Kerala:

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 mts in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Asia. A long shoreline with serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations, exotic wildlife, waterfalls, sprawling plantations and paddy fields, Ayurveda health holidays, Enchanting art forms, Magical festivals, Historic cultural monuments, Exotic cuisine… All of which offer you a unique experience. And what’s more, every one of these charming destinations is only a few hour drive from the other. 

Tour Schedule Summary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrive Cochin – Sightseeing – Kathakali show 

Arrive at Cochin airport, You will be met at by a Lotus Travel Facilitator and ushered to a chauffeur driven vehicle. You are then driven to your hotel which is about 90 Minutes’ drive, where you are assisted with your check-in. The tour designed for you will be briefly reviewed and you are presented with your welcome package including your travel documents. Lunch at hotel

Afternoon explore the fascinating port city of Cochin and marvel in its culture and architecture, a result of centuries of various European influences combined with rich indigenous history. The tour begins from the visit of Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Fridays and Saturdays), which was built in 1568 and is still an active house of worship for the few remaining Jews in the area. Next to the synagogue is Cochin’s ancient and colorful Jew Street with its antique stores and souvenir peddlers. There is evidence of a Jewish presence in Kochi from 70 A.D. After the synagogue you visit the St. Francis Church, which was established by the Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1503. This is one of the first European churches built in India, and the famed Vasco Da Gama was buried in its courtyard for a few years before his remains were returned to Portugal. You now visit the most photogenic of Cochin’s attractions, the Chinese fishing nets. Folklore will have it that these enormous nets (or at least their design) were brought here by famed Chinese Explorer Zhang He about 600 years ago 

Kathakali – Evening – drive to nearby local theater where you get to experience Kerala’s ancient performing art, a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali literally means the art of storytelling through dance and the dance form is an ancient forefather of many Asian dance forms. After the show drive back to the hotel.

Overnight stay at Cochin

Day 2:  Kumbalangi Village visit with Lunch 

After Breakfast proceed for a day excursion to Kumbalangi to Explore Village Life. Kumbalangi – a lush green village of Cochin –a village declared as the first model fisheries and tourism village of India –a village with its own tradition and culture- a village unique in the way it has maintained its serenity, beauty, tradition, and culture to the fullest extent with most of the villagers over here engaged in agriculture and fishing. you will see the inhabitants engaged in various activities such as crab catching, fish flipping, subject to tidal conditions, toddy tapping, clam processing, coir processing, mat making, oola madayal and net making.  Cooking demonstration followed by the lunch in banana leaf. Continue activities in village till evening and You will drive back to Kochi through the scenic countryside with backwaters and fish farms on both sides of the road.

Overnight Stay at Cochin

Day 3: Cochin – Wayanad 

Morning, drive to Ernakulam Railway station, board 0750 Hrs train to Calicut (ERNAD EXPRESS (16606). Class: Ac Chair car 

Arrive Calicut at 1230 Hrs and enjoy the fascinating drive through the Western Ghats as you head for Wayanad. This is one of the most beautiful drives in all South India.  Arrive at Wayanad and check-in to your scenic nature resort. Wayanad, the green paradise is nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, forming the border world of the greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting, and hypnotizing, this land is filled with history and culture. This verdant hill station is full of plantations, forests, and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the wildlife to move about in their most natural abode. The misty environs of Wayanad offer a wide range of trekking opportunities, plantation visits and wildlife tours.

Overnight Stay at Wayanad

Day 4: Visit to Priyadarshini Tea Estate 

After Breakfast, proceed to visit Priyadarshni tea estate.

Priyadarshini Tea Estate is a co-operative society that was formed in 1984 for the rehabilitation of the bonded tribal people, particularly from the Paniyar tribe, of Wayanad district. Around 400 tribal people were rehabilitated here from different parts of the district. The tea factory which manufactures CTC tea was established in 1993 with a production capacity of seven lakh kilograms per year. The factory had shut down due to financial reasons in 2005 but from 2007 after a new management had taken over, the output had increased and now it can be considered one of the best tea estates in Wayanad. Priyadarshini Tea Estate also has pride of being the second largest tribal resettlement project in Asia. Apart from manufacturing tea, the Estate is also venturing into tourism by inviting guests to stay at the guest houses in the estate. The factory also boasts of a tea museum which provides interesting facts on the history of tea globally and in India.

