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Day 01 :
ARRIVE COCHIN
 Arrive
Cochin in the morning and transfer to hotel.
Evening, witness the Kathakali Dance Show.
Day 02 : COCHIN - MUNNAR
After breakfast, half 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. Overnight
at the hotel.
Afternoon, leave for 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 03 : 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 04 : MUNNAR - PERIYAR
Morning, transfer to Periyar. Periyar has one of the
world's most fascinating Natural wildlife reserves noted for its
geography, diverse wildlife and scenic beauty. 1300 hrs - Arrive
at Periyar and check in at hotel. Evening : 1530 hrs - 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. 1800 hrs - Back at
the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
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 - 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 07 : ALLEPEY - KOVALAM
(174 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
Checkout from the houseboat and proceed to Kovalam. Arrive Kovalam
and check in at prebooked hotel.
DAY 08 :
KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.
DAY 09 : KOVALAM
 Day
free to relax on the beach.
DAY 10 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.
DAY 11 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.
DAY 12 :
KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.
DAY 13 : KOVALAM - COCHIN
Transfer to Cochin. Rest of the day at leisure
DAY 14 : DEPART COCHIN
Transfer to Cochin airport to board your onward/return flight
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