Glimpses of Kerala

<p>On arrival at Cochin airport transfer to the Hotel. Check in at the hotel. Overnight in Cochin.</p>

<p>After breakfast visit ( Around 0900 HRS ) Fort Cochi. Walk & see the suspended Chinese fishing nets, which were introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan in the 14th century. Kochi fishermen still use these fishing nets to earn their livelihoods. Continue your stroll down to St Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. Next, see Santa Cruz Basilica, one the largest and most impressive churches in India. Finish your tour at Mattancherry Palace. It was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Kochi in 1555. The palace is famous for its stunning murals portraying scenes from Hindu tales, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Next door is the Paradesi (also called Pardesi) Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in South India. </p><p>Lunch at the Restaurant.</p><p>Later drive ( By 1430 HRS ) to Munnar (140 km – 04 hours drive), on arrival check into the hotel. Spend the day at leisure. Overnight in Munnar.</p>

<p>After breakfast we take you for a full day sightseeing ( Sightseeing timing between 0930 -1600 hrs / Lunch between 1300-1400 hrs at Restaurant) trip of Munnar -which is a nature lover's paradise with endless teagardens lakes on western ghat hills; basically it is a tea town. covering - Mattupetty Lake & Dam, Echo Point, Kundale Lake, Blossom Garden, Rajamalai - offering a spectacular view, Eravikulam Wildlife sanctuary, home of Nilgiry Thar( very rare mountain goat), considering the ecological faunal, floral, geo- morphological and zoological significant & Tea Plantation.</p><p>Dinner & Overnight stay in Hotel.</p>

<p>After breakfast and move ( By 0730 HRS ) to Thekkady (130 km / 4 Hrs). Check into resort at Thekkady.</p><p>Lunch at the hotel </p><p> After refreshing go ( By 1400 hrs ) for boating in the Periyar lake- its centre piece of Periyar Wildlife sanctuary also Periyar Tiger reserve, manmade lake of the height of 2000 ft, enjoying view the wildlife at the Periyar tiger reserve . Later enjoy spice plantation Tour to see crops of cardamom cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estate & later.</p><p>Later return to resort for overnight stay .</p>

<p>After breakfast check out from resort and drive down ( By 0700 hrs ) to Alleppey (180 Kms / 4.5 Hrs) Jetty point to embark into the houseboat. Check in at the Houseboat. </p><p>Sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwater canals of Kumarakom & Alleppey and seen in breathing green, the villages lumber by the Vembanadu Lake. On cruise scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of lush green and deep blues. As the boat glider along the gorgeous green of the fringed palms the ripples in the blue water blend in to little wavelets. </p><p>The backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transport of goods, people and their produce are often the only link between isolated villages and crowded towns. In Kerala, the total expanse of backwater stretches over 1500 kms, with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. Alleppey which forms the main part of this network has the peculiar geographical feature of having the water in level with the land. This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on shore while on a backwater ride.</p><p>Houseboat is one of the main attractions in backwater tourism.Traditionally, the houseboats were called Kettuvalom, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Not a single nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallom.The material used for the making of Kettuvallom is all from the nature-Jack wood planks are joined together with coir ropes and beaten coconut fibres. The wood commonly used to make Kettuvallom is "Anhili". Bamboo poles, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc is used for the making of Houseboats. The interior of the houseboat is really unbelievable – It's a House on Water! Each houseboat is beautifully decorated with coir mattress on the floor. Houseboats normally have spacious living/dinning area and sun deck. It is attached with toilets, separate toilets for crew. Spacious passage and neat kitchen. Clean towel and blankets are provided. Three workers are appointed on the houseboat, one cook and other two to drive the houseboat.</p><p>Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee with snacks, dinner and Overnight stay on House Boat. </p><p>(Note : AC in the Houseboat will be used between 2000 hrs to 0600 hrs)</p>

<p>Breakfast in the morning at House Boat. Later arrives at Alleppey finishing point jetty. On arrival check out from houseboat ( Check out time 0830 HRS ). Thereafter departure transfer To Cochin Airport , - Tour Ends.</p>