Travel Packages: Grand South India Tour
- Visiting Places : Cochin - Kovalam - Kollam - Alleppey - Thekaddy - Munnar - Athirampilly - Valparai - Palakkad - Ooty - Mysore - Hassan - Halebid - Belur - Murudeshwar - Goa - Gokarna - Udupi - Neelishwaram - Wayanad - Calicut - Cherai
Day 1: Cochin
- Arrive at Cochin International Airport - you will be met by our representative who will introduce you to the driver. Relax for the day. Later this evening you will be taken to enjoy a performance of colorfully costumed Kathakali Dance Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2: Cochin
- This morning you will taken for a half-day tour of Cochin - visiting Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church & the famous Chinese Fishing Nets. The rest of the day will be at leisure or visit the Jew Town for your shopping. Overnight at hotel
Day 3: Cochin - Kovalam (4-5 hours)
- This morning after breakfast you will be driven to reach Kovalam - Beach destination of Kerala.
- Kovalam- one of India's internationally renowned beaches, in God's own country, Kerala. Kovalam, with its sheltered natural bay, azure blue waters and a sumptuous spread of green palm groves , is a tropical paradise. Sun bathing, Swimming, Ayurvedic Rejuvenation, Yoga and meditation, Herbal body toning massages, Special Cultural Programmes, Catamaran cruising; the possibilities are many and you could be as lazy or as active as you choose to be. Kovalam consists of three successive small crescent beaches; the southern most known as Lighthouse Beach, is where most of the visitors spend their time. The beach is bordered with low cost lodging houses and restaurants.
- No activity is scheduled today, since most of the International flights arrive into India close to midnight only. Overnight at hotel in Kovalam.
Day 4: Kovalam
- This morning you are collected from your hotel for a half day sightseeing of Trivandrum.
- This city tour of Trivandrum includes a visit to Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple - dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidan styles of architecture and is known for its mural paintings and stone carvings.
- Kuthirarnalika Palace Museum - built by the King of Travancore, who was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite woodcarvings and displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family. Napier Museum - built in the 19th century, the Indo - Saracenic structure boasts a "natural" air conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings.
- Afternoon back into your resort and relax or you can do your last minute packing.
- Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Kovalam - Kollam (2 hours)
- Today after breakfast you are driven to Kollam where you check in to the lake side resort to enjoy the calmness of Kollam backwaters. Also a traditional Ayurveda massage will rejuvenate you. Overnight in hotel
Day 6: Kollam - Alleppey (2 hours)
- Today you will be driven to reach the boarding point for the 'kettuvallam', Houseboats of Kerala.
- Enjoy a backwater cruise, lazing in the house boat as it meanders through the tranquil network of water canals, dotted with busy hamlets, lush green paddy fields. Formed by the 40 odd rivers that flow down to the Arabian Sea from the Cardamom Hills, this network of canals, lakes and estuaries comprises one of India's most enchanting areas - a rural, revering expanse of verdant coconut groves and rice paddies. The scene is idyllic and the mood - romantic and the experience unforgettable
- These converted rice barges or "Kettuvallams" sail along shallow, palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals where coconut and cashew is loaded onto dugouts. You pass villages built on narrow spits of land, stopping to visit local markets, or to marvel at craftsmen engaged in centuries-old boat-making tradition. The boats offer one or two cabins with a small sitting room and a crew of 2 staff and a chef. The food is authentic Kerala cuisine, purchased fresh along the way. For most of the journey, the boat is poled, sailing only between dawn and dusk. Overnight on the House Boat.
Day 7: Alleppey - Kumarakom (1 hour)
- This morning after disembarking from house boat you will be transferred to reach Kumarakom: The enchanting backwater destination of Kumarakom is a small village that is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerela. Kumarkom strengthens Kerala's reputation for being God's own country with its unbelievably beautiful mangrove forests, coconut groves and emerald green paddy fields interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lillies. It is part of the Kuttanad region, and the bird sanctuary here spread across 14 acres of any ornithologist's paradise. This enchanting backwater destination offers visitors many leisure options. From wandering into the depths of its wildlife sanctuary to cruising down the back waters and fishing, Kumarkom is perfect for a lazy and laid back holiday. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands, as hundreds of swaying verdant coconut palms lining the rivers lean to brush the tops of your heads. Kumarkom is an example of nature at her bountiful best in the fragrant flowers, the riot of multi coloured birds, the surrounding greenery and the clear waters.
- Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the Nature's beauty on your own.
- Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Kumarakom - Thekaddy/Periyar (3-4 hours)
- Today morning after breakfast you will driven to Thekaddy (170 k m/ 3 ½ hours) set in the green hills of spice plantations and home of the Periyar Wildlife Reserve - a sanctuary for a multitude of wild elephants bears, bison, deer, boar and the great Indian Tiger. You will arrive at the plantation retreat early in the afternoon. Thekaddy being the home of spice growers we have added a spice plantations tour that will give you a complete understanding of various spices.
