Day 01 – Cochin

On arrival at Cochin Airport, you will be met & transferred to your hotel. Day free to relax. Evening, enjoy Greenix Show which is a kaleidoscope of Indian classical art forms and martial arts. 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.

Day 02 – Cochin

After breakfast,drive to Poothotta Island village for village canoe cruise followed by village visit and lunch at a farm house. Afternoon return to Cochin for a guided city tour of Cochin. Overnight at hotel.

Village backwater Cruise – A journey in a country boat into the pristine purity of a typical village backwater of Kerala…. goes through the zigzagging narrow canals and paddy fields fringed with coconut palms… watch rare birds… country boat making… a natural fish farm where you can go fishing…. You will witness coir making, toddy tapping before you end up your exclusive experience in our Farm House for lunch – a delicious traditional Kerala dish under a tree… While scrolling through this amazing village, you will watch the common life of the villagers for their livelihood. You will see them fishing in the river, the women do the coir making,a toddy tapper who does his job as a routine,men climbing the coconut trees to pluck the coconuts, later peeling the same to prepare to dry and make oil extraction possible. Its all about a life experience which you will cherish throughout your life.

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 03 -Cochin – Munnar

Morning, after breakfast, proceed to Munnar, known as nature lover’s paradise (04 Hours). You will drive through Midland crops like Rubber, arecnut, pineappleetc. Afternoongo for a guided Nature History Trail. 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.

Munnar History Trail is a soft hiking programme highlighting the following:

1.  Head works dam- the first hydro –electric project in Kerala built during the British period. The trail leading to the next destination from this point is passing through tea garden and lake side which gives a fine birding walk.
2. The Blossoms Park – The Blossom park is attached to the Head works dam. The tunnel from the dam to the power house is located in the park. Plenty of exotic trees and plants from British period can be seen in this park.
3. High range club – It is a club of plantation managers constituted during the British period. An old golf course is also located in this club.
4. Heather cottage – built and found during the British period , this is the first of its kind in Kerala. The founders practiced worshiped Anti-Christ.
5. Old hanging bridge – connecting the Old Munnar market with Club road.
6. The CSI church- Built during the British period where early planters were buried. It was built in memory of Eleanor Isabel – young wife of a planter died after 7 days of Marriage.
7. Munnar Market- a beautiful vegetable and provision market.
8. Fusion Hill- where a mosque, church and temple are located face to face. It is the place which is mentioned in ‘Life of Pi’-

Day 04: Munnar

Full day guided Tea Trail experience. You will be driven to a Tea Plantation to go with the workers to pluck the tea leaves and you will go through the whole process of making tea. In between our Naturalist will give you short Nature walks. Linch will be served at the Estate Bungalow. Finally you will taste your own tea and will take home one kilo of Tea as memory of your day experience. Overnight at the Hotel.

Munnar – perched on the roof of Western Ghats is explored by John Monroe in 1877 during a land survey of Travancore High range for British India. Later two Scottish men Henry & William Turner pioneered plantations in Munnar under a concession from the then King of High Range. They constituted ‘North Travancore Land Planting & Agricultural Society’ in 1879. There begins the age of Plantations in South Western Ghats. The first plantations were Cinchona, Coffee, Cardamom and Sessile . Later BaronAto Von Rosenberg, a German planter joined them and constituted United Planters Association of South India (UPASI). In 1895 Finley Company reorganized all plantations and constituted all under their management agent ‘The Kannan Devan Hills Producers Company’. In 1973 , after FERA(Foreign Exchange Regulation Act) came into existence, the Finley company lost its holdings and a new company constituted under their then management company Tata Tea. Thus Tata Finely born. In 1983 Tata took over the complete plantations from the Finely and now its Tata Tea.

Tea history Trail – ‘From Plant to Packet’

An Study tour through the rolling hills of tea garden experiencing Tea from plant to packet. A full day exploration by walk, interaction and

participation with planters, and workers . The day start with early morning ride from your hotel to a private tea plantation . The plantation is more than hundred years old and located in the foothill of Aanamudi-the highest peak in South India. The geographic feature of the area offers excellent scenic wonders including sighting of wildlife. The tour start with a walk through the garden with tea pickers. Our guide – a tea expert – will explain the method and norms of picking . You can join them and start picking tea leaves. Your collection will be taken to a mini factory separately. Mean time you can interact with the workers and supervisor. After a tea break you will be invited to visit their factory. There you can experience all levels of processing and production. Then it is the time for you to make your own tea with the leaves you collected in the morning. You can do all processes in the mini factory with the help of workers.

Your lunch will be arranged in the Colonial Bungalow once used by British Planters. After the lunch a guided walk through the garden in the forest fringe to watch nature, wildlife and birds. Return to the factory by the time of ‘Tea Tasting’. Mean time your own tea, which is picked and processed by you will be ready for packing. After a tea and snack return to your hotel.

The package includes

1. All activities mentioned such as
   • Plantation walks
   • Tea picking
   • Interaction with workers
   • Tea processing experience
   • Tea factory visit
   • Nature walks
2. Lunch at the British Bungalow
3. Tea and snacks
4. One kilo of tea dust
5. Entry fees
6. Camera fees etc

Day 05 –Munnar- Kumarakom (5 Hours)

After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom, which is famous for its backwater & scenic beauty, sprinkled with traditional houseboats, country crafts, rural lifestyles and Tranquility. Also you go for a village walk through the nearby villages. Overnight at the Resort.

The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration for your vocation and life. And that is the pristine beauty of Kumarakom.

Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake and a picturesque, clean village like most places in Kerala. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres, the bird sanctuary is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

Day 06 – Kumarakom-Houseboat-Marari Beach

Enjoy your breakfast at the resort. Later check out and drive to Alleppey to board your exclusive Houseboat for a cruise through the Vembanad Lake. Your lunch will be cooked and served on board. After evening tea and snacks, check out and drive to MarariBeach. night’s stay. Overnight at Marari Beach.

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 rejenuvated. 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.

Day 07: Marari

Day free to enjoy the beach activities. Later you will have a session of a rejuvenating Ayurvedic Massage. Overnight at MarariBeach .

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 08: Marari

Day free to enjoy the beach activities. You will have another session of Ayurvedic massage. Overnight at Marari Beach .

Marwari Beach is considered to be the most private and serene beach on the shoreline of Kerala. The friendly villages around and the rich life make things more vibrant for a traveler. Marari Beach is always a favourite destination for travelers who like to be on leisure and just doing nothing becomes a habit here. One can walk around the villages, join the fishermen in their fishing habitats.. Its all interesting and full of life.Excellent options for Ayurveda also makes this destination favourite of many.And beyond is a milk-and-azure ocean, fringed by a beach more ochre than yellow, a sand-meets-sea combination you’re not likely to find anywhere else. And the alluring sea food cuisine also tempts one to be back.

Day 09: Marari

Day free to enjoy the beach activities. You will have the final session of Ayurvedic massage. Overnight at Marari Beach .

Day 10: Cochin-Departure (2 Hours Drive)

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