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Kerala Lagoon to Hill | 10N

Cochin-Backwater- Periyar – Madurai – Dindigul – Palani – Kodaikanal – Munnar – Cochin – Onward
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Tour Overview

The coastal fringe of Kerala reveals the charm and softness of South India in its lagoons, rice fields, coconut forests, and lush mountains. Slip along the canals in the heart of this state blessed by nature and the gods to visit temples nestled in the hills, to marvel at natural splendor, to walk along fragrant paths.

Tour Highlights

  • Traditional Indian Welcome
  • Enjoy the old town and Dutch Architecture of Cochin
  • Attend the performance of the Kathakali
  • Life time experience to stay in Kettuvalam air condition House Boat
  • Enjoy the safari cruise in Periyar
  • Enjoy and watch the martial art
  • Visit to Nectar City of Madurai
  • Visit to Meenakshi temple and Tirumal Nayak's Palace
  • Enjoy the Tuk Tuk ride passes through the Market and see aarti ceremony
  • Visit to UNESCO world heritage Granite fort.
  • Stroll through the old town and then set up at the Cardamom house
  • Explore the banana plantations and coconut palms
  • Visit the nearby village of Athoor 
  • Walk through the Kundala tea plantations
  • Visit to spice and tea plantations
  • Visit to old town Mattanchery

Day 01   Arrival at Cochin

You arrive at Cochin Airport, meet and greet transfer to hotel.

Kochi is the only place in the country where you can see Portuguese Churches, a Jewish Synagogue, Hindu Temples, and Dutch Architecture& Mosque nearly side by Side. Today visit to old spice market at Mattancherry, the antique shops on Jew’s street, The Synagogue, The Dutch palace and of course St. Francis Church . This evening a memorable experience in any journey in Kerala is a Boat Trip along the Palm Fringed Lakes & Backwaters of the Area, as we sail along the shady canals we see cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. Later we attend the performance of the Kathakali, one of India's most famous Classical dances. Overnight stay Cochin

Day 02 Cochin – Alapuzzha 53 kms / 1h 30m

After breakfast transfer to Alleppey to meet your way own floating hotel in the famous backwaters. Kettuvalam (An Authentic Kerala Houseboat) - the moving masterpiece, have been plying the inland waterways of southwest India for untold centuries and originally used as cargo rice boats. The fully furnished and palm covered boats (single & double) bedrooms with attached bath, sit out, kitchen and living room made of traditional wood. Traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian Kerala cuisines are served. A journey through the backwaters of Kerala which offer one of the world’s truly unforgettable experiences, myriad network of silent lagoons, freshwater river, and hyacinth covered canals that wind their way through colorful corridors of forests, palms and fruit trees. A canoe expedition via an intricate network of canals, through backwater villages where daily continues unaltered, as it has for centuries. You will see lush palm groves and stretches of rice fields. Overnight stay in air condition House Boat.

Day 03 Alleppey – Periyar 128 kms / 3h 40m

Drive to a tranquil hill retreat of Periyar upon arrival check in hotel. Evening enjoy Safari Cruise with best trained guide in Periyar Game Sanctuary– the best way to see & enjoy the Wildlife Activities, Cruise in the Periyar Lake in the cool surroundings and the panorama spreads around tropical jungles, Wild elephants & birds of myriad varieties. With an area of 777 sq kms in the hills of Western Ghats amongst the animals are wild elephants which can be seen and photographed at close quarter’s wild boar, Sambar, Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog and langur monkey. Evening watch the martial art and Overnight stay

Day 04 Periyar – Madurai 150 kms / 3h 20m

Morning visit the national park. For walkers, hike 2h30 in the tall grassvisits of the spice plantations. Boat trip on the Periyar laketo be reserved on the spot according to the conditions. Later drive to Nectar City of Madurai - is a colorful city to see its moods walk around the streets. The main city area revolves around Meenakshi temple, with its baroque example of Dravidian architecture& the four tall Gopuram (Pillars) with multi colored Gods, Goddess, Demons & deities. Madurai is surrounded by Coconut Grooves & Rice Paddies.

