A REJUVENATING JOURNEY in KERALA - GOD’S OWN COUNTRY

Offering a complete experience of nature, peace and comfort in Kochi, Periyar, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Kovalam, Trivandrum - 7 nights / 8 days

Popular as in the much-boasted slogan of ‘God’s Own Country, Kerala is laid-back and  calm and it appears slow, unlike other states in India. Blessed with nature’s bounty, it has sloping mountains, refreshing back-waters and adorable tea estates as well as unique flora and fauna to experience. Offering an old-world charm and providing rich stories of a bygone era, Kerala ignites the spark needed for life in its people. Famous for its sea-food, spices and tingling cuisine, it has gained acceptance all over the nation for its culinary delights. The place comes to life during temple festivals and snake-boat races, which are a unique example of team work and competitive spirit. Art and creativity flow in its life- blood with an abundance of dance forms like Kathakali and Bharatanatyam. Defence styles are also popular over here. Old churches and cathedrals are a reminder of rulers from Portugal, Britain and France who had enriched the place.

Highlights of this amazing programme are:

• Tour of old churches and palaces, created a few centuries back
• Tasting local food
• Having an amazing experience of a house-boat ride or a boat cruise
• An adventurous safari in the Periyar Sanctuary
• The experience of elaborate sea-beaches

All touring will be on a private basis with your own driver / guide. All ranges of accommodation would be available from 3* hotels upwards and to include deluxe 5* hotels and palaces as well as boutique-style / heritage properties. Just indicate your preference and budget and leave the rest to us and our expert ground handlers in India!

DAY 1: ARRIVAL at KOCHI

You are met and given assistance upon your arrival at Kochi airport before you are transferred to your hotel.  

Kochi – The place where your heart belongs

The sight of larger-than-life beaches and an equally mesmerising aquatic life make Kochi a must-to-be-experienced place on the map of Kerala. Very calm yet buzzing with sea- food markets, the sounds of church bells seem more than inviting in this fishing paradise on earth. Wonderful architecture, old-style churches and cathedrals as well as sea-shores with long Chinese fishing nets make it a unique place in the map of the world.

Deriving its present way of living from the ancient Portuguese, French and Dutch people who once came to this soil, people at Kochi every day cherish the precious gift called life. A love for arts prevails here in the form of magnificent Kathakali and other dance traditions. It definitely is an amazing place to enjoy while residing in a private home-stay. This is the very land where sun greets the sea-shores twice, once in the morning and later in the evening.  

The sight-seeing experience

On your first day in Kochi, you will explore the wide and inviting city. You can get into the lifestyles of the fishermen and try to understand the whole buzz behind the sea-food business on the shores of the city. Being a famous cultivator of Indian spices, Kochi is remarkable for the cultivation of black pepper, red chilli, tea, coffee and vanilla. Comprising of small-sized peninsulas and small islands, here exploration can be done via boats. The land where much of the commercial buildings exist is Ernakulam and you may visit some shopping malls and cafes in this area.

You can reside for some time in the calm and laid-back place of Mattancherry, which is a perfect blend of the Dutch, French and British architecture. Old bungalows and forts seem to invite you all the way through its greenery-rich streets. Your very first day is just a picture of the remaining enjoyment that Kochi has to shower upon you.

You take a much-needed night’s rest in your hotel room in Kochi.

DAY 2: KOCHI - The land of architectural wealth

Waking up to the smell of hot coffee and having your breakfast will be the first thing on the morning of your second day. This day will be all about exploring the old buildings and architecture of Kochi. This second day kick-starts with a visit to the Dutch Palace. This palace is an amazing example of story-telling in the form of wall murals. Here you will find beautiful wall murals telling you the events that have happened in the epic story of ‘Ramayana’. Then, you will enter into St. Francis Church, which is amongst the oldest churches on the Indian sub-continent. Although being old, it still has the religious vibes that keep on inviting people like a magnet to this place of worship. The Basilica of Santa Cruz was built originally by the Portuguese people in 1557.  Also, you will have a brief catch-up with Willingdon Island, where the naval command of India resides.

