9 Days / 8 Nights in Cochin – Munnar – Thekkady – Kumarakam – Alleppey – Kovalam
Day 1: Cochin – Munnar
Cochin – Munnar (Tea Garden & Hill station). Arrival at Cochin airport/ railway station. To Munnar. This beautiful hill station was once the summer capital of the British Government in India. The never ending vast expanse of tea plantations and the round the year moderate climate makes it a little haven for visitors. The day at leisure.
Day 2: Munnar
Munnar : Visit to Rajamala- house of the highly endangered mountain goats – the Nilgiri Thars. To Marayoor to visit the Muniyaras (Caves)which dates back to the new stone age. On the way back visit the sandalwood forests and Lakkam water falls which is accessible by a short trek through the forest. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 3: Munnar
Munnar : Morning to Top Station. Top Station offers panoramic view of the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. Then to Echo point and Mattupetty Dam. Speed boating facilities are available here. The dam is flanked by forests and wast expanse of grass land on one side and the Kundala tea plantation on the other. After noon at leisure.
Day 4: Munnar – Periyar
Munnar – Periyar (wild life sanctuary & Spice plantation) (120 kms/ 3 ½ hrs). By 12 noon at Thekkady. Proceed for a spice plantation tour and by evening at Periyar lake around which the sanctuary is built, for boating. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing the wild life at close quarters from the safety of a boat. Stay in Thekkady.
Day 5: Periyar – Kumarakam
Periyar – Kumarakam (Backwaters). Drive to Kumarakam. By noon check in at the backwater resort in Kumarakam. Afternoon at leisure. Evening visit the Kumarakam bird sanctuary. Overnight stay at Kumarakam.
Day 6: Kumarakam – Alleppey
Kumarakam –Alleppey. Morning proceed to Alleppey. By noon check in at the house boat in Alleppey for a 20 hour house boating through the legendary backwaters of Kerala . On the way you will witness a full range of lifes and activities and some mind boggling sceneries. Overnight in the house boat. House boat is a private boat with fully furnished spacious bath attached bed rooms, private balcony, dining room, hygiene kitchen and side decks to capture the beauty of the back waters.
Day 7: Alleppey – Kovalam
Alleppey- Kovalam (International beach) Proceed to Kovalam- the internationally renowned beach destination. Spend the rest of the day in the sandy beaches of Kovalam flanked by coconut groves on one side and Arabian sea on the other. Overnight at the beach side hotel.
Day 8: Kovalam
Kovalam. Full day at leisure in Kovalam.
Day 9: Kovalam – Trivandrum
Kovalam – Trivandrum (Capital City) Visit Napier Museum and Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Trivandrum and proceed to airport / railway station for onward journey.
