Kerala Beaches, Backwaters and Hill Station Tour

01 Day: Arrival Trivandrum – Kovalam (20 kms ½ hr drive)

Welcome on arrival at the Trivandrum Airport, our representative assist and escort you by a/c car and transfer to the pre booked hotel at Kovalam beach. Enroute visit Trivandrum city, the capital of the state of Kerala is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. After visit proceed to Kovalam, on arrival transfer to the resort, after your check in, you will be given all the required documents related to your tour plan; he will explain all your queries and feedback about the entire tour plan. Rest of the evening is free for leisure activities at the Kovalam beach. Overnight at the hotel in Kovalam.

Trivandrum owes its name to the Lord Vishnu the guardian deity of the city. The Maharaja of Travancore till date pays homage at the Padmanabhan Swamy Temple that enshrines the image of Lord Vishnu, reclining under the hood of "Anantha" the great serpent. Trivandrum is also known Thiruvananthapuram; the city is located in the South of the state and bordered by Tiruneveli in the East, Kanyakumari to the South and Kollam district located to its North. The city has a rich tradition of nurturing art and culture since ancient times.

02 Day: Kovalam

Today morning after breakfast you can enjoy the day on the sandy beach – may opt for water sports and wellness : Sunbathing, water skiing, Angling, Para- sailing, surfing etc…you may experience renown Ayurveda massage, herbal body toning, treatment offered at most of resorts, this will not give you just relaxation, in fact rejuvenates your body, mind and soul. You can also enjoy special cultural programme and catamaran cruising. You can enjoy beach activities on Kovalam beach with - surfing skiing and kayaking. Enjoy the sunbathing and Ayurveda massage under the tropical sun. Overnight stay at the resort at Kovalam.

Kovalam: On the Malabar Coast along the Kerala shoreline is a small village; called Kovalam is 16 kms away from Trivandrum, a sheltered bay endowed with unusual beauty. This natural bay is a safe sea-pool free from high waves and surge. The beach resort here is of international standard. Today Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a paradise of nature.

Ayurveda, means the science of healthy living, derives its name from the Sanskrit words, AYUSH (LIFE) and VEDA (KNOWLEDGE). It looks at healing in a holistic fashion. The physical treatment has overtones of philosophical and psychological approaches too. Any ailment in the body is viewed as a result of a combination of factors with special reference to the components of diet. It is here that Ayurveda recognizes that each individual is different and so treatment too should be customized. The Ayurvedic principles are found in detail in Atharva Veda, one of the four Vedas of Hinduism.

03 Day: Kovalam – Kanyakumari (85 kms: 2 – 3 hrs)

After breakfast check out the beach resort and drive to Kanyakumari, on arrival check into the hotel. After relaxation visit: Kumari Amman Devi Temple- dedicated to Goddess Devi Kanya, an embodiment of Goddess Parvati. Gandhi Mandapam - Dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi- The father of Nation. Then early evening boat cruise to Swami Vivekananda Memorial - where Swami Vivekananda meditated and decided to carry his message of peace across the world. Thiruvalluvar Statue- is the land mark of the Kanyakumari. In the evening enjoy the amazing sunset from Murugan Kundram hills, also rising sun on the same horizon, one of the phenomenal and rare experience in Kanyakumari. Overnight at the hotel in Kanyakumari.

Kanyakumari Referred to by the British as Cape Commorin, Kanyakumari in the state of Tamilnadu is located at the southernmost tip of the peninsular Indian. It derives its name from the small temple dedicated to Kanyakumari or the youthful form of the primeval energy Shakti (Mother Goddess) located on the city’s shore. Kanyakumari is the point of confluence of three oceans - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. This well-known Hindu pilgrimage center is famous for its beautiful sights of sunrise and sunset over the waters.

04 Day: Kanyakumari – Alleppey (250 kms: 6 hrs) – (Backwaters tours through sailing boat)

After breakfast check out the hotel and drive for Alleppey, on arrival check in to the houseboat and journey begins to explore backwaters world though sailing boat passing thorough tropical countryside, enjoying view of palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights. On the way one can see The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, groups of duck swimming around and colourful birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures treasured in our memories, you can try your hands in fishing from the houseboats. In the evening enjoy beautiful sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. Enjoy the dinner of your choice cooked and served by the Chef. Dinner and overnight at the houseboat.