Overnight Stay at Wayanad

Day 5: Visit to Chekadi Tribal Village  

Morning visit to Chekadi Tribal village

Program Schedule

900 Am Arrival at pakkam bus stop. Traditional welcome by tribals. Visit keni well maintained by Mullakuruma tribal community and divapura (temple of Mullakuruma community) if they permit,

1000 Am Proceed to kuruva by autoriksha for natural walk 

1130 Am Proceeded to kabani river for experiencing crab fishing by tribals 

0100 Pm Refreshment break 

0130 Pm Lunch  

0230 Pm Tribel settlement visit and interaction 

0430 Pm Tea break and 

0600 Pm Cultural program by Adiya tribal called Gadhika. 

0700 Pm Back to hotel

Overnight Stay at Wayanad

Day 6 – Day visit to Nagarhole national park and Safari

Today visit the Nagarhole National Park and enjoy the safari in the park. 

Nagarhole national park, located on the banks of the picturesque Kabini River, Nagarhole is one of India’s premier wildlife parks and safaris into the park are always rewarding. Spread over 643 sq. kilometers, elevations of this lush jungle range from 2250 feet to over 3100 feet. There is a large elephant population and multiple sightings are common. The park also offers South India’s best chance of tiger and leopard sightings, as well as the third predator that thrives in the park, the wild dog. The most common prey for these predators, deer (spotted deer, sambar, four horned antelope, and barking deer) are obviously found in large numbers. Crocodiles are fairly easy to spot, as are wild boar. Jackals, sloth bears, striped hyenas and the grey mongoose can sometimes be spotted. There are over 270 species of birds in the park, including rare eagles such as the greater spotted eagle. After the safari drive back to the hotel.

Overnight Stay at Wayanad

Day 7: Calicut – Kottayam (By Train) – Kumarakom

Early morning, drive to Calicut railway station and board 0840 Hrs train to Kottayam. (PARASURAM EXP 16649) –Arrive at Kottayam railway station at 1500 Hrs and drive to Kumarakom.

Class: Ac Chair car 

Kumarakom lies on the banks of the beautiful Vembanad Lake. It is an enchanting picnic spot and provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The slender coconut palms, paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters are the central attractions. On arrival check into backwater facing resort. You are at Leisure reminder of the day. In your surroundings you can enjoy the local life and beauty that is spread as far as your eyes can search for. On arrival check in to your resort. 

Overnight Stay at Kumarakom

Day 8: Alleppey Houseboat cruise  

Morning check out from your hotel and drive to Alleppey and board your houseboat for an Overnight cruise

Take our word for this, your backwaters cruise will very likely become one of your most treasured travel memories. The incredible lushness of the vegetation around the freshwater canals, rivulets and lakes, the beauty of the water bodies themselves and the abundance of coconut trees and other exotic plants create a subtropical environment not found elsewhere on this planet. When you combine this with the opportunity to be part of a unique way of life that hasn’t changed much for a few centuries, it results in most visitors’ second highest rated experience in India (after the Taj Mahal). Relax and have a great time until the next morning as you cruise the amazing backwaters. The cook and other staff make sure that all your needs are taken care of, while serving you with delicious Kerala cuisine. You have the option of taking shore excursions at one of the tiny rural communities as you cruise by – the locals are very friendly and communicative.

Overnight Stay at Alleppey Houseboat 

Day 9: Alleppey – Kovalam   

After breakfast drive to Kovalam. On arrival check in at your beach resort. Evening you are at Leisure.

Overnight Stay at Kovalam 

Day 10 – 11: Kovalam

Continue your stay at Kovalam 

Day free for leisure at your beach resort to experience yoga and meditation. The only service provided by us is your accommodation with breakfast and dinner.

Day 12: Kovalam

Morning after breakfast check out from your resort and transfer to Kovalam 

*** END OF TOUR ***

Hotels Envisaged

Includes

• Accommodation in double sharing rooms as per the Itinerary  
• Meal Plan on Half board ( Breakfast and dinner ) as per the Itinerary . Houseboat All meals 
• Monument Entrance fee
• Train tickets from Cochin to Calicut and Calicut to Kottayam . Class : Ac Chair car
• Local English speaking guises at Cochin and Wayanad
• Activity Charges as per the Itinerary 
• Theatre Shows (Kathakali )
• Air-conditioned Mini Van for all transfers and sightseeing as per Itinerary
• All Govt. Taxes currently applicable. 
• Bottled water in the van all days

Excludes

• • Any service not specifically mentioned in the inclusions.  
  • Personal expenses such as tipping, laundry, room service, shopping, telephone calls, etc.  
  • Video Camera/Still Camera fees wherever applicable as per actual.  
  • Electronic Travel Authorization fee for Visas upon arrival 
• Early check-in and late check-out at hotels

Be Rest Assured!!