Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Cochin
Upon arrival at Cochin airport meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon city tour of Cochin to visit Dutch Palace (Built by the Portuguese), Jew Town, the 1568 Jewish Synagogue, spice market, where the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices, St. Francis Church and Chinese fishing nets. The evening holds a show of Kerala's most popular classical dance. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Cochin – Alleppey
Today in the morning, we will travel to Allepey. On arrive in Alleppey, check-in at the houseboat and enjoy journey cum stay in your pre-booked houseboat.
Alleppy or Alappuzha is categorized as the Venice of the East. Alappuzha means the land between the sea and a network of rivers falling into it. The place recalls a sense of romance and beauty. It has a golden streak of land woven with rivers, lakes, lagoons, and canals. Alappuzha has a lighthouse, where one can witness the beautiful view of Alleppey coast from above the lighthouse. The white sand beach is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the sea and the sun. It is also home to Kuttanad, the Rice Bowl of Kerala, one of the very few interesting places in the world where farming is done below the sea level.
In the