ESSENTIAL KERALA

ARRIVE-COCHIN

Arrive at Cochin International GREEN LAGOONS Representative will meet you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building after which you would be transferred to your hotel.

Half-day sightseeing tour of Cochin. You will first proceed to Mattancherry, where you will visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India (Closed on Friday and Saturday) built by a thriving Jewish community in 1568 A.D. Now the community has dwindled in numbers, however the synagogue is beautifully preserved.. The Dutch Palace (Closed on Friday) at Mattancherry was built in 1555 and its coronation hall and murals at Ramayana are noteworthy features. From Jewish Synagogue you will visit Chinese fishing nets. The cantilevered fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Continue your tour to the St. Francis Church (Closed on Sunday during Mass), originally named after Santo Antonio and dedicated to him as the Patron Saint of Portugal. Five Portuguese priests who arrived with Albuquerque built St. Francis church in 1510. This church, said to be the oldest European church built in India, was the original burial site of Vasco da Gama in 1524. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.

MUNNAR

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed for a morning sightseeing trip of Munnar; visiting the Eravikulam National Park where you can see the very rare mountain goats locally called the Nilgiri Thar, visit Mattupetty Dam which offers many fascinating sights to relish. The Shola forests around Mattupetty are ideal for trekking and bird watching, with the variety of birds found there. Kundala is a picturesque town located at the confluence of three mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Enroute visit Echo Point, View Point & green carpet of Tea Gardens. Late afternoon, you will go for a stroll in Tea Estates. Meet the local people engaged in tea Industry. Evening will be at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

THEKKADY- KUMARAKOM

After the breakfast drive to kumarakom (85 KM / 02 Hours ) , On Arrival Check inn hotel.
A labyrinth of backwaters with shimmering water, the brilliant green of mangrove forests, coconut palms lining the embankments, blue skies, flocks of migratory birds skimming the water – that is Kumarakom, a veritable dreamland!
Every year, more than seven million tourists visit Kerala, a place that the National Geographic Magazine has described as one of the must-see places in a lifetime. Kumarakom is an important stopover for a majority of these tourists. This famous tourist backwater hub is a cluster of islands on the eastern banks of Lake Vembanad. Compared to adjacent villages, the lake has its maximum length and breadth near Kumarakom - about eight km. With the huge lake on one side and with a network of calm canals running through it, Kumarakom, a masterpiece created by man and Nature together, enjoys a unique position on the map of Kerala. After noon visit the famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary & rest of the day you can have leisure in your back water resort. Overnight stay at Hotel.

ALLEPPEY – MUNROE (02:30 hours 90 km Approx.)

After the breakfast checkout from the houseboat and start the journey to Munroe. Located 27 km from Kollam, is Munroe Island. Formed by the backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River, this island is named after Colonel Munroe, the British Resident of erstwhile Travancore State. He is credited with having integrated several backwater regions by digging canals. The discovery of Stone Age tools and megaliths stand testimony to the antiquity of this islet which shelters a quaint little village.

MUNROE – KOVALAM

After Breakfast Check out from the hotel and drive to Kovalam (Approx 92kms/02:30hrs)-A beach on the Arabian Sea in Kerala, majorly famous for its golden beaches & Palm fringed shores. Evening at leisure or local sightseeing by own. Indulge into some Ayurveda treatments in rested. Overnight in Kovalam.

DEPARTURE

After the breakfast checkout from the hotel and proceed to the airport /railway station for the return
Journey.