Day 1 – Cochin

On arrival at Cochin Airport, you will be met & transferred to your hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Cochin. Evening visit Greenix Theatre for a kaleidoscope of various art forms. Overnight at Hotel.

Cochin the queen of the Arabian Sea is one of the most interesting cities of India and has one of the finest natural harbors in the world. A root-conscious people of Kerala have preserved their past not only in the form of history books but also in the form of monuments and palaces. Places, palaces and institutions of historic value are being preserved conscientiously. 

Cochin Sightseeing – St Francis Church, built in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama, is the first European church built in India and is the site where Vasco da Gama was buried. The JewishSynagogue was built in 1568, Chinese hand-painted tiles are one of the attraction. This, the only Synagogue in India has a nostalgic past of a Jewish Diaspora. The “Dutch Palace” was built in the 1550s; the palace contains excellent mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring – a subtle mix of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg whites – which gives the effect of polished marble.

Fort Cochin &Mattancherry are twin cities carry a flavor of the colonial era. Jewish, Arabs, Portuguese British all came to Cochin for trading and Mattancherry was the spice trade head quarters due to the proximity of Cochin Port.While Fort Cochin became the administrative head quarters, Mattancherry maintained its trading status.The colonial  stature and buildings still make Fort Cochin a favourite destination for tourists.Its getting an upgrade once its declared as the first heritage city in India.Fort Cochin was also a part of Muzirisroute. It will be interesting to know that around 13 religious communities are harmoniously living in Fort Cochin and Mattancherry. Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Jains, Sikhsetc are few among them.

Day 2 – Cochin – Munnar  (4 Hour Drive)

Morning, after breakfast, proceed to Munnar, known as nature lover’s paradise . You will drive through Midland crops like Rubber, arecnut, pineapple etc. Enroute visit Tea Museum. Later drive to resort for check in. Afternoon relax at resort. You may opt for a Nature Walk around the resort. Overnight at the Hotel.

Munnar …breathtakingly beautiful – a haven of peace and tranquility – an idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country with unending expanses of tea plantations… pristine valleys and mountains…exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests…aroma of spice scented cool air. Munnar has all these and more…. It’s the place you would love to visit… It’s the place you would wish never to leave. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities makes Munnar a holiday resort. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji a flower, which bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India – Anamudi – which towers over 2695 M and is an ideal spot for campers who like trekking.

Day 3 – Munnar

After  breakfast at the Hotel, drive to Marayoor Sandalwood forest for a soft trek and later to visit a tribal village.You will have a traditional lunch at the village.You will also be taken for a short tea plantation trek.Afternoon you will be taken to Chinnar National Park for a 3 hour trekking through the forest.Return to your resort for overnight stay. Enjoy your Christmas Eve Dinner at your Resort.

Munnar is a misty, lush green hill station up in the Anamalai range of Kerala; Munnar’s tea gardens, some of the highest in the world, stretch up the sides of the hills and are interspersed with pockets of forest rich in birds. Its is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Surrounded by almost 30 tea gardens that give it a picturesque view, Munnar is near Anaimudi, the highest peak of the Kerala Western Ghats.

Exotic and pristine, Marayoor is a unique place where tourism meets adventure. The enchanting beauty of Marayoor offers diversity in every aspect of the land and culture. Hamlets, rocky hills, rivers, brooks, cave temples, paddy and sugar cane fields, waterfalls, sandal wood and bamboo forests…

Marayoor is famous for its natural sandalwood forests grown in natural abundance. Marayoor is the only place in Kerala where natural sandalwood forest is seen. Visit to a rock cut temple, ancient inscriptions etc. Walk to the Mount of the Dead, a world famous Megalithic site with dolmens, dolmenoid and dolmenoidcists.Visit to a traditional sugarcane farm and Jaggery (black sugar) manufacturing.Marayoor is famous for its Sandalwood Forest which is protected by the Forest Department.

As you go on the nature trail in Chinnar, you are bound to come across a fascinating plethora of bird and animal life. In your journey to Anamalai, you will  touch the main land again but on the eastern side of the Western Ghats. On the way you can see an entirely different way of village life from Kerala. The vast expanse of hundreds of crops, sacred groves, termite mount temples and if in season, can participate in a village festival like fire walk, Jelly Kettu (Bullfight) etc. Chinnar wild sanctuary is the haven for two highly endangered species-the grizzled giant squirrel and the star tortoise.

Proceed to Chinnar wildlife sanctuary. Hiking through the wildlife zone and visit to a Mesolithic Cave art site. As you go on the nature trail in Chinnar, you are bound to come across a fascinating plethora of bird and animal life. Chinnar Sanctuary is  located in the eastern slope of Western ghats sharing its flora and fauna with Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park. The sanctuary has an area of 90 sq.km. Chinnar has the unique thorny scrub forest with Xerophytic vegetation . The undulating terrain with rocky patches manifolds the scenic splendor of the sanctuary. As the altitude varies from 500 to 2,400 m above sea level within a few kilometer radius, there is a drastic variation in the climate and vegetation.

This sanctuary has also rainfall ranging from 600 mm to 3000 mm and a dry season ranging from three to six months. Elephant, gaur, leopard, spotted deer, sambar, grizzled giant squirrel, hanuman languor ,long eared fish owl etc. inhabit the Chinnar forests. The grizzled Giant squirrel is an endangered species

Day 4 – Munnar – Periyar  ( 3.5Hours drive)

Today, you will be transferred to Periyar ,the famous wildlife destination of Kerala.Afternoon visit a Spice Farm and later shopping for spices. Overnight at Hotel.

