tour type: Family,Group
theme type: Cultural Tours,Family & Friends

about

Set on a magnificent estuary, serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travelers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese- and Dutch-era houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal and Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. It’s a delightful place to explore, laze in arty cafes and relax at some of India’s finest homestays and heritage hotels. It's also an important centre for Keralan arts (traditional and contemporary) and a standout place to see Kathakali and kalarippayat.

unique experiences

  • Natural Beauty of Kerala
  • Experience the Hospitality, Tradition, History and Cuisine
  • Kerala's backwaters and beaches
  • Lagoons and Wildlife 

destinations

Kochi day 1-2
Periyar day 2-4
Kumarakom day 4-6
Mararikulam day 6-8

tour inclusions

hotels

5 star hotel
transportation

(Destinations)
sightseeing

(Destinations)

best time to visit

Kochi October to March
Periyar Sep to April
Kumarakom Aug to April
Mararikulam October to March

time zone

India Standard Time (IST), UTC +5:30
day 1
Delhi - Cochin (Flight) 

Reach airport on time to Board flight from Delhi to Cochin (UK 881 : 0800 / 1110). Arrival at Cochin Airport, meet with Hotel Rep & transfer to Hotel and after some rest get ready Later in the Afternoon ,proceed for Sightseeing Tour of Cochin , covering the Old part of Cochin , viz Fort Cochin & Mattancherry. Visit includes St Francis Church and Chinese Fishing nets at Fort cochin & Dutch Palace and Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry. Rest of the time is free to relax and enjoy the Hotel facilities and stay overnight at Hotel.Dutch Palace - The Palace was built and gifted by the Portuguese as a present to the king of Cochin around 1545. The Dutch carried out some extensions and renovations in the palace in 1663, and thereafter it was popularly called as Dutch Palace. Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, The Jewish Synagogue ,also known as Paradesi Synagogue and is the oldest active synagogue, not just in Kochi but in the Commonwealth of Nations. The synagogue was constructed in 1567 . by Spanish- speaking Jews; therefore, it is also known as ‘Paradesi’ meaning ‘foreigners’. The synagogue could boast of its rare antiques including beautiful chandeliers, clock tower, brass railed pulpit, Chinese hand-painted tiles etc. and striking architecture. St. Francis Church in Kochi, which finely exhibits Portuguese architecture, was constructed in the 15th century by the Portuguese traders. Vasco-da-Gama, the famous explorer, was buried in this church when he died in 1524, on his third visit to India. His remains were moved to Lisbon after fourteen years but his gravestone is still present in the church. **** In the evening one can enjoy the Sunset Cruise (Optional) and witness the Chinese fishing netsChinese Fishing Nets ,popularly known as Chennawala are the most iconic and popular attractions of Kerala peculiar to Kochi. The Chinese Fishing Nets are basically vast fishing nets which are fixed on bamboo and teak poles. They are then let down into the sea through unique mechanisms and by weighing them down with large stones tied to ropes. These nets are left in the sea before they are pulled back again by tugging the ropes after collecting a significant amount of catch. Considered to be the ingenious way of fishing, these majestic Chinese fishing nets are operated by four to six fishermen and watching this spectacular process is in itself a spellbinding experience. 

Highlights:

Guided City Tour of Cochin

 CGH - Brunton Boatyard

 Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink

 03 hours 15 mins

day 2
Cochin - Thekkady (165 Km/5 hrs) 

Morning after breakfast check out from Hotel and start your drive to Thekkady (Periyar) the delightful Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats ,land of unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations in tourism map of Kerala. Upon arrival checked into your Hotel  and later proceed for joining the shared Boat-cruise on Lake inside the sanctuary , which is the best way for sighting the wild animals.  Return back to Hotel and rest of day is free to enjoy the activities offered by Resort and stay overnight at Hotel.The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary  is spread across 777 kmS , of which 360 km  is thick evergreen forest. The Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial Lake formed by the Mullapperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants, deers, bisons that come down to drink in the lake. Sanctuary can be accessed through a trekking, boating or jeep safari. Thekkady is considered as a heaven for natural Spices such as Black pepper ,Cardamom ,Cinnamon ,Nutmeg, nut-mace, ginger and clove 

Highlights:

Boat Cruise on lake Pariyar to witness the wildlife activities.

