KOVALAM-PERIYAR -MUNNAR-COCHIN (DHT 02)

Kerala, also known as God's Own Country, is a narrow strip of land and almost impossibly green is located at the southernmost tip of India. One of the India's most exotic destination and one of the must see destinations in the world. Secluded beaches, Lush hill stations, exotic wildlife, mist clad hill stations, lush tropical forests, sprawling plantations, and paddy fields , tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, Ayurveda , Enchanting art forms, Magical festivals….Exotic cuisine

Day 01 : ARRIVAL AT PERIYAR ( 140 kms )

After Breakfast, drive to Thekkady (Periyar) through Cardamom Plantations and forests to the wild life sanctuary of Periyar. This is one of the hill stations that produces large quantities of Spices, like pepper, cardamom, cloves etc.

Check into the Hotel. Afternoon at leisure

Day 02 : PERIYAR / MUNNAR (106 kms)

Depart very early in the morning to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to board the safari boat for the cruise on the Periyar Lake to view Wildlife on the banks. Return to the hotel for Breakfast.

After breakfast, drive to Munnar. Rest of the day, at leisure to enjoy the salubrious climate at this hill station.

Day 03 : MUNNAR

After breakfast, drive to Munnar town for the sightseeing of Munnar.

Munnar: One the most beautiful hill station of Kerala where the tea plantations spread like a green carpet on Earth Munnar, 1600 to 1800 meters above sea level, is the beautiful hill station of Munnar.

Munnar is still very much a British Tea Plantation Town, its beauty further enhanced by great black roads that thrust upwards from amidst the thick vegetation. Clouds drop gently on the mountain peaks that flank the verdant shaped slender blue and red gum trees that shoot up into the sky and the winding lanes of the town.

The town is situated at the confluence of the three mountain streams, Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Visit Mattupetty dam and lake, Rajamala, the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat and the Eravikulam National Park. Also visit the tea plantations...

Over Night at Hotel

Day 04 : MUNNAR / COCHIN ( 130 kms)

After breakfast drive down the Ghats to arrive at your hotel in Cochin.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Evening: Watch Kathakali, one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. It originated in the area of southwestern India now known as the State of Kerala. Kathakali is a group presentation, in which dancers take various roles in performances traditionally based on themes from Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Day 05 : COCHIN

Depart after breakfast for the sightseeing of Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala visiting the Jew Town & Synagogue, the Dutch Palace, St.Francis Church and watch the Chinese Fishing nets at work.

Cochin is one of the most interesting towns in South India. A trading port since Roman times, it was on the main trade route between Europe and China. Fort Cochin occupies the South promontory on the seaward side of the Bay. Cochin is also called the Queen of the Arabian Sea.

Places of Interest at Cochin :

Fort Kochi: A leisurely walk through the city is the best way to discover historic Fort Kochi. An obscure fishing village that became the first European township In India, Kochi has an eventful and colorful history. The town was shaped by the cultural influences of the Dutch and later the British. The result of these cultural influences is seen in the many examples of Indo-European architecture that still exist here.

Chinese fishing nets: These huge cantilevered fishing nets are the legacy of one of the first visitors to the Malabar Coast. Erected here between 1350 and 1450 ad by Traders from the court of Kublai Khan, these nets are set up on teak wood and bamboo poles. The best place to watch the nets being lowered into the sea and the catch being brought in is the Vasco da Gama square, a narrow promenade that runs along the beach.

St. Francis Church: Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars, this is India's oldest European Church. This was initially built of timber and later reconstructed in stone. It was restored in 1779 by the Protestant Dutch and converted to an Anglican church by the British in 1795. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal.

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace): Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. On display here are beautiful murals depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, and some of the Puranic Hindu legends. The palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal palanquins and the coronation robes of former maharajas of Kochi.
Synagogue: Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch.

Evening: Watch Kathakali, one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. It originated in the area of southwestern India now known as the State of Kerala. Kathakali is a group presentation, in which dancers take various roles in performances traditionally based on themes from Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Over Night at Hotel.

Day 06 : COCHIN

Transfer to the Airport to connect the flight back home