Indian agriculture began by 9000 BC as a result of early cultivation of plants, and domestication of crops and animals. Settled life soon followed with implements and techniques being developed for agriculture. Plants and animals—considered essential to their survival by the Indians—came to be worshiped and venerated.

Indian spices include a variety of spices and herbs grown across the Indian subcontinent (South Asia). With different climates in different parts of the country, India produces a variety of spices, many of which are native to the Subcontinent, while others were imported from similar climates and have since been cultivated locally for centuries.Spices are typically heated in a pan with ghee or cooking oil before being added to a dish. Lighter spices are added last, and spices with strong flavor should be added first. Curry is not a spice, but a term which refers to any side dish in Indian cuisine. It could be with a gravy base or a dry item. A curry typically contains several spices blended together.

Periyar – Conjures up images of elephants, chains of hill and spice scented plantations. Here, in the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats you will see a lot of wildlife and observe the way of life of simple mountain people. Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.

Day 5  – Periyar

Early morning go for a boating or short trekking through the Periyar Tiger Sanctuary.Afterbreakfast,drive to Harvest Farms for a guided tour through an Organic fruit and veg farm along with a hatchery.Enjoy a traditional lunch prepared with homegrown products or locally sourced.Return to your hotel for overnight stay.

The Thekkady sanctuary is one of the best in the country for watching and photographing wildlife. A cruise through the waters of Periyar Lake around which the wildlife sanctuary is situated, offers lots of photo opportunities. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar remains the large herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake’s edge. Tigers are sighted when the forest water holes dry up and these animals come and drink water from the river.

Harvest Fresh Fam is a certified Organic farm located in the heart of beautiful Cumbum Valley in Tamilnadu State amidst cloud kissed mountains,bubbling streams and lush farmlands.You will stroll among pomegranade,papaya and mango orchards,watch the bees and its saplings,compostingmethods,livestock and herbal gardens.Climb the watch tower for a commanding view of the valley and to sum up with a sumptuous meal of local cuisine made from home grown or locally sourced ingredients.

Day 6  – Alleppey Houseboat-Marari beach

After an early breakfast,drive to Alleppey to board your exclusive Houseboat for a cruise through the backwater villages .You will  enjoy your fresh lunch on board. Explore the amazing backwater life of Kerala! After evening tea,check out and drive to Marari Beach to check into your resort on the beach.Overnight at Resort.

What is truly magical about a houseboat is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers. The houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen where are cooked on board and supplemented with fresh fish from the backwaters. Today, the tradition is still continued and the food from the local cuisine is served by the Kuttanad locals, on board. The name Backwaters brings you the very thought of Houseboats. Food and leisurely times spent on-board with the feeling and privacy of house as well as enjoying the natural beauty. A Cruise amidst marvelous mangrove forests, captivating coconut canopies, swaying palms, mangrove forests, pulsating paddy fields sprinkled with enchanting waterways and canals decked with white lilies, can be quite a rejuvenating experience for the weary traveler. Enjoying a cruise in these backwaters is not to be missed, as it leaves you feeling fully rejuvenated. The banks of these backwaters in Kerala are the most enchanting picnic spots. You get to experience the native way of living.The experience on the Houseboat is not the one to be explained by words.Its to be lived and evolved by yourself

Marari originates from “Mararikulam”, one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Completely new to the holiday maker. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm/and traditional Keralan Hospitality at it’s best. Marari Beach is an endless vista of sand and surf, but it is more. An authentic experience of the world of Kerala’s traditional fishing villages, and a recreation of an ancient, harmonious way of life. The village of Mararikulam lies on a forgotten shore, midway up the Malabar coast, where the Indian Ocean finally decides that it has now become the Arabian Sea.

Day 7 – Marari

Full day at the resort. Marari Beach is an endless vista of sand and surf, but it is more… An authentic experience of Kerala’s traditional fishing villages, and a re-creation of an ancient, harmonious way of life. You may opt to take an Ayurvedic Massage…Visit the fishermen villages..By evening it may interesting to visit the local temple to watch the local crowd coming for worship and socialisation.Overnight at Resort.

Day 8 – Marari Beach

Full day at leisure on the beach.Overnight at resort

Day 9 – Cochin Departure (2.5 Hours Drive)

Like all good things, your holiday experience comes to an end but you will always carry with you memories of this unique and unforgettable experience. Today, you will be assisted and transferred to Cochin International airport for your flight home!!

Hotels Opted:

Cochin:Le-meridian www.lemeridienkochi.com

Munnar: Camelot Resort www.camelotmunnar.com

Periyar: Spice Village www.cghearth.com

MarariBeach: Marari Beach Resort www.cghearth.com

Tour cost Includes:

• 08 Nights stay as above
• Daily breakfast at hotels
• Lunch cruise on houseboat
• Christmas Eve Dinner at Camelot Resort
• English speaking guides at Cochin & Munnar
• Greenix show at Cochin
• Full day guided trekking and sightseeing in Marayoor&Chinnar with farm lunch
• Tea Museum visit at Munnar
• Spice Farm visit in Periyar
• Boating/trekking in Periyar Sanctuary
• Guided organic farm visit with lunch at Harvest farms
• Bullock cart ride at Harvest Farms
• Aircon SUV for transfers and sightseeing
• All entrance fees
• All Taxes