Rajasthan with Kerala Holidays Tour Travels Package
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Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Places Covered: Kochi - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey
- Marari - Kochi
For More India Travel Packages : Taj Mahal & India Vacations
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Day 01: Kochi (Cochin)
Arrive at Kochi (Cochin) meet and assistance at the airport by our
representative and transfer to your hotel.
Proceed for a Half day sight seeing of Cochin by private boat.
A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing
nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis
Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. The Chinese fishing nets
erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance.
Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450.
Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach,
is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out
of the sea. Enjoy SUNSET while on the boat.
Over night stay at Cochin.
Day 02: Kochi
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
In the morning, enjoy a city tour. Visit the Mattancheery Dutch
Palace where the superb series of murals painted on the wooden walls
are its main attraction. Also visit the 16th century Jewish Synagogue
and the Church of St. Francis. Vasco da Gama was originally buried
in the Church's cemetery. Walk around the Fort Cochin area and admire
the Chinese Fishing Nets (this time from the land). Chinese traders
are believed to have introduced them in the late 14th century.
The afternoon would be spent at leisure.
In the evening proceed for KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION. Over night
stay at Kochi.
Day 03: Kochi - Periyar (Thekkady)
Proceed for Thekkady after breakfast.
Drive through the plantations and small Kerala villages. The whole
of Kerala including the towns are like villages and the simplicity
of the state can be felt while driving. All around would be scenic
beauty.
Reach Thekkady. (This place is also known as Periyar because of
the Lake Periyar) Check in at the resort.
The river Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. This is the only
perennial river in South India with clean water. The river occupies
an important place in the history of Kerala. In the Sangam age Tamil
epics such as Chilapathikaram, 'Akananuru', 'Purananuru' etc. much
has been said about this mighty river, formerly known as the 'Choorni
Nadi' or 'Thamraparni Nadi'. A land route existed in the Sangam
age from Mussuris (present-day Kodungalloor) to Madurai, which passed
near the banks of the river Periyar. The capital of the old Chera
Empire presumably existed on the banks of the river Periyar. It
is believed that there was a flood in the 4th century AD that severely
damaged the areas along the Periyar and the people living there
had to escape to safer locations, abandoning their homes and livelihoods.
The flood of AD 1341 resulted in the closing of Kodungalloor port
and the opening of a new port at Kochi. The huge landslide that
began in the high ranges as a result of the heavy downpours sent
massive flows of mud and sand which created an Island at the 'Azhimugham'
of the Periyar which is now known as the Vyppin Islands. Periyar
wildlife sanctuary is home to nomadic tribes of wild elephant, boar,
deer, the great Indian tiger and more.
Inthe evening visit Kumily market to buy the best spices available.
Overnight will be at Thekkady.
Overnight will be at Periyar.
Day 04: Periyar
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Enjoy the boatride through Periyar Lake - Wildlife sanctuary. You
can visit the rare species of plants and animals.
Afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper,
coffee, tea estates etc. You can in the afternoon go for a short
trek in the forests with a trained guide for some adventure.
Overnight stay will be at Periyar.
Day 05: Periyar - Kumarakom
Early morning proceed to Kumarakom. This journey will also be a
beautiful one passing through rolling tea gardens and rubber plantations.
Stop at a tea factory and watch the tea making process (interesting
for children and elders). There is a beautiful solitary church you
pass by and it is a nice place to stop for photography.
Reach KUMARAKOM and visit the Bird Sanctuary. Proceed to the Vembanand
Lake.
The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of Kerala and are
found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes,
canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain
into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting
Eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The canals connect the villages
together and are still used for local transport. Over 900 km of
this labyrinthine water world is navigable.
Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a
leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat.
The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside
at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the
Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore
the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.
Cruise through the backwaters towards Alleppey. Lunch will be served
on the boat. The menu is simple and traditional. The cook (chef)
of the boat prepares the lunch from fresh materials and even you
can have a peek at the recipe.
Tea and snacks would be served in the evening. The boat will be
anchored in the backwaters along a paddy field and you can go for
a stroll into the village or relax at the deck of the boat.
Dinner will be on the boat. Overnight will be at Houseboat.
Day 06: Alleppey - Marari
After breakfast start for Alleppey. Cruise through the backwaters
watching the children going to school and the village markets opening.
Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products,
fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial
of Kerala as one of the major centres for backwater boat trips.
"Kuttanad" in Alappuzha is one of few places in the world
where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad is a land of lush
paddy fields and is called the 'Rice Bowl' of Kerala. Kuttanad stretches
for 75 km sandwiched between the sea and the hills.
Disembark the boat at the reception of the backwater resort at
Alleppey. Proceed to the beautiful MARARI BEACH RESORTS and rest
of the day will be relaxation on the beach. Overnight will be at
Marari.
Day 07: Marari
Breakfast will be at the resort. Relax at the beach or by the pool.
Overnight will be at Marari.
Day 08: Marari - Kochi
After breakfast proceed to Kochi. Proceed to the airport for flight
to the next destination.
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