and occasionally tiger
After Noon Visit of Spice plantations. Watch the trading at one of the spice shop.
Overnight stay at Hotel , Thekkady (Periyar) |
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Day 07:- Thekkady-Munnar
After Breakfast drive to Munnar
Munnar , Paradise of nature lovers, Munnar was the summer resort of the British government in South India. Surrounded by the Annamalai Hills, this hill station offers spectacular views of the craggy peaks, manicured tea estates, picturesque towns and winding lanes. Munnar in the wee hours of the morning is a dream, covered in mist. Tiger, sambhar, bison, spotted deer, leopard, and Malabar flying squirrel, stripe-necked Mongoose etc can also be spotted in the forest.
Rajamala is the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat.
vernight stay at Hotel , Munnar |
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| Day 08:- Munnar |
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After Breakfast Sightseeing of Munnar.
Visit Mattupetty dam and lake, Rajamala, the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat and the Eravikulam National Park.
Overnight stay at Hotel , Munnar |
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| Day 09:- Munnar – Madurai |
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After breakfast check-out from hotel and drive to Madurai.
On arrival at Madurai, check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure and personal activities.
Overnight stay at hotel, Madurai |
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| Day 10:- Madurai Sightseeing |
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After breakfast, full day sightseeing of Madurai.
Meenakshi Temple: The grand gopurams of the Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple tower over the city at the heart of which they stand. The temple complex covers 6 hectares right in the middle of the city and is flush with visitors from all over, each and everyday. The towers that loom overhead are famous for detailed carvings of the gods and goddesses, mythological figures and running depictions of legendary tales. The huge southern gopuram has over 1500 sculptures! The temple is dedicated to Shiva and Meenakshi, an earthly incarnation of his wife Parvati, who was born to the childless ruler after many prayers. |
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Temple Museum is at the 'thousand –pillared hall’ where each of the 985 pillars are carved in great detail. 5 km east of the temple is the Mariamman Teppakulum tank where the annual Float Festival is held in January. The Shiva Meenakshi idols are taken out of the temples and float on decorated rafts for several days before returning.
The Pandyas originally built the Meenakshi Temple but little had survived when Tirumalai Nayak restored it to its old glory. Entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the Shiva temple is restricted to Hindus, and in the Meenakshi temple to Hindu women.
Chitirai Festival in April/May sees the idols being taken around on their chariots in celebration of the divine marriage. The zestful thumping of drums or nadeswarams accompanies the procession. |
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The palace of Tirumalai Nayak in the Indo-Saracen style is supposed to exemplify Nayak architecture. Built in 1523, it was four times its size today. There’s a light and sound show in English on the life the ruler and the Tamil classic Silapatthikaram from 6:45 pm everyday.
The Gandhi Museum is a great place for anybody who wants to discover the Mahatma. Several little known facts are displayed, as is his bloodstained dhoti from his assassination.
The ancient temple of Koodal Azhagar has idols of Vishnu sitting, standing and in repose one above the other.
Overnight stay at hotel, Madurai |
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Day 11:- Madurai - Trichi
After breakfast check-out from hotel and drive to Trichi.
On arrival at Trichi, check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure and personal activities.
Overnight stay at hotel, Trichi. |
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Day 12:- Day-trip to Tanjore
After breakfast day trip to Tanjore.
Thanjavur, or Tanjore as the Britishs called it, is a lush paddy district. Now a small city in the state of Tamil Nadu, it rose to glory during the Chola period from the 10 th century to the 14 th, when it came to be the centre of art and education. The Cholas built extensively during this period and 74 of their temples are still standing. As the centre of cultural development Thanjavur attracted master craftsmen, and it still continues to produce attractive handcrafted ware.
The legacy of the days of glory endures. Its heritage as a centre of learning, culture and craft is reflected in the variety of handicraft work that goes on here. Thanjavur is still famous for its bejewelled, gold leaf Tanjore paintings, fine silk carpets, bell metal work, musical instruments, pith work and bronze sculptures. |
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The Brihadiswara Temple built by Raja Raja Chola in the 10th Century dominates the town. Its dimensions are huge: the Vimana, which peculiarly is bigger than the Gopuram is 65 meters tall, the lingam is called the Mahalingam to suggest its greatness and the Nandi Bull guarding the temple is 3.7 meters tall. The frescoes compare well with those in Ajanta. The South Zone cultural Center organizes a programme on 2 nd and 4 th Saturdays at the Brihadiswar Temple for which entry is free. Tel: 40072
The Palace near the temple was built partly by the Nayaks in 1550, and partly by the Marathas of the west. It houses an Art Gallery, the Saraswati Mahal Library, the Royal Museum and a music hall. The art gallery displays bronze and granite statues from the Chola period, ancient manuscripts on palm leaves are on show at the library, and the royal museum displays the royal costumes, cutlery, utensils and weapons. |
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The Tamil University was set up in 1981 to support the research and study of Tamil.
There are many places of interest outside Thanjavur. Thiruvaiyur (13 km) is where the south Indian saint Thyagaraja lived. A festival is held in his honour every Jan.
Over night stay at hotel. Trichi |
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Day 13:- Trichi
After breakfast full day sightseeing of Trichi.
Trichy also known as Tirichirapalli lies on the banks of the Cauvery River. The 4 th largest city in the state of Tamil Nadu now, it was always coveted by rulers because of its strategic location on the river. It passed through the hands of all the important ruling dynasties of the region, but it prospered most under the Nayaks. In more recent times, Trichy was first a power centre of the French and later the British. The most remarkable thing in Trichy is a rock that rears 83meters into the sky seemingly out of nowhere, in an otherwise flat landscape.
The most remarkable landmark of Trichy, the 83-meter high rock outcrop in an otherwise completely flat landscape is enclosed in the Rock Fort. At the top is the Ucchi Pillayar Koil Temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka. From here a flight of steps lead to the Mathrubutheswarar Temple to Shiva built over a lingam (phallic symbol for Shiva) that is a natural protrusion of the rock. It has a hundred-pillared-hall and the Vimana is covered with gold. The rock itself has carvings from the time of the Nayaks who built the fort. You can look out over the entire city from this perch. |
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5km from Trichy is the island town of Srirangam. Spread out over 600 acres, this island town in the Cauvery River is encircled by the temple walls. There are 22 gopurams including India’s tallest (72 meters, 13 storey high), which was built in 1987 while the others date back to the 14 th century.
Over night stay at hotel. Trichi |
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Day 14:- Trichi - Chennai
Departure, Drop at Trichi Railway Station before schedule depart time. |
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Note:- Tour price depends on no. of persons, type of accommodation & type of transport. |
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