You will be met and assisted on arrival at Kochi Airport and transferred to your pre-booked hotel.

A vibrant pot-pourri of art, culture, food, carnivals and festivals, Kochi, sprawled along a gorgeous estuary in Kerala, is a fascinating tourist destination. Skirted by the emerald-blue Arabian Sea that laps at its golden sun-kissed beaches, the city remains suspended in time, with its colonial charm merging seamlessly with its artistic aesthetic. Established around Fort Kochi, which is the cultural nerve of the city, Kochi remains in a festive mood throughout the year. Sitting on the Malabar coast, historically, Kochi has been India’s connect to the rest of the world. It was here that the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama first arrived, paving the way for European colonizers. The city remains steeped in its heritage, which is reflected in various Portuguese, Dutch and British forts, palaces and bungalows that are scattered throughout.

Kochi is an eclectic mix of diverse cultures, where you can sample a bit of everything. Head to the narrow alleys of Jew Town and watch the city race by you as you slowly fall in love with Jewish culture and stock up on rare antiques and exquisite handicrafts. Relax at the Artsy cafés as you dig into authentic dishes, while looking at the bustling market.

Afternoon at leisure to relax.

In the evening, discover the famous dance drama of Kerala, the “Kathakali” show. This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Post breakfast, proceed for Kochi sightseeing tour.

Start with the visit of the famous Chinese Fishing Nets of Cochin. The huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, that droop towards the waters like over-sized hammocks have become a hallmark that represents Fort Kochi on every postcard.

Next visit is at the St. Francis CSI Church, the oldest European church in India built in 1503, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama was originally buried and the Santa Cruz Basilica, one of the finest and imposing churches in India.

Then take a tuk tuk– the most popular mode of transport among the localities. Go along with your local tour and stop at the Dhobi Khana (laundry station), once throbbing with activity, it is now a picture of slow extinction. Continue through the small streets of Mattanchery, and arrive at the Fruit market on Palace Road, where locals get a variety of fresh and organic produces at bargains prices. Don’t miss a stop at the Spice Market, where exotic odour of the finest ginger, cloves, cardamom, turmeric and pepper emanate from the spice warehouses lining the street and fills it.

Later visit the Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town, and finally the Dutch Palace with its beautiful mural paintings from the 17th century.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Post breakfast, checkout and drive to Alleppey, for Backwaters cruise on houseboat.

Snuggled in the heart of Kerala’s backwaters, Alappuzha is criss-crossed by palm-fringed waterways and dotted with over a thousand houseboats. Known for its glorious beaches, calm backwaters, enthusiastic boat races and sumptuous seafood, this green and graceful pocket-sized tropical paradise is a popular tourist destination.

Former viceroy of British India, Lord Curzon, was so enraptured by the beauty of Alleppey, as Alappuzha was then known, that he said, “Here, nature has spent upon the land of her richest bounties. Alleppey, the Venice of the East.” And that is how this city earned its title, referring to its vast networks of waterways. Cruising through the backwaters in simple canoes or the more ostentatious houseboats is Alappuzha’s most prominent attraction.

On arrival in Alleppey, embark on your houseboat for a Backwaters cruise.

These Houseboats are a reworked version of Kettuvallam of olden times The backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transport of goods, people and their produce. The Alleppey district is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea-level, using a system of dykes. Cruise through the palm fringed canals, enjoying the beauty of rural village life.

Enjoy sumptuous Kerala lunch on board.

The trip continues through a wonderful area of the lush green vegetation.

In the evening, your boat will be stopping nearby one village.

Dinner and overnight onboard (A/C will be switched on between 0830hr and 0600hr)

Post breakfast, disembark from the houseboat for onward journey to Thekkady.

Thekkady, with its unspoiled tropical forests and incredible wealth of animal and plant life, is a nature lover’s paradise. The journey to the best places in Thekkady will take you through quaint little hill towns and soft contoured hill slopes.

On arrival, check-into the hotel in Kumily, one of the entrance doors for the Periyar Wildlife Reserve in Thekkady.

Afternoon, explore the beauty of nature, the flora and fauna of the region with a 2hr Nature walk in the remote areas of the National Park. This reserve is an established tourist spot and home to elephants, bison, sambar, wild boar, langur etc. with unending Chains of hills and spice-scented plantations.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning (0600hr), proceed for a full day jeep safari to Gavi, another area of Periyar National Park around a Lake of the same name, known for its beautiful and spectacular views.

For about 3 hours, enjoy a jeep safari that takes you through an adventurous ride. During this, the jeep will also go off-road, elevating the adrenaline of the experience with the assistance of an experienced guide cum driver.

Witness, vistas of western ghats where you can take some of the most memorable pictures.

On arrival at Gavi, proceed for breakfast.

Post breakfast, trekking through forest with trained Guide.

Return by 1230hr, have South Indian vegetarian lunch.

Return to hotel by 1530hr.

Evening at leisure to relax.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Post breakfast, checkout and drive to Munnar.

Munnar is South India’s largest tea-growing region. Drive through the rolling hills and sculpted tea gardens. A lush carpet of rolling green, interrupted by low rises of mountains of the gorgeous Western Ghats, Munnar, is dotted with huge emerald plantations and pristine waterfalls. No matter where you go in Munnar, a mixed scent of tea, coffee and cardamom will follow you everywhere. With beautiful natural treasures, Munnar leaves one rapt with its spectacular and awe-inspiring views.

Nestled at the confluence of three gushing rivers- Mudrapuzha, Nallathanbi and Kundala-Munnar literally means three rivers. During the blooming season, every 12 years, the town of Munnar is transmogrified into an artist’s canvas, when the beautiful and vibrant Neelakurinji flower carpets the land in hues of purple and blue. It is truly a sight to behold as the town acquires a paradisiacal setting.

On arrival, check-into the hotel.

Afternoon, proceed to Ernakulam National Park (subject to opening)- A sanctuary for the mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiris Tahr. The Park stands out for the beauty of its rolling grasslands spread over 97sq km in the Kannan Devan hills.

Later if time permits, see the Mattupetty dam with it’s still water reflecting the tea gardens around.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Post breakfast, enjoy a half-day Jeep safari and drive though the mind-blowing scenery uphill to Kulukamalai Estate, the highest located tea factory in the world which still practices the Manual processing of Tea. Reach Kulukkumalai and join hands with the plantation workers to understand the art of Tea Plucking (subject to the working days).

At the Tea factory, you see the processing of tea, followed by a tea tasting session.

Afterwards, return to hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Post breakfast, drive to Kochi, en route visit a Tea Factory and get to learn everything you need to know about the Nilgiris tea, while witnessing the step-by-step of the manufacturing process.

Afterwards, visit Kerala’s first heritage and archaeological museum, the Hill Palace (12 km before Cochin). This museum, built in 1865 in the traditional architectural style of Kerala, houses the royal collections of the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi such as oil-paintings, sculptures in stone and royal furniture including the simhasana (throne).

On arrival in Kochi, check-into the hotel.

Rest of the day at leisure to relax.

 Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the Kochi International Airport for flight to onward destination.