Itinerary Summary

Day	Place	Highlights	Hotel Options
1 - 3	Cochin	Fort Kochi Harbor, Matancherry & Pardesi Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Kochi-Muziris Biennale	Eighth Bastion, Hotel Forte Kochi
3	Munnar	Matupetty Dam, Tea Plantations, Soft Trekking, Kannan Devan Tea Museum	Chandy's Windy Woods, Spice Tree Munnar
3 - 4	Madurai	Meenakshi Temple, Gandhi Museum, Vandiyur Kanmoy Tourist Complex	Heritage Madurai, The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai Madurai
4 - 5	Thekkady	Amazing Biodiversity, Spice Plantations, Kalaripayattu, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary	Cardamom County, Spice Village
5 - 8	Alleppey	Backwater, Relaxation, Local Culture, Temple Visits, Houseboat	Malabar Escapes Purity Resort, Muhamma, Marari Beach Resort
8 - 8	Cochin	Fort Kochi Harbor, Matancherry & Pardesi Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Kochi-Muziris Biennale

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 3

International Arrival

Transfer to your Hotel

Cochin

2 Nights

Kochi, formerly Cochin, is considered the Queen of the Arabian Sea as it was one of the first European settlements in India, due its ideal positioning for trading.

Included Activities

Cochin At Dawn Cycling Tour
Watch the city wake on this early morning cycle ride in Fort Kochi! Start your day by enjoying a steaming cup of tea with the locals. Go on to discover the history of this port city that, over the ages, has drawn traders from all around the world. Witness the influence of colonialism on local culture, and the impact that each colonial regime has left in its wake. Learn about the various communities that migrated to Fort Kochi over the years; home to over 15 different communities, Fort Kochi has provided a place for them to preserve their cultural identities while assimilating into the region by adopting local customs. Head to the local fish market to see one of the most important local trades firsthand. This is also your chance to learn about the lives of Kerala’s fishermen and how they support the veterans as a community. Last, but not least, get a firsthand glimpse into the nuances of the art of bargaining, one of the most prevalent customs in any Indian market! After a cycle ride that would have helped you work up an appetite, end your trip by polishing off a delicious local breakfast. (Half day, Time of Day: Morning, 0630 hrs, Duration: 3 hrs; Private Activity; Fitness Level: Moderate)

Hotel Options

Eighth Bastion – Opt 1

Room	Standard Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Boutique

Hotel Forte Kochi – Opt 2

Room	Classic Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Boutique

Day 3

Drive from Cochin to Munnar (160 km, 4.5 hrs)

Munnar

-1 Nights

Munnar offers a haven of peace and tranquility within the verdant hills of Kerala.

Included Activities

Half Day Trek In Munnar
Embark on a 4 hr Soft Trek on good paved paths, through the lush green mountainsides and be amazed at the freshness of the surrounding plantations. Take in the aromas and fragrances of the tea and spice plantations that waft through the air.

Tea Delights Of Lockhart
Explore the Lockhart Tea Museum situated at Devikulam, a scenic hill station and national park on the outskirts of Munnar in southern India. Drive along meandering country roads flanked by lush tea plantations and wooded hills. In a while you will reach the expansive Lockhart Estate established in the late 1800s as one of High Range’s earliest tea plantations. Accompanied by an in-house expert, tour the working tea factory, following the staff in action at every stage. Learn about orthodox tea, and its entire production process from tea leaf picking to your teacup. Understand the various health benefits of tea and its many uses. Visit the tea museum to know more about the history of tea in the region. Discover a collection of vintage equipment related to tea manufacture, and browse old photographs that trace the evolution of the town itself. Visit the adjoining nursery and garden where you can observe life behind the scenes. Finally, enjoy a tea tasting session while appreciating the fantastic scenery around! (Half Day; Duration: 1 hr; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness level: Easy)

Hotel Options

Chandy's Windy Woods – Opt 1

Room	Deluxe Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Boutique

Spice Tree Munnar – Opt 2

Room	Spice Tree-Classic Room With Jacuzzi
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Resort

Day 3 - 4

Drive from Munnar to Madurai (160 km, 5.5 hrs)

Madurai

1 Night

Madurai, the city of incense and chiming cymbals, is one of the oldest in India! Dubbed the “Athens of the East’, the historical city was reputedly visited by learned men from Rome and Greece, including Megasthenes in the 3rd century BC! Cozily nestled amidst the towering mountains, this is an energetic city of contrasts where Hindu Gods and a growing IT industry go hand in hand.