Day 9: Thekaddy - Munnar (3 hours)
- This morning you will be driven to Munnar (110 KM / 3 hours) a hill station at a height of 1525 meters; Munnar offers a breathtaking view of the landscaped hills draped in folds of green carpet of tea gardens. Anamudi peak, the highest peak in South India is situated here. Munnar's serene atmosphere, silver streams and pleasant climate welcomes you to have a whiff of the cool mountain breeze. Rest of the day will be at leisure or you may explore the area by walk. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10: Munnar - Athirampilly (4-5 hours)
- Athirampilly is our next destination where you stay in the luxury resort situated by the waterfalls of Athirampilly. Relax and enjoy the evening. Overnight in resort.
Day 11: Athirampilly - Valparai (2-3 hours)
- This day after your breakfast you will be driven through the forest of Valparai - located above the 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Anamalai mountain range. It stands majestically with Green Spread Mountains and forest all around where some of the wild animals like lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri and the common langur, Malabar giant squirrel, elephant, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer. There are chances that you might come across of these animals during the course of your drive.
- Overnight stay in hotel/home stay
Day 12: Valparai - Cheruthuruthy (4 hours)
- After your leisurely breakfast you continue your drive to Cheruthurthy. Famous as the home of Kerala Kalamandalam the state's flagship training school for Kathakali and other indigenous Keralan performing arts. You can also sit in the class, watch demonstrations of mural paintings and visit exhibitions of costumes at a nominal entrance fee.
- Overnight in hotel.
Day 13: Cheruthuruthy - Ooty (4-5 hours)
- Ooty - The Queen of Hill Stations - our next destination is around 4 hours of drive from Cheruthuruthy. Ooty attracts the tourist by its charming flowers, lofty mountains, dense forest, acres and acres of tea estates are green feast for the eyes of the tourist.
- Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 14: Ooty - Mysore (4 hours)
- Today you will be driven to Mysore - a charming, old fashioned and undaunting town dominated by spectacular Maharaja's Palace around which the boulevards of the city radiates. Overnight in hotel
Day 15: Mysore - Hassan (3-4 hours)
- Today you will be driven to Hassan. Check in to the hotel and relax.
Day 16: Hassan - Belur - Halebid - Hassan
- Full day sightseeing of Belur & Halebid and back to Hassan. Overnight in hotel.
Day 17: Hassan - Murudeshwar (4-5 hours)
- To day after breakfast drive to Murudeswar. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 18: Murudeshwar - Goa (4-5 hours)
- Continue your drive to reach Goa. Check in to the beach side hotel and relax. Overnight in hotel.
Day 19: Goa
- Full day at leisure. Overnight in hotel.
Day 20: Goa
- Full day at leisure. Overnight in hotel.
Day 21: Goa
- Full day at leisure. Overnight in hotel.
Day 22: Goa - Gokarna (3-4 hours)
- This morning after breakfast to we continue our journey and drive towards south. Our stop is at Gokarna - south India's most important pilgrimage sites. Set behind a broad white sand beach, with the forest-covered foothills of the western Ghatsforming a blue-green backdrop. Shaven headed Brahmins sit cross legged on their verandas chanting Sanskrit vedic verses. Overnight in the beach side hotel.
Day 23: Gokarna - Udupi (5-6 hours)
- Gokarna to Udupi is 6 hour drive and this again a very important Pilgrimage sites of South India. Krishna Temple situated here is visited by thousands of pilgrims each year. Udupi is also a good place to break the journey along the coastal path. You can take a boat from Malpe beach to St. Mary''s Island, the deserted outcrop of hexagonal basalt where Vasco Da Gama erected a crucifix prior to his first landfall in India. Incidentally Udupi is also the birthplace of Masala Dosa; the crispy stuffed pancakes, made from fermented rice flour, were first prepared and made famous by the Udupi Brahmin hotels.
Day 24: Udupi - Neelishwaram (4 hours)
- Our next stop is Neelishawaram which is around 3 hrs drive from Udupi. Check in to the backwater resort and relax. Overnight stay in resort
Day 25: Neelishwaram - Wayanad (3 hours)
- After breakfast a drive of 3 hours will be bring you to Wayanad -
Day 26: Wayanad
- Sightseeing of Wayanad. Overnight in hotel.
Day 27: Wayanad - Calicut (3 hours)
- Wayanad to Calicut takes around 4 hours of drive. Check in to the luxury resort and relax.
Day 28: Calicut - Cherai (4 hours)
- Today morning you will be driven to reach the last destination of our great South India tour - Cherai. A beach destination situated near the Cochin International Airport. En-route you can visit the Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary in Guruvayur, where around 50 elephants aged between 8 to 95, live here, and cared for by their mahouts who wash and scrub them several times a week. Overnight in hotel
Day 29: Cherai
- Full day in Cherai. Overnight in hotel.
Day 30: Cherai - Cochin International Airport (45 minutes)
- Today you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport in time to connect for your flight.
