Places : Cochin - Guruvayur - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Trivandrum - Kanyakumari
Duration : 11 Days
Day 01 : Kochi (Cochin)
Arrival and greetings in airport/railway station and transfer to hotel. Afternoon, Cochin sightseeing by luxury boat, visiting 16th century Jewish synagogue and Catholic Church, Fort Cochin, Dutch palace… Different communities (Jewish, Muslim, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch…) have long cohabited in Kochi, which makes it very eclectic, for the pleasure of the wanderer.
Day 02: Athirampally - Guruvayur
After breakfast, proceed to Athirampally, Vazhachal water falls. Afternoon drive to Guruvayur. Visit "Elephant Sanctuary" (Punnathur Kotta), Mural Painting, Kudakallu...
Day 03 : Munnar
Early morning visit Sri Krishna Temple, famous pilgrimage center of Kerala. After breakfast, drive to Munnar, a major center for tea trade. Enjoy the panorama of tea plantations in surrounding mountains, including Anamudi, the highest peak in South India (2,695 m). Visit Christ Church, a hundred year old church dedicated to tea growers.
Day 04 : Munnar
After breakfast spend the entire day at Munnar, visiting Pothamedu, Devikulam, Pallivasal, Attukal, Mattupetty, Echo-Point...
Day 05 : Thekkady - Idukki
Early morning, depart to Thekkady, visiting Idukki dam en route. Evening explore tea, cardamom and santal plantations.
Day 06 : Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Excursion in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, a huge natural refuge for tigers, elephants, antelopes, buffalos… Wander in the jungle (with a guide!) and go boating through Periyar Lake.
Day 07 : Kumarakom - Vembanad
Early morning, depart to Kumarakom, located on the bank of Vembanad Lake. Here begins your experience of Kerala's backwaters, which are formed by a vast network of lagoons, rivers, lakes and canals. After lunch, excursion in Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary...
Day 08 : Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Walk to Alleppey through paddy fields, coconut lagoons, narrow canals and coir villages. It is a rare chance to see pepper, coffee, cashew nut, coco, pineapple, and nut mug plantations… Watch birds like kingfishers, woodpecker, drongos, egrets, bee-caters… Boating through Punnamada Lake (famous for Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race in august). Overnight on houseboat (a traditional rice boat converted into a mini hotel on sails).
Day 09 : Trivandrum - Kovalam
After breakfast, depart to Kovalam visiting Trivandrum en route. Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) remains one of the most pleasant cities of the region with charming narrow streets and pagoda buildings. Admire the huge Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and visit Puthe Maliga Palace Museum, Veli Tourist Park…Overnight at beach resort in Kovalam.
Day 10 : Kanyakumari
Morning at leisure. After lunch, proceed to Kanyakumari. Located in the extreme south of India (Cape Comorin), it is a unique place to watch the sunset.
Day 11 : Vivekananda Rock - Kanyakumari
Kanayakumari is also a holy Hindu site, dedicated to goddess Devi Kanya. Visit beautiful temples (Kumari Amman), and memorials devoted to great spiritual guides (Gandhi, Vivekananda).
Southern Experience
| Highlands of South India
| Heritage South India
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