Day 05 Madurai

After breakfast we visit to Meenakshi temple where Dravidian Temple architecture may be seen in its exuberant baroque phase. Its hall of thousand pillars is fabulous & is filled with worshippers at all hours of the day. Also visit the Tirumal Nayak's Palace founded in 1636, which is in a highly decorative monument. In the evening take Tuk Tuk (auto rickshaw) ride passes to through the market to Meenakshi temple to see the aarti ceremony. Overnight stay

Day 06 Madurai –Dindigul 64 kms / 1h 15m

After breakfast drive to Dindigul and visit the massive UNESCO world heritage Granite fort. Stroll through the old town and then set up at the Cardamom House,located around pretty remote area at the foothills of the Western Ghats Mountains,a charming six-bedroom mansion run by an Englishman by a lake and close to a village. Here you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in rural life and enjoy a beautiful natural setting.Overnight stay

Day 07 Dindigul

A day spent exploring the countryside, many of which are on foot: a walk along the Kamara jar lake where you can see many birds, banana plantations and coconut palms, You can spend visit locally, visit the nearby village of Athoor , the temple of Sadayani and the one of the Seven Sisters. Overnight stay

Day 08 Dindigul – Palani – Kodaikanal 124 kms / 3h 15m

After breakfast drive to Kodaikanal en route visit to Palani is a high place of pilgrimage. It is with thousands of pilgrims that you can climb the 700 steps carved in the rock to reach the immense temple that sits on the verdant valley. Later our drive continued to Kodaikanal which means "gift of the forest", is one of the most pleasant mountain resorts (2,340 meters) in southern India. Purity of the air, dazzling panoramas, orchards, lakes and waterfalls offer the opportunity for magnificent walks.

Day 09 Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal Lake is one of the main attractions of the city. You can go there by boat, or ride along the banks. Discovery of the museum of fauna and flora installed in the college of the Sacred Heart, and the temple of KurinjiAndavar dedicated to the god Muruga. At 7 km from the town do not miss the spectacular view of the rocks of Pillar, or the views of Dolphin's Nose, or Green Valley View. You can also picnic and hike to Bear Shola Waterfalls, Silver Cascade or Fairy Falls. The peak of Perumal at 2,440 meters above sea level is ideal for an adventure trek.

Day 10 Kodaikanal – Munnar 167 kms / 4h 15m

Drive to the beautiful Munnar plantation area. Discover the plantations of spices (pepper, nutmeg, cardamom ...) and tea that stand on the hills as far as the eye can see.

Visit to Mattupetty – 13 kms away from Munnar, situated at a height of 1700m. It is famous for its highly specialized Dairy Farm – the indo Swiss livestock project. Over a hundred varities of high yielding cattles are reared here. Visitor is allowed to 3 of the 11 cattle shades at the farm. TheMattupetty Lake& dam just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot. Visit to sprawlingKundala tea plantations and tea museum and the rose garden. Walk through the heart of the spice and tea plantations, where the view of the surrounding mountains is breathtakingand the Kundala Lakeare the other attraction in the vicinity. Overnight stay

Day 11 Munnar – Kochi 125 kms / 4 hrs

After breakfast drive to Cochin you can see Portuguese Churches, a Jewish Synagogue, Hindu Temples, and Dutch Architecture& Mosque nearly side by Side. Today visit to old spice market at Mattancherryold town with many stalls (many are closed on Sundays).the antique shops on Jew’s street, The Synagogue, the Dutch palace and of course St. Francis Church.Later say good bye to this fascinating tour departure transfer to airport to board the flight for onward destination.

Accommodation

  • 01 Night stay in Cochin
  • 01 Night stay in House Boat
  • 01 Night stay in Periyar
  • 02 Night stay in Madurai
  • 02 Night stay in Dindigul
  • 02 Night stay in Kodaikanal
  • 01 Night stay in Munnar

Dinning

  • Daily Buffet Breakfast at hotel
  • During stay in House boat full board basis

Transportation

  • All transfers and sightseeing by air conditioned Vehicle
  • Monument entry fees as per itinerary
  • Local English Speaking Guides
  • Motor Launch in Periyar
  • Martial Art show
  • Services of local English Speaking Guides at destination
  • All State taxes, toll taxes & Parking Charges

Exclusions

Language guide, Major meal Laundry, Insurance, Tips, Telephone Calls, Hard drink /beer and Expenses like personal nature