Tour price includes: Kerala Backwaters, Cochin city tour, Cochin Dutch Palace, Cochin Jewish Synagogue, Cochin Chinese Fishing Nets, Munnar, Munnar Cardamon Research Centre, Munnar Windermere tea plantation, Periyar, Periyar spice plantation, Periyar spice & tea plantation, Periyar Lake boat cruise to a wildlife sanctuary, Kumarakom, Kumarakom Kettuvallam houseboat day and night
ITINERARY
Day 1 COCHIN (KOCHI)
Arrive in Cochin, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a 2 night stay.
Take a cluster of beautiful islands and narrow peninsulas surrounded by sparkling, azure water. Carpet them with mile after mile of unending lush, green paddy fields and towering coconut trees. In a touch of divine whimsy, throw in the oldest European church in India; a Jewish community whose roots go back to the Diaspora; cantilevered Chinese fishing nets; 100 foot long snake boats; winding roads crammed with 500-year-old Portuguese houses; a Dutch Palace containing breath-taking murals depicting scenes from the great Indian mythological epics. Welcome to Cochin – now known as Kochi – ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’.
Day 2 COCHIN
Today you will be taken on a half day city tour of Cochin visiting The Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue and Chinese Fishing Nets. Afternoon free. Overnight in Cochin. (B)
Day 3 COCHIN-MUNNAR (110 kms – 3 hrs)
You will be driven up into the hills to the tea plantation town of Munnar this morning, visiting the Cardamom Research Centre on the way. Free afternoon to relax or explore this charming hill station. Overnight in Munnar. (B)
Located at an altitude of over 6,000 feet above sea level, Munnar ranks among the most beautiful hill stations in South Asia, and was one of the favourite summer resorts of the British. Majestic mountains, lush green forests, wildlife sanctuaries, pristine mountain streams and coffee and cardamom plantations give Munnar its unique charm and beauty. It is the perfect holiday destination for anyone wishing to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Day 4 MUNNAR-PERIYAR (100 kms – 2.5 hours)
Drive today from Munnar to Periyar, stopping on the way to visit a spice plantation. Take a 2 hour late afternoon boat cruise on Periyar Lake to see the wildlife in the sanctuary. (B)
Lying close to the plantations nearby, you can see one of the most fascinating wild life reserves in India – The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary and The Periyar Lake, home to a variety of wildlife including tigers, elephants, and deer. The only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters. From the safety of a boat on the lake.
Day 5 PERIYAR
A free day to relax and enjoy your thatched cottage set in the heart of the Cardamom hills. Take a nature walk around the spice gardens and perhaps enjoy some Ayurvedic treatments. (B/D).
Day 6 PERIYAR-KUMARAKOM (170 kms – 3.5 hrs)
You will be driven to Kumarakom this morning to spend 2 nights in a breathtakingly beautiful sanctuary on the banks of Vembanad Lake, staying in a typical Tharawad (cottage).
Free afternoon – some more Ayurveda ? B
Kumarakom (78kms from Cochin) is located on the eastern shore of lake Vembanad at the mouth of the Kavanar River, in the heart of the fascinating backwaters, giving visitors an authentic insight into Kuttanad life.
Kerala’s famous backwaters comprise of vast lakes and a system of narrow canals and waterways linking them to one another. Not so long ago, these waterways served as the backbone of Kerala’s transportation. And Kumarakom is the ideal place to experience the backwaters.
Day 7 KUMARAKOM
Enjoy some Ayurveda for which Kerala is famous – energise your body, stimulate your mind, and calm your soul. (B)
Day 8 KUMARAKOM-KETUVALLUM RICE BOAT
Enjoy a peaceful day and night on board a Kettuvallam houseboat, exploring the peaceful back-waters (canals). The serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and offer a striking spectacle of the rustic life. (B/L/D).
