Kerala - God's Own Country

Day 01: Arrive Trivandrum - Kovalam

After months of planning and arrangements you finally reach Trivandrum, the capital city of south Indian state, Kerala. As you have a look around, you will notice our company representative making his way towards you with a smile on his face. He will immediately make sure that your luggage and other belongings are safely transferred to the car without you facing any problem.

Enroute the hotel, our representative will give you a brief description about the city of Trivandrum. You will also know how similar and different it is from the other cities of Kerala and India on the whole.

After a traditional welcome at the reception, check into your room and relax. The rest of the day is free for you to do whatever you want.

In the evening, shop for some ethnic Keralese items like coir handicrafts, bell metal vessels, cashew nuts and spices.

Return to your hotel and stay overnight in Trivandrum.

Day 02: In Kovalam                                                                                                Book this Tour

Have your breakfast in the morning and move towards Kovalam, a beach (12 km away) where you will give your mind and body the much needed respite from the nagging tensions of life. Check into your hotel.

Kovalam is actually three beaches - Lighthouse beach, Eve's or Hawa beach and Ashok beach. Once you reach the beach, you have plenty of options to enjoy yourself. Take a walk on the silvery sands that glitter like gems in rays of sun. Let the water of the sea wash your feet and carry away all your exhausation as it recedes. Sit in the shade of a palm tree and enjoy the breezes as they hit your face gently.

After you have relaxed a lot, move to explore the other attractions of the beach. Have a look at the lighthouse beach (for you are not allowed to climb it), explore the monument dedicated to two 15th century poet and bow your head in the Kovalam Jama Masjid and the Ganapati Temple. If adventure is what draws you, then you also have an option to enjoy water sports at Kovalam beach. Choose from amongst swimming, kayaking, surfing and skiing and arrangements will be made for you to enjoy these sports.

Later on, also enjoy typical Keralese sea food in beach side restaurant and climb on a rocky promontory to catch a magnificent view of the setting sun. Return to your hotel and stay overnight in Kovalam.

Day 03: In Kovalam

Wake up early in the morning for you need to witness the glowing beauty of sun as it rises. Later, have your breakfast and move over to Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of India.or still better India's land's end. Kanyakumari is located where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean merge. It is in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Visit the Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple which is dedicated to a manifestation of Goddess Parvati. Later, also pay a visit to the Vivekanand Rock Memorial. The great social reformer of India, Swami Vivekanand meditated here on a rock. As you go around, you will find a meditation hall attached to the memorial. There is also a statue of Swami Vivekanand which you must see.

Your third destination today is also dedicated to a person who has made an immense impact in the mind of the Indians (or rather on the mind of people around the world). Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, has a memorial built in his memory here. The memorial marks the place where his ashes were kept for public viewing before being immersed. The memorial is so designed that the very first ray of the rising sun falls on the exact spot where his ashes were kept.

In the evening, return to your Kovalam and stay overnight in your hotel.

Day 04: Kovalam - Alleppey - Kumarakom

Today, you will embark on a trip that has earned Kerala much of its fame - the backwaters. Leave your hotel after breakfast and check into a luxury houseboat. Staying in a luxury houseboat is like a dream for anyone and you will surely agree with us the moment you step into the houseboat. You will feel as if the best of both traditional and modern world have been laid before you to make your trip wonderful.

Watch the beautiful scenes as you cruise along the backwaters of Allepey. Disembark from your houseboat to explore villages that lie enroute. Talk to the people, see them at work and play with the children. It is these small things that will make your trip extremely special.

In the evening, watch the sun set from your houseboat and feel the freshness of the wind as it gently blows your hair. Later, in the night, when darkness takes over, you will feel as if you are spending a night in the lap of mother nature.

Overnight stay in Houseboat.

Day 05: In Kumarakom

In the morning when you open your eyes, you will find yourself in Kumarakom. Get off from your houseboat and check into a luxury hotel. Have your breakfast and set out on another round of backwater cruise that will take you to the beautiful Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.

The sanctuary is spread over an area of 14 acres and houses a large number of birds. During seasons, migratory birds also flock here in large numbers. Walk along a one and half km long track to discover a variety of birds that seem to greet you with their melodious cheers and jubilant hopping and flying.

Also visit the island of Pathiramanal, an abode of migratory birds, and hear an interesting story associated with it. Later, enjoy another round of backwater cruise in Kumarakom.

Return to your hotel and stay overnight in Kumarakom.

Day 06: In Kumarakom

Today, you will spend your entire day in your resort in Kumarakom. Wake up late if you want.

Later, lend yourself to the ayurvedic treatment or massage. This is an opportunity for you to give your body the much needed relaxation. A massage at the hand of a trained masseur will leave you refreshed.

The rest of the day is free for you to do whatever you want and since you are staying in a luxury resort, you will not lack options to entertain yourself.

Overnight in Kumarakom.

