TravelEscapades
BY MOUNTAIN TRAIL HOLIDAYS PVT LTD
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Arrive at Kochi airport and get transferred by road to Fort Kochi which is about 1.5 Hrs drive under normal conditions. There aren’t many cities or towns in India which will take you back into time like Fort Kochi would. As far back as 1500s when explorers like the famed Vasco Da Gama set foot on the Malabar coast. After Fort Kochi we travel to the serene back waters of Kumarakom which is just an 1Hr 30Mins. drive and stay at a back water resort. Experience the addictive charm and calm of the Kerala Back waters. After a nice relaxing break on the back waters you then travel to Thekkady / Periyar for some wildlife experience. Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife reserve spread over 770 sq kms of thick forest, which includes a 26 sq.km man-made lake built during the British Raj. After the Thekkady / Periyar you head to Munnar. At about 5200 feet above sea level this green, nature filled hill station is famous for sprawling tea estates and the winding drives around them
ITINERARY DETAILS
Day 1- Stay at Fort Kochi – Meal included - Dinner
Arrival at Kochi International airport and get transferred to the hotel at Fort Kochi. This should be a relaxing day with some neighbourhood exploration on foot.
Day2 – Stay at Fort Kochi – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
Post breakfast we take you for a guided walking tour. This is a 2 Hrs walk which starts with the guide introducing you to Fort Kochi’s history and then walking you around the fish market at the water front where you also see the Chinese fishing nets and some street shops followed by the Dutch cemetery, St Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. Feel free to ask questions as the guide will be happy to oblige. Post lunch we take you to the Jain Temple and after that to enjoy Kalaripayattu – The Kerala Martial Arts and the Kathakali dance shows. Return to hotel around sunset.
Day3-Stay at Fort Kochi – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast you have a guided tour of the Jew town Street famous for antique shops and old Jew houses, the spice street, the Jews Synagogue, the Mattancherry palace also known as the Dutch Palace. Return back to hotel for lunch and there’s time for some relaxation before we leave for a sunset cruise on the Arabian waters at about 5pm. Back at hotel after the cruise.
Day4-Stay at Kumarakom – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
A comfortable departure post breakfast we drive you to Kumarakom (1.5Hrs). Check-in at a back water resort. Day at leisure. Maybe book an Ayurveda massage and spend the rest of the day relaxing.
Day5- Stay at Kumarakom – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast at the resort we will head out to enjoy a Houseboat ride with lunch. We travel by road, about 30-40 mins drive to board onto a houseboat. You float along the palm frilled water-ways, experiencing the local village life, paddy fields, coconut groves, water lilies, rustic homes, coir villages, villagers fishing in the back waters, the bird life. It is quite an experience. Return to the resort before sunset. As this would use up nearly the whole day, there would not be any other plan for today.
Day6-Stay at Kumarakom – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner.
A day at leisure. You could choose to do what you feel like. Relaxing is highly recommended with an ayurvedic massage or two to compliment the mood.
Day7- Stay at Munnar – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner.
After breakfast we drive to Munnar. A scenic road trip up to the hills (5Hrs). If time permits you could opt to enjoy some excursion or activities today. Like walking around the tea estates, go for a nature trek, hire bicycles to explore around, go for elephant rides.
Day8- Stay at Munnar – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner.
After breakfast proceed for a full day sightseeing tour covering the Eravikulam National Park, Echo Point and Mattupetty Dam. Later go for an optional boat ride at Mattupetty Dam. Evening shopping at Munnar town.
Day9- Stay at Munnar – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner.
Day at leisure. Feel free to enjoy it the way you want before we head out tomorrow.
Day 10- Stay at Kochi – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner.
Comfortable departure post breakfast for a 3 hr road journey to reach Kochi. You stay in a luxury hotel near the Kochi airport.
Day 11- Departure – Meal Included - Breakfast
Tour Ends
KNOW MORE
Fort Kochi
State: Kerala
There aren’t many cities or towns in India which will take you back into time like Fort Kochi would. As far back as 1500s when explorers like the famed Vasco Da Gama set foot on the Malabar coast. Packed with the old world colonial charm, this peaceful little seaside town was a fishing village which became the first European township in India known for spice trade. Experience Portugese and Dutch architecture, witness the Chinese fishing nets in action, visit several synagogues and churches, the Dutch palace, walk down the Jew town street, Mattancherry and the local spice market, visit art galleries, go for a sunset cruise, eat out at some interesting cafes, local sea food restaurants, enjoy the Kathakali dance and Kalaripayattu martial arts performances. Fort Kochi is the kind of place where you just float around and soak in the heritage, culture and the colonial past.
Weather: Winters stretch from November to February with a temperature range of 20 – 32 Deg C. Summers start in March and go up till June with a high of 33 DegC. Monsoons which are quite heavy come in July and stay until September.
Closest Airport: Kochi international airport (42Kms)
Railway Station: Nearest Ernakulam South which is approx. 12 Kms away but you can also use the Ernakulam Town station which is 16 Kms away.
Best time to visit: November to February
Language: Malayalam and basic English as the literacy rate is very high and it’s a tourism destination.
Population: Although Kochi city has a population of approx.. 3 million but the For Kochi area is not very densely populated.
Altitude: Sea level
Kumarakom
State: Kerala
Serene back waters of Kumarakom. Experience the addictive charm and calm of the Kerala Back waters. On the Vembanad lake which is the largest in Kerala, Kumarakom is a cluster of small islands which also is home to a rich bird sanctuary. Unrushed vibes of Kumarakom life are infectious. We will arrange a night’s stay on a Houseboat which will make you experience the Kerala back waters through it’s less crowded canals
Weather: Summer extends from March to June with Max day temperatures at 38 DegC and minimum night temperature at 24 DegC. July – September is Monsoons with heavy rains. Winters starts in November and last until Mid February with days peaking at 28 DegC and the nights cooling down to 18DegC.
Closest Airport: Kochi international airport (80 Kms.)
Railway Station: Kottayam railway station (15kms. Approx.)
Best time to visit: October to February.
Language: Malayalam is the official but basic English is also spoken as the literacy rate is high and it’s a tourism destination
Munnar
State: Kerala
Munnar at about 5200 feet above sea level is a green, nature filled hill station, famous for sprawling tea estates and the winding drives around them. In the colonial days Munnar was a summer escape for the British. Having a wildlife sanctuary around and so much forest this serene hill station is rich in flora and fauna. Enjoy the mist, the valleys, the streams, the waterfalls, the trekking, shopping for tea, spices and there’s more. This is the most you could ask from one destination. We stay here for three nights before we head back to Kochi for the last night.
Weather: Summers extend from March until May with highs of 35 DegC and lows of 19 DegC. October ranges between 15-20 DegC. November onwards it drops down further to about 12 DegC. December & January gets even cooler and ranges between 10-15 DegC. During December & January Munnar can even dip closer to zero. Monsoons at Munnar, June to September, receives moderate to heavy rainfall with highs hovering around 20 DegC.
Closest Airport: Kochi
Railway Station: You have three options - Aluva (110 Kms), Ernakulam (130Kms) and Madurai (135Kms).
Best time to visit: September to March
Language: Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi & basic English as the literacy rate is very high and it’s a tourism destination.
Population: 40,000-50,000 approx.
Altitude: 1600-1800 Mtrs ASL