Plantations & Backwaters of Kerala
Duration:
07 Nights / 08 Days
Destinations:
Cochin - Munnar - Aleppey - Kumarokom - Cochin
Day
01: Cochin Arrival Compass Cochin Tour Manager will receive you at
the station or airport.
The eventful history of this city began
when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a
land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbors in the
world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the
world and became the first European town-ship in India when the Portuguese
settled here in the 15th century.
The Dutch wrested Fort Kochi
from the Portuguese in AD 1663 and later in the last phase of the colonial
saga, the British took over, the town in 1795. During 1660's, Fort Kochi
peaked in stature as a prime commercial centre and its fame spread far and
wide - variously as a rich trade centre, a major military base, a vibrant
cultural hub, a great ship building centre, a centre for Christianity and so
on. Today, centuries later, the city is home to nearly thirteen communities.
Check in at hotel and have lunch. Freshen up and proceed for
half-day sight seeing by boat visiting Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St.
Thomas Church, St. Mary's Cathedral, Chinese Fishing Nets and Bolghaty
Palace.
A few other interesting sites included in the tour are
the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz
Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. Apart from
these architectural splendors, an array of restaurants serving fresh seafood
is also popular among tourists. The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak
wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they
were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the
narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the
nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.
Over night stay at
hotel.
Day
02: Cochin - Munnar By Road 130 km in 4 hr
Proceed to
Munnar enjoying the scenic beauty & the marvelous waterfalls, high
mountains with the low flying clouds passing by.
In the evening
you can go for sight seeing of Munnar which includes the Raja Malai - a top
peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats). Other important
places are Muttupetty dam and Indo Swiss project (you can also enjoy boating
in the Lake) and witness tea gardens spread like a green carpet over
hundreds of kilometers.
Munnar is situated at the confluence of
three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. 1600 meter
above sea level this hill station was once the summer resort of the
erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling Tea plantations,
picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make this a
popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and
grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in
the blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the
highest peak in South India - Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is
an ideal spot for trekking.
Enjoy boating in the afternoon.
Overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 03: Munnar -
Anamudi - Munnar Breakfast will be at leisure in the hotel.
Proceed to visit tea plantations, Anamudi, Eravikulam National Park,
Devikulam, Mattupetty, Pallivasal, Pothamedu, Attukal etc. Rest of the day
will be at leisure.
Overnight will be at Munnar.
Day 04: Munnar Relax in Munnar. Overnight will be in
Munnar.
Day 05: Munnar - Alleppey By Road 200
km in 4 hr
Proceed to Alleppy after breakfast.
Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and
lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala as one of
the major centres for backwater boat trips. "Kuttanad" in
Alappuzha is one of few places in the world where farming is done below sea
level. Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and is called the 'Rice Bowl'
of Kerala. Kuttanad stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the
hills.
Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go
on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The
houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your
own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride
on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the
backwaters.
The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of
Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of
lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into
the Arabian Sea. The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting Eco-system
teeming with aquatic life. The canals connect the villages together and are
still used for local transport. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world
is navigable.
Cruise through the backwaters. Overnight will be
on board the houseboat. (Lunch and dinner on board)
Day
06: Alleppey - Kumarokom Backwater cruise
Today also
you will be cruising through the backwaters of Kerala and stay overnight in
the Houseboat. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board)
Day
07: Kumarakom Reach Kumarakom. (Breakfast on board)
The
village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake,
and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird
sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of
migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons,
teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian
stork that live there in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way
to watch the birds of the Kumarokom sanctuary is a boat trip round the
islands.
An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarokom offers
visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are
available at Kumarokom. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional
Kettuvalloms, are an out-of-this-world experience at Kumarokom.
An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy
fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals
adorned with while lilies - this is Kumarokom.
Reach and visit
the Bird Sanctuary. Overnight stay will be at Kumarokom.
Day 08: Kumarokom - Cochin - Home By Road 65 km in 2 hr
After breakfast proceed to Cochin. Reach and transfer to station or
airport according to the timings of flight.
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