You cherish a dance performance of Kathakali in the evening and relax overnight at your hotel.

DAY 3: KOCHI – PERIYAR by surface (145 kms. / 4 hours)

You have breakfast at your hotel before your journey towards Periyar begins. You will reach this destination after a journey of around four hours.

Periyar – where Nature’s bliss exists

Nothing is comparable to the serene, inviting and magnificent trails of Periyar. The abundance of wild forests and wildlife has made this place a heaven on earth. Spread all over an area of 777 square kilometres, Periyar is better known for its exclusive tiger wealth, in addition to a thousand elephants, boars, langur, bison and sambar. Comfortably travelling on a boat cruise, you can indulge in an amazing experience through the back-waters of this place. More adventurous travellers can even join hands with locals to explore forest treks to witness the hidden surprises that the forest has to offer. It is definitely not a place for the faint-hearted! Brief shopping opportunities exist in the form of chocolate shops, cafes, spice shops, small restaurants and home-stays in the small land of Kumily. The exact sanctuary centre is also referred to as Thekkady and is often confused with Kumily although these two are placed 4 kilometres apart.

The sight-seeing experience –

The presence of an artificial lake, made by the British in 1895, makes Periyar a beautiful place where nature has showered all its blessings. Be it wildlife or rich and extinct wild forests, Periyar brings lost melodies once again back to the ears. You can explore its unmatched forests on a boat cruise, where comfortable arrangements for dining and resting are provided.

You will love to indulge in nature’s bliss on the waters of the lake in Periyar. If you are feeling adventurous, you could even go for a small trek through the dense forests and explore the hidden treasures of the wild. Spotting a tiger or elephant is an added experience that you will never forget. You can enjoy staying in a comforting home-stay and munching on some local foods that could be served nowhere else. It’s a delightful pleasure to indulge in shopping at small roadside shops and having a fresh cup of coffee at nearby cafes.

DAY 4: PERIYAR – KUMARAKOM by surface (130 kms. / approx. 4 hours)

After a whole-hearted breakfast, it’s time to gear up for the next destination of your tour – Kumarakom.

Kumarakom – The back-water village

Kumarakom is a pristine paradise and a calm blessing, situated at a distance of a few kilometres from Kottayam. The famous Kerala back-waters bring, to this majestic place, the charm and comfort of a local South Indian village. Spotting people enjoying life and never in a hurry is the most precious gift that nature has given to this place.

Greeting travellers along the western shore of famous Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a favoured destination for hiring houseboats and for taking boat cruises. Although pinching a little to your pocket when compared to Alleppey, here you will find less chaos. The bird sanctuary offers a close encounter with the rich birdlife and their species present in India. Indulgences like rafting, canoeing and boating invite travellers to this peaceful abode. Tasting local foods like idli and sambar at the roadside eateries is a must to be cherished along the way and to enjoy the real slice of life at Kumarakom.

The amazing sight and rich experience of Kumarakom

Embracing the peaceful abodes of this unique place on earth is all you need to do to feel refreshed. Unlike other places in Kerala, Kumarakom provides you with amazing hang-out opportunities along with less chaotic places. Having water-rides on house- boats or river-rafting and canoeing in pursuit of adventure, the shores of Kumarakom are blessed with the presence of nature’s never-fading bliss. Experiencing the hot taste of snacks or smelling the fresh-roasted coffee beans is a delight at the small road-side eateries that invite you to explore a legacy hidden behind this place’s cuisine. You can explore amazing bird species at the nearby bird sanctuary and soak yourself in nature’s melodies in this mesmerising abode. You may wish to experience the local fish-markets and see how things work right: from catching the fresh produce through reaching local dinner plates and converting into something delicious.

You enjoy the rest of the day and night, relaxing and preparing for the next day of your  tour.

DAY 5: KUMARAKOM – ALLEPPEY (HOUSE-BOAT)

Day five brings an amazing experience of fine dining and exploration of the locales along the fresh backwaters whilst lying comfortably on a boat cruise. Right after taking breakfast, a boat cruise awaits you, starting from the boat jetty at Kumarakom.

