Overview

Incredible Kerala

Incredible Kerala -god’s own country called due to its characteristic and features covering all which can attract even God apart human being. This tour introduce you ancient relation between countries, trade relation of India with Arabs, Roman and travellers.

Incredible Kerala will introduce you essence of natural beauty, unmatchable beaches, Beautiful landscape, true rural culture, tasty and unique food, Sprawling plantations and paddy fields, Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife and many more.

In this tour you are visiting:

Cochin: Cochin also known as 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’. Cochin is proud of its world class port and international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide.

Munnar: One of the most popular hill stations in India, Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Surrounded by almost 30 tea gardens that give it a picturesque view, Munnar is near Anaimudi, the highest peak of the Kerala Western Ghats.

Thekkady: During 1899 under British rule, the core area of today’s Periyar Sanctuary was declared as a reserved forest in order to protect the catchment area of the Periyar River. The total area of the present Sanctuary is 777 square kilometres and it is located in the southernmost part of Western Ghats. 70% of it includes tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.

Kumarakom: Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake and a picturesque, clean village like most places in Kerala.

Alleppey: In Alleppey entire district is endowed with immense natural beauty. The sandy strip of land with Arabian Sea to its west is woven by lagoons and an array of rivers, canals, and lakes ideal for boat cruise.

Kollam: Kollam was an ancient port city on the Arabian coast. This town have a rich coastal history that even made the famous ancient travel writer Ibn Batuta to refer this port as one of the five important port in the 14th century.

Kovalam: It lay in humble obscurity along the picturesque coast of Kerala. Kovalam is reckoned the most trendy beach retreat in India.

Inclusions

• Return Flight from London to Cochin
• Accommodation in hotel as per chosen category
• Meals as mentioned
• All transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary
• Guide at Monuments
• Entrance at Monuments
• Kathakali Dance show at Cochin
• Spice plantation tour at Thekkady
• Elephant ride at Thekkady
• Boat Cruise at Thekkady

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from London to Cochin.

Day 2

Arrival Cochin

On arrival at the airport, meet your representative who will take you to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: No Meal

Day 3

Cochin

Early morning, if you wish, you can wake up early to feel beautiful sights of sunrise over the Chinese fishing nets. The expanse of nets with the backdrop of sun rising is a perfect start to enjoy the scenic beauty of India. After breakfast we will set out to explore this port city with rich and interesting past. The Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans sailed into this city to trade and impact still can be found in this city. We will walk through the Fort area, exploring Jewish Synagogue – which is one of the oldest synagogue amongst all the commonwealth nations, St Francis church, Dutch Palace or Mattancherry Palace - a 16th century palace. Just opposite to the Mattancherry Palace, visit the spice market, one of the biggest centres of spices in Cochin. In the evening we will take you to Kerala’s local dance performance show called Kathakali, which represent rituals and based on historical story. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 4

Cochin–Munnar

Morning breakfast and drive to Munnar from Cochin - hill station at a height of 1525 mtrs. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. Munnar offers a breathtaking view of the hills swathed in an impossibly green carpet of tea bushes. Munnar - the right royal resort lazily nestled in the verdant slopes of tea country. Munnar is blessed with greenery, forest with rich in flora and fauna. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 5

Munnar

After a leisurely breakfast proceed on a sightseeing tour of the city which is difficult to describe. Visit tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometres, lush green hills, very low population and far from pollution. The place is encircled by wooded hills of the Annamalai Ranges, with the towering bulk of Anamudi, which is peninsular India’s highest peak at about 2695m. Sprawling tea plantations, picture books towns, winding lanes, exotic flora and fauna in the forests and grasslands, make Munnar a pleasant hill station. Visit Mettupetty dam and Return to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 6

Munnar–Thekkady

After breakfast, we drive through the Western Ghats to Thekkady, a beautiful area of tea gardens, rubber estates, rich with coffee and pepper plantations, located high in the Cardamom hills. On our way we enroute visit the Tea Museum opened by the Tata Tea group. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, visit a spice garden where you will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of the spices are grown. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 7

