Kerala – Curry & Culture – 9N / 10D

Kerala Curry & Culture : 9N/10D

Day01ArriveKochi
Arrive Kochi – the palm green, commercial capital of Kerala.  Popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is the oldest European settlement in India. Frilled with backwaters and rich with old world charm, this city has lured many a great voyager to its shores. On arrival you will be transferred to the hotel to relax.  At the time of sunset we take Boat Cruise on the backwater which gives an opportunity to behold the great charm of this city. Kochi has one of the finest natural harbour. Overnight at the hotel.

Day02Kochi

Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace & the famous Chinese fishing nets. Evening witness the live performance of Kathakali dance + make up demonstration.   Kathakali is an unique dance which has a 2000 year old history with more than 100 different ‘mudras’ or gesture depicting deities, demons, heroes, heroines and kings – each based on episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the two epic Indian myths. Overnight at hotel.

Day03Munnar
Drive to Munnar set amid Southern India’s most dramatic mountain scenery and the combination of craggy Peaks, Manicured Tea Estates. Crisp mountain air makes Munnar a delightful alternative to the better known hill stations of Tamil Nadu. It is a perennial favourite of ‘Honeymooners’ and offer magnificent scenery and wonderful walks. Here you will find sprawling tea, rubber and eucalyptus plantations side by side with natural grasslands and pine forests.  Visit Eravikulam National park, Rajamalai and Mattupetty dam.  Overnight at Munnar.

Day04Periyar
Drive to Periyar.  Periyar, one of the most fascinating wildlife sanctuaries in India, noted for elephants, Spice plantations and its scenic beauty. A boat ride on the splendid Periyar Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.   The greatest attraction here is the herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake to frolic in the waters.  Wild Boars, Sambar, Wild Dogs, Langur Monkeys, Bison, Red fox can also be spotted in the forest. Afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, pepper, tea.   Overnight at Periyar.
Day05Kumarakom
After breakfast a guided walk around the Spice Village to see the various spices grown in the resort garden. Thereafter drive through the winding “Ghats” lined with prosperous tea plantations & then arrive the fascinating countryside of low-lying palms and paddy fields to Kumarakom (190 kms) enroute visit the tea estates. Kumarakom – is a beautiful backwater village on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake, criss-crossed with meandering waterways and ancient cottages. A holiday in Coconut Lagoon promises to be different from any other. Every “tarawad” or cottage you stay in is at least a century old, reconstructed piece by piece in accordance with ancient rites of carpentry. Relax at the waterfront, with the occasional native row boat gliding silently by, and the air so calm, you can reach out and touch the sky with your finger tips.  Overnight at the hotel.

Day06Kumarakom
After breakfast, take a cruise for a farm visit and if lucky, watch the locals fishing. Demonstration of “Conquering the Coconut” from plucking, de-husking, breaking, grating & finally using the grated coconut. Sun set cruise on a Rice Boat. Mid afternoon, live hands on lessons on preparing few Kerala Seafood dishes. Overnight at the hotel.

Day07Mararikulam
After breakfast boat transfer across lake Vembanad to Puthenangadi & drive to Marari Beach. Day at leisure on the beach resort.

Day08Kovalam
Drive to Kovalam, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world enroute Trivandrum.  One of the ancient cities in South India and the capital of Kerala State, the small and beautiful city is hidden inside lush greenery and built up on seven tiny hills. The magnificent Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the landmark of the city (NB Non Hindus are not permitted inside the Temple). The Napier Museum (Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays) houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts. Sree Chitra Art Gallery (Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays) located in side the Museum campus, displays select Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich. The SMSM Institute (The State handicraft Emporium) and Veli Tourist Village, a picnic spot with boating facility are the other places worth visiting. Evening enjoy sunset and water sports on the beach.

Day09Kovalam
Day excursion to Kanyakumari to visit the stunning Padmanabhapuram palace and to enjoy the unique experience of Sunset & Moon rise over the ocean.  Overnight at Kovalam Resort.

