Arrival Kochi meet & assist by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Kochi is simply beautiful and the first city of the country where the entire public transport system -metro, train, air transport, trains, buses, autorikshows, taxies, work together as a seamless integrated system with a common time table and centralised command and control. Especially Kochi is the queen of Arabian sea and the role in the development of shipping and trade in the region. The air gateway to Kochi is the Kochi international airport located at Nedumbassery which is about 28 km (17 mi) north of Kochi city, and handles both domestic and international flights. It is the first international airport in India to be built without Central Government funds and is the world's first fully solar energy powered airport. And Kochi metro is a metro rapid transit system serving the city of Kochi, intended to considerably ease traffic congestion in the city and its surrounding metropolitan area . 

Kochi’s prime location on the west coast, its fine bay and protected harbour made it popular with seafarers and merchant ships who made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood enroute to the rich markets of Europe and West Asia. And so down the ages, Kochi prospered as a busy port city and commercial centre. Its seafront is still extremely relevant to Cochin and to India: it houses a Naval Base and one of India’s busiest ports. It’s twin city, Ernakulum, is an important railhead and industrial centre. Cochin’s history is a bright tapestry – many coloured threads woven through centuries together present the fabric of the present Its involvement with the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British are evident in the architecture of city buildings, the old durbar hall is the spice in the dish! In recent modern days Kochi may be a busy port and shipping centre but it has many attractions for ordinary tourists. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay in Kochi.

After a leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour of Cochin visit Chinese Fishing Nets – The Chinese Fishing net that line the sea-front and exhibit a mechanical method of catching fish by local fishermen in Fort Kochi. Said to have been brought from China by traders of Kubalai Khan’s Court, they are used at high tide, Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese Fishing net, ST. Francis Church & Museum of Kerala History. Dutch Palace (Closed on Fridays and Public Holidays) is also known as Distance Palace built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin in 1555 AD. It acquired the present name after 1663 when the Dutch carried out extensions and repairs in the palace. AT no time did the Portuguese or Dutch stay here, its interiors are decorated with murals from the Ramayana and there are some lively displays of royal costumes and palanquins. (Closed on Fridays and national holidays)

Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish Holidays) was built in 1568 AD, The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament., the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles are of interest ST. Francis Church – the Protestant church was originally built by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the oldest, church built by the Europeans in India. It is here the remains of the inveterate traveler, Vasco da Gamma were initially buried and 14 years later, his mortal remains were taken to Portugal.

Bolghatty Palace is situated in Bolghatty Island a narrow palm fringed Island easily accessible from the. mainland. The Palace was built by the Dutch in 1744. Later, it became the seat of the British Resident and today this has been converted into a hotel run by KTDC In the evening, you will be taken to a Kathakali dance center where you will witness the most elaborate of the dance forms in southern India. Here you will witness the artists readying themselves up with the make up for the final performance. Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance form, which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. Costume is elaborate with the face painted up. Great importance is laid on the Vesham or make-up, which are of five types – Pacha, Kathi, Thadi, Kari and Minukku. The pomp and magnificence of Kathakali is partly due to its decor part of which is the kireetam or huge headgear and the kanchukam the over sized jackets, and a long skirt worn over a thick padding of cushions. The identity of the actor is completely mutilated to create a super human being of larger-than-life proportion. overnight at Hotel

After breakfast check out from your hotel and drive to Munnar. Spectacular Munnar hills is situated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 Ft above sea level and is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. This beautiful hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Govt in South India. Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Munnar is well connected by both National highways, state highways and rural roads. The town lies in the Kochi- Dhanushkodi  National highway (N.H 49), about 130 km (81 mi) from Cochin, 31 km (19 mi) from Adimali  85 km (53 mi) from Udumalpettu in Tamilnadu and 60 km (37 mi) from  Neriamangalam Up on Arrival to Munnar, directly check in to hotel. Arrive at Munnar and check in at your hotel. Rest day at leisure. overnight stay in Munnar. 

After leisurely breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Munnar garden of evergreen tropical forest with rolling grasslands and rugged terrain. & Mattupetty Lake and dam which is surrounded by tall hills and forest Echo Point: This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo point is on the way to Top Station from Munnar. Devikulam: This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the coo! mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot Munnar is known for its extensive tea estates. Visit Eraviukulam National Park (10 kms away) overnight at hotel in Munnar. There are four major directions in Munnar: Mattupatty Direction, Thekkedy Direction, Adimaly Direction and Coimbatore Direction. The climate and tea plantations are the main reason for tourism in Munnar. The tourist count increases every year with a major number during the months of April–May when summer vacations begin across the country. evening dinner and overnight stay Munnar.

After breakfast check out from your hotel and drive to Thekkady. Thekkady in Kerala State, India's largest wildlife sanctuary is a dream destination for any tourist visiting India. The 120 years old 'Surki' dam built across Peryiar, Poorna in Vedic parlance, is a major tourist attraction. This sanctuary is spread over an area of 777 Sq.Kms, surrounded by an artificial lake over an area of 25 Sq.Kms. Arrive and check in at your hotel  and late afternoon proceed for a sanctuary visit on motor boat. During the cruise, you might come across herd of elephants and / or deers. The other animals present in the sanctuary are Nilgiri Langur, Bear, Porcupine, Leopards and Tigers. Later enjoy a Spice Plantation tour and visit to Periyar sanctuary, the main attraction of Thekkady, is one of the best, sanctuaries in India for watching and photographing elephants at close quarters. Thekkady is placed at an altitude of 700m above the sea level. Located in the Idukki district of Kerala, Thekkady is a perfect retreat for anyone who loves adventure, fun, wildlife and nature. Nestled between the ever-green and semi-evergreen forests of Western Ghats, Thekkady has so many things to offer for the tourists who visit this place. In the biggest wildlife sanctuary, you can sight Asian elephants, bison, sambar deer, boars, tigers, leopards, wild squirrels, lion tailed monkeys etc.Evening dinner and overnight stay in Thekkady.

