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 Day
01 : ARRIVE COCHIN
Arrive Cochin in the morning, transfer to hotel.
Evening, witness Kathakali Dance Show
Day 02 :
COCHIN
Full day sightseeing of Cochin including Asia's best preserved
Synagouge, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India
- the St. Francis Church where Vasco De Gama was originally buried.
A leisurely walk through the Fort Cochin area which gives you a
close look at the operation of the huge catileavered Chinese fishing
nets introduced by Chinese traders which is still used in Kerala
backwaters as a traditional way of fishing.
DAY 03 : COCHIN - KUMARAKOM (140 KMS, 03-04
HRS DRIVE) - OVERNIGHT BACKWATER TRIP TILL ALLEPEY
After breakfast, leave for Kumarakom in time to board houseboat
for overnight backwater trip till Allepey.
On arrival in Kumarakom, commence an overnight houseboat cruise
to Allepey, which gives one a fascinating insight into the life
of a Keralan Backwater Village. As the boat glides along the backwaters
one can see the daily life in the backwater villages. On the narrow
strips of land, fisherman fishing, children swimming and playing
in the water, women doing their daily chores, mobile shops in tiny
canoes, the cultivation of paddy and it's harvesting (during harvest
season), huge country barges ferrying the coconuts, rice, coir etc.
Note : The cruise commences at 1300 hrs with lunch served onboard
and continues till dusk. At dusk the boat will anchor in a wide
waterway or lake for the night. (The backwaters close to boat traffic
at dusk as the fisherman lay their nets in the backwaters. Other
boats are not allowed to ply in the backwaters after dusk.) On the
following day the cruise commences again after breakfast and you
will be dropped at Allepey by 1000 hrs.
DAY 04 : ALLEPEY - PERIYAR
Checkout from the houseboat and proceed to Periyar.
Periyar has one of the world's most fascinating Natural wildlife
reserves noted for its geography, diverse wildlife and scenic beauty.
Arrive at Periyar and check in at hotel.
Evening : Boat ride on the Lake Periyar where one can have a unique
experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety
of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however
are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.
DAY 05 : PERIYAR
After breakfast, leave for Jungle Walk The forest provides specially
trained guides who can be hired at the hotel for early morning treks
into the jungle. The treks are of a duration of 03-04 hrs. These
treks are an ideal way to really feel the forest and to experience
it closely.
Afternoon, proceed for a spice plantation visit where one can see
the cultivation of a whole range of spices like pepper, cardamom,
cloves, turmeric, vanilla, all spice cinnamon etc. This is followed
by a visit to spice shops which are found in the small town of Kumily
just 01 km from the hotels.
DAY 06 : PERIYAR - MADURAI
Morning, drive to Madurai. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked
Hotel
Afternoon,
visit Madurai – one of the oldest cities in South India and has
been a centre of learning & pilgrimage for centuries. Visit
Madurai’s main attraction – Sri Meenakshi temple which attracts
thousands of pilgrims from all over India. The temple is named after
the daughter of a Pandyan King. Designed in 1560 by Vishwanatha
Nayak, the present temple was substantially  built
during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak (1623-55 AD), but its history
goes back 2000 years to the time when Madurai was the capital of
Pandya Kings.
Day 07 : MADURAI - MUNNAR
Morning, leave for Munnar. Arrive Munnar and checkin at prebooked
hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Munnar, once the summer resort
of the erstwhile British Govt. in South India, is located at the
confluence of 03 rivers as the very name signifies. The sprawling
tea plantations and picturesque towns make Munnar a popular hill
resort town in South India. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 : MUNNAR
Morning, sightseeing of Munnar. Visit the tea plantations,
a tea factory (subject to permission being granted), the Eravikulam
National Park - home of the endangered Nilgiri Thar (Ibex), followed
by visit to the Mattupetty dam, the Indo Swiss Dairy farm, the Kundala
Lake and other scenic spots. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : MUNNAR - COCHIN
Transfer to Cochin. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 10 : DEPART COCHIN
Morning, Transfer to Cochin airport to board onward/return
flight.
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