Delhi Intensive - Old Delhi

Trivandrum – Kovalam – Periyar – Munnar – Alleppey – Kumarakom – Kochi
Duration: 10 Days

Day 1: Trivandrum / Kovalam (Drive - 13 Kms)
Upon arrival in Trivandrum drive drive directly to Kovalam. Check into your hotel. On the Malabar coast further down south from Trivandrum along the Kerala shore line is a small village, called Kovalam. This sleepy town which was dotted with with a few rudimentary wooden fishing vessels suddenly came on the tourist map when its fabulous beaches were discovered. Today Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look. A sheltered natural bay with cool soothing palms and gentle waves. Where when you are tired of aquatics, swimming or sunbathing, you can explore the handicrafts, jewellery and cloth shops spread along the waterfront. The crescent-shaped beaches of Kovalam can be divided in three parts. The southern most beach, and the most popular, is the Lighthouse Beach. Further south on the beach one can have a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque.The middle beach is called Hawah. Each morning this beach acts as a base for the local fisherman. Return to you hotel in Kovalam for your overnight stay. Overnight at the hotel

Day 2: Kovalam / Trivandrum/Kovalam (excursion)
Thiruvananthapuram which was previously called Trivandrum, is an ancient city with tradition dating back to 1000 BC.Located at the South Western tip of India, is bounded by the Arabian sea on the West and Tamil Nadu and Western Ghats on the East. Thiruvananthapuram had managed to retain some of the ambience characteristics of Kerala such as red tiled roofs, narrow winding lanes and intimate corner cafes. The famous beaches are towards the fishing villages of Kovalam , Poovar and Vizhinjiam. The main sightseeing places in Trivandrum are Padmanabha Swamy Temple - The temple is located inside the East Fort. It is known for its Mural Paintings and Stone Carvings. The Horse palace is a wonderful piece of architecture recently opened to tourists. Notable museums are Kuthiramalika Palace Museum - This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings. The Napier Museum - Built in the 19th century, the indo - saracenic structure boasts a "natural" Airconditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. Nearby Sri Chitbra Art Gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of Art In India. Return to your hotel in Kovalam for overnight stay. Overnight at the hotel

Day 3: Kovalam / Periyar( Drive - 270 kms)
Drive to Periyar .One of the well-known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, it spreads over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats in a beautiful biosphere. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Periyar
The forests here slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill which serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink o r take a dip. Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake by a boat is the standard way to experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around with the local guide in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake to frolic in the water.Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. There are over 260 species of birds here; including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Periyar / Munnar ( Drive - 110 kms)
Today one will experience Keralas true western ghats and its lesser known highlands replete with verdant forests , streams , hills , tea gardens, spice , rubber and coffee plantations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Munnar
Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Munnar /Kottayam /Alleppey ( 140 kms )
Drive to Alleppey from the Western Ghats to sea level interlocked with a large number of canals and bridges, this is a water locked district known the world over for backwaters. Alappuzha, a center for coir and carpet industries is an ideal headquarters for backwater touring. The large network of canals provides Alleppey its lifeline. It has a long sandy beach, which is spectacular. At one end are the dense palm groves that are so characteristic of Kerala's landscape. Overnight will be in houseboat.

Day 8: Alleppey /Kumarakom/ Cochin (Drive - 85 Kms)
Morning you arrive in Kumarakom and upon arrival you will be driven to Cochin (Kochi)
A city with a rich past Kochi, or Cochin as it was earlier called, from time immemorial had seen maritime trade with the outside world. Biblical Ophir visited by King Solomon’s ships about 1000 B.C was believed to be a village on the Malabar Coast. The Phoenicians came here to trade for spices, ivory and sandalwood. Galleys from Greece and Rome, dhows from Arabia and great junks from China, they all came here. The Portuguese led by Vasco Da Gama arrived in 1 502 and later the Dutch and the British. And descendants of the Jews who arrived in ancient days still live here.
Kathakali . An important component of performing arts of India are native to Kerala and Kochi is one of its main centers. Besides watching a live performance, one can also learn about the intricate and elaborate details of facial make-up, significance of different colors and masks & costumes. Overnight at the hotel

Day 9: Cochin
Sightseeing tour of Cochin takes you to the Jewish section where the first emigration of Jews to Kerala is said to have taken place in the 6th Century B.C (In the Ist Century A.D. Jews had fled from Roman persecution and sought haven in Cranganore, 50 miles away). The Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry w as built in 1568 and rebuilt in 1664 with Chinese willow-patterned tiles and gold crowns and has ancient scrolls. Visit the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1510 and later taken over by the Dutch. See St. Francis Church, the first European Church in India, where Vasco Da Gama was buried until his remains were taken back to Portugal, and the Chinese Fishing nets named after the country of their origin. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Cochin (ERNAKULAM ) / Delhi
Morning Transfer to airport or railway station for your onward destination.

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