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India
- the land to travel to, a haven of tourism delights,
a civilization to tour through. Tourists come to India
for its wealth of sights, cultural exuberance,
diversity of terrain and in search of that special
something, an extra punch that only India promises and
delivers. Teeming with over a billion people who voice
over a million concerns in fifteen hundred different
languages, India is where people live with variety,
thrive on diversity and are too familiar with
largeness to let it boggle them. Mud huts and mansions
face off across city streets. Lurid luxury and limp
living are inhabitants of the same lane.
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Exotic Beaches of India |
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Tour Duratation |
08
Nights / 09 Days |
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Places to be covered |
Cochin - Periyar - Munnar - Kumarakom - Alleppey -
Trivandrum |
Day 1: Cochin
Arrive Cochin. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon
sightseeing tour of Cochin including 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 traders. Finally, the Willingdon
Island, named after Lord Willingdon, is the
headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of
India. Cochin set on a cluster of islands and
narrow peninsulas, the port city of Cochin
(Kochi) (Queen of Arabia) reflects the
eclecticism of Kerala perfectly. With a rich
past and a bustling present, it has been the
business hub of the region from the very early
days after Alleppey (Alappuzha). Cochin
consists of mainland Ernakulam, the islands of
Willington, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbour,
Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern
peninsula, and Vypeen Island north of Fort
Cochin, all was linked by ferry but now some
islands have bridges. The influence of
Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident
in Cochin and its people. The oldest church in
India, 500-year-old Portugese houses, old
tiled houses built in the Chinese pagoda
style, the famous Chinese fishing nets, a
Jewish community whose roots go back to the
Diaspora, synagogues and mosques all tell the
fascinating story of this harbour town. The
harbour is still at the heart of the city and
pepper, sea food, rubber and coir mats and
matting are exported from here. Despite this,
Cochin is an attractive city with serene creak
& lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms
and picturesque islands. The older parts of
Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely
blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an
English country village grafted onto the
troppical Malabar coast. Cochin is one of
India's largest ports and a major naval base.
Day 2: Cochin - Periyar
Book this Tour
Morning drive on a scenic route dotted with
plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green
pepper and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve
at Periyar. Arrive Periyar and check-in at
hotel. Rest of the day free for walk around in
the peaceful town known for various Spice and
coffee plantations
Periyar: One of the well known wildlife
sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary
attracts a large number of nature lovers every
year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife
Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching
the animals in their natural habitat. The
forest here, slopes into the manmade lake at
the bottom of the hill. This lake serves as
the waterhole for the animals and they come
here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur,
Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here.
There are boat services which takes the
visitor around the lake. The best season to
visit the park is between October and June.
Spread over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of
Western Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary is
located 137 km from Madurai. Although an
excursion on the splendid artificial lake is
the standard way to experience the sanctuary,
you can also walk around with the local guide
in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to
the lake to frolic in the water. Other
attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar,
Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar
Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses,
etc. There are over 260 species of birds here,
including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged
Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, laughing
Thrushes and Fly Catchers.
Day 3 : Periyar - Munnar
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake
Periyar to see wild elephants. Afternoon drive
to Munnar, the famous hill station of Kerala.
Arrive Munnar and check-in at hotel.
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three
mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha,
Nallathanni and Kundala. This hill station,
located at an altitude of 1600 m above sea
level, was once the summer resort of the
erstwhile British government in South India.
Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns,
winding lanes and holiday facilities make this
a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora
found in the forests and grasslands is the 'Neelakurinji'.
This flower which bathes the hills in blue
every twelve years will bloom next in 2006 AD.
Munnar also has the highest peak in south
India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m.
Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking
Day 4: Munnar
In Munnar Day is free to relax and to walk
around. Munnar is situated near the Anaimudi
Peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats.
Day 5: Munnar - Kumarakom
Morning drive to Kumarakom near Kottayam and
stay in one of the backwater resorts. The
panoramic backwaters here offer an ideal
retreat to enjoy nature at its best. Kumarakom
slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad
Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary'
of Kerala). The Vembanad Lake with its
majestic canals, streams and distributaries
along its banks weave an intricate and
enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green
of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters
and blend into wavelets. The entire state of
Kerala is blessed with plenty of rivers and
the resources of many are still untapped. The
waterways of Kerala which play a main role in
the economy of the state links remote villages
and islands with the main land. The water ways
provide a cheap and economical mode of
transport. The water ways of Kuttanad is now a
big attraction for tourist. It is incredibly
different experience to cruise in the
backwaters in country boats, absorbing the
beauty of Kerala villages. The scenery flashes
up vivid contrasts of breath-taking greens and
deep blues. Boat rides are available for
tourist and others at nominal rates.
Day 6: Kumarakom - Alleppey
Morning drive a short distance before
switching over to a boat for a through many
canals and waterways up to Alleppey. The
backwater cruise in a country boat is the best
way to explore the villages and rural life. In
Alleppey you will be taken aboard your
floating houseboat, a different boat with a
bedroom and en-suite rest room for your
comfort. Enjoy unlimited surfing on
backwaters, sip a coconut, get disturbed by
only the chirping of birds and occasional
ripples in water and savor mouthwatering
delicacies prepared in front of you by your
Kitchen crew. Spend the night on board the
houseboat. Enjoy a cruise on the backwater
through a maze of canals and lagoons and enjoy
freshly caught fresh water fish cooked to your
taste on board. Alleppey: Alappuzha, formerly
named as Alleppey, in Kerala is one of the
major backwater destinations. The thrilling
boat race awaits you at Alleppey or Alappuzha.
Imagine to just lazing on a houseboat or
enjoying fishing in Alleppey Kerala. Kuttanad
is also known as the 'rice bowl' of the state,
Kerala India. Alleppey is a captivating
destination in Kerala India that provides
backwaters, traditional Kettuvallooms (house
boats), beaches, boat race, swaying palms,
gourmet delight and many more.
Day 7: Alleppey - Trivandrum
Morning board your transport for an
interesting drive to Trivandrum. Afternoon
sightseeing tour of Trivandrum, visiting the
ancient temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy is one
of the major attractions in the city of
Thiruvananthapuram. Napier Museum was built in
1880 and shows a harmonious blending of
Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian
architectural styles. Sri Chitra Art Gallery
has a good collection Tanjore, Mughal, and
Rajput schools of art. The Zoo in
Thiruvananthapuram has many shady and
delightful walks. Thiruvananthapuram, the
capital city of "God's Own Country" - Kerala
is also popularly known by its anglicised name
Trivandrum. Thiruvananthapuram , the southern
most district of Kerala state is situated to
the extreme south of India. To the north of
Trivandrum is Kollam district and Thirunelveli
and Kanyakumari districts of Tamilnadu are on
the east and south respectively. The district
can be divided into three geographical regions
- highlands, midlands and lowlands. The major
tourist attractions of Thiruvananthapuram are
its famous beaches, which are the best bet to
relax after a tiring trip.
Day 8: Trivandrum - Excursion
Book this Tour
Full day return excursion to Cape Camorin, the
southernmost part of the Indian mainland.
Visit the Vivekananda Memorial which is built
about 400 metres offshore.
Day 9: Trivandrum
Transfer to airport for return flight |
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