Kumarakom - Alleppey - Munnar - Madurai - Periyar - Cochin

Day 1 – Arrival at Cochin airport Transfer to Kumarakom [110 Kilometers 2 hours]

Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always enjoyed an important place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.

Day 2 – Kumarakom to Alleppey via Backwaters

Check in to a houseboat from the resort. Another delightful experience while in Alappuzha is a houseboat cruise. The ones you find in the backwaters of Alappuzha are in fact reworked version of kettuvallams of olden times. The original kettuvallams or rice barges used to carry tons of rice and spices. The kettuvallam or ‘boat with knots’ was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only. Overnight in the houseboat with all meals served on board.

Day 3 – Alleppey to Munnar [ 200 Kilometers 5 hours]

It is a scenic spot offering majestic views of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The undulating hills, the lush mountain and the incredible scenery here is ideal for trekking and extensive mountain walks. In the evening, visit the Tea Museum. Visit the Tea Museum - Munnar has a legacy of its own when to comes to the origins and evolution of tea plantations. Taking account of this legacy and to preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects on the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala’s high ranges, a museum exclusively for tea was opened some years ago by Tata Tea in Munnar. This Tea Museum houses curios, photographs and machineries.

Day 4 – Munnar

Munnar, once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Govt. in South India, is located at the confluence of 03 rivers as the very name signifies. The sprawling tea plantations and picturesque towns make Munnar a popular hill resort town in South India. On arrival check in at Hotel.Rest of the day at leisure.Overnight at Hotel.

Day 5 – Munnar to Madurai [ 160 Kilometers 4 hours]
The cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, also known as "Athens the East "because of the architectural richness of its many temples. The whole life of this town very crawling converges to the temple of Menakshi-Sundareshwara, rebuilt in the seventeenth century by King TirumalaiNayak- The devotees come from afar to the shrines of Shiva and his shaktiSundareshwaraMenakshi, "one that EYE SI-like fish," which celebrates the sacred marriage here. The Seniorgopurams covered with a profusion of sculptures emerge above the old city. Visit the Palace of TirumalaiNayak founded in 1636 and the Temple of MinakshiSundareshvara.

Day 6 – Madurai to Periyar[ 150 Kilometers 3.5 hours]
The Periyar protected area lies in the middle of a mountainous area of the Cardamom Hills in the district of Iddukki. On arrival check inn at the resort.
Afternoon – Boat ride in the periyar reservoir - It is an enriching experience to take a boat cruise along the Periyar Lake. Boat cruise along the banks of Periyar near to the Periyar National park is one of the major attractions. If you are a keen observer you might get to see the spotted tigers, playful elephants or the red eyed bisons.

Day 7 – Periyar to Cochin [ 210 Kilometers 5 hours]
Being a major harbor from the times of the British and Portuguese, Cochin has a rich heritage of forts, churches and temples. A visit to these ancient marvels gives you an overview of the political, religious and commercial developments of the city.
In the evening proceed to the cultural center to enjoy "Kathakali Dance Show.

Day 8 – Cochin
Known as the queen of the Arabian Sea is one of the most interesting cities of India and has one of the finest natural harbors in the world. St Francis Church, built in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama, is the first European church built in India and is the site where da Gama was buried. The Jewish Synagogue was built in 1568, Chinese hand-painted tiles are one of the attraction. This, the only Synagogue in India has a nostalgic past of a Jewish Diaspora. The "Dutch Palace" was built in the 1550s; the palace contains excellent mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring - a subtle mix of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg whites - which gives the effect of polished marble.
Late evening enjoy a Kthakali show in a Theatre. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 9 - Departure transfer to Cochin Airport [ 40 Kilometers 1 hour]