 CGH - Spice Village

 Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink

 05 hours

day 3
In Thekkady

Morning after early Breakfast , proceed for guided Soft Trek inside the sanctuary which is the best way to feel the Flora fauna inside the sanctuary.Later in the afternoon , proceed for a Village Life experience programme , which  is a Responsible Tourism initiative by Dept of Tourism , which includes visit to Beekeeping centre, Pappad making & coir making units , Ashram visit followed by power loom visit in Ashram compound, visit to chocolate making centre, mountain view points & Spice Plantation visit could also be done on this day. On return free to roam around in the Spice TownBee-keeping is a craft that requires patience and passion. Meet with a farmer , who practices sustainable bee-keeping at his house. Here, you can collect honey from the cardamom plantation and relish its fresh taste. You will also get some tips from the farmer on how to distinguish pure honey from artificial honey. Pappad is indispensable in every sumptuous Kerala meal. Get to know first-hand the various stages involved in pappad making with the pappad maker , who along with his wife , runs a pappad making unit as part of the Responsible Tourism Project. Coir making : Learn how to make coir out of coconut fibers. Check out the various steps involved and try your hand at coir spinning. Chocolate making is a fun-filled activity. You can watch the whole process first- hand at a house. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste the pure homemade chocolates. Cane Souvenir :One  can meet a traditional cane craftsman, who is making beautiful handicrafts like, baskets, light shades, pen holders, trays etc out of cane. Guest can watch and learn the process from him.

Highlights:

Guided Trek in the Sanctuary and Village Walk

 CGH - Spice Village

 Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink

day 4
Thekkady - Kumarakom (125 Kms / 03.30 hrs)

Morning after breakfast check out from Hotel and start your drive to Kumarakom situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, Kumarakom is a small water world with mangrove forests, paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with waterways and canals. Kumarakom also host a Bird’s Sanctuary which is mainly with migratory birds.,on the southern bank of river Kavanar Birds sighted includes Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy Kites, Marsh Harries, Teals and several varieties of Herons roost (except usual birds all are migratory /seasonal birds, hence sightings possible depending on season only) .Upon arrival checked into your Hotel rest of day is free to enjoy the activities offered by Resort. in the evening explore backwaters /on motor boats or shikara boats etc to witness sunset. Stay overnight at Hotel.

Highlights:

Sunset Cruise

 CGH - Coconut Lagoon

 Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink

 04 hours

day 5
Kumarakom

Breakfast at Hotel and rest of day is free to enjoy the activities offered by Resort (or) Go for bird watching with resident naturalist and learn about our conservation methods. Experience village life with a local, and learn all about a different world. Stay overnight at Hotel.*** Experience the renowned Ayurveda Oil Massage of Kerala  (Optional )

 CGH - Coconut Lagoon

 Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink

day 6
Kumarakom - Mararikulam (30 Kms / 01.00 hr)

Morning after breakfast check out from Hotel and start your drive to Mararikulam Mararikulam, an enchanting beach village where time stands still and allows you to unravel the miraculous beauty of nature in every forms! Be it the vast open sea or its never-ending waves, the shimmering charm of the golden sands or the picturesque settings that complements each other, everything in Mararikulam imbibes life into the visitors’ souls!.Upon arrival checked into your Hotel rest of day is free to enjoy the activities offered by Resort. Stay overnight at Hotel.

 CGH - Marari Beach Resort

 Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink

 01 hour 30 mins

day 7
Mararikulam 

Breakfast at Hotel and rest of day is free to enjoy the activities offered by Resort (or) relax on the beach. Stay overnight at Hotel.*** Experience the renowned Ayurveda Oil Massage of Kerala  (Optional )

 CGH - Marari Beach Resort

 Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink

day 8
Mararikulam - Cochin - Delhi  (Flight) 

Morning after breakfast, in-time check-out from Hotel and drive to Cochin Airport  to board flight to Delhi (AI - 513 : 1615 / 1920)/*** End of the Tour ***

 Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink

 03 hours 15 mins

Price starts from INR 49,745 (starting price per adult)


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