Arrive in Kochi. Meet & greet our representative at the airport. Transfer to hotel. Kochi, A port town in the early centuries, attracted traders and invaders from all over the world. Kochi offers some fascinating snippets of history and culture. Also, it is known as the spice coast of India.

In the afternoon, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Kochi that includes a visit to The Hill Palace Museum, a fully-fledged archeological museum, and Kerala’s first-ever Heritage Museum are the main attractions (It remains closed on Mondays). Chinese Fishing Nets, this unique style of huge cantilevered fishing nets, was erected between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders from the Court of Kubla Khan, a Chinese King. Santa Cruz Basilica, this historic church was built by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. Pope John Paul II proclaimed the Church a Basilica in 1984. The Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, is the oldest Synagogue in the Commonwealth (closed on Saturdays & Jewish Holidays). The area around the Synagogue, called Jew Town, is the center for Spice & Handicraft shops. Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), was built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Regent of Kochi (closed on Fridays).

Return to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for shopping at Ernakulam. In the evening, witness Kathakali, the famous dance drama of Kerala. This dance is characterized by some great storytelling, amazing costumes, and extensive make-up. Start early to see the artists preparing themselves for the show (5 PM). Watch in detail the ritual worth seeing hour long process of make-up as part of our daily Kathakali performance. After the Performance, you will have a unique opportunity to take photographs along with the artists in colorful costumes as a souvenir. The entire performance will be supported with commentary in English.

Night stay in Kochi.

In the morning, drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper, and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar. Arrive in Periyar and transfer to the hotel.

Periyar is an area known for its undulating hills, spice plantations, and elephant sightings. One of the 27 tiger reserves in India, the Periyar Valley in Thekkady is the oldest one. Check into your hotel. Either have the rest of the day at leisure or go on a spice plantation tour where you will be enticed by not only the aroma of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, and nutmeg but will also get to know how they are grown, harvested and processed before they reach the supermarkets. In the evening, you could go for a boat ride on Lake Periyar for a golden opportunity to see elephants and other animals.

Night stay in Periyar.

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Munnar, the famous hill station of Kerala. Munnar is a hill station located 1600 meters above the sea level. Once the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in South India it still retains its colonial charm and is famous for its tea plantations, most of which are privately owned. With its sprawling estates, rolling hills, sparkling waterfalls, picture postcard hamlets, and undulating valleys, Munnar is an ideal getaway destination. The day is free to relax and to walk around.

Night stay in Munnar.

Meal: Breakfast

In the afternoon, a sightseeing tour of Munnar tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers, lust green hills, a place so difficult to describe, a very low population too far from pollution, most of it covered by Tata tea. Also, the Raja Malai, a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats), Mattupetty Dam, Indo Swiss project; you can also enjoy boating in the Lake (optional).

Night stay in Munnar.

Meal: Breakfast

In the morning, drive to Kumarakom near Kottayam and stay in one of the backwater resorts. The panoramic backwaters here offer an ideal retreat to enjoy nature at its best. Kumarakom is a bird sanctuary located on the banks of the backwaters and renowned for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as Waterfowls, Cuckoos, and Owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here. Day excursion to the bird sanctuary and optional boat ride to the nearby village through lagoons.

Night stay at Kumarakom.

Meal: Breakfast | Dinner

In the morning, drive a short distance before switching over to a boat through many canals and waterways up to Alleppey. On Arrival, embark on your private houseboat and cruise on the Backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes, and coves. Your houseboats or ‘Kettuvallams’ are luxurious boats with well-appointed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the palm-fringed landscape from your cabins. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings, it’s the life along the coast that adds a touch of exotica to this experience. The locals travel in canoes and you will find vegetable sellers, fishermen, and other traders bringing household goods door to door in small wooden boats. As you cruise along the backwaters you can ask your captain to stop at villages, paddy fields, and other places, en route.

Overnight on board. (Full Board).

Meal: Breakfast

In the morning, drive to Kovalam & transfer to the hotel. The international beach Resort is full of Coconut trees. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach in Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs, Catamaran cruising, etc. In the evening, enjoy beach hopping.

Night stay in Kovalam.

Meal: Breakfast

In the morning, drive to Trivandrum- the gateway to one of the most beautiful states in Kerala. The city presides over one of the most scenic states, stretching along the Southern Coast of the country, with the backwaters of the Arabian Sea reaching deep into the verdant countryside, Kerala affords a fascinating experience. In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Trivandrum and visit the ancient temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy, which is one of the major attractions in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Napier Museum was built in 1880 and shows a harmonious blending of Kerala, Mughal, Chinese, and Italian architectural styles. Sri Chitra Art Gallery has a good collection of Tanjore, Mughal, and Rajput schools of art. The Zoo in Thiruvananthapuram has many shady and delightful walks. Later, back to Kovalam.

Night stay in Kovalam.

Meal: Breakfast

Transfer to Trivandrum airport to board the onward flight.