Arrive in Cochin , meet & greet services at the airport and transfer to your Homestay. Cochin, the financial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala. Check in at your hotel at Cochin. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Cochin.

Morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Cochin covering – The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese trade. By evening witness the world famous Kathakali dance at a local theatre, a traditional art form of kerala and one among the national dances of India.

Overnight at Cochin.

Morning, drive to Mundackal Plantation Bungalow at Kothamangalam and spend the afternoon at leisure in a century old estate bungalow homestead set in over 100 acres of multi crop plantation. Apart from exploring the estate, you could also participate in cookery demonstrations involving authentic Kerala cuisine by the hostess Mrs. Daisy. Later, drive to Cochin. Check- in at your hotel at Fort Cochin.

In the evening, visit the ‘Pai Thattukada’, named after the Pai brothers who popularized the concept of ‘thattus’ or small shops that offer cheaper and quicker alternative to restaurant food. Some of the ‘Thattus’ serve over 70 varieties of ‘Dosas’ or rice pancakes and your trip to Kerala cannot be complete without sampling the dosas here.

Dinner at the specialty seafood restaurant, ‘Fort Cochin’ (Casino Hotel) which hosts the finest buffets with fresh catch straight from the fishing nets.

Overnight at Kothamangalam.

Morning proceed to Kodanad elephant camp to watch elephant bathing.Later drive back to Homestay, check out and continue drive to to Munnar – a hill station located 1600 meters above sea level. Once the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in South India it still retains its colonial charm and is famous for its tea plantations, most of which are privately owned. With its sprawling estates, rolling hills, sparkling waterfalls, picture postcard hamlets and undulating valleys, Munnar is an ideal holiday destination. On arrival check in at your accommodation.

Overnight at Munnar.

After breakfast,proceed for a sightseeing tour of Munnar, which includes visit of the Iravikulam National Park at the Rajamalai were the rarest species of mountain goat, ‘Nilgiri Thars’, can be spotted, followed by visit of the Tea Museum  which has been built in the Nallathanni estate of Tata Tea. Its collection of memorabilia and artifacts takes you back in time when the tea industry had just begun to make its presence felt in Munnar in 1880s. Browse the museum for its array of curios, photographs and machineries, each depicting important events that contributed to a flourishing tea industry.

Munnar is a real hill resort having absolute green cover under misty scent of tealeaves all around, with crisp fresh air and the weather delightfully cool all the year round. Stroll in any direction and the whole world of tranquility and serenity entices you. Return to your accommodation.

Overnight at Munnar.

After breakfast depart for Periyar (Thekkady). Morning drive through the Western Ghats to Thekkady, a beautiful area of tea gardens, rubber estates and coffee and pepper plantations, located high in the Cardamom Hills. This wildlife sanctuary is an established tourist spot and home to elephants, tiger, bison, sambar, wild boar, langur etc. The artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar dam across the Periyar Lake adds to the charm of the park. Spread across 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a declared Tiger Reserve. After check in proceed for a spice plantation visit.

A walk through the plantation opens up a vista of pristine greenery shrouded by low hanging clouds, gurgling brooks and a pale shadow of the Western Ghats in the backdrop. Accompanied by an English-speaking guide you will be taken on tour of the cover, cardamom, pepper, rubber, vanilla, coffee and tea plantations. The most abundantly found spice in Thekkady is pepper, but you will also see a variety of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves on the slanting slopes of the spice plantation. By evening proceed for open jeep ride through the buffer zones of the sanctuary.

Overnight at Periyar.

Early morning (6 AM), proceed to the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary for boating.Nestled at an altitude with temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degree Celsius, the park skirts a serene artificial lake, the Periyar Lake. The most sought after way of wildlife viewing is a steamer cruise on the Periyar Lake past protruding bare tree limbs, while looking out for elephant herds by the water’s edge, sambhars peeking from a thicket, wild boars running amok, and if you are too lucky, you could spot the Great Indian Tiger languishing in a clearing of the forest. Always keep your binoculars handy, you could spot a blue-winged parakeet or a solitary kingfisher perched on an ancient tree limb jutting out of the lake. Of birds, you stand a chance of spotting Nilgiri wood pigeon, white-bellied tree pie, laughing thrushes and flycatchers to name a few.

Overnight at Periyar.

After breakfast check out from and drive to Alleppey to embark a Kettuvallam (houseboat) to proceed for an unforgettable overnight cruise through the mesmerizing backwaters of Kerala, something unique to Kerala.

You will have a private, houseboat that travels until sunset when it then anchors for the night, at Alleppey. Your boat has a private balcony with comfortable chairs. The rooms are well furnished with attached bathrooms and air conditioning which functions during sleeping hours. The boat has a fully equipped kitchen and an experienced cook to prepare authentic Kerala cuisine with seafood specialties and fresh vegetables. This is your chance to pick up some fabulous cooking tips!

The waterways of Kerala play a major role in the economy of the state as they link remote villages and islands with the mainland. It is an incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala’s villages. Houseboats, also known as kettuvallam or rice boats, are today one of the major tourist attractions in Kerala, but these boats were used to carry rice bags in their earlier days. These houseboats are uniquely designed using local materials like bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. and are a fabulous way to enjoy exploring the fascinating beauties of backwaters. With their languid grace and quaint design adding another dimension to your cruise in the shimmering blue waters.

Lunch, evening tea with snacks and dinner served on board.

Overnight on the Houseboat.

After breakfast Houseboat will drop you at a Keralan Homestay.

Referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’ by travelers from across the world, Allappuzha (Alleppey) is a district of immense natural beauty. Caressed by the Arabian Sea in the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and freshwater rivers criss-crossing it, this backwater country shelters some unique animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed an exclusive place in the maritime history of Kerala. Famous for its boat races, beaches, marine products and coir  industry, the singularity of this land is the region called Kuttanad- a land of lush paddy fields referred to as the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’ and one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. This one-time prosperous trading and fishing centre is today a world renowned backwater tourist destination.

Evening go for 01 ½ hr village walk through the narrow pathways to explore t he local village life.

Optional: Cycling tour for 02 – 04hrs (route map will be provided)

01 hr Sunset cruise in country boat .

Overnight at Alleppey.

After breakfast, transfer to A Beach Symphony on the Marari Beach, the calm and serene beach of central Kerala located in Alleppey district. A unique beach with coconut palm fringed shore line with fisher men village nearby. An ide al choice for tourists seeking calm and serene settings. Check in to your homestay/Resort at Mararikulam and explore the wonders of nature.

Day free to relax at th e resort or venture into the nearby fishermen village and interact with the locals. Tickle your taste buds with the local sea food specialties which comes fresh from the fishermen’s nets around.

Optional (extra chargeable) try out a traditional Ayurveda massage which will take away all the fatigue of travel and keeps you rejuvenated.

Overnight at Marari.

Day at leisure. Relax at the beach. Overnight at Overnight at Marari .

Day at leisure. Relax at the beach. Overnight at Overnight at Marari .