Gods Own Kerala – 8 Nights / 9 Days
It is Gods Own Kerala, Gods own Country. Come explore the green heaven with Travelshoppe.
Day 01 Arrival in Cochin: Meet our representative upon arrival in Cochin and drive towards hotel to check-in. Overnight stay in Cochin.
Day 02 Drive from Cochin to Munnar (120 km/approx. 4.5 hours): After breakfast, enjoy city tour covering Mattancherry Palace- gifted to the king of Cochin, by Portuguese in 1555, about 500 year old & drive past Chinese fishing Nets. Later drive to Munnar – Munnar hills situated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 Ft above sea level and are situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. This beautiful hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Govt. in South India. Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Arrive & check in to your hotel. Evening at
leisure. Overnight stay in Munnar.
Day 03 Sightseeing in Munnar: Today, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Munnar. In the morning, visit the Tea Museum in the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea, which showcases some of the exquisite and interesting aspects of the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Munnar. This Tea Museum houses curios, photographs and machinery. Also visit Mattupetty, located about 13 km from Munnar. Mattupetty is known for its dam and the beautiful lake, which offers pleasurable boat rides (on direct payment). Later visit the Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala Lake… the mountain slopes here are thick with undulating, evergreen tea plantations. The shimmering blue lake is the most photographed part of Kundala. Take a stroll in the tea estate, and enjoy the refreshing mountain breeze. Here you can view the entire process of making tea, right from plucking of tea leaves to their processing. Return to your hotel & spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Munnar.
Day 04 Munnar – Thekkady (127 kms / approx. 4 hours): After breakfast, drive to Thekkady (Periyar) and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Thekkady is synonymous to uninterrupted hills, rich biodiversity and spice plantations. The place is best known for the Periyar National Park. In the afternoon, visit spice plantation, enjoy an elephant ride (optional/ on own) here. . Return to the hotel .Overnight stay in Thekkady.
Day 05: Drive from Thekkady – Kumarakom (120 kms / approx. 4 hour): After breakfast, check-out and proceed to Kumarakom – a charming emerald peninsula jutting into the picturesque Vembanad Lake dotted with innumerable traditional country rafts, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake flows into the mainland, making a labyrinth of lagoons, canals and waterways. Spend the rest of the day at beautiful resort of Kumarakom. You may enjoy traditional Ayurveda massages here – ayurveda is the ancient healing system of India and has been practiced continuously for over 5,000 years. The various treatments are individually prescribed and involve the use of medicated herbal oils, herbs, powders and poultices & natural ingredients. Enjoy a boat ride in Vembanad Lake (Optional). Overnight at the hotel in Kumarakom Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
Day 06 Kumarakom: After breakfast, enjoy full day at leisure in Kumarakom. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
Day 07 Drive from Kumarakom – Kovalam (170 kms / approx. 5 hours): After breakfast, drive towards south of Kerala, Kovalam- located close to the state capital Trivandrum, it is internationally famed for its palm-fringed beaches and rejuvenating centers. This coastal town initially came to notice with the construction of Halcyon Castle by the last Maharani of Travancore – Sethu Lakshmi Bayi. With the arrival of hippies in 1970s, the place gained recognition as a tourist destination and is today renowned for its 17 km-long coastline, which is formed by three beautiful beaches – Lighthouse, Hawah and Samudra. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel and spend rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 08 Sightseeing in Kovalam & Trivandrum: After breakfast, explore highlights of Kovalam- covering lighthouse, Vellayani Lake and Valiyathura Pier. Later proceed for Trivandrum sightseeing, visit Napier Museum and Art Gallery. Return to Kovalam for overnight stay.
Day 09 Departure from Trivandrum: After breakfast, you will be transferred to Trivandrum airport for return flight back home.