Kochi (Cochin) Trip Overview
A very thoughtfully prepared itinerary with nice comfortable hotels & transportation. The accommodation offered are a mix of 4 star hotels, boutique homestay & private AC houseboat. This trip covers some of the best experiences of Kerala – tea plantations (Munnar), national park (Periyar), rural life (Kumarakom) & houseboat stay at the world famous backwaters of Alleppey. Lots of the activities are included like guided jungle walk, Bamboo rafting, kayaking, guided village tour, Kalaripayattu martial arts show and Kathakali classical dance show. It will be a short and comprehensive experience of the best of Kerala.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 days
Starts: Kochi (Cochin), India
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Kochi (Cochin) Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Kochi (Cochin), Kerala, India
A very thoughtfully prepared itinerary with nice comfortable hotels & transportation. The accommodation offered are a mix of 4 star hotels, boutique homestay & private AC houseboat. This trip covers some of the best experiences of Kerala – tea plantations (Munnar), national park (Periyar), rural life (Kumarakom) & houseboat stay at the world famous backwaters of Alleppey. Lots of the activities are included like guided jungle walk, Bamboo rafting, kayaking, guided village tour, Kalaripayattu martial arts show and Kathakali classical dance show. It will be a short and comprehensive experience of the best of Kerala.
Itinerary
Day 1: Kochi (arrival)
Stop At: Fort Kochi, Fort Kochi, Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
Arrive by flight at Kochi by noon. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix of giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj.
The private car will pick up from the Kochi airport and transfer you to your hotel in Kochi. In the afternoon head out for local sightseeing tour of Kochi. visit the Old Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. Constructed in 1567, it is one of seven synagogues of the Malabar Yehudan or Yehudan Mappila people or Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin. Then visit Mattancherry Palace, a Portuguese palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, which features Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. Afterwards visit Cochin Spice Market & Chinese fishing nets. Overnight stay will be at hotel in Kochi.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at “Dutch Bungalow – Heritage Hotel”.
Day 2: Kochi – Munnar [5 hours by road]
Stop At: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and head straight to Munnar. The rolling hills around Munnar, South India’s largest tea-growing region, are carpeted in emerald-green tea plantations, contoured, clipped, and sculpted like ornamental hedges. One of the biggest tea-plantation regions of South India, Munnar is also one of the most beautiful and popular hill-stations of Kerala. Situated on the banks of three rivers- Madupetti, Nallathanni, and Periavaru, Munnar is also blessed with natural view-points apart from the tea-plantations.
After around 5 hours journey reach Munnar by afternoon. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. In the evening head out to see Kalaripayattu Show. Kalaripayattu is an ancient Indian martial art, which originated as a style in Kerala.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel in Munnar.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at “Parakkat Nature Resort”.
Day 3: Munnar (sightseeing)
Stop At: Kannan Devan Tea Museum, Nullatani Estate, Munnar India
After breakfast head out for sightseeing. Visit Munnar Tea Museum. The tea museum preserves the aspects of the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala’s mountain region of the Western Ghats. Then go for a Jeep ride, enjoy the ride to Mankulam and Anakulam villages surrounded by tea gardens and dense forest. On this ride, you will get a chance to see high altitude tea gardens, waterfalls, tribal areas, organic villages, and possibly wild elephants. On the way back to Munnar visit spice plantations. The spice plantation in Munnar is one of the major spice plantations in Kerala. The spice plantations in Kerala are captivating farms to wander in since different spices are cultivated in different sections of each plantation. Later enjoy a tea plantation walk tour.
Reach back at the hotel by evening. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel in Munnar.
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at “Parakkat Nature Resort”.
Day 4: Munnar – Periyar (Thekkady) [4 hours by road]
Pass By: Thekkady, Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala
After breakfast check-out from hotel & head towards Periyar. The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
Reach Periyar by afternoon and check-in at the hotel on arrival. Evening is at your leisure.
Overnight stay will be at hotel in Periyar (Thekkady).
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at “The Elephant Court”.
Day 5: Periyar (sightseeing)
Stop At: Periyar National Park, Banks Of Artificial Periyar Lake, Thekkady India
Early in the morning, set out for half day guided jungle walk tour and Bamboo rafting at Periyar National Park. This activity takes close to 6 hrs. The wildlife sanctuary is also famous for its tiger reserve and elephant reserve. Visiting the sanctuary will be like exploring the nature around, enjoying the pristine and peaceful atmosphere around and getting relaxed from your busy schedules. There are bright chances to spot the elephant herd in the jungle while you are walking through the trails.
Reach back to hotel by noon. Afternoon is at your leisure. In the evening head out to see Kathakali show (a very popular Indian classical dance form). Overnight stay will be at hotel in Periyar (Thekkady).
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at “The Elephant Court”.
Day 6: Periyar (Thekkady) – Kumarakom [4 hours by road]
Pass By: Kumarakom, Kumarakom, Kottayam District, Kerala
After breakfast check-out from hotel & head towards Kumarakom, a sleepy little village on the shores Vembanad Lake in Kerala, situated 14 Kms away from Kottayam. It offers wide variety of flora, exotic sightseeing, boating and fishing experience. Kumarakom is a true travel pleasure that will mesmerize your senses. It is a paradise on earth. It is one of the foremost travel destinations of India and a jewel in the crown of Kerala tourism.
Reach Kumarakom by afternoon. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. Evening at your leisure. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel in Kumarakom.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at “Lakesong Resort Kumarakom”.
Day 7: Kumarakom – Alleppey [1.5 hours by road]
Stop At: Kumarakom, Kumarakom, Kottayam District, Kerala
After breakfast head out for village tour. Visiting a local village will give an experience beyond imagination for the tourists who look for something different during their trip in Kerala. See how locals do the Coconut tree climbing, Screw pine weaving, Net fishing, Toddy tapping and other farm activities. Later enjoy a Shikara boat ride. Shikara boat is comparatively small in size than houseboats and motorboats but it is really beautiful handicraft work in elegant Kerala style.
In the noon check-out from hotel & head towards Alleppey (a.k.a. Alappuzha). Welcome to the “Venice of the East” – Alleppey, world famous for its vast mesmerizing backwaters.
Reach Alleppey by noon. Check-in at a private AC houseboat. Have lunch on the houseboat. Enjoy a boat cruise through the magnificent Vembanad lake for an unforgettable experience of backwater cruising. Dinner & overnight stay at the houseboat in Alleppey.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at “Southern Panorama Cruises” (private AC houseboat).
Day 8: Alleppey – Kochi (departure) [3 hours by road]
Pass By: Cochin International Airport, Airport Rd, Kochi, Kerala 683111, India
After breakfast check out from houseboat, Private car will drop you at Kochi Airport by afternoon. Bid farewell with the memories of this amazing fun-filled 08 days trip through the God’s Own Country – Kerala, worth remembering for the lifetime!
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
