(9N 10D) Munnar, Thekkady, Madurai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Trivandrum, Alleppey

Day 1 COCHIN – MUNNAR

On arrival at Cochin airport  our representative will meet you and will transfer you to the Munnar. proceed for a scenic drive to Munnar. Enroute visit the beautiful Cheeyapara & Valara waterfalls. Enjoy the breathtaking and glorious waterfall cascade down the seven steps. Arrive at Munnar and check in to the resort. Munnar – Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundale, Munnar is situated 1600 Meter above sea level. Once the summer resort of erstwhile British Government in South India and the best hill station with sprawling tea plantations in the state. Blessed with a rich variety of flora and fauna with the most well known Neelakurinji (botanical name: Strobilanthus) flowering once in 12 years. Balance of the day you are at leisure to enjoy on your own. Overnight stay at Munnar.

Day 2 MUNNAR

After breakfast proceed to Rajamala. Visit the Eravikulam National Park, the 97 sq km park with its irresistible grace and beauty is home to the endangered Mountain goats. Enjoy a guided short trek in the beautiful hill station. Afternoon – Visit the Mattupetty Dam built in the mountains. Later visit Echo point, a very popular place for the natural phenomenon. The echo that reverberates after hitting the distant hills is fascinating. Overnight stay at Munnar.

Day 3 MUNNAR –THEKKADY

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Thekkady. Situated within the confines of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. The picturesque lake in the heart of the sanctuary was originally 26 sq km but now spans an area of 55 sq km. This perennial source of water, which initially led to the submersion of large tracts of forestland, slowly attracted wild animals. It eventually resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection. Post-1975 Periyar finds itself in the enviable position of being a protected tiger reserve. The terrain ranges from hilly to flat grassland areas at the edges of the lakes. The vegetation is of moist deciduous type. Arrive at Thekkady and check in to the hotel. Overnight stay at Thekkady.

Day 4 THEKKADY– MADURAI

After breakfast checkout from the hotel and drive to Madurai. Arrive at Madurai and check in to the hotel. Afternoon proceed for a sightseeing tour of Madurai. Highly significant with its cultural and historical background, the city has tourist attractions in plenty, the most prominent among them being The Meenakshi Temple with its towering gopurams and rare sculptures. Other important attractions include Thirumalai Naicker Palace, Koodal Azhagar Temple and the Gandhi Museum. Late evening witness the vibrant and colorful Pooja ceremony at Meenakshi Temple. Overnight stay at Madurai.

Day 5 MADURAI – RAMESWARAM

checkout from the hotel and proceed on the drive to Rameswaram – the most sacred temple town in India is an island hallowed by the epic Ramayana. Arrive at Rameswaram and check in to the hotel. Afternoon go for a sightseeing tour of Rameswaram. The holy island is considered as one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrim centers have the most visited Shiva shrines, dedicated to Sri Ramanathaswamy. Associated with the life of Sri Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, that both Saivites and Vaishnavites visit Rameswaram with devotion. The Ramanathaswamy temple here has the world’s longest corridor. The sea is just 100metres away from the entrance of the temple is very calm and the water is considered scared and pilgrims aspire for a holy dip in the sea. Traditional belief among the Hindus that a pilgrimage to Kashi will be complete only after a visit to Rameswararm, also hailed as “Benaras of the South”. Overnight stay at Rameswaram.

Day 6 RAMESWARAM – KANYAKUMARI

Check out from the hotel and drive to Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari, literally means the virgin, the cape owes its Indian name to Hindu mythology. Arrive at Kanyakumari and check in to the hotel. At the Cape Comorin – the southernmost tip in the sub-continent, the three mighty oceans viz. the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. Significant landmarks include the Kumari Amman Temple dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, the Gandhi Memorial where an urn containing the Mahatma’s ashes are kept, the Vivekananda Memorial – built in memory of Swami Vivekananda exuding a calm and peace rarely found elsewhere and the Church of our Lady Ransom starkly etched against the beautiful shoreline. Overnight stay at Kanyakumari.

Day 7 KANYAKUMARI – TRIVANDRUM

Check out from the hotel and drive to Trivandrum. Enroute visit Padmanabhapuram Palace, once the capital of Thiruvananthapuram during 1600 to 1790. Constructed with wood and stone in Kerala’s indigenous style of architecture this palace is surrounded by 4km stone fort. Contained within the complex is a collection of 14 palaces and 127 beautiful royal rooms, many of which feature ornate wood carvings. The carved ceilings of the palace depict 90 varieties of flowers. Paintings, hundreds of years old and stone statues, some over 1000 years old, are on display on the palace grounds. Arrive at Trivandrum and check in to the hotel. Afternoon proceed for a sightseeing tour of Thiruvananthapuram literally means ‘the abode of Anantha’, the snake God. The main attraction of the city is the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple dedicated to Vishnu (also known as Padmanabha) reclining on the snake Anantha. The imposing gopuram (gateway tower) and intricate sculptures of the temple make it a very popular tourist attraction. Later visit Napier Museum, an art and natural history museum which houses a collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. Sri Chitra Art Gallery (Closed on Mondays & Wednesday forenoons) displays the original paintings of Raja Ravi Varma which houses a collection of paintings from the Rajput, Mughal and Thanjore schools. The collection also includes unique copies of Indian mural paintings from pre-historic times down to the 18th century. Overnight stay at Trivandrum.

Day 8. TRIVANDRUM – ALLEPPEY

Check out from the hotel and drive to Alleppey. Arrive at Alleppey and board the houseboat at noon for a backwater cruise and for an overnight stay. While cruising in these floating luxury- villas, let your eyes settle for the rare and the unusual – skim past Chinese fishing nets, bowed- down paddy fields, and local inhabitants engaged in making coir products, rustic homes, and ancient temples and swaying coconut groves. Overnight stay in houseboat.

Day 9 ALLEPPEY- COCHIN

Check out from the hotel and drive to Cochin. Cochin – “Queen of the Arabian Sea” has one of the finest natural harbors in the world. The ancient churches, palaces and synagogues in this city are famous. Afternoon – proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Cochin. Depart to Jew Street which is famous for the Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town. Visit St.Francis Church, first European church built in India in the early 16 th century and the famed Vasco Da Gama was buried in this courtyard. Thereafter visit the Dutch Palace in Mattanchery. (Jewish Synagogue – Open: 10.00 am –12.00pm, 3.00pm –5.00pm. Closed on Friday /Saturday & Jewish holidays) (Dutch Palace – Open: 10.00am – 5.00pm. Closed on Fridays) Free time in the Jew Street. It is fascinating & vibrant Narrow Street with many shops selling handicrafts, souvenirs, Antiques & Ethnic Garments. Later proceed to Fort Kochi and visit Famous Chinese fishing nets. Evening drive to a cultural centre to witness Cultural Kaleidoscope (fusion of south Indian dance performances). Overnight stay in Cochin.

Day 10 COCHIN

After a refreshing breakfast on board drive to Cochin airport. Board the flight to your onward destination feeling contented about a wonderful holiday you spent with us.