FASCINATING KERALA(Cochin- Munnar – Periyar- Kumarakom)

Day 01: Arrive Cochin by flight (MOB)
 Arrive Cochin International airport & after customs formalities walk out of the main exit gate where our driver will meet. Transfer from airport to hotel & check-in (standard check in is 1400 hrs).
 Afternoon; proceeds for the guided city tour and you will be walking through the old sections. Our walking tour will take us to; Jew Town, including the Pardesi Synagogue (closed on Fridays & Saturdays); The Mattancherry Palace, known locally as the Dutch Palace; Fort Cochin, reminiscent of European streets and houses; the Chinese Fishing Nets on the northern shore of Fort Cochin; and St Francis Church, near to a typical English village green. A highlight is watching the fishermen working the nets (which operate on a weight system) as the sun is setting.

 In the evening, you will be taken for one-hour show of Kathakali Dance show- the ancient dance form of Kerala.
 Overnight at the hotel in Cochin.

Day 02: Cochin –Munnar (125 Kms/04 hrs.) (B)
 Breakfast at Hotel and drive to Munnar. Munnar – breathtakingly beautiful – a haven of peace and tranquility – the idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft. in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial Days. Unending expanse of tea plantations – pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests – aroma of spice scented cool air – yes! Munnar has all these and more.
 On arrival, check in at the hotel.
 Overnight at the hotel in Munnar.

Day 03: In Munnar (B)
 Morning proceed for a full day sightseeing of Munnar visiting The old Christ Church in the town Centre is small, cozy and charming with wonderful stained glass panels. It was consecrated in 1910 and the original wooden pews are now a rich grainy brown. In 1981 the medium of instruction changed from English to the vernacular. Sunday service now is in Tamil and Malayalam. The tea gardens are the last bastion of the Raj. Several still preserve customs like ‘chhota hazari’-an early morning cuppa’ hot

chocolate before a round of work. Most managers would be happy to let you take a stroll among the bushes. Visit Mattupetty Lake (13 km) and dam which is surrounded by tall hills and forest.
 Visit Top Station (41 km, 2200 meters) has some of the highest tea plantations in India. At the edge of the Kerala-Tamil Nadu state border, you can look over across at the hills ebbing into plains in the other state.
 Overnight at the hotel in Munnar.

Day 04: Munnar – Periyar (135 Kms/04 hrs.) (B)
 Today morning drive to Periyar –This is one of the best elephant sanctuaries in India. It also has monkeys, wild boar and sambals. On arrival check in at your Hotel.
 Rest of the day at leisure.
 Overnight at the hotel in Periyar.

Day 05: In Periyar (B)
 After breakfast, proceed for spice plantation visit with a naturalist.
 Afternoon explore Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary by boat, cruising the waters of the lake. The park is home to many mammals that come to the shore to drink. These include elephant, bison Gaur, Sambar, Cheetal, Sloth Bear and Wild Dog, plus many species of birds. During the dry season when water holes within the forest are dry, leopards and tigers also come to the lake for water. The reserve’s range of flora and fauna is breath-taking, and includes more than 100 orchid species and

trees such as mangoes and banyans as well as wildlife like elephants and Bengal tigers. The River Periyar, which is known as ‘Lifeline of Kerala’, originates in the park’s dense forests. The lake also attracts many species of local and migratory birds.
 Overnight at the hotel in Periyar.

Day 06: Periyar – Kumarakom (130 kms / 4 hrs. drive) (B)
 After breakfast, morning take to the road for Kumarakom en-route we will take you on a fascinating and informative visit to several neighboring spice and tea plantation as well as smaller-scale spice gardens whose owners pride themselves on their adaptation of organic farming methods to provide energy for their household needs. A must for anyone who cares of taste and flavors, the spice plantation visit enables you to get a deeper understanding of how the spice used in everyday cooking throughout the world are grown, harvested and processed before they find their way to your local supermarket.
 On arrival, check in at the hotel.
 Rest of the day is at leisure for own activities.
 Overnight at the hotel in Kumarakom.

Day 07: In Kumarakom (B)
 After breakfast, day is at leisure to enjoy various facilities available at the hotel.
 Overnight at the hotel in Kumarakom

Day 08: Kumarakom – Cochin (85 Kms/02 hrs.) &
Depart Cochin by flight (B)
 After breakfast proceed to Cochin & in time transfer to Cochin airport to connect flight for your onward destination.

TOUR ENDS