TravelEscapades
BY MOUNTAIN TRAIL HOLIDAYS PVT LTD
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
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. From Kochi we move to the serene beaches of Nileshwar, located up North Kerala, for six days. Also known as Nileshwaram is the cultural capital of Kasargod district, having a rich cultural heritage with folk arts, temple festivals and sacred groves. Very famous for its pristine beaches
ITINERARY DETAILS
Day 1-Stay at Fort Kochi – Meal included - Dinner
Arrival at Kochi International airport and get transferred to 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 2Hrs 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. Rest of the day at leisure.
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 Fort Kochi – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
The first half is relaxed. You may like to walk around the colonial streets of Fort Kochi. 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.
Day5-Stay at Nileshwar – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
We get transferred by road to board an early morning train from Ernakulam junction which starts at about 06:30am which means we leave the hotel latest by 05:00am. The train reaches Kannur railway station at about 12:40pm from where we get transferred by road (2hrs) to a beach resort at Nileshwar. Day is at leisure to pure relaxation begins.
Day 6 to Day 7 Stay at Nileshwar – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner.
We keep this portion of the trip open as the primary purpose is relaxation. We can discuss with you and arrange the excursions in advance as found viable. It’s time to just chill, enjoy some yoga and meditation, get pampered with Kerala special ayurveda massages, visit the pepper plantations, head out for village and nature treks, go for backwater cruises on houseboats and Shikaras, swim in the Arabian Sea or use the resorts swimming pool. If it’s the right time of the year, enjoy some local festivals like the famous Theyyam which is a religious and ritualistic dance and drama. Nileshwar is one of the most serene, clean and peaceful beaches of Kerala.
Day 11- Overnight train – Meal included – Breakfast
Post an early lunch we leave for the Kannur railway station by road (2hrs) to board an overnight train for Bangalore.
Day 12 - Stay at Bangalore - Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
Have a relaxing last night’s stay at a luxury, five star hotel. You may want to enjoy the swimming pool, spa facilities, food and beverages and get ready to board the flight back home tomorrow.
Day 12 - Departure – Tour ends - Meal included – Breakfast
Post breakfast get transferred to the international airport to board flight for onward journey
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
Neeleshwar
State: Kerala
Also known as Nileshwaram is the cultural capital of Kasargod district, having a rich cultural heritage with folk arts, temple festivals and sacred groves. Very famous for its pristine beaches and lush green backwaters. The local people are very fond of celebrating festivals with a lot of dance and drama and if your timing is right you could experience the festivals, Theyyam being the most celebrated. At Nileshwar one can also enjoy yoga, ayurveda massages, nature trek, village visits, Houseboat lunch cruise and of course, complete relaxation on the sun kissed, golden sandy beaches.
Weather: Winters stretch from December to February. During January & February Nileshwar receives least amount of rainfall. November to mid-March the temperature range is 21-32 DegC. Summers are hot and humid stretching from mid-March until May post which the monsoons arrive and the heavy rains come in from June up till September.
Closest Airport: Mangalore (97Kms)
Railway Station: Nileshwar railway station but major train connections are from Kannur (62Kms), Kanhangad (11Kms) and Mangalore (85Kms).
Best time to visit: December to February
Language: Malayalam and basic English as the literacy rate is good.
Population: 55,000
Altitude: 12 Mtrs ASL.