India Beautiful Kerala Tour

Package Overview

If you have upper body strength & don’t mind some lifting, experience the relaxed way of life in Kerala. From Cochin, travel to Munnar's tea plantations & Periyar wildlife sanctuary, where you can interact with an Asian elephant. Spend a night on a traditional rice houseboat on the tranquil Backwaters & relax in Kumarakom. English speaking driver & all specified excursions included. Not suitable for power chairs.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cochin • City Tour • Chinese Fishing Nets • Kathakali Dance Show
• Munnar Tea Plantations • Periyar Elephants • Rice Houseboat • Kerala Backwaters
• Bird Watching • Kumarakom

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival

  You will be met at Cochin Airport and transferred to your hotel in this Arabian seaport, now known as Kochi, that was at the centre of the spice trade for many centuries. Check in and relax in the beautiful southern state of Kerala - fondly called "God's own Country".
  
  As you will have the services of your driver/guide today, you can start exploring this city later in the morning if you wish (pay any entrance fees locally).
  
  Note: As all transfers are in a regular saloon car, this holiday is only suitable if you can transfer into the vehicle and travel with a fully collapsible manual wheelchair.
• Day 2 : Cochin

  This morning enjoy a city tour of Cochin - known to the ancient Greeks, Romans, Jews, Arabs and Chinese as an important trading centre. The Portuguese established the first European settlement in India here and the city was later colonised by the Dutch and then the British.
  
  Visit St. Francis Church built by the Portuguese, where explorer Vasco Da Game was first buried. Also see Mattancherry Palace (also known as the Dutch Palace) with its old murals depicting scenes from Hindu legends associated with Shiva, Vishnu and Krishna (closed Fridays); Jew Town and the Jewish Synagogue (closed Fridays & Saturdays). Time permitting, you can also visit the Dhobi Khana communal wash-house run by the Tamil community, or the pilgrimage church of St George in Edappally, one of the oldest and largest churches in India. Then see the old shore-operated Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, each operated by a team of up to six fishermen.
  
  In the evening a special treat awaits - a performance of the famous Kathakali classical dance.
  
  Note: Not all temples and sights are wheelchair accessible, but your guide will do his best to get you as close as possible.

  • Hotspots Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis Church, Kathakali, Dutch Palace
• Day 3 : Cochin

  This morning your driver will collect you from your hotel in Cochin and introduce you to the beauty of rural Kerala, as you travel 4-hours up steep winding roads to the scenic hill station at Munnar with its vast tea plantations.
  
  After checking into your hotel, relax in the clear mountain air of this beautiful summer resort.

  • Themes Hill Stations & Valleys
• Day 4 : Munnar

  At leisure to relax at the mountainous hill station of Munnar, with your driver providing any transfers you require.
  
  You can visit the Tea Museum (pay any entrance fees locally), enjoy the wonderful scenery and taste some of the best food in India.
  
  Note: The Tea Museum is closed on Mondays.

  • Themes Hill Stations & Valleys
• Day 5 : Munnar

  This morning drive 4-hours down from the hills of Munnar, travelling through coffee and pepper plantations to Periyar National Park in the Western Ghats mountains.
  
  Situated in the Cardamom and Pandalam Hills, this park forms the watershed for two important rivers - the Periyar and Pamba. It is home to several rare and endangered species including tigers, although they are rarely seen.
  
  Lake Periyar is a haven for bird life including herons, hornbills and egrets. Wild Asian elephants also come here for a drink. Check into your hotel near the park, with balance of day at leisure.
• Day 6 : Periyar National Park

  This morning enjoy a jeep ride through a Spice Plantation, with the opportunity to observe the birds, butterflies and other wildlife that live in these evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with grasslands.
  
  There are 35 different mammals in neighbouring Periyar National Park, a 400 sq. mile (640 sq. km) wildlife sanctuary that it is an important elephant and tiger reserve and home to many threatened species. However tiger sightings are rare as they are so difficult to spot in the jungle. This park is also home to gaur, sambar, wild boar, giant squirrel, flying squirrel, jungle cat, sloth bear, nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, nilgiri langur, nilgiri marten, stripe-necked mongoose and fruit bats.
  
  Note: The ride takes place in a plantation outside the national park and you will need to be lifted into the front seat of the jeep. Vehicles can drive a short way into the park to the boat boarding point, but no futher.
• Day 7 : Alleppey

  This morning we drive 4-hours to Alleppey set on Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater (fresh water lake) in India. This network of backwaters, lakes and rivers stretches over 930 miles (1,500 km) and provides a vital waterway for transporting people and their produce.
  
  Here you board your air-conditioned Rice Houseboat, once used to transport goods from isolated interior villages to the larger towns but now largely used for pleasure. As the water is level with the land here, spend the afternoon relaxing and watching the agricultural lives of the people who live along the canals and work in the rice paddy fields, as you cruise through the Kerala Backwaters.
  
  In the evening see the sun setting over the tranquil backwaters and enjoy dining on delicious local Kerala cuisine prepared by your chef.
  
  Note: Your houseboat is partially accessible on the lower deck, but the the upper deck is not accessible.

  • Hotspots Vembanad Lake
• Day 8 : Alleppey

  After breakfast disembark at the merchant town of Alleppey and transfer 1.5-hours to the small town of Kumarakom, situated on Vembanad Lake - the largest backwater in India.
  
  Check into your hotel and relax surrounded by these tranquil waters.

  • Hotspots Vembanad Lake
• Day 9 : Kumarakom

  At leisure to relax and enjoy the leisurely lifestyle and wonderful food of Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake - an important habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and shrimps.
  
  Kerala is famous for yoga and ayurvedic spa treatments. Bird watching is also outstanding, with nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary offering offering a safe refuge for many migratory birds. Your guide will be on standby to provide any transfers you may require (pay any entrance fees locally).

  • Hotspots Vembanad Lake
• Day 10 : Kumarakom

  At leisure to relax and enjoy the leisurely lifestyle and wonderful food of Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake - an important habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and shrimps.
  
  Kerala is famous for yoga and ayurvedic spa treatments. Bird watching is also outstanding, with nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary offering offering a safe refuge for many migratory birds. Your guide will be on standby to provide any transfers you may require (pay any entrance fees locally).

  • Hotspots Vembanad Lake
• Day 11 : Departure

  Transfer 2.5-hours to Cochin Airport for your flight home.

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing

Price & Rates

Package Start From

• Idukki, Kerala, India, Asia

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• Ancient Olympia Ilias, 270 65, OlympiaGreece
• XXXXXX9527 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@gmail.com View Mail ID

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