Included Activities

Evening Ceremony at Sri Meenakshi Amman
Experience the fascinating ‘resting’ ceremony at the ornate and colorful Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. Accompanied by your local guide, traverse the lively town to enter the grand temple complex. Under the sunset glow, marvel at the twelve brilliantly decorated towering structures, each featuring an assortment of figurines – deities, demons, and mythical animals. Visit the magnificent hall of a thousand pillars, and soak in the splendid architecture around. As night falls, witness the centuries-old ritual that is religiously performed every single night – but only for the deities! Following a final worship session for the day, watch as the head priests and a train of devotees carry an image of Shiva (aka Sundareshwara) in a silver palanquin to his consort, Parvati’s (aka Meenakshi) shrine, to be kept together until the morning. Join the chorus of voices, while chants, music, dance, and purifying smoke fill the air. The divine beings are believed to rest together for the night, a tradition that is expected to maintain balance in the world. (Half Day; Time: 2100 hrs, Fridays at 2130 hrs; Duration: 2.5 hours; Shared Activity & Private Transfer; Notes: Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple’s main sanctum, but can witness the ceremony from a gallery outside, Photography not allowed)

Hotel Options

Heritage Madurai – Opt 1

Room	Deluxe Club
Meals
Style	Resort

The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai Madurai – Opt 2

Room	Pasumalai Superior Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	International

Day 4 - 5

Drive from Madurai to Thekkady (150 km, 3.5 hrs)

Thekkady

1 Night

Thekkady is a thrilling delight for nature lovers.

Included Activities

Evening Tour Of Thekkady
Discover natural beauty and cultural delights of Thekkady at dusk! Soak in the sights and sounds of the magical woods in Thekkady during your three hour afternoon trek. With a trained guide from a local tribal community, each trail takes you through varied habitats, past evergreen deciduous forests and grasslands filled with rare birds, butterflies and wildlife. In the evening, enjoy a demonstration of Kalaripayattu, a vibrant and ancient martial art which dates back to the 3,000 year old Dravidian era. Learn more about the different styles of Kalaripayattu, which roughly translates as mind gym training, practiced throughout Kerala.You can meet professional martial art masters before you return to your hotel. (Kindly note that children below 12 years are not permitted to join this activity.)

Hotel Options

Cardamom County – Opt 1

Room	AC Periyar Cottage
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Resort

Spice Village – Opt 2

Room	Standard Villa
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Resort

Day 5 - 6

Drive from Thekkady to Alleppey (160 km, 4 hrs)

1 Night

Enchanting Travels South India Tours Kerala Houseboat Tour

Day 6 - 9

Transfer from Alleppey Houseboat to Resort

Alleppey

3 Nights

Alleppey was once dubbed the Venice of the East by the visiting former Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon.

Hotel Options

Malabar Escapes Purity Resort, Muhamma – Opt 1

Room	Deluxe Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Boutique

Marari Beach Resort – Opt 2

Room	Garden Villa
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Beach Resort

Day 9 - 9

Drive from Alleppey to Cochin (65 km, 1.5 hrs)

Cochin

0 Nights

Kochi, formerly Cochin, is considered the Queen of the Arabian Sea as it was one of the first European settlements in India, due its ideal positioning for trading.

Transfer to the Airport

International Departure

Price & Inclusions

Option 1 From $ 1,790 /person
Option 2 From $ 1,890 /person

Prices are in USD and exclude international flights. This trip price is based on low season rates for accommodation and other applicable services, and may change depending on availability, currency fluctuations and number of people traveling together. For high season prices, please contact us with your exact travel dates and preferences.

Price Includes

Accommodation in one double room for 11 days / 10 nights
Meals as indicated
All activities as listed :
- Cochin: Cochin at Dawn Cycling Tour
- Munnar: Half Day Trek in Munnar
- Munnar: Tea Delights of Lockhart
- Madurai: Evening Ceremony at Sri Meenakshi Amman
- Thekkady: Evening Tour of Thekkady
- Alleppey Houseboat: Overnight Houseboat Experience in Alleppey
All airport and hotel transfers
A high-quality air conditioned vehicle with unlimited mileage and a trusted chauffeur throughout your trip, apart from during your stay at a beach/backwater resort or houseboat if applicable.
All activities described in the itinerary, including entrance fees wherever applicable, accompanied by our tour guide
Your Trip Coordinator: a 24/7 point of contact, supporting you during your trip
Welcome kit including all important documents and information regarding your itinerary
Insolvency insurance
Fees and taxes

Kerala’s Tropical Treasures Uncovered

Itinerary Summary

Ideal For

Itinerary Details

Cochin

Munnar

Madurai

Thekkady

Alleppey

Cochin

Price & Inclusions

Price Includes