HomeTour to Kerala - God's Own Country
Kerala is one of those few places in India which is away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is a home of ‘happiness’, ‘peace’ and ‘selflessness’ making it an ideal location to be found in today’s time. The very rare gems of happiness, peace and selflessness make it the abode of God as well! This is why the tagline “Kerala- God’s own country” is most appropriate. Wouldn’t you like to visit God by taking Kerala Tours?
There must be a very crucial reason behind Kerala being named as one of the "ten paradises of the world" and "50 places of a lifetime" by the National Geographic Traveller magazine. Its unique culture and traditions make it stand out amongst others. The colourful people are always around you enliven your spirits and make your heart feel the freedom to do anything. The stunning sights you will find being on a Kerala Tours will touch your heart for sure.
A tour to Kerala is not complete until you experience the heavens in the Kerala house boats. Kerala backwater tour is something which is not worth a miss and it can be best explored through house boat cruise. It feels never to go back and settle there permanently. The backwaters region includes an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kollam, Kumarakom, and Punnamada (where the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in August). Houseboat cruises through the backwaters so that you can take a closer look at the small villages where people live every moment of their life at their own comfortable pace. You can disembark at those places to explore their cultures and be a part of their community. Believe me, Kerala Backwater Tour can change the way you look at life!
Arrive at Cochin international airport, you will be received by the representative of HTOI and would be further assisted & transferred to your hotel. Rest of the time is kept free to recover from jetlag. Cochin is a commercial capital and gateway of Kerala. It is also one of the best harbours of the world. Stay overnight at the hotel.
After having breakfast, start a daylong sightseeing tour of Fort Kochi including Dutch Palace - this palace was constructed in 1555 AD by the Portuguese rulers and offered to the king of Kochi. The 17th of century murals portrayed scenes from the Ramayana an epic of India may be witnessed here. Also take a tour of St. Francis Cathedral, it was originally built in 1510 AD by the Portuguese and is considered as the first church made in India by the Europeans. Vasco Da Gama was buried out here originally. Later visit Chinese fishing net - this may be looked from the entrance of the Cochin harbour. The techniques of catching the fish were told by Chinese through business contacts. Along with the back water, these Chinese nets are a charming sight. Take a short tour of Jewish Synagogue. The Jewish Synagogue was built during 1568 AD; it contains Old Testament Grand Scrolls and the copper plates having the privileges approved by the rulers of Cochin to the Jews. The floor of the synagogue is cemented with exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles. Later take a walk in the spice markets of Cochin. In the evening, visit one of the many theatres to watch the live performance of traditional Kathakali Dance. Stay overnight at the hotel.
In the morning, you would be transferred to the highest place of Kerala Munnar (1524 meters) visiting spice and tea plantations on the way. Munnar has bracing and cool climate displaying the charm of an old world. The environment out here is perfumed having extensive plantations of cardamom and tea. In Munnar, one may witness charming high mountain ranges, beautiful lakes, streams and fabulous views of the mist full valleys and low lying clouds.
During the day take the tour of the markets, tea & spice plantations. You may buy the tea from Munnar. Stay overnight at the resort.
Have breakfast and leave Munnar for Periyar National Park (Thekkady) through a picturesque route. Arrive at Periyar, check in to the hotel. In the afternoon, take a boat ride over Lake Periyar to see the rich wildlife. Periyar Tiger Reserve or Periyar National Park is spread in an area of 777 square KMS. It is a quite rich, diverse deciduous jungle, combined with the open area of the tall grass. The Lake Periyar is an artificial fabulous lake scattered with dull wood’s snags that offers as the perch to water birds, grey heron, darter, kingfisher and egret. Periyar is one of the best places to see the wild Asiatic elephants. The huge mammals out here swim over the water & the streams and normally these animals may be spotted while taking the boat ride at Lake Periyar. It is also the home of Royal Bengali Tiger, leopards, wild dog, Sambhar, Barking deer, macaque with lion tail and Nilgiri langur. Periyar Tiger Reserve has the various species of woodland birds. The boat is the only available mode of transport at Periyar National Park.
During the day take morning and afternoon boat rides over Lake Periyar. Also take a spice plantation tour with an expert guide. Stay overnight at a jungle resort.
In the morning depart Periyar National Park for Kumarakom – an exotic backwater destination of Kerala. On arrival at Kumarakom, check in to the hotel. Rest of the day is kept free for leisure. Stay overnight at the backwater resort.
The day is kept free to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquil backwaters of Kerala. Stay overnight at the backwater resort.
In time, you would be transferred to the boat jetty at Kumarakom to embark the awaiting Houseboat/ overnight backwater cruise to experience the fabulous Kerala backwaters Houseboat is also known as a ‘Kettuvellam’ it is basically a traditional Kerala houseboat going by Vembanad Lake’s narrow channels, the lush green paddy fields, the tiny local villages witnessing the rural life of Kerala. Stay overnight at the houseboat.
We will finish the backwater cruise at Alleppey jetty. Disembark the houseboat after breakfast. Later transfer to Kollam (Quilon). Arrive at Quilon, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the time is free for optional activities. Stay overnight at the hotel.
During the day take an excursion to the Ashram of Mata Amrita Anandmayi (Guru Women/ hugging mother) and visit few other attractions of the town. Stay overnight at the hotel.
After having breakfast, leave Kollam for Kovalam Beach. Arrive at Kovalam, check in to the hotel. Rest of the time is free to enjoy the beaches of Kovalam. Stay overnight at the beach resort.
The day is kept free at leisure. Stay overnight at the beach resort.
Today take a day return excursion to Kanyakumari and Padmanabhan Palace. At Kanyakumari, visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue and other important places. Stay overnight at the beach resort.In time, transfer to the Trivandrum airport to board the onward flight. The tour ends.
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