Kerala Tour

DAY 01 : ARRIVE: COCHIN BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Arrive at Cochin International Airport, following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, an ELAND HOLIDAYS representative will meet you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building after which you would be transferred to your hotel

Kochi, or more familiarly, Cochin is a city of many parts. Around for a long, long time, Kochi played a pivotal role in the development of shipping and trade in the region. Kochi’s prime location on the west coast, its fine bay and protected harbour made it popular with seafarers and merchant ships who made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood enroute to the rich markets of Europe and West Asia. And so down the ages, Kochi prospered as a busy port city and commercial centre. Its seafront is still extremely relevant to Cochin and to India: it houses a Naval Base and one of India’s busiest ports. Its twin city, Ernakulam, is an important railhead and industrial centre.

Cochin’s history is a bright tapestry – many coloured threads woven through centuries together present the fabric of the present. Its involvement with the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British are evident in the architecture of city buildings, the old durbar hall is the spice in the dish! Modern day Kochi may be a busy port and shipping centre but it has many attractions for ordinary tourists.

Kochi’s location between the blue, blue waters of the Arabian Sea and Kerala’s emerald backwaters, its rich medley of Indian and foreign architecture, its truly unusual sights like the Chinese fishing nets and its quaint quiet localities like the Jewish Quarters demand the attention of all who travel to Kerala. Cochin’s Jewish Quarter is another story – the ancestors of Cochin’s Jews came here two thousand years ago, got involved in the spice trade, prospered and stayed back to build a new life free from religious persecution. Sadly, the population dwindled significantly with immigration to Israel and the few families that still live here struggle to maintain their cultural heritage like the beautiful Synagogue.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 02 : COCHIN
After a leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese Fishing net & ST. Francis Church.
Dutch Palace (Closed on Fridays and Jewish Holidays) is also known as Mattancherry Palace built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin in 1555 AD. It acquired the present name after 1663 when the Dutch carried out extensions and repairs in the palace. AT no time did the Portuguese or Dutch stay here. Its interiors are decorated with murals from the Ramayana and there are some lively displays of royal costumes and palanquins. (Closed on Fridays and national holidays) Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Fridays & Saturdays and Jewish Holidays) was built in 1568 AD. The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand-painted tiles are of interest Chinese Fishing Nets – The Chinese Fishing net that line the sea-front and exhibit a mechanical method of catching fish by local fishermen in Fort Kochi. Said to have been brought from China by traders of Kubalai Khan’s Court, they are used at high tide.
ST. Francis Church – the Protestant church was originally built by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the oldest church built by the Europeans in India. It is here the remains of the inveterate traveller, Vasco da Gamma were initially buried and 14 years later, his mortal remains were taken to Portugal.

Bolghatty Palace is situated in Bolghatty Island a narrow palm fringed Island easily accessible from the. mainland. The Palace was built by the Dutch in 1744. Later, it became the seat of the British Resident and today this has been converted into a hotel run by KTDC. In the evening, you will be taken to a Kathakali dance center where you will witness the most elaborate of the dance forms in southern India. Here you will witness the artists readying themselves up with the make up for the final performance. Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance form, which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. It is said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam, Krishnanattam and Kalarippayattu. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and Puranas. Presented in the temple precincts after dusk falls Kathakali is heralded by the Kelikottu or the beating of drums in accompaniment of the Chengila (gong). The riches of a happy blending of color, expressions, music, drama and dance are unparalleled in any other art form.

Costume is elaborate with the face painted up. Great importance is laid on the Vesham or make-up, which are of five types – Pacha, Kathi, Thadi, Kari and Minukku. The pomp and magnificence of Kathakali is partly due to its decor part of which is the kireetam or huge headgear and the kanchukam the over sized jackets, and a long skirt worn over a thick padding of cushions. The identity of the actor is completely mutilated to create a super human being of larger-than-life proportion.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 03 : COCHIN – MUNNAR
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Cochin to Munnar (130 KMS / 4 Hours)
Munnar is the nature-lover’s paradise. Snuggling in the green and serene Kannan Devan Hills lays the quite and restful resort of Munnar. Panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys make it a pretty little heaven with a cool bracing climate. It was opened up out of virgin forests a century ago by pioneering planters.

Within its remote and elderly churches – gracious, stone-structures with ancient chandeliers and rosewood pews. A little beyond lies Anaimudi, South India’s highest peak. In the vicinity is the Eravikulam National Park, the home of the endangered
Nilgiri Thar that roams on a stretch of grassland or is seen climbing the pinnacles of the undulating hills.
Here you can have a glimpse of a Gaur, Langur, Lion-tailed macaque, and Elephants roaming in herds.
Late afternoon, you will go for a stroll in Tea Estates. Meet the local people engaged in tea Industry.
Evening will be at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel

DAY 04 : MUNNAR – THEKKADY
After buffet breakfast at the hotel you would be driven from Munnar to Thekkady, which is also known as Periyar (110 KMS / 3.30 Hours).
Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.
Afternoon, proceed to Periyar National Park to view the wildlife by boats.

Set in the heart of the Cardamom Hills of Kerala the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, offers a rare opportunity to enjoy South India’s wild life and beauty. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Herds of elephant and sambar, gaur and wild pigs and wander down to the lakeside and can be observed from the launches that cruise the lake. Periyar also harbours the leopard, wild dog, barking deer and mouse deer. On the rocky outcrops along the lake, monitor lizards can be seen basking in the sun.
Return to the hotel after your boat ride.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 05 : THEKKADY – KUMARAKOM
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Kumarakom (120 Kms / 3 Hrs), which is located on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake. Upon arrival in Kumarakom, proceed for check-in at your hotel.
It is a beautiful town situated in the hills and is surrounded by some of the most fertile and beautiful scenery in the state with serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western Ghats on the east.
Late Afternoon proceed for a boat ride i.e. Sun set cruise on Vembanad Lake. You will come across many rare species of birds present in the Kumarakom bird sanctuary, returning to their nests with the sunset.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 06 : KUMARAKOM
Enjoy leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel. Complete day will be free for relaxation. Lie in a hammock on this lakeshore, and allow your senses to possess you. The great Vembanad Lake, rippling under the vault of an impossibly large sky. Sunlight sparkles on her waters, tearing the reflection of a passing houseboat into crystal shards. Darter birds go about their fishy business. You relax in Peace. Of course there is peace here, but not silence. Silence is not nature’s way. And the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary next door is full of raucous neighbors. You sway a little, and the image changes; to a timber and tile mansion that seems to belong to this earth, but to another time. If you left the comfort of your hammock for a closer look, you’d see that it is authentic reconstruction.
Overnight at hotel

DAY 07 : KUMARAKOM – ALLEPPEY – COCHIN
DEPARTURE COCHIN BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Morning leisurely buffet breakfast in hotel. Rest of the morning free. In the afternoon check – out from the hotel and proceed to embankment point for boat cruises on an unforgettable journey to Alleppey (approx 2.5 hrs), passing through the coconut-palmed canals.
Kumarakom is a centre for houseboat cruises. Traditionally, the houseboats were called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made by trying together pieces of wood. Unbelievable as it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallam. Jack wood planks are joined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nuts shells.

Disembark at Alleppey Jetty and you would be received by your chauffer who will then driving you to Cochin (60 Km, 2 Hrs).
Upon arrival in Cochin you will be met by an ELAND HOLIDAYS representative and straight away transferred to the airport to board flight for onward destination.