Day 9 ALLEPPEY-COCHIN
Disembark in Alleppey, where you will be met and driven 35 kms to Cochin airport for your onward flight. (B)
| ACCOMMODATION – KERALA DELIGHTS Note that the same hotels are used for both the deluxe and superior category. The difference in rates is the different category of room. |
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| DELUXE HOTELS | SUPERIOR HOTELS | ||
| COCHIN- (1night) |
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| Malabar House – Heritage One of Kerala’s only ‘boutique’ hotels, this 18th-century Dutch colonial residence has been transformed into a small, luxury hotel. Malabar House is a fascinating and sophisticated art-focussed hotel, situated on a peaceful green in Fort Cochin. An inspired mixture of local furniture and antiques, combined with contemporary designs and stunning, vibrant colour schemes, is all housed within a pretty, old, colonial mansion which has been lovingly restored and is now, unquestionably, the finest small hotel in Cochin.Each of the 17 bedrooms is a haven of tranquillity amidst a bustling harbour city. The cuisine is second to none – combining South Indian and Mediterranean ingredients and fresh seafood, whilst the wine list has some superb international brands. It is ideally situated for wandering out to see the Chinese fishing nets or for taking gentle strolls up to Mattancherry and its famous antique market. Amenities include: swimming pool, excellent restaurant, and Kalari massage – one of the oldest schools of Ayurveda as relaxation and rejuvenation therapy. |
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| MUNNAR - (1night) |
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| Windermere Estate Windermere is a guesthouse adjacent to a farmhouse in a Cardamom and Tea estate. It is located high up in the mountains 3 kilometers from Munnar town, with the lofty mountain peaks of the Western Ghats as its backdrop and overlooking an endless green carpet of tea in the valley below. The rooms are well-appointed, using lot of wood panelling. Hallmarked for its exclusiveness and hygiene, five double rooms, 2 units Coffee Cottages, an interacting room and a dining room serving table d’hote is Windermere. One may trek through 60 acres of meandering greenery of the Windermere Cardamom Estate. Here the manicured Tea Garden merges with lush green forests of Munnar. |
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| PERIYAR - (2nights) |
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| Spice Village – 4 star Set in the heart of the Cardamom hills of Kerala, Spice Village is an unprecedented tourist destination, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy South India’s wildlife & beauty. The Village lies just outside Periyar tiger reserve, and a stay here is the perfect way to appreciate and respect the environment. Recreating the mood of local tribal community, the resort architects have designed individual cottages amongst a landscaped spice garden. Each dwelling is thatched with elephant grass and offers simple luxury and privacy. Recreation and facilities include: boat rides at Periyar Tiger Reserve, forest treks, water safaris, visits to Spice Plantations, and Ayurveda & Rejuvenation. |
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| KUMARAKOM - (2 nights) |
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| Coconut Lagoon Resort – Heritage About 78 kms from Cochin, hidden among the palm trees on the eastern shore of lake Vembanad at the mouth of the Kavanar River, Coconut Lagoon Resort is set in the heart of the fascinating backwaters, and has been designed to give visitors an authentic insight into Kuttanad life. Kerala’s famous backwaters comprise of vast lakes and a system of narrow canals and waterways linking them to one another. Not so long ago, these waterways served as the backbone of Kerala’s transportation. And Kumarakom is the ideal place to experience the backwaters. Coconut Lagoon has rightly carved its place among the top 10 heritage resorts of the world. The resort is on a small island and can be reached only by boat. The accommodation consists of individual cottages called tharawads, built in the traditional Kerala style, relying heavily on wood and some with private pools. The bathrooms are open to the sky and the restaurant specializes in Kerala cuisine typical of the region. |
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| KERALA BACKWATERS - (1night) |
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| Houseboat Today, the houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cosy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Parts of the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. While most boats are poled by local oarsmen, some are powered by a 40 HP engine. |
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THE KERALA DELIGHTS Tour Costs Include:
• Transportation in private vehicle with chauffeur
• English speaking local guides for sightseeing
• Train Tickets where applicable
• Accommodation for the mentioned number of nights
• Daily breakfast
• Porterage
• Entrance fees at monuments & places of visit
• All sightseeing and tours – including a full or half day city tour at each major destination
COST PER PERSON – Land Only – Daily Departure
BOOK DURING FEBRUARY 2010 AND SAVE 5% ON THE PRICE BELOW
| Hotel Class | DELUXE | SUPERIOR | ||
| KERALA DELIGHTS |
1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 |
16 Apr to Sep 2010 |
1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 |
16 Apr to Sep 2010 |
| Medium Car -twin share | $2442 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS-Medium Car -twin share-DELUXE Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:2442:end] |
$1451 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS-Medium Car -twin share-DELUXE Class -16 Apr to Sep 2010 :price:1451:end] |
$1895 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS-Medium Car -twin share-SUPERIOR Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:1895:end] |
$1257 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS-Medium Car -twin share-SUPERIOR Class -16 Apr to Sep 2010 :price:1257:end] |
| Toyota Innova -twin share | $2481 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTSToyota Innova -twin share-DELUXE Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:2481:end] |
$1558 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTSToyota Innova -twin share-DELUXE Class -16 Apr to Sep 2010 :price:1558:end] |
$1938 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTSToyota Innova -twin share-SUPERIOR Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:1938:end] |
$1298 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTSToyota Innova -twin share-SUPERIOR Class -16 Apr to Sep 2010 :price:1298:end] |
| Toyota Innova -triple share | $2337 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS -Toyota Innova -triple share-DELUXE Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:2337:end] |
$1413 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS -Toyota Innova -triple share-DELUXE Class -16 Apr to Sep 2010 :price:1413:end] |
$1792 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS -Toyota Innova -triple share-SUPERIOR Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:1792:end] |
$1152 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS -Toyota Innova -triple share-SUPERIOR Class -16 Apr to Sep 2010 :price:1152:end] |
| Mini Van 4 to 6 share | $2287 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS- Mini Van 4 to 6 share-DELUXE Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:2287:end] |
$1362 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS- Mini Van 4 to 6 share-DELUXE Class -16 Apr to Sep 2010 :price:1362:end] |
$1740 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS- Mini Van 4 to 6 share-SUPERIOR Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:1740:end] |
$1099 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS- Mini Van 4 to 6 share-SUPERIOR Class -16 Apr to Sep 2010 :price:1099:end] |
| Single Supplement | $1889 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS-Single Supplement-DELUXE Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:1939:end] |
$907 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS-Single Supplement-DELUXE Class -16 Apr to Sep 2010 :price:907:end] |
$1308 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS-Single Supplement-SUPERIOR Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:1308:end] |
$696 [wp_cart:KERALA DELIGHTS-Single Supplement-SUPERIOR Class --16 Apr to Sep 2010:price:696:end] |