Classic South India

11 nights/ 12 days

Routing

(Cochin → Munnar → Periyar → Kumarakom → Kovalam → Trivandrum)

Day 1 : Arrival in Cochin Airport.  On your arrival in Kochi you will be transferred to your hotel.

Hotel check-in time is 1400hrs (Noon)
Kochi earlier known as Cochin is referred as the Queen of Arabian Sea. Kochi has remained the popular centre in across the world for the trade of spices for number of centuries. The name of the city comes from Malayalam term “Kochazhi” that actually means small lagoon. Kochi was put on the world map by Vasco-de-Gama. The Arabs, Portuguese, British, Dutch, all have left their impression on the history of Kochi. After Mumbai, Kochi is probably the second most important city on the west coast of India.

Later afternoon city tour of Kochi, you will be taken to some of the renowned spots of Kochi that will include the Portuguese churches, mosques and temples along with the Jewish synagogue. You will be taken to watch the Chinese style fishing nets which are mostly seen in Kerala. It holds around 10m of height and consists of cantilever along with an outstretched net that is suspended in the sea and one huge stone suspended on other end with ropes for the counterweights. Every installation of this fishing-net gets operated by group of six fishermen.
Evening Enjoy Kathakali Dances show in Cochin Auditorium (1700-1900hrs)
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2 : Cochin – Kumbalangi Village Excursion

Morning Yoga at Hotel.
After breakfast drive to Kochi we will enjoy a tour of Kumbalangi a village in Cochin. It is identified as the first model fisheries and tourism village in India. Experience a ride by an auto rickshaw through the narrow country roads from the main road and you can see the village folk engaged in different activities for their livelihood, may be a woman in her village provision shop, a farmer in his paddy field, a fisherman spreading his net, a kid with a fishing net ….it goes on.

Lunch will be organized in Kumbalangi Village. (Basic Normal Lunch)
In the evening, enjoy Greenix Show which is a kaleidoscope of Indian classical art forms and martial arts. Showcasing quintessentially magnificent vignettes of Kerala’s rich cultural traditions, Kaleidoscope Kerala is essentially an exclusive, uniquely choreographed repertoire of live classical dance and music performed in a heritage theatre with legendary ritualistic folk invocations and martial arts. It is a medley of many authentic dances of Kerala, especially the sheer splendor of a magical rendezvous with the languid, mellifluously lyrical and graceful Mohiniattam, dance of the enchantress – exquisitely devotional for some, sublimely sensual for others; the rigorously codified majestic spectacle of Kathakali, Kerala’s tradem
Overnight at Hotel.

 Day 3 : Cochin – Munnar by road ( 150kms/ 4-5hrs)

Morning Yoga at Hotel.
After breakfast proceed to Munnar, the place where the unfolded green carpet is waiting for you.
Munnar is breathtakingly beautiful, a haven of peace and tranquility – the idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country. Munnar is the gateway of Hills in South India and famous Tea plantation. Munnar was the favoured summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days On the way you can also watch the adorable waterfalls in Cheeyappara and
colourful flowers in Blossom Garden. Reach & check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Later in the afternoon enjoy the cool climate and the refreshing smell of tea plants an experience not to be missed. A walk along the tea plantations will refresh your mind, body and soul. One can come across the wide variety of flora and fauna through a plantation walk.
Overnight stay at Hotel.

 Day 4 : Munnar City tour

Morning Yoga at Hotel.
After the breakfast proceed for a half day of Munnar; visit the Eravikulam National Park where you can see the very rare mountain goats locally called the NilgiriTahr. Visit The Tata Tea Museum to learn the various stages of tea processing, and also learn a thing or two about the production of black tea. (In case the National Park remains closed we can provide the Tea Museum visit on this day, keeping the previous day free)
Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 5: Munnar – Periyar by road (130kms/ 3-4hrs approx.)

Morning Yoga at Hotel.
After the breakfast you will drive to Periyar Animal Sanctuary. Periyar is famous as an Elephant and Tiger Reserve and shelters various animals like Bengal Tiger, Indian elephant, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur, monkeys, etc. It has an abundance of birds and plants. A boat ride in the Periyar Lake gives you the possibility of watching the different animals The Park is surrounded by various plantation regions for coffee, tea, etc. and a visit to these plantations is a worth. On arrival you will have a short tour of Spice plantation.
Later you will check-in your hotel.

This evening you will enjoy a common boat ride on the Lake Periyar. Presently the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation tourist centre at Thekkady offers a common boat for a two hour boating trip on the lake. A herd of elephants or a family of deer are common sights near the lake as the animals come to the lake frequently for drinking water. You may be able to spot herds of Gaur, Sambar and wild boars in the grasslands adjacent to the shores. A variety of avian fauna such as darters, egrets and kingfishers can be seen resting on dead tree trunks that stick out over the lake. During your boat ride you may probably have observe the antics of the Indian Otter.
Overnight and Dinner at hotel.

Day 6: Periyar –Alleppey (Driving Time Approx. 05hrs)

Alleppey Half day Cruise in Houseboat with Lunch

Alleppey – Kumarakom (Driving time Approx. 01hrs)
Early breakfast at Hotel check out from the hotel and proceed to Alleppey for Houseboat Cruise – Arrive Alleppey and proceed for the boat Jetty to board the beautifully decorated houseboats and begin the enchanting backwater Day cruising. The backwaters of Kerala is a unique product of Kerala and is found nowhere else in the world. A glide in a “Kettuvallam” (Houseboat) through the enchanting backwaters is sure to rob your heart. You’re in a watery universe, so quiet, even you can hear your own blood pumping around your head. Sparkling greens, emerald backwaters, coir-laden houseboats and magical beauty heals your mind and body as you travel to surreal Kerala. Lunch on board in houseboat
Later you will be transferred by road to your hotel in Kumarakom
Overnight at Hotel

 Day 7: Kumarakom – Kovalam by road ( 180kms/ 5-6hrs approx.)

Morning Yoga at Hotel
After breakfast leave for Trivandrum by road. On arrival you will be transfer to your hotel in Kovalam.
Kovalam meaning a grove of coconut trees is a town at the Arabian Sea and is a paradise of the south. Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore had built the Halcyon Castle here in the 1920s. Kovalam has a lot of salons for Ayurvedic treatments for all. Kovalam has many beach resorts offering Ayurvedic treatment for recuperation and regeneration. Kovalam has one of the best beaches of India.
Remainder of the day is free to relax at Hotel.
Day at Leisure at beach.
Overnight stay at hotel.

 Day 8: Kovalam – Trivandrum Ayurvedic Resort

Morning Yoga at Hotel
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning free at hotel and then transfer to the Ayurvedic Resort

Day 9 to Day 11 – Manaltheeram Ayurveda Village, Kerala

During your stay at this exclusive resort meals, accommodation, yoga and meditation are all included.  Manaltheeram was founded in 1985 thus making it the world’s first Ayurvedic Resort ambiance. Your meals will be vegetarian and developed in consultation with the doctor. 

Optional Activities (additional fees apply)

You will be able to choose the Ayurvedic treatments you would like in consultation with one of the Ayurvedic Doctors on staff.  The village also has highly trained ayurvedic health professionals to assist you with your treatments. 

There are optional Day tours offered by the Resort should you wish to explore the area.

Day 12 – Trivandrum Airport transfer

Morning Yoga at Resort.  Breakfast at Resort. Depart to Airport.