Alleppey: a calm backwater town is the center for backwater cruises in Kerala. It has a large network of water canals, which passes through the town, provides its lifeline & has a long sandy beach. Alleppy is also famous for Speculative Nehru Trophy Boat Race, celebrated every year- in month of August, the most colourful and exotic snake boat race in Kerala. The city is known for coir products.

Houseboat: Generated through electricity; with sitting cum dining area, private bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef, and Srank (Driver).

Backwaters Tours: The mystifying intricate of forty-five rivers that creates around 900 km roundabout lakes, lagoons, canals, estuaries and deltas in the South Indian state of Kerala, This topographical persona blessed the God's Own Country with elaborate water worlds, commonly known as 'backwaters'. Cruising all along the backwaters of Kerala is an ultimate way to discern its implausible foliage, bona fide, affluent ethnicity and wildlife. The tranquil, steep and Sluggish backwaters tour is like inspiring depictions of nature’s beauty witnessed by the tourists.

05 Day: Alleppey – Periyar (110 kms: 4 hrs)

After breakfast disembark from the houseboat and drive to wildlife destination Periyar (Thekkady), on arrival transfer to the Jungle Resort, after refreshment visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, explore the park, animals found here are elephant, wild boars and gaur and birds like grey heron and ibis, here you can enjoy elephant safari in the park and boating at Periyar Lake to view animals, if you are lucky one, may see rare tiger as well and bathing elephants. Later take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, tea and coffee estates etc. On your way back to the hotel, a stopover to the local spice market to shop some fragrant spices. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Periyar: Famous for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the bank of Periyar River in Kerala, one of India's biggest wildlife sanctuaries covering 778 square kilometers, this sanctuary also houses Tiger Reserve. Periyar National Park is blend of mercerising charming beauty and affluent nature surroundings. The sanctuary houses sizable population of elephants, also Tiger, Sambars, Bisons, Antelopes and Wild Boars. Here one can enjoy Elephant safari exploring dense forests on the back of Elephant.

06 Day: Periyar – Munnar (85 kms: 3 hrs)

Today morning during the sunrise, you may once again opt for boat ride on the Periyar Lake, or trekking through the forest, you may have opportunity to see the herd of Elephant bathing in the river. After breakfast drive to Munnar, The word "Munnar" means three rivers. 3 mountain streams (Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala) are joining together here. There are about 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range expose its beauty. The Munnar hills are covered by tea plants, which look like a wide green carpet. You can take a short tour visiting Munnar Tea Factory & Museum (closed on Monday). Rest of the evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Munnar: the one-time 'summer capital of the British rulers', over the years now became the most sought after tourist destination in Kerala. It is the abundant gift of nature to the Western Ghats, the eastern border of Kerala, 5000 feet above sea level. Intense forests, wildlife sanctuaries and major tea, coffee and spices plantations sprawled over this region. Munnar abounds in animals like wild elephants and Nilgiri Thar and rich biodiversity teeming with flora and fauna. An ideal hill destination to enjoy the sheer nature.

07 Day: Munnar

Today morning after breakfast explore this panoramic hill station- visit Pothamedu to enjoy picturesque view of the coffee, tea, cardamom and other spices plantations in Munnar, Devikulam (7 km from Munnar), this tranquil hill station with its velvet lawns, vibrant flora and fauna with picturesque mountains, a rare experience. Blossom International Park is about 3 km away from Munnar, Mattupetty Dam and its reservoir is located 13 km away from Munnar, Mattupetty is also known for the Indo-Swiss Farm and a dairy farm, Echo Point and Kundala Lake. In the evening you can take a tea and coffee and spices plantation tour visiting tea museum. Later return to the hotel for overnight stay.

08 Day: Munnar – Cochin (130 kms: 4 hrs)

Today morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Cochin, en route stop over at the speculative Cheyyappara Waterfalls, after visit proceed to Cochin, on arrival transfer to the hotel. After refreshment, visit Fort Cochin & St. Francis Church to see the town of Vasco da Gama. We also see the Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Friday afternoons and all Saturdays & all Passover Days & the Mattancherry "Dutch" Palace (closed on Fridays & Saturdays). Enjoy the Kathakali Dance, one of India's most famous Classical dances with lavish Costumes, exotic makeup & Masks intensifying the beauty of the dancer’s intricate moments. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala also called 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin.

09 Day: Cochin – Home Town (By Air)

Today morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Cochin airport to board the scheduled flight for Hometown, on departure the tour concludes with happy memories.