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.
destinations
| Kochi | day 1-2 |
|---|---|
| Periyar | day 2-4 |
| Alappuzha | day 4-5 |
| Kumarakom | day 5-6 |
tour inclusions
 |
hotels
5 star hotel |
|---|---|
 |
transportation
(Destinations) |
 |
sightseeing
(Destinations) |
best time to visit
| Kochi | October to March |
|---|---|
| Alappuzha | Oct to March |
| Periyar | Sep to April |
| Kumarakom | Aug to April |
time zone
| India Standard Time (IST), UTC +5:30 |
|---|
Arrival at Cochin Airport , Meet with TSI Rep & proceed by surface to Fort cochin . Arrive Fort Cochin & Check in at the Hotel for an overnight . 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 . 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. Chinese 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. Evening : Witness Kerala Kaleidoscope – A Theatre show which is a medley of authentic dances of Kerala, especially Kathakali -the dance drama performance , Mohiniattam,- dance of the enchantress & the folk traditional of Theyyam,
Dutch Bungalow - Heritage Hotel in Fort Kochi
Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink
1 hour 30 mins
Morning after breakfast , Check out from Hotel & Proceed to Thekkady by surface. Arrive & Check in at Thekkady for 02 Overnights .Early Eve : Proceed for joining the shared Boatcruise on Lake inside the sanctuary , which is the best way for sighting the wild animals.Thekkady is the delightful Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats ,land of unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations in tourism map of Kerala. 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
Poetry Sarovar Portico
Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink
5 hours 30 mins
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 Town Bee-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.
Poetry Sarovar Portico
Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink
Morning after Breakfast , Check out & proceed by surface to Alleppey, Arrive Alleppey by Noon & Board House Boat for an exotic overnight stay & cruise upto Kumarakom. Lunch & Dinner shall be served on Board . Your backwater cruise takes you through some of Kerala’s most scenic areas where you will see local people living their lives and the only means of transport is by boat. The cruise usually lasts from mid afternoon to dusk, as the houseboats moors on the lake for the night. After dark enjoy a delicious dinner to the sound of water lapping the sides of the boat whilst watching the twinkling lights on the distant shore. (Boat Anchors around 6pm & starts sailing on following day by around 0730 hrs). Overnight on board.Alleppey is nestled between the Arabian Sea and the large Vembanad Lake, part of the famous backwaters of Kerala. Alleppey , ‘ Venice of the East ‘ also known as 'Houseboat City' and is at the spearhead of the tourism surge in Kerala. The backwaters have been listed as one of the 50 Must See Destinations of a life time by the National Geographic.
Lakes And Lagoons Houseboat
Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink
3 hours 40 mins
Morning start cruising while Breakfast is served on board. Arrive Kumarakom , bid farewell to your friendly crew and disembark at the Jetty/Hotel. Check in at the Hotel for an overnight .Am/Pm : Free to enjoy the activities offered by Resort or to explore backwaters on motor boats/Shikhara boats , Canoes etc (Optional ) or free experience the renowned Ayurveda Oil Massage of Kerala ( optional )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) Overnight at Kumarakom .
Backwater Ripples
Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink
1 hour
Morning after breakfast , check-out and transfer to Cochin Airport in time to catch flight for onward destination.
Meals: Bed and Breakfast, No Drink
2 hours 20 mins
Dutch Bungalow - Heritage Hotel in Fort Kochi,Kochi
Dutch Bungalow - Heritage Hotel in Fort Kochi,Kochi
Poetry Sarovar Portico,Periyar
Poetry Sarovar Portico,Periyar
Lakes And Lagoons Houseboat,Alappuzha
Lakes And Lagoons Houseboat,Alappuzha
Backwater Ripples,Kumarakom
Backwater Ripples,Kumarakom
