Wildlife and Beaches
of Kerala
Duration:
13 Nights / 14 Days
Places Covered: Mumbai - Calicut - Kappad - Vythri
- Calicut - Cochin - Kumarakom - Kovalam - Neyyar - Kovalam - Trivandrum
Day 1 : Arrival Mumbai Arrive at
Mumbai (Bombay), the commercial capital of India. Upon arrival, transfer and check
into the hotel. Proceed for an afternoon city tour of Mumbai. Visit the Gateway
of India, built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911.
Stop by the Dhobi Ghat, the Flora Fountain and the Hanging Gardens. Drive by the
Marine Drive, the Chowpaty Beach and the Parsi ''Towers of Silence''. Also visit
the Indo-Saracenic Prince of Wales Museum. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day
2 : Mumbai - CalicutIn the morning, board the connecting flight for Calicut,
now known as Kozhikode where Vasco da Gama landed. Upon arrival transfer and check
into the hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of Calicut, visiting the Pazhassiraja
Museum, the Art Gallery, the Krishna Memon Museum and the market. Stay overnight
at the hotel.
Day 3 : Calicut - KappadIn the morning, drive
to Kappad. This historic beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. This is the place
where the Portuguese Navigator Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. Upon arrival check
into the hotel. In the afternoon, visit Beypur, one of the ancient ports of Kerala.
The boat-building yard here is famous for the construction of Uru or Country Craft,
which used to sail to Gulf countries with heavy luggage. The technique of this
boat building is now available with few families. It is also a major fishing harbor.
The rest of the day would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day
4 : Kappad - VythriIn the morning, drive to Vythiri and check into a hotel.
The rest of the day would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day
5 : VythriThe day would be spent at leisure to enjoy the Eco-Friendly
nature at its best. The hotel is situated close to the Pookode Lake, evergreen
forests with perennial steams and stunning waterfalls. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 : Vythri - Calicut - Cochin In the morning, drive to
Calicut to board a train for Cochin. The city is now known as Kochi which with
its wealth of historic associations and its setting of a cluster of islands and
narrow peninsulas perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala. Upon arrival transfer
and check into the hotel. The evening would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight
at the hotel.
Day 7 : CochinIn the morning, enjoy a city tour.
Visit the Mattancheery Dutch Palace where the superb series of murals painted
on the wooden walls are its main attraction. Also visit the 16th century Jewish
Synagogue and the Church of St. Francis. Vasco da Gama was originally buried in
the Church''s cemetery. Walk around the Fort Cochin area and admire the Chinese
Fishing Nets. Chinese traders are believed to have introduced them in the late
14th century. The afternoon would be spent at leisure. In the evening, there would
be a Kathakali Dance show. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 : Cochin
- KumarakomIn the morning, drive to Kumarakom and check into the hotel.
The rest of the day can be spent at leisure or one can visit the villages, the
Bird Sanctuary, the Country Boat Cruise, or go for an Ayurvedic Massage. Stay
overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 : Kumarakom - HouseboatThe morning
would be spent at leisure. In the afternoon, check into a Houseboat and depart
for a cruise through the scenic backwater towards Alleppey. Enjoy the endless
stretch of water running miles to nowhere; its banks lined with swaying palms
fanning the lush green rice fields below dancing in rhythm with the gentle sea
breeze carrying a medley of flavors of fish, coconut and spice. Stay overnight
on the Houseboat.
Day 10 : Houseboat - Kovalam In the morning
transfer to Alleppey by road. Later, drive to Kovalam. Upon arrival, check into
a hotel. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure on the beach. Stay overnight
at the hotel.
Day 11 : Kovalam - NeyyarIn the morning, drive
to Neyyar situated in the base of the forest, Agastyarkoodam, where the Hindu
Saint Agastya spent his life in meditation. This area has rich in flora and fauna
with lots of medicinal plants and orchids. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.
The rest of the day would be spent at leisure, enjoying nature and trekking. Stay
overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Neyyar Early in the morning,
attend Yoga and meditation sessions. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure
enjoying nature and mild trekking. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day
13 : Neyyar - KovalamEarly in the morning, attend Yoga and meditation
sessions. Later, drive to Kovalam visiting Aruvikkara en route. Upon arrival,
check into the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Trivandrum, visiting
the Padmanabhaswamy Temple where the corridors are lined with 368 sculpted stone
pillars and adorned with murals and ornamentation, the Museum, the Handicrafts
Institute and the Art Gallery. Return to Kovalam and stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Kovalam - Trivandrum - DepartureIn the morning, transfer
to the Trivandrum airport for your onward connection.
Wildlife and Beaches of Kerala, Wildlife Tours
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