Essence of Kerala Tour:

Duration: 07 Nights / 08 Days
Places Covered: Cochin - Periyar - Kumarakom - Mararikulam - Cochin

Day 01: Cochin

Travel Package Kerala, Arrive Cochin and transfer to the hotel.Cochin set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, the port city of Cochin (Kochi) (Queen of Arabia) reflects the eclecticism of Kerala perfectly. With a rich past and a bustling present, it has been the business hub of the region from the very early days after Alleppey (Alappuzha).

Cochin consists of mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willington, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbour, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern peninsula, and Vypeen Island north of Fort Cochin, all was linked by ferry but now some islands have bridges. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people.

The oldest church in India, 500-year-old Portugese houses, old tiled houses built in the Chinese pagoda style, the famous Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish community whose roots go back to the Diaspora, synagogues and mosques all tell the fascinating story of this harbour town. The harbour is still at the heart of the city and pepper, sea food, rubber and coir mats and matting are exported from here.

Despite this, Cochin is an attractive city with serene creak & lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms and picturesque islands. The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English country village grafted onto the troppical Malabar coast. Cochin is one of India's largest ports and a major naval base.

Day 02: Cochin

Essence of Kerala Tour, Morning city tour of Cochin. Afternoon at leisure. Evening enjoy a Kathakali dance performance.

Day 03: Cochin-Periyar By Car /Coach

Morning drive to Periyar and on arrival, check in at the hotel. Late afternoon enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Periyar to view wildlife.

Travel Package Kerala, 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, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat.

The forest here, slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill.

This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here. There are boat services which takes the visitor around the lake. The best season to visit the park is between October and June.

Spread over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary is located 137 km from Madurai. Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake 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.

Day 04: Periyar-Kumarakom By Car /Coach

Kerala Essence Travel, Morning drive to Kumarakom and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Late afternoon sunset boat cruise on Lake Vembanad. Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets.

The entire state of Kerala is blessed with plenty of rivers and the resources of many are still untapped. The waterways of Kerala which play a main role in the economy of the state links remote villages and islands with the main land. The water ways provide a cheap and economical mode of transport. The water ways of Kuttanad is now a big attraction for tourist. It is incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala villages.

The scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of breath-taking greens and deep blues. Boat rides are available for tourist and others at nominal rates.

Day 05: Kumarakom-HouseboatHouseboat in Kerala

Late morning board the Kettuvalam (houseboat) and spend the day cruising through the backwaters. Overnight on board the houseboat

Day 06: Houseboat, Mararikulam

Travel Package Kerala, Morning disembark the houseboat and drive to Mararikulam. On arrival, check in at the resort. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 07: Mararikulam

Kerala Essence Travel, Full day at leisure to relax at the beach resort or enjoy an Ayurvedic massage at the resort. Marari originates from " Mararikulam ", one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch.

Completely new to the holiday maker. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm and traditional Kerala Hospitality at its best. Not that you need to spend the whole of your holiday in seclusion, you couldn't be in a better location for exploring the marvellous backwaters, where the tranquility, the stunning scenery and the feeling of being transported back in time, make it a superbly relaxing and inspiring experience

Day 08: Mararikulam-Cochin By Car /Coach & Departure Cochin

In time transfer to the Cochin airport for onward flight.

To confirm bookings for this special package call us on the following numbers

Phone Number : 0091-422- 2333922

Mobiles: +91-9786691904 / 9842255573 / 9965616661

Contact us on our Email id : info@southindia-tourism.net

Our Fax No: +91 0422- 2331605

End Tour/ Pearls tour