Thekkady

We wake up early to experience a boat cruise on the Lake Periyar, which show cases a kaleidoscope of activities that incur around the lake and jungle. Evergreen moist forests and savannah grass lands characterise Periyar. Later proceed to view the rare species of plantations, animals and visit a spice plantation growing cardamom, pepper, coffee, and tea estate. Walk amidst the palette displaying variant shades of green, neatly arranged into terrace farms, the symmetry broken only by the sudden appearance of a gurgling stream. It is believed that the spice trade dates back three thousand years in Kerala and many spices find their home here. We’ll arrange an Elephant ride for you through forest to enjoy nature closely. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 8

Thekkady–Kumarakom

After breakfast proceed to Kumarakom, set in backdrop of the Vembanad lake which is largest lake of Kerala. Kumarakom is a land constructed by the deposition of mud and other materials through natural and man-made methods. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon visit Kumarakom bird sanctuary fill with different species of local and migratory birds. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 9

Kumarakom–Backwater cruise (Alleppey)

After breakfast drive to Alleppey and board the houseboat; while sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields, several small village situated on small Island. You can have stop over on some scattered island, canals, panoramic sights one can never forget. Flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remain an enduring picture reflecting the charm of this beautiful land. Enjoy fishing and sunset when heading towards Alleppey. Overnight on houseboat.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Alleppey–Kollam

After breakfast travel to Kollam, also known as Quilon. Kollam has had a strong commercial reputation since the days of the Phoenicians and Romans. The Malayalam Era is based on the founding of Kollam in the 9th century and being one of the oldest ports of the Malabar Coast. It was an important centre of trade during the ancient times and was frequented by Phoenicians, Persians, Romans, Arabs with also famous travellers like Marco Polo. The historical importance of the place also stems from the fact that the township was designed and built by Syrians. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon visit Thenmala- The first Eco Tourism setup in India rich with scenic beauty and adventure sports. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 11

Kollam

After breakfast, visit Thangasseri, is a picturesque seaside village with a three kilometre long beach on which stands 144 feet tall lighthouse—a silent sentinel warning seamen since 1902 of the treacherous reefs. Kollam is blessed with all unique features; sea, lake, mountains, plains, streams, rivers, backwaters, forest, vast green fields and tropical crop of every variety. At the many temples, mosques, churches of this town, one can meet people eager to share their stories and monuments. Rest of the day is free to enjoy by own. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 12

Kollam–Kovalam

After breakfast, travel to Kovalam a site enriched with rich greenery of palm fingered bays in secluded coconut groves and laced with golden sands. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the strong palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach a paradise. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. Rest of the day to enjoy on the beach. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 13

Excursion to Kanyakumari

Morning breakfast and excursion to Kanyakumari- there were commercial relations between western India and Alexandria, the chief eastern emporium of the Roman Empire. They identified Kanyakumari along with the Gulf of Mannar as a centre for pearl fishery. Visit Thanumalayan Temple from outside which was built in 17th Centuries with fine carving. Vivekanand Rock memorial- The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 meters east off mainland of Vavathurai, India’s southernmost tip. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock. Evening back to Kovalam. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 14

Kovalam

Have a leisurely breakfast, enjoy Ayurveda massage and can opt other option by own and relax on the beach. Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 15

Kovalam–Trivandrum–Departure

After a leisurely breakfast, check out and transfer to Trivandrum Airport to board the flight for your onward journey.

Meal: Breakfast

** £ 275 extra during Peak season including Xmas and New Year Gala dinner supplement.

*Peak Season is from 20th Dec to 10th Jan.

*Rates are Per person with minimum 2 pax travelling together.

Cost of Package does not include

• Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips. Liquor, boating & joy rides.(which is not mentioned in inclusion list)
• Any other item not specified in “Cost Includes”.
• Additional sightseeing or usages of vehicle not mentioned in the itinerary.

Extra Meal Supplement (Optional)

Half Board meal supplement with 5* hotels £ 240 Per Person

Full Board meal supplement with 5* hotels £ 460 Per Person