Day 07: Kumarakom - Periyar

Today, in the morning leave Kumarakom to reach Periyar, the most well known wildlife reserve of south India. Also, known by the name of Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar is around 140 km away from Kumarakom. Once you reach Periyar, check into your hotel and relax for a while.

Post lunch be a part of the nature walk. This walk will cover a total of around 4 to 5 km and last for almost three hours. Apart from birds and small animals, you also have a chance to sight some bigger denizens of the jungle. A trained tribal guide will accompany you on this trip. He will constantly guide you throughout so that you are niether lost nor feel like strangers. Be it flora or fauna, this guide will brief you about everything that arouses your curiosity.

In the evening be a part of yet another eco tourism programme. As per this programme you will become a part of the patrol group which guards the fringe areas of the forests. This is also a three hour trek with a guard to guide and keep your company.

Return to your hotel and stay overnight in Periyar.

Day 08: In Periyar

Get up early today and ready yourself for a half day trip to the farms of the villages nearby. And if you are thinking that you will either walk or drive there in a car, you are in for a huge surprise. You will travel to these farms in a bullock cart, and that also covered. Enjoy, the slow and unsteady movement of the cart which gives you enough opportunity to have a good look around.

Later, post lunch proceed towards the Periyar Lake. Here you will enjoy a beautiful ride in the boat. Sailing in a boat, you can sight animals and birds that come down to quench their thirst. Also, have a good look at the beautiful surroundings.

In the evening, again become a part of the jungle patrol and contribute a bit in the conservation effort.

Day 09: Periyar - Cochin

This morning, you will leave the wilderness of Kerala and move towards its more ciivilised part, Cochin. The city, now known as Kochi, has been famous as a port city for a long time now. Cochin is at a distance of around 195 km from Periyar and it will take around three hours to reach there.

Check into your hotel once you arrive in Cochin. Refresh yourself and relax for a while. Thereafter, set out to explore the city of Cochin or rather Kochi.

Visit the Dutch Palace to see its colourful murals and collection of royal coronation robes, palanquins and portraits of Cochin rajas. Next, go around the Jewish Synagogue to have a look at the Belgian Chandeliers and hand painted blue and white Chinese floor tiles. Also, pay a visit to the the Santa Cruz Basilica and St Francis Church, each of which has its own significance.

In the evening, watch a colourful and lively Kathakali performance and later learn about its details - facial make up, significance of different colours, masks and costumes. This will not only entertain you but also expose you to the cultural wealth of the state.

Return to your hotel and stay overnight in Cochin.

Day 10: Cochin - Calicut

Today early morning, after breakfast, head towards Calicut which is at a distance of 224 km in the northern direction from Cochin. The drive to Calicut, is in itself very charming. You will come across lush green country side, historic sites and the serene beaches. Calicut is an old name and today the place is more famous as Kozhikode.

After a journey of around five and a half hour you reach Kozhikode. Check into your hotel and relax. Later, move out of your hotel to explore the attractions of this small place. Your first destination will be Pazhassi Raja Museum and V K Krishna Menon Art Gallery. Go around and have a look at the wall paintings, antique handicrafts, old coins, models of temples and megalithic dolmonoid cysts in the museum and paintings of renowned artists Ravi Verma in the art gallery.

Next, explore the Mananchira Square, right in the heart of the city. The square has the CSI Church, Pattalam Mosque, Commonwealth Spinning Mill, the Kutttichera Tank and Jama'atpalli mosque. You are free to go around on your own and discover the place.

In the evening, visit the Sweet Meat Street, famous for its Mithai Theruvu, a sweet that has made Kozhikode famous. Try out these sweets - green, red, black and yellow in colour. Also, make sure to pick up the popular Kozhikodan banana chips.

Return to your hotel and stay overnight in Kozhikode.

Day 11: Calicut - Vythiri                                                                                         Book this Tour

Morning after breakfast, set off for Vythiri which is ensconced in the Wayanad hills. A beautiful 62 km journey covered in about one and a half hour will bring you to Vythiri.

Check into your hotel and immediately set out to discover this small cosy place. Visit the Suchipara and Kanthampara Falls to start of with. You will actually need to to get off your car and walk a distance of a kilometre and a half before you reach the falls. However, once you reach there, the sight of the water falling from a great height will enrapture your senses. Spend some time exploring the surrounding areas.

Later, head towards another fall - the Meenmutty Fall. Here again, you will require to cover a distance of 2 km by trekking. And again, as before, your effort will be awarded with fantastic views of the falls. Watch the fall and enjoy a deep sense of satisfaction.

Return to your hotel and stay overnight in Vythiri.

Day 12: In Vythiri

This is the day when you will be free like a bird to do whatever you want. Wake up when you wish to, spend time strolling in the neighbouring areas, interact with locals, sip a cup of tea and admire the beautiful surroundings. If you wish to explore more of the nearby attractions, our guide will help you to reach there.

Stay overnight in Vythiri.

Day 13: Vythiri - Cochin

Your trip to India comes to end today as you make your way back to Cochin. From Cochin, catch a flight back home with pleasant memories of your trip.