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Kerala Wildlife & Hill Stations
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Cochin-Kumarkom-Periyar
-Munnar-Cochin (08 Nts 09
Days)
Day 1/ Arrive Cochin
Arrival at Cochin Airport,
meet assist at the airport & transfer to Kumarakam
(140Km 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. Night stay in Kumarakom.
Day
2/ Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Morning proceed for full day trekking in the Mangrove
Forests, Water Skiing, Fishing by the Lake or Bird
Watching at Kumarakam Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologists’
heaven. Night stay in Kumarakom.
Day 3/ 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. Arrive & transfer
to hotel. The evening is free to relax. Night stay
in Periyar.
Day 4/ Boat Ride
Morning proceed for 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. Night stay in Periyar.
Day 5/ Munnar Hill Station
Morning drive to Munnar, 110Kms away; situated 1600m
above sea level, Munnar is a Hill Station, once the
Summer Resort of the ‘British Raj’, Government of
South India. Sprawling Tea Plantations, winding lanes
and good holiday facilities make this a popular resort
town. Arrive & transfer to hotel. Night stay in
Munnar.
Day 6/ Munnar
Morning after breakfast proceed for Munnar sight
seeing covering 1. Rajamalai & Eravikulam National
Park, 15Kms from Munnar, this is the natural habitat
of the Nilgiri Thar, a rare mountain goat (Hermitragas
Hylocres). 2. Marayoor, 40Kms from Munnar, the only
place in Kerala that lays claim to the natural growth
of Sandalwood. The Muniyara caves with murals and
relics from the New Stone Age Civilization. A Children’s
Park, spread across a hectare of land under the canopy
of a Single Banyan Tree, are of great interest to
tourists. Night stay in Munnar.
Day 7/ Cochin.
Morning drive to Cochin (150Kms drive). Kerala’s Commercial
Capital, and the most cosmopolitan of its cities,
Cochin is a fascinating blend of cultures. Arrive
& transfer to hotel. The evening is free for leisure
& shopping. Night stay in Cochin.
Day 8/ Sightseeing in Cochin.
Morning after breakfast proceed for sightseeing in
Cochin visiting 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 9/ Departure
Transfer to Cochin International Airport for onward
destination.
One Night on a Houseboat: The nights stay, ‘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 One & Two at Alleppey: A day
trip to Kumarakam to visit the Bird Sanctuary. [Note:
This option will save cost on the Deluxe Tour].
Take a Beach Break – [Additional Charges Apply]:
1. Coastlines:
Two nights in any one of the Beach Resorts –
(a) Marari Beach Resort, Mararikulam.
(b) Kadapuram Beach Resort, Nattika.
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