Day 01:

Arrival Cochin

By Flight : TBA

Arrive at Cochin International airport. Please clear immigration and visa formalities, collect your baggage and proceed to the arrival lounge through the green channel if you do not have goods to be declared to customs. Our executive will wait at the arrival with a placard in your name to greet you and transfer to Hotel.

Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as ‘God’s Own Country’. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala.

Overnight stay in Cochin.

Day 02:

Cochin:

After breakfast proceed to a sightseeing tour of the oasis state of Kerala and one of the India’s most colourful cities. You will have a walk around the Synagogue. The area around the synagogue is known as “Jew town” and is one of the Kochi’ spice trade centres. We also stop at Mattancherry Dutch Palace which was built by the Portuguese, and presented to the Maharaja of Cochin in 1568. Proceeding ahead you will visit St. Francis Church; the first church to be built in India by the Portuguese. After visiting Santa Cruz Cathedral enjoy strolling on the beach side viewing the life at Chinese fishing nets. In the evening enjoy a Kathakali Dance Performance. Kathakali is a ritualized dance form that is native to Kerala, with elaborate costumes and makeup. Male dancers portray both male and female roles that tell the stories taken mostly from the epics of the Mahabharatha and Ramayana.

Overnight stay in Cochin.

Day 03:

Cochin – Periyar (Thekkady)    

By Surface: 160 Kms, 4-5 Hrs Drive

After a relaxed breakfast transfer to Periyar. Reach at Periyar and check into hotel.

Periyar: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best maintained wildlife sanctuaries in Southern India, giving an opportunity of spotting elephants, leopards, tigers and bison’s, amongst various other species of flora and fauna.

Afternoon Take an Afternoon boat ride into the Wildlife Sanctuary and proceed for a short jungle trek with a naturalist to watch flora, fauna and avifauna. Periyar Sanctuary lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world’s most fascinating natural wildlife reserves – the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.  Spread across 777 sq.km, of which 360 sq.km is thick evergreen forest.  Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world.

Later proceed to visit Elephant Village. Some activities like Elephant Ride, Elephant Painting and bathing to Elephants.

Overnight stay in Periyar.

Day 04:

Periyar – Kumarakom

By Surface: 135 Kms, 3 Hrs

Morning after breakfast transfer to Kumarakom.

Kumarakom forms a part of Kerala’s rice bowl, the Kuttanand region which is the ideal destination for the backwater cruises. The Backwaters of Kumarakoram offers an exciting and enthralling backwater tourist destination among the country side watching the evergreen paddy fields, large area of mangrove forests stretching into acres of land with the rows of the palm trees by the sea shores. This little village is an island of paradise, untouched by time.

Water Bird Sanctuary: One of the significant back water destination is the 14 acre bird sanctuary situated on the eastern banks of the Verbanad Lake. The sanctuary which is the hotspot of the different species of birds as well as the migratory ones .there are to be found water fowls, water ducks, cuckoos, wild ducks,egrets, darters, herons, teals, and the migratory Siberian cranes. Nearby lies the rubber plantations in Kottayam where the churches are also grand.

Overnight stay in Kumarakom.

Day 05:

Kumarakom – Overnight Houseboat

Morning Transfer to Kumarakom, reach Kumarakom and board your private houseboat, converted from a Kettuvallam or traditional rice barge, and sail through the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. The backwaters in Kerala are a world of serenity and wonderment. This large aquatic area is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals, and the people who live in this region have created their own distinct lifestyles. Witness the peaceful way of life on these amazing waterways with lunch, dinner and overnight stay on board; this will be a real highlight of your holiday.

**While on the houseboat you can enjoy fishing with rod or can ask the local chef for Kerala Cooking demonstration. The houseboat docks itself in the evening at around 1700 hrs as by this time the fisherman draws their nets in the backwaters. The Air conditioning in the houseboat also starts at night after the houseboat docks.

Dinner & Overnight stay on Houseboat.

Day 06:

Houseboat – Alleppey – Marari Beach

By Road – 1 Hrs

After breakfast transfer to Marai Beach. Marari Beach or Mararikulam beach is located in a beach village Mararikulam, Alappuzha district, Kerala. It is a quite secluded beach, located 11 Kms from Alleppey and 60 kms from Cochin. The Village and the Beach gives the glimpse of traditional and ancient Kerala One can see fisherman all around and their lifestyle. Rated as one of the world’s top five hammock beach by National Geographic survey this beach is eternal with coconut palm trees and golden sands.  The beach is ideal for activities like swimming, parasailing and surfing. Here one can ordeal the world of Kerala’s traditional fishing villages, and a re-creation of an ancient, harmonious way of life .The local charm and traditional Kerala hospitality can be experienced at its best.

Overnight stay in Marari.

Day 07:

Marai

Day free at relax.

Overnight stay in Marari.

Day 08:

Marari – Cochin Depart

Breakfast at the Hotel. Later as per your flight schedule transfer to Cochin International airport to board flight for onward destinations with sweet memories of India Tour. Please allow a minimum of 2 ½ hours for flight check-in formalities at the airport. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home behalf from Castle & King Team!