BEST OF SOUTH INDIA

For tourists, south India offers Nature on a platter. Sandy beaches, blue Lagoons, Hill stations, backwaters, greenland plantations in the highranges, wildlife, high mountain peaks, picturesque valleys, magnificent forts and intricately decorated temples - Whatever one can ask for………….!

On arrival at Kochi airport, transfer to yor hotel. Check-in. Afternoon, sightseeing in Cochin Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Jew Town, Old spice market, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and Chinese fishing net. Later in the evening enjoy Kathakali dance presentation. Overnight at the hotel in Kochi.

After breakfast, depart for Munnar, where sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make it a unique experience. Check in to your resort and get ready for the special trip to Pothamedu for an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The breath taking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks. Return to your resort in the evening.

After breakfast, visit Mattupetty famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Proceed to Mattupetty lake and dam, which is a very beautiful picnic spot. You could enjoy boating in the lake and view mountains and landscapes from afar. Onwards proceed to Echo point famous for the natural echo phenomenon and then to Top Station offering marvelous views of Munnar valley below. Overnight at hotel.

Get ready after breakfast for your morning drive to Periyar nestled in spice and rubber plantations. Known to be Kerala’s pride and testimony to nature’s splendor, Periyar has a lot to offer in terms of wildlife. Periyar is famous for its rare habitat of birds and animals and is one of the most popular destinations for nature lovers. Check in to your resort and get ready for your trip to cardamom hills where you could have a closer look at the spice plantations. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the places where the chances are pretty high that you will spot an elephant in the wild at close quarters and from the safe confines of a boat. Rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, we enter the Periyar wild life sanctuary. Lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world’s most fascinating nature wildlife reserves. A splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across Periyar River adds to the charms of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar, however, are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. The day is free for you to explore the sanctuary & surrounding areas. Overnight stay at Periyar.

After breakfast, check out & drive to Kumarakom which is a sleepy little village tucked away from the din and bustle of city life. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is an Ornithologist's paradise and a favorite haunt of migrating birds like Siberian stork,darter,heron and teal to name a few. Overnight at Kumarakom.

Check into the houseboat at 12 noon for 1 Night / 2 Days riding in the backwaters & small canals. A glide in a houseboat through the enchanting backwaters is sure to rob your heart. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expense of panoramic sight one can never forget., the low hum of the motor and the dazzling afternoon light have tuned out the noises in your head, the deadlines, the telephone, the unfinished chapters. Watch the white tire-tread clouds turn into wisps of animal fur and then disappear. The isolation on a luxury houseboat is total. Overnight stay in a houseboat.

Breakfast on board. Disembark at Alappuzha.70 Kms from Cochin), this unique backwater destination situated on the banks of the Vembanad lake is considered as gateway to the backwater of Kuttanad, the granary of Kerala. Overnight stay at Alappuzha.

Drive to Kovalam through green coastal belt and cashew plantations. Despite the fact that virtually the entire 550 Km length of the Kerala coast is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms,Kovalam is one of the only place where swimming in the sea is not considered eccentric by locals. Check into the hotel. Overnight stay at KovalamFull day leisure at Kovalam.Night stay in Kovalam.

Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourist especially Europeans,since the 1930s.A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.The day is free for leisure at resort,Ayurveda treatment,message,yoga classes,swimming,beach volleyball,indoor games and Learn to cook with spices,sunbathing,special cultural programs,Catamaran cruising etc. .Overnight at Kovalam.

Early morning drive to Kanyakurari.Watching the sun rise and sun set from here is the big attraction, especially on full moon day in April,when it's possible to see both setting sun and rising moon on same horizon.Other attractions are Kumari Amman Temple,Gandhi Mandapam & Vivekananda Memorial. Overnight stay at Kanyakumari.

After breakfast drive to Thirivanathapuram. On the way to Thiruvanathapurm visit Padmanabhapuram Palace. Kerala’s capital, the coastal city of Thirivanathapuram, is set on seven low hills, 87km from the southern tip of India. The oldest most interesting part of town is the fort area in the south; around the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple and Puttan Malika Palace. Overnight stay at Thiruvanathapuram.

After breakfast transfer to Trivandrum airport for your onward flight. End of Services.