Splashes of water at Alleppey –

If you like and adore everything around water, Alleppey calls you for a unique journey along its backwaters. The side-lanes and paddy fields convey so much as you move along in your boat and explore this rural and traveller-friendly locale in Kerala. Some people might compare it with Venice because of the water-canals, adjoining shops and green fields. The sight of dense forests, toddy shops and small tea stalls all combine together to give a delightful experience to you. Usually exposable through a boat ride, it calls for open eyes and a relaxed mind to completely cherish the natural bliss of this gracious soil. Observing rural life across the lake seems too interesting and tells a lot about the lives of the people of Alleppey. In addition to the boat cruise, custom-made house-boats are sparingly used for exploring this versatile heaven on earth.

The indulgence of Alleppey – Sight-seeing experience

Once you have boarded a boat cruise from Kumarakom to Alleppey, you have put yourself on the path of Nature’s blessings. It is only on this path that you will experience Nature’s wealth and its abundance. The spirit of this beautiful place calls you to dive deeper into its silence and energy and to feel its charisma. Seeing the paddy-fields, you will find yourself indulged in exploring the simple and determined lives of the village residents. Wherever your sight goes, green dancing paddy-plants smile with pride, inviting your sight into the calm, coconut trees standing silently by the sides of the lake. The experience of enjoying Kerala cuisine in the comfort of your private boat will be memorable and will compel you to come over and over again to this abode. Nearby small shops selling spices, tea and local snacks and the rural life seem enchanting along the back-waters of this adventurous trail.

You spend the night on board and enjoy dinner on your boat cruise.

DAY 6: ALLEPPEY – KOVALAM by surface (160 kms. / 4 hours)

Kovalam – The beaches and coconuts

After having the image of being a peaceful fish-catching beach site in Kerala, Kovalam has emerged now as one of the best places to experience ‘health tourism’. The competency and the locale of this place have made it an outstanding place for seeking good health and for even greater joys in life. Kovalam is most popular for its sun-kissed beaches and it feels so calming to indulge in sand-surfing on these beaches. Simply lying along the beach or cherishing adventurous activities are awesome experiences. Local craftsmen will inspire you for creativity as they carve magnificent items from the coconut produce. Known for its yoga and health centres, Kovalam is emerging now as a health tourism hub. Travellers come here to rejuvenate themselves before returning back only better. Nearby Samudra Beach is known for its luxurious resorts and high-profile restaurants, along with a steep beach.

The sight-seeing experience –

After having breakfast for the day, you move towards Kovalam. Being based at the extreme southern side of Kerala, it is home to groves of coconut trees. Appearing shady and inviting, these trees act as a lifeline of this place, providing more earning opportunities to the local people. Some travellers cherish the beach while some love to roam around the nearby villages, which offer a pristine and interesting account of the local life-style. The local fish market helps you understand the story behind the fish trade in the region and the journey of a fishermen - from the waters to selling fish to the markets.

You can submerge yourself in the calm, peace and soothing vibes of this place called Kovalam, so that you can become blessed in ‘God’s Own Country’. The sloping beach of Samudra seems inviting to wealthier travellers because of its premium restaurants and amazing hospitality. It is definitely the right place to hold yourself together after tiring travel around various locations in Kerala.

DAY 7: KOVALAM

Day seven is meant for complete relaxation! You can spend it enjoying some ‘me time’ or swimming and shopping in the markets of Kovalam.

You stay overnight in Kovalam and get some much-needed rest.

DAY 8: KOVALAM – TRIVANDRUM by surface  for your DEPARTURE FLIGHT (16 kms. / 30 minutes)

This is the last day to say goodbye to this land of bliss. Starting from Kovalam, a short drive by road takes you to Trivandrum in around 30 minutes. You will board your flight home or to your onward destination from here.

We expect that you will have cherished each and every moment of this beautiful journey. You might be going home now but you hopefully will be planning to return again in the future with full enthusiasm.

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