Day 10   Departure
Transfer to the airport to connect flight to onward destination.

Kerala Curry & Culture : 9N/10D

Day01ArriveKochi
Arrive Kochi – the palm green, commercial capital of Kerala. Popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is the oldest European settlement in India. Frilled with backwaters and rich with old world charm, this city has lured many a great voyager to its shores. On arrival you will be transferred to the hotel to relax. At the time of sunset we take Boat Cruise on the backwater which gives an opportunity to behold the great charm of this city. Kochi has one of the finest natural harbour. Overnight at the hotel.

Day02Kochi

Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace & the famous Chinese fishing nets. Evening witness the live performance of Kathakali dance + make up demonstration. Kathakali is an unique dance which has a 2000 year old history with more than 100 different ‘mudras’ or gesture depicting deities, demons, heroes, heroines and kings – each based on episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the two epic Indian myths. Overnight at hotel.

Day03Munnar
Drive to Munnar set amid Southern India’s most dramatic mountain scenery and the combination of craggy Peaks, Manicured Tea Estates. Crisp mountain air makes Munnar a delightful alternative to the better known hill stations of Tamil Nadu. It is a perennial favourite of ‘Honeymooners’ and offer magnificent scenery and wonderful walks. Here you will find sprawling tea, rubber and eucalyptus plantations side by side with natural grasslands and pine forests. Visit Eravikulam National park, Rajamalai and Mattupetty dam. Overnight at Munnar.

Day04Periyar
Drive to Periyar. Periyar, one of the most fascinating wildlife sanctuaries in India, noted for elephants, Spice plantations and its scenic beauty. A boat ride on the splendid Periyar Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. The greatest attraction here is the herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake to frolic in the waters. Wild Boars, Sambar, Wild Dogs, Langur Monkeys, Bison, Red fox can also be spotted in the forest. Afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, pepper, tea. Overnight at Periyar.

Day05Kumarakom
After breakfast a guided walk around the Spice Village to see the various spices grown in the resort garden. Thereafter drive through the winding “Ghats” lined with prosperous tea plantations & then arrive the fascinating countryside of low-lying palms and paddy fields to Kumarakom (190 kms) enroute visit the tea estates. Kumarakom – is a beautiful backwater village on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake, criss-crossed with meandering waterways and ancient cottages. A holiday in Coconut Lagoon promises to be different from any other. Every “tarawad” or cottage you stay in is at least a century old, reconstructed piece by piece in accordance with ancient rites of carpentry. Relax at the waterfront, with the occasional native row boat gliding silently by, and the air so calm, you can reach out and touch the sky with your finger tips. Overnight at the hotel.

Day06Kumarakom
After breakfast, take a cruise for a farm visit and if lucky, watch the locals fishing. Demonstration of “Conquering the Coconut” from plucking, de-husking, breaking, grating & finally using the grated coconut. Sun set cruise on a Rice Boat. Mid afternoon, live hands on lessons on preparing few Kerala Seafood dishes. Overnight at the hotel.

Day07Mararikulam
After breakfast boat transfer across lake Vembanad to Puthenangadi & drive to Marari Beach. Day at leisure on the beach resort.

Day08Kovalam
Drive to Kovalam, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world enroute Trivandrum. One of the ancient cities in South India and the capital of Kerala State, the small and beautiful city is hidden inside lush greenery and built up on seven tiny hills. The magnificent Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the landmark of the city (NB Non Hindus are not permitted inside the Temple). The Napier Museum (Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays) houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts. Sree Chitra Art Gallery (Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays) located in side the Museum campus, displays select Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich. The SMSM Institute (The State handicraft Emporium) and Veli Tourist Village, a picnic spot with boating facility are the other places worth visiting. Evening enjoy sunset and water sports on the beach.

Day09Kovalam
Day excursion to Kanyakumari to visit the stunning Padmanabhapuram palace and to enjoy the unique experience of Sunset & Moon rise over the ocean. Overnight at Kovalam Resort.

Day 10 Departure
Transfer to the airport to connect flight to onward destination.