India Tours

Alluring Kerala Tour

Mumbai - Cochin - Periyar - Alleppey - Kumarakom - Mararikulam - Cochin - Hometown
9 Nights - 10 Days

01 Day: Arrival Mumbai

Meeting and assistance on arrival at the International airport, our representative welcomes and escorts you by a private car and transfers you to the hotel. Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would hand over the documents and brief the tour programme to you. Rest of the evening is free for rest and relaxation. Overnight at the hotel.

Mumbai is a cluster of Seven Islands and derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the koli fisher folk, its oldest inhabitants. Mumbai pulsates with activity. It is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. It is also the country's financial powerhouse, the nation's industrial heartland, and its economic nerve center. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre & music, gourmet restaurants and interesting sightseeing. It offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more.

02 Day: Mumbai

After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of Bombay, drive to Gateway of India and from here cruise by motorboats to Elephanta Caves…A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill where it is set. The caves houses large pillars that seem to hold the ceiling which is made of cross beams. The picturesque presentations of the 9 marvelous sculptured panels, set on the walls are awe-inspiring. The most famous of the panels is the Trimurthi, or triple-headed Shiva, where the God is depicted as the destroyer, the preserver and the creator. Later in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway of India, one can have lunch at the Taj Hotel or other several good Restaurants like Leopold & Mondegar serving continental cuisines. Later visit Prince of Wales Museum, Parliament House, Drive, Jain Temple, Hanging Gardens. Overnight at the hotel..

Note: Elephanta Caves and Prince of Wales museum are closed on every Monday.

03 Day: Mumbai - Cochin (By Air)

After breakfast, the day is free for individual activities or shopping till the departure of international flight, visit at the famous markets and shops include in Orbit Mall, Infinity or Bandra – which is very famous for fashion trends and street shopping. It is well known for this street side shopping for latest Fashion accessories, trendy clothes and varieties of ladies shoe shops/stalls continuous in a row. Later transfer to the domestic airport to board the afternoon flight for Cochin. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest of the evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Cochin.

Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin is proud of its world class port and international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate. Cochin is situated in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'.

04 Day: Cochin

Today morning after breakfast take a sight seeing tour of Cochin: Oasis state of Kerala & on to the Malabar Coasts & Kochi (formerly Cochin), one of the India's most colourful cities. This inter, connected series of Islands & shoreline presents a vivacious blend of Cultures & Religions; Visit Fort Cochin & St. Frances Church to see the town of Vasco da Gama. We also see the Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry "Dutch" Palace. In the evening, enjoy the Kathakali Dance, one of India's most famous Classical dances with lavish Costumes, exotic makeup & Masks intensifying the beauty of the dancer’s intricate moments. Overnight at the hotel.

05 Day: Cochin - Periyar: (190 kms: 3 ½ hrs)

After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Periyar, on arrival check in to the jungle resort. The day is free for leisure activity at the resort. Later in the evening take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Overnight at the hotel.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India's biggest wildlife sanctuaries covering 777 sq. Km (300 Sq.miles) is a Tiger Reserve. Its centerpiece, the man-made Periyar Lake at the height of 2000 ft. covers 26 sq. km, running through the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala. The lake is an important source of water for the many wild animals. The Best time to visit Periyar is between OCTOBER and MAY. The best chance of watching animals is during the hot months of march, April and May, when water gets low and the grass dries out, animals especially elephants come down to the Periyar lake to bath & frolic in the water with the young ones.

06 Day: Periyar/ Thekkaddy:

After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Thekkaddy visiting the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, discover the park, animals found here include elephant, gaur and wild boars and birds like ibis and grey heron. The visit is done in a boat at Periyar lake to view animals with a bit of extra luck we may be able to see the rare tiger as well. Later in the evening take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Overnight at the jungle resort.

07 Day: Periyar - Alleppey (170 kms: 5 - 6 hrs) - Kumarakom Backwaters tours:

After breakfast checkout and drive for Alleppey, on arrival embark at the houseboat. The day for the journey of backwaters in the boat, through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppey by regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous, while sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land, you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats, evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats, moving towards Kumarakom. The Houseboats have generated electricity; sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef, and Srank (Driver). Overnight at the houseboat.

Alleppey situated in south of Cochin, is the center for backwater cruises in Kerala. It has a large network of canals, which passes through the town, provides its lifeline & has a long sandy beach. It is also the center of the famous coir products of Kerala. Nehru Trophy Boat Race - the most colorful snake-boat race in Kerala - is held here on the second Saturday of August every year.

08 Day: Kumarakom - Mararikulam (45 kms: 1 hr)

After breakfast disembark from the houseboat and into the hotel. Kumarakom – the perfect spot for nature-lovers. Here in this backwater town you can visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the largest wetland in Kerala.About 150 species of fishes thrive in the lake, including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy kites, Marsh Harries, Teals and several varieties of Herons roost. Later drive to Mararikulam (Marari Beach), on arrival transfer to the beach resort. Mararikulam is a sleepy fishing village located between the port city of Cochin and Alleppey. And here, amidst the coconut groves is the Marari Resort. Overnight at the hotel.

The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islnds on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks is a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

09 Day: Mararikulam:

The day is free for leisure and beach activities. You can enjoy Ayurveda Massage at the beach resort. You take a cycling tour to the fishing village to see the local villager’s life. Overnight at the beach resort.

Marari originates from "Mararikulam", one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Completely new to the holiday maker. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm/and traditional Keralan Hospitality at it's best. The Marari Beach is built in the style of a traditional fishing village with thatched villas that have been designed to be in keeping with the local village style.

10 Day: Mararikulam - Cochin (35 kms: 1 hr) – Hometown (By Air)

Today morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Cochin, and transfer to the Cochin Airport to board the scheduled flight for Home Town, on departure the tour concludes with happy memories.

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