Destination: Cochin-Kumarakom-Munnar-Vythiri-Kovalam-Thekkady-Thalassery-Mumbay
Duration:12Nights / 13 Days

DAY 01 MUMBAI TO COCHIN
Arrive Cochin airport from Mumbai. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to hotel. Cochin is situated on a number of small islands and peninsulas that in some parts still look like the old engravings that were scattered in Europe during colonial times. The trade in spices is still important, just as shipbuilding. O/n Hotel.

DAY 02 COCHIN
After breakfast full day sightseeing of Cochin. There is a 'Dutch palace' with beautiful murals, which depict different episodes in Hindu myths and a 16th century Jewish synagogue and the only Jewish neighborhood in India. The Jewish community originally consisted of black and white Jews. In the Dutch cemetery and in two churches you can see many Dutch gravestones. The ten metre high Chinese fishnets that Marco Polo mentioned are wonderful to see. In Kerala this method of fishing using the nets, which originates from the 11th century, can still be seen. Cochin is the center of the famous dance drama of Kerala, the Kathakali. This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the Mahabharaata and Ramaayana. O/n Hotel.

DAY 03 COCHIN TO MUNNAR
Morning after breakfast drive to Munnar (about 140kms/04hrs), situated in the heart of the Cardamom Hills, at an altitude of 1700m. Munnar is surrounded by endless green, rolling hills and 30 of the world's highest tea estates. Check into the hotel. Afternoon free to relax or stroll around the tea plantation. O/n Hotel.

DAY 04 MUNNAR
Morning after breakfast we drive about 65kms to Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary located in the rain shadow regions of High Ranges in the Southern Western Ghats.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (90.422 sq.km) is famous for wildlife sighting. Its dry deciduous forests makes it easier to view the wildlife. Undulating terrain with rocky patches increase the scenic splendor of the sanctuary. The forest type comprise throny scrub forests, dry deciduous forests, high altitude shoals and wet montane grasslands. Apart from this, this areas is noted for its archaeological importance too. The Dolmens, built between first and fifth century CE are one of the major attractions among them. Herds of Asiatic Elephants, Gaur, Spotted Deer, the elusive Leopard, the legendry 'white bison on Manjampatti', and the colourful bird and butterfly life makes Chinnar a must see destination in the wildlife map of Western Ghats.

On arriving at Chinnar at 08.00 A.M, you will be guided by trained guides from the local indigenous community to a Cultural site through the dry deciduous forests of Chinnar. There are chances of sighting wildlife. Our naturalist will assist in spotting and identifying birds and butterflies. After lunch, go for a short walk through the riparian forests along the Chinnar river. These forests are home to one of the most endangered mammals of India, the Grizzled Giant Squirrel. Back to Munnar, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 05 MUNNAR
Morning after breakfast we make a short drive (about 13 kms) to Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary proclaimed as a National Park since it supports the largest population of Nilgiri Thar existing in the world now. A wide variety of plant life is present here. The Nilgiri Tahr is seen in the Highlands and rocky regions of this national park. Explore the sanctuary by walking; the views are superb from here. Afternoon we start our 8kms cycle ride uphill through the beautiful valley, surrounded by tea plantation and cardamom, we can enjoy the views over the lower slopes. We have time to stop enroute for Chai (tea), and continue to the top of valley for our splendid views. We descend the 8kms back to hotel.. O/n Hotel.

DAY 06 MUNNAR TO MADURAI
Morning after breakfast drive to Madurai (about 135kms/03hrs) to the temple town of Madurai. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the Meenakshi temple - an outstanding example of the 14th century Vijaynagar architecture, dedicated to Minakshi, the 'fish-eyed goddess'. The temple's nine towering stucco images of gods, goddesses and animals are superb. Also visit Thirumalai Naikar Palace, built in 1636 in the Indo-Mughal style. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 07 MADURAI TO THEKKADY
Morning after breakfast drive to Thekkady (about 110kms/04hrs), through the 'Cardamom Hills of Kerala', where you can have a close look up to the spices plantations of Kerala. The ascend and descends make this journey a adventurous drive. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.

Periyar which lies in the shade of Cardamom Hills and is a beautiful area of tranquil winding roads, tea gardens, rubber estates and evening Spice Plantations tour for one hour. O/n Hotel.

DAY 08 THEKKADY
Morning explore the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, near the border with Tamil Nadu, is in a beautiful setting and designated a part of Project Tiger in 1973, though tigers are very rarely seen and its better known for its elephants. Bison, sambar, wild boar and barking deer are fairly common, in addition to 246 species of birds, there are 112 species of butterfly. Smaller animals include black Nilgiri langur, bonnet and lion tailed macaque, Giant and Flying squirrel and other spectacular flight of flying foxes (fruit bats)

The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife area encircles.

Go for a morning boar cruise in Periyar Lake to spot wild animals and water birds. On your way back disembark and trek for half an hour to Manakavala. This is a typical subtropical savannah habitat, tall elephant grass interspersed with deciduous trees. Here, on the bank of an inlet of Periyar Lake, is the quintessential Forest Inspection Bungalow. It has one living cum dinning room, two bedrooms and a kitchen. It has a trench all around to keep out elephants. The savannah around Manakavala is ideal grazing trench to keep out elephants. The savannah around Manakavala is ideal grazing ground for wild herbivores. You may see Asiatic elephants, Gaur, Sambar and wild boar feeding together just across the trench. The small patches of semi-evergreen jungles teem with birds. After lunch move around with our naturalist and do some bird watching. In the evening, have dinner listening to jungle lore from the bungalow's caretaker. O/n Inspection Bungalow.

DAY 09 THEKKADY
Today morning, after having tea and snacks, go for an early morning trek around the bungalow. Spot wild animals and birds. After breakfast trek back to Thekkady, you have a fair chance to see some wildlife on your way back too. We will reach Thekkady by half past eleven. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 10 THEKKADY TO ALLEPPEY
After an early breakfast drive to Alleppey (about 155kms/03 ½ hrs), here we board our houseboat that comprises twin rooms, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. We start our sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. The houseboat will cruise through the Chambakulam area by mid-morning and anchor to explore the boat yard, which displays the traditional long snake boats used in races. Visit St. Mary's Church, established by St. Thomas in 1721. In the evening, catch a glimpse of village life along the backwaters and experience a way of life unique to this region. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the backwaters of Alleppey and moor up for overnight in Vemabanadu Lake. O/n Houseboat.

DAY 11 ALLEPPEY TO KOVALAM
Morning after breakfast disembark from the houseboat, straight drive to Kovalam (about 160kms/04hrs), a beach paradise with boundless blue of the Arabian Sea and unwinding miles of fine sand washed by a surf which roars and hisses at the feet of coconuts palms, Kovalam is a sheltered natural bay. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax on the beach. O/n Hotel.

DAY 12 KOVALAM TO MUMBAI
Morning free to relax, afternoon transfer to Trivandrum airport to board flight to Mumbai by 9W 337 at 13.35 - 15.35 hrs. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for day use. Late night transfer to int'l airport to board flight to your home country.

DAY 13 MUMBAI
Early morning board flight to your onward destination.