LUXURY TOURS IN INDIA

Kerala Backwater Holidays

Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days
Destinations : Calicut - Vythiri - Malanpuzha - Cochin - Munnar - Thekkady - Kottayam - Kovalam - Poovar - Trivendrum

Day 01 : Arrival Calicut
Arrive at Calicut, meet and assist at the airport & transfer to hotel. In the afternoon there is a city tour of Calicut.

Day 02 : Calicut - Vythiri
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Drive 100 km from Calicut to Vythiri. After checking into the Vithiri tree house, some of which are over 90 feet above the ground, there will still be time to explore the flora and sounds of the local jungle. Overnight will be at the tree-house.

Day 03 : Vythiri - Wayanadu - Vythiri
Proceed for a day excursion to Wayanadu, enjoying the scenery and wildlife of this remote and un-spoilt tract of jungle. Return after lunch and overnight will be at the tree-house in Vythiri.

Day 04 : Vythiri - Malanpuzha
Drive to the small town of Malanpuzha some 50 km away. Check in at the hotel.

Day 05 : Malanpuzha - Cochin
Drive to Cochin in the morning after breakfast. Cochin is one of the world's finest harbors that used to dominate the trade around the Arabian Sea. It used to be a colony for many years of the Portuguese. Known as the "Venice of the East" it is dominated by water, with many small islands and waterways. Enjoy the Harbor Cruise in the evening.

Day 06 : Cochin
Proceed for a morning tour of Cochin to visit Fort Cochin, St Francis Church and the Dutch Palace. Also visit the Jewish Synagogue and the Chinese fishing nets which are quite unique. The afternoon will be free to explore and relax. In the evening proceed for the Kathakali Dance Presentation.

Day 07 : Cochin - Munnar
Drive 130 km in the morning after breakfast to the small hill-station of Munnar. Proceed for a tour of Munnar in the afternoon. Munnar is surrounded by tea-plantations and once upon a time it used to be "the escape" for European traders from the high humidity and heat of the coast.

Day 08 : Munnar - Thekkady
Morning drive to Thekkady and spend the afternoon visiting the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This reserve was created when the surrounding valleys were flooded by a new dam and you explore and game view by boat. Later there is a ride on one of the working elephants to look forward to. In The evening visit the Spice Market of Kumily.

Day 09 : Thekkady - Kottayam
Drive to Kottayam and visit the spice plantation on your way at Abraham's Spice Garden. Drive through the tea gardens and rubber plantations. Reach Kumarokom and board the converted rice barge the "Vambanadu Kettuvallam", which has twin bed cabins. It is commonly called the Houseboat. The rest of the day is spent gently cruising through the waterways and lagoons of Kerala, watching the inhabitants of this unique landscape live their lives by tending their animals and crops. Meals are taken on board.

Day 10 : Kottayam
After a night on board you can rise to enjoy the dawn and daybreak over this beautiful and tranquil landscape. A full day to relax and watch the world slip by, stopping occasionally at a small village or point of interest.

Day 11 : Kottayam - Kovalam
Saying goodbye to your boat and crew you visit the Kumarakom bird sanctuary to try to see some of the colourful and unique indigenous species of bird. A drive of 190 km in the afternoon brings you to Kovalam and your beach hotel.

Day 12 : Kovalam
Relax at the beach watching the fishermen fight against the waves to launch their boats and then in the afternoon selling the fish they have caught. Seafood in Kovalam is excellent too.

Day 13 : Kovalam - Poovar
A drive of 40 km brings you to Poovar and another chance to relax, this time in the accommodation that is built on stilts over the sea. Stay at the floating rooms for the night. This is a beautiful and memorable way to end an interesting and unique insight into the south of India.

Day 14 : Poovar - Trivandrum
Transfer to Trivandrum airport to connect the onward flight. End the tour with sweet memories of Kerala.


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