South India Travel --› Kerala Tours --› Kerala Cultural Heritage Tour

Kerala Cultural Heritage Tour

---

Duration : 7 Nights / 8 Days
Places Covered : Cochin - Eravikulam - Kumarakom Beach - Trivandrum

---

Day 1: Arrive into Cochin
Transfer to Hotel for overnight stay.
Cochin the capital city of Kerala - the area where you will get to see the mixture of of cultures that ruled the state when it was in the rule of the portugese and the Dutch,Chinese culture. A small population of Jews still resides here forming their own small community. Visit Mattancherry Palace, Chinese Fishing Nets, and Saint Francis Church. Get to see the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Walk through the busy spice markets in the Jewtown area. In the evening watch Kathakali dance performance. Overnight stay at Fort Heritage Hotel.

Day 2: Morning sightseeing of Fort Cochin
Fort Cochin is a small town in the southern part of India. For centuries, it remained the focal point to many a European traveler, who eventually made it their home. And in years to follow, it gradually acquired an eclectic mix of varied cultures that blend to form a unique existence for itself. Today, much of the place continues to exude this charm.

Day 3: Morning free for trekking with a naturalist who is very well trained and a well known professional in their respective fields, a wide range of birds also inhabit this area. We also move towards our next destination of Eravikulam. After lunch take a scenic drive to Periyar ( 110kms/2.5hrs). Periyar is part of the Project Tiger scheme and is also home to large herds of elephants, bison and deer. It is also famous for it's wide range of water birds and is unique in that the wildlife spotting is done by boat with a 2 hour boat ride on Lake Periyar. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for seeing elephants and other animals coming to the lake to drink and bathe. In the night there are also cocktail with born fire to make the night more entertaining and enjoyable.Overnight in Periyar.

Day 4: Take an early morning boat ride and visit the various spice plantations where cardamom, nutmeg and pepper are grown. After lunch drive through lush agricultural areas down the hills to Kumarakom. Kumarakom is located on the Backwaters and is home to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, situated on the banks of the Vembanand Lake is known for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here. The Kumarakom Tourist Complex, sprawling over 101 acres of enchanting wooded land and lake, was built around the 50-year-old 'Baker's Mansion', which was earlier a small hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).Take a boat ride at sunset to see the birds coming into nest for the night. Overnight in Kumarkom.

Day 5: Morning free to explore the local area or just relax.
At noon your houseboat will pick you up at the resort and you will embark on a remarkable journey through the coconut-palmed canals. These trees just seem as the heart of Kerala and the soul of this state and true to its benefits contribute a lot to the state in terms of revenue. You may think that time has taken you into the years that were never there. Into the time that has stood still as the peace and serene ambience engulfs you in its clutches and you remain wanting for more and more. You are then picked up by your houseboat and the local crew memberswill serve you with some deliciously made food like freshly fried fish. Your floating home has a modern bathroom and comfortable bedroom as well as a sitting area and sun lounging deck.

Day 6: In the morning you will reach Alleppey
after breakfast you leave the houseboat and take up a drive for 4hrs to Kovalam Beach. A clean blue beach,with the white sand running through your feet when you walk by them giving you the trickling feeling in your feet and making you feel on top of the world.Where the sun rises and the horizon meets is the mraning of life that lies in the deep waters of these lovely beaches. Kovalam beach is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum. A sheet of silvery and sand curves into an arc, that is bordered on one side and azure blue waters and on the other side, by a sumptuous spread of green palm groves.

Day 7 and 8: Relaxing at the beach
As the evening draws near we transfer you to Trivandrum airport for onward flights .