Magnificent Kerala
08 Days
Suitable for families with young children
Highest point/ Max altitude
Fitness Grade
Easy
Fairly easy 5-6 hours of activity per day. May include some uphill sections, reasonable fitness recommended.
This leisurely eight day tour takes you through some of the most visually fascinating parts of the country. Explore the town of Cochin, an erstwhile spice trading centre, often referred to as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". Cruising along the backwaters and watch life as it unfolds in its many fascinating forms. Witness the wild life by a short jungle walk into the Periyar national park and spend a leisurely days on the beach shooting the breeze.
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Tour Highlights
- Kovalam beach, a tropical paradise of soft sands, palm trees and warm, clear waters
- Alleppey, the heaven of backwaters of earth
- A houseboat cruise with a breathtaking views of untouched rural Kerala
- Thekkady, famous for its spices like black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves
- Elephants and other wildlife at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Fort Kochi, an amalgam of old Portuguese, British and Dutch architectural treasures
- Flexible tailor-made booking options
Best Season
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tour Details
Enjoy your stay at Kovalam where you get an ample time to relax on the beach and try some sea food at the shacks or restaurants, an optional trip can be arranged to Kanyakumari the end point of India where 3 oceans meet, the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. We further drive to Alappuzha also known as Alleppey – the “Venice of the East” and a heaven of backwaters and enjoy a night on a traditional houseboat. Encounter wildlife during the jungle walk in Periyar National Park, visit rubber plantation and walk through the different spices in a magnificent spice garden.
The tour will end at Cochin after a short sightseeing trip in Fort Cochin, also known as ancient port city, a leisurely walk through its streets is one of the best ways to discover all that the city has to offer its natural harbour and historical sites. Visit Chinese fishing nets, a tourist icon in this part of the city, a Jewish synagogue and St Francis church.
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Flexibility Guaranteed
Please note: You can use this itinerary as a guide to fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have.
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DAY 01 - Kovalam
Arrive Trivandrum and transfer to Kovalam then to hotel
Arrive at the Trivandrum International airport, after a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our KVT’s representative would assist you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Kovalam for check-in (Distance: 14 km). Kovalam is the beach resort of Kerala and is very popular tourist destination. Kovalam beaches are very popular due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. Kovalam has three beaches which together form the famous crescent of the Kovalam beach these are Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach and Samudra Beach. The beaches are covered by fertile coconut palms; especially the southernmost part of light house beach is most beautiful. Some of the leisure options at this beach are diverse-sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs, catamaran cruising, etc.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 02 - Kovalam
Day free in Kovalam
We have a day free to enjoy the idyllic soft sandy beaches, warm clear waters and wide views of the ocean horizon that Kovalam has to offer or an optional excursion to Kanaykumari can be arranged.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 03 - Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Drive from Kovalam to Alappuzha (Alleppey)
A fabulous drive along the coastal region to Alleppey, a backwater heaven interlocked with lakes and canals. The network of canals is used for inland navigation. A vast stretch of paddy fields makes this place as the rice bowl of Kerala. Apart from rice production the coir making and boat building is a thriving industry in this area. Houseboat or a Backwater Cruise along the palm fringed waterways of Alleppey is the most exciting holiday experience. This truly offers the breathtaking views of inaccessible and untouched rural Kerala. (Distance: 165km appx)
Overnight Houseboat
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DAY 04 - Periyar National Park
Drive from Alappuzha to Periyar National Park
Morning after breakfast in houseboat we check out the houseboats and then leave the backwaters and drive into the hills of Kerala. We will reach Periyar National Park in the afternoon; Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and also notable as an Elephant reserve and a Tiger reserve. It was declared as the Periyar National Park in 1982 and it is set in the high ranges of Southern Western Ghats in Cardamom Hills. En-route we visit rubber plantation where we see how rubber is being processed. (Distance: 150km appx)
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 05 - Periyar National Park
Periyar National Park
Today we spend the early morning for a jungle walk into the national park and later after breakfast we have free time for optional activities such as Ayurvedic message, Kathakali dance show. Late afternoon we take a boat safari in Periyar national park at Periyar Lake to see the wild life such as wild elephant, chital and sambar deer, wild boar, and lots of bird species. Evening is free for us to explore on our own.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 06 - Kochi
Drive from Periyar to Kochi
This morning we have breakfast then pack our bags, board the vehicle and drive towards Kochi. Kochi is also known as Cochin - the “Queen of Arabian Sea”, it is one of the finest natural and major harbor city of Kerala and it has a cosmopolitan culture highly influenced by historical trading partners. After reaching Kochi transfer to hotel for check-in and relax at the hotel for rest of the day or explore the surrounding area by own. (Distance: 165km appx)
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 07 - Kochi
Full day sightseeing of Cochin
In the morning after breakfast we proceed for the sightseeing tour of Kochi, we start with Fort Kochi which is believed to be the earliest European settlement in India. Fort Kochi was built in 1503 and reinforced in 1538. Later visit The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, it is a very popular tourist attraction. These nets are fixed land installations, which are used for a very unique and unusual method of fishing. Each fishing net spreads to about 20 meters over the water body and is operated by a team of some six fishermen. Then we head to Mattancherry Palace also known as the Dutch Palace, It was built by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma (1537–65), Raja of Kochi, in 1555 AD. Visit Jewish Synagogue, it is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth of Nations and was built by Malabar Yehudan People, or Cochin Jewish community. To explore the historic town of Fort Kochi, there is no better choice than setting out on foot. A leisurely walk through its streets is one of the best ways to discover all that the city has to offer - its natural harbour and historical sites. Late afternoon an optional boat-ride near the harbour area can also be arranged, evening back to hotel.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 08 - Kochi
Departure Kochi
This day we will be transferred to the International airport, Kochi to catch the flight for back home.
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Send an enquiry
Flexibility Guaranteed! Using the above itinerary as a guide you can fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have. On receiving your enquiry we will respond with prices and work with you to create a truly personalised holiday experience that is in your budget and personal style.
