Kerala House Boat Tour

Duration: 08 Nights - 09 Days
Destination Covered: Cochin - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Poovar - Trivandrum

Tour Highlights
Cochin	St. Francis' Church, Dutch Palace (Built by Portuguese), Jewish Synagogue, spice market, Chinese fishing nets & Kathakali Dance Show
Munnar	Eravikulam National Park, Nilgiri Tahr & world's highest tea estates
Periyar	Wild Life Sancatuary, Spice Plantation Tour, Boat Ride, Elephant Ride
Kumarakom	Backwaters & Bird Sanctuary
Alleppey	Houseboat
Poovar	Beaches

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrive Cochin

Arrive Cochin, after a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative will assist you and transfer you to hotel for check-in Cochin always had a very popular & historical sea trade connection with Middle East, Mediterranean Europe & Dutch. It has one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian coastline. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings & structures representing different regions of the world.

Overnight Hotel – Cochin (B)

Day 02 : Cochin – Munnar (175 km / 4 hr)

Half-day tour
After breakfast proceed for half-day city sightseeing tour of Cochin visit St. Francis' Church, built in the year 1503 by Portuguese Francisan Friars & known to be the oldest European church in India. It was restored in the year 1779 by the protestant Dutch, converted to an Anglican Church by the British in 1795. Vasco da Gama's remains were buried here in 1524 & later moved to Lisbon, Portugal. We also visit Dutch Palace, originally built by the Portuguese.

 

Later in 17th century they modified it & presented it to the Raja (King) of Kochi (Cochin). The Palace has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from Hindu epics, Mahabharata & Ramayana. Later we visit Jew Town, synagogue, built in the year 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles & Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. Also visit the spice market, where the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices & history that brought the world to its doorstep. Chinese fishing nets, (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Cochin. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here.

 

Later we drive to Munnar, most popular hill stations in South India, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni & Kundala. It was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British officers in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book town, winding lanes, trekking & holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience.

Overnight Hotel – Munnar (B)

Day 03 : Munnar

Today we take a tour of Munnar, visiting the world's highest tea estates spread like a green carpet over a large area. Later we visit Eravikulam National Park ( Closed - January & February ), the best place to see the rare Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat). This sanctuary was set up for the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.
Overnight Hotel – Munnar (B)

Day 04 : Munnar – Periyar ( 160 km - 04 hr)

Today we explore one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in India, the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. Set on an attractive lakeside, it is South India's most popular Wildlife Sanctuary. Periyar is a place to cruise on the lake & gives an opportunity to see wildlife. It is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, bison, antelopes, sambhar, wild boar, monkey, a wide variety of birds.
Next we explore the sanctuary to experience the beauty & ecological pattern.

Evening Spice Plantation & Boat Ride
Overnight Hotel – Periyar (B)

Day 05 : Periyar - Kumarakom (135 kms. - Approx 4 hrs.)

Morning, we will take you for an Elephant safari in Periyar and Later driven to Kumarakom. Upon arrival, check-in hotel.

Kumarakom, the famous backwater tourist destination in Kerala is located in the district of  Kottayam. This place can be reached through a voyage from Alappuzha. Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala, God's own country. This rich green, sleepy little village of Kumarkom is located on the Vembanad lake amidst mangrove forests and coconut groves. Kumarakom is an enchanting picnic spot and provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind. On the scenic Vembanad lake you will come across plenty of traditional country crafts or houseboats, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways. The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna and flora and marine life.

Overnight Hotel - Kumarakom (B)

Day 06 : Kumarakom – Alleppey by Houseboat

After breakfast check-out and visit  Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.  There are two seasons for birds: between October and February there are cormorants, teals, and other ducks and from February to July there are darters (snake birds), night herons, egrets, and Siberian storks. It also has golden backed woodpecker, crow pheasant, white-breasted water hen, tree pie etc.

 

Afterwards transfer to the jetty. On arrival board the houseboat, locally called Kettuvallam, and cruise around cruise around beautiful Vembanad lake, This lake offers an enchanting experience to the tourists. The lake is the best picnic spot, where you can relax your mind and body. While the water gives the place a cooling effect, trees and shrubs act as a respite to the parched eyes. The lake is an excellent family-picnic destination too. While seniors can laze around the lake reading a book or talking, youngsters can opt for fishing and boating. Later proceed to Alleppy through backwaters to observe and experience the daily life of the villagers along the backwaters.

Overnight - Houseboat. (B, L, D)

Day 07 : Arrive Alleppey – Poovar (154 km – 3.5 hr)

Today morning we disembark houseboat & drive to Poovar: Poovar is one among the natural wonders where the Lake, River, Sea and Beach meet the land. A rare find in Kerala, the? southern state of India

Poovar is unspoilt and unexplored, envoloped by the most serene backwaters, and opening out to the sea and a dream golden sand beach.The historical importance of Poovar has its strong ties with the legendary King of the erstwhile Princely State of Travancore, the great Marthanda Varma Maharaja

Upon arrival transfer to Resort for check-in and day would be at your leisure.
Overnight Hotel – Poovar (B)

Day 08 : Poovar

Walk down to the nearest beach and spend your full day at leisure on the beach or get yourself engage in any Ayurveda massage.

Overnight Hotel – Poovar (B)

Day 09 : Poovar - Trivandrum (35 kms. - Approx 45 min.)

Today day would be at your leisure later transfer to International Airport to board your flight to onward destination.

 

Tour concludes. We thank you for your patronage & look forward to serve you again in near future.