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Trivandrum
- Kumarakom - Periyar - Kumily - Thekkady - Cochin
( 08 Nights / 09 Days )
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Day01
/ Arrival Trivandrum
Arrive Trivandrum, meet assist at the airport and transfer to Kovalam,
the internationally renowned Beach Resort (12Kms drive). Kovalam, a
favorite haunt for tourists since the 1930’s, consists of three
adjacent crescent beaches.Transfer to accommodation. The day is free
to relax on the beach. Night stay in Kovalam.
Day
02 / Sightseeing Trivandrum
A whole day spent sightseeing in Trivandrum. Trivandrum, the Kerala
State Administrative Capital is 16Kms from Kovalam. City sightseeing
features among other places of interest:
1. Padmanabha Swami Temple, the only one in Kerala where foreign nationals
are allowed near the Sanctum Sanctorum. Known for its mural paintings
and stone carvings, the temple is a blend of Kerala and Dravidian styles
of architecture.
2. Kuthiramalika, a palace of the erstwhile Composer King of Travancore,
displays a rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore
style of architecture with exquisite woodcarvings (closed on all Mondays).
3. The Napier Museum, houses a rare collection of archaeological and
historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot
and ivory carvings (closed on all Sundays & Wednesdays).
4. Shree Chitra Art Gallery, displays select paintings by Raja Ravi
Varma, Svetlava & Nicholas Roerich, including some exquisite works
from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The collection
includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali (closed on all
Mondays & Wednesdays). The evening is free to relax on the Beach.
Night stay at Kovalam.
 Day
03 / Kumarakom
Morning drive to Kumarakam (180Km drive). Kumarakam is situated on Lake
Vembanad, the hub of backwater tourism in Kerala. Mangrove Forests,
Paddy Fields, and Coconut Groves networked by a maze of waterways and
canals adorned with waterlillies, make Kumarakam an unbelievably beautiful
natural paradise. Transfer to hotel. Night stay in Kumarakom.
Day
04 / Kumarakom
The day is free for trekking in the Mangrove Forests, Water Sking, Fishing
by the Lake or Bird Watching at Kumarakam Bird Sanctuary - an ornithologists
heaven. Night stay in Kumarakom.
Day
05 / Periyar
Morning Drive to Periyar (130Km drive) The Periyar Forest is one of
the finest wildlife reserves in India. Lying at an altitude of 900 –
1800m above sea level and spread across 777sq.Km, the Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology,
diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty. It’s the only sanctuary
in India where you can view wildlife at close quarters from the safety
of a boat on the lake. Periyar’s biggest attractions are the Herds
of Elephants that come down to water and play, lakeside. Transfer to
hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Periyar.
Day
06 / Kumily - Thekkady
Start the day with a short Trek inside the Sanctuary followed by a two
hour Boat Ride. Evening leaves you free to check out the local Spice
Markets at Kumily, a small town 4Kms from Thekkady [Reserve]. Night
stay in Thekkady.
Day
07 / Cochin
Morning drive to Cochin (225Kms drive). The Commercial Capital of Kerala,
and the most cosmopolitan of Kerala’s cities, Cochin is a fascinating
blend of cultures. The evening is free for Leisure & Shopping. Night
stay in Cochin.
Day
08 / Sightseeing Cochin
Sightseeing in Cochin, takes you very close to the regions History on
the international stage .
1. The Hill Palace Museum, a fully-fledged archeological museum and
Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum are the main attractions (closed
on Mondays).
2. Chinese Fishing Nets, this unique style of huge cantilevered fishing
nets were erected between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders from the Court
of Kubla Khan, a Chinese King.
3. Santa Cruz Basilica, this historic church was built by the Portuguese
and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. Pope John Paul
II proclaimed the Church a Basilica in 1984.
4. The Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, this is the oldest Synagogue
in the Commonwealth (closed on Saturdays & Jewish Holidays).
The area around the Synagogue, called Jew Town, is the centre for Spice
& Handicraft shops.
5. Mattanchery Palace (Dutch Palace), built by the Portuguese in 1557
and presented to the Regent of Kochi (closed on Fridays).
Night stay in Cochin.
 Day
09 / Departure
Transfer to Cochin / Trivandrum International Airport to board the onward
flight. Options / Choices / Additions “Waterways”
- One Night on a Houseboat: The nights stay of ‘Day Two’
of the Tour can be spent on a Houseboat; we board at Alleppey –
the “Venice of the East”. Alleppey is a fascinating part
of Kerala; land of Canals and Inland Lakes.
The classic Kerala Houseboat or “Kettuvallam”, (as it would
be locally known), is the giant traditional craft of the waterways.
Measuring up to 80 feet in length, they were used to carry tonnes of
rice & spices. A standard Kettuvallam can hold up to 30 tonnes.
Today these Houseboats have been transformed into an innovative holiday
idea, including all the creature comforts of a well-furnished Bedroom,
an en-suite Bathroom, cosy Living Room, Kitchen and even a Balcony for
Angling. The Houseboat will cruise at a leisurely pace along palm-fringed
waterways, giving a panoramic view of Kerala Village Life. On-board
catering will provide the best of Kerala Cuisine to suit your tastes.
At night the Boat will be Anchored on Lake Vembanad.“Super Saver”
Day
Three & Four at Alleppey
A
day trip to Kumarakam to visit the Bird Sanctuary.
[Note: This option will save cost on the Deluxe Tour]. Take
a Break – [Additional Charges Apply] ~
1.Coastlines
Two nights in any one of the Beach Resorts –
(a) Taj - Garden Retreat, Varkala.
(b) Marari Beach Resort, Mararikulam.
(c) Kadapuram Beach Resort, Nattika.
2.Lakes
& Lagoons
Two nights in any one of the Backwater Resorts –
(a) Poovar Island Resort, Poovar, near Kovalam.
(b) Aqua Serene, Paravoor.
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