| Duration - |
08 Nights / 09 Days |
| Places to Visit - |
Trivandrum - Kumarakom - Periyar - Kumily -
Thekkady - Cochin |
» Day 01 - Arrival TrivandrumArrive
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 TrivandrumA whole day spent sightseeing in
Trivandrum.Trivandrum, the Kerala State Administrative Capital is 16Kms from
Kovalam.City sightseeing features among other places of interest:
-
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.
- 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).
- 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).
-
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 - KumarakomThe 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 - PeriyarMorning
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 - ThekkadyStart 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 - CochinMorning 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
CochinSightseeing in Cochin, takes you very close to the regions
History on the international stage .
- The Hill Palace Museum, a
fully-fledged archeological museum and Kerala's first ever Heritage Museum
are the main attractions (closed on Mondays).
- 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.
-
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.
- 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.
-
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 - DepartureTransfer to Cochin / Trivandrum International
Airport to board the onward flight.