After breakfast proceed to see plantations and scenes of Kumarakom - is a lovely Village in Kerala, blessed with nature’s rare gifts is on the Eastern side of the vast Vembanad Lake.Enjoy the backwaters, the bracing climate & green magic of nature. Rest of the day free at leisure. (Options available here for ayurvedic treatments on direct payment basis). Kumarakom has a wide variety of houseboats and is well known throughout the world for houseboat experience. They are used only for tourists these days. A separate boat known as Kettuvallam is used by the people to go fishing or to transport goods. Apart from these, there are elegant special boats like Kochu-odi Vallam, Odi-Vallam, Iruttukutthi Vallam, Churulan Vallam and Chundan Vallam (Snake Boat), which take part in the boat races around Onam time including Nehru Trophy boat race Alappuzha (The most famous boat race in Kerala). The pride of Kumarakom in boat races in Kerala is two main boat clubs called KBC (Kumarakom Boat Club) and KTBC (Kumarakom Town Boat Club) which won Nehru trophy several times. Kumarakom will be in the Retheme of boat race during the first two weeks of August. later evening dinner and overnight stay  in Kumarakom.

After breakfast proceed to the lush backwaters of Kottayam in Kerala, lies a veritable paradise, which, is called Kumarakom, or the ‘Venice of the East’. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields, and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget Kumarakom is Kerala’s heartland of lagoons, palm fringed lakes, and paddy fields, inter-linked with hundreds of winding canals, with the typical low slung country boats that carry everything from people to fish, rice and coconuts to the milkman and newspaper boy, local politicians and priests to wedding parties.

Get ready for a two and half hours backwater ride on the Vembanad Lake, it is an experience in itself. Move into the narrow channels to witness the daily activities of the people residing on the banks. The scenery is serene and breathtaking. Kumarakom is a lovely Village in Kerala, blessed with nature’s rare gifts is on the Eastern side of the vast Vembanad Lake. Enjoy the backwaters, the bracing climate & green magic of nature. Overnight in Kumarakom.

After breakfast Morning free at leisure. Afternoon board your houseboat from your hotel jetty. Backwaters –a unique web of lakes, lagoons, canals and rivers – are an integral part of Kerala’s tourism scenario. Inaccessible to tourists for a long time, this hidden treasure has now become a reality to the tourists, thanks to the ‘Kettuvallam’ 

the Houseboats of Kerala. In Malayalam, the word ” Kettuvallam’ means a sewn or stitched canoe. Traditionally they were built of planks sewn together with coir cordage, threaded through with a ” needle’ carved from a palm frond. The seams, caulked with coir plugs soaked in sardine or cashew oil made the boats waterproof. The traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the most enduring images of the backwaters – its natural, cocoon-like profile complementing the surrounding countryside.

These ‘Kettuvallam’, were designed to carry heavy cargo, such as coconuts and spices, and to provide living accommodation for the boatmen. These boats have been adapted to offer holidaymakers the ultimate backwater experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. Preserving their historic character and style, craftsmen have created a unique atmosphere on board, a luxurious, self-contained world from which to observe rural Indian life flowing gently by. full board meals & overnight onboard House Boat.

After breakfast proceed to Kovalam - is famous for its beaches, among the most pristine in India. Kovalam is extremely popular among westerners due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. It is also one of the oldest tourist enclaves in India, a well known part of the tourist circuit since the 1930s. Kovalam shot into the limelight in the early 1970s with the arrival of masses of hippies. That started the transformation of a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in all India - the Kovalam beach Trivandrum is the capital and gateway to one of the most beautiful states in India – Kerala. Built over 7 hills, this “City of the Sacred Serpent” once formed a part of the kingdom of Travancore and” still retains some of the ambience characteristic of old Kerala in its red-tiled roofs, wide-open avenues, parks, cultural institutions and the undulating countryside. Visit the 260-year-old Padmanabha Swami Temple (non-Hindus cannot enter), Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Galiery (both are closed on Mon/Wed mornings), the Zoological gardens and Reptile House, and the Observatory. Also visit Kanakakunnu Palace, which is a gracious building in the Indo-Saracenic style famous for the stuccowork on its domes and arches, just 12 km to the south of Trivandrum lies Kovalam, an uncluttered beach of silvery sands fringed with rows of tall palm trees. Once just a series of sandy bays separated by rocky promontories, deserted except for some fishing villages, it has become a major tourist centre. Kovalam is a pleasant seaside place with a sheltered bay and a wide choice of water sports. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight stay in Kovalam.

After breakfast see the beauty of Kovalam - the beaches are the star attractions here. Kovalam has three crescent shaped beaches separated by rocky outcroppings. The larger of the beaches is called lighthouse Beach, known for its 35-m-high lighthouse which towers over it a top Kurumkal hillock. Most of the foreigner’s stay on Lighthouse Beach, which is more developed. There are some vendors on the beach, but they are not too pushy. It takes less than five minutes to walk from Lighthouse Beach to the second largest beach, Hawah Beach. This beach is named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India. However topless bathing is banned now. There are many restaurants along the beach front at Lighthouse Beach. The days catch is usually laid in front of them in the evening for those who like fish. Most restaurants have a leisurely approach to life and an hour between ordering and receiving your food is not uncommon. But do not get uptight, just relax and enjoy. Later evening dinner and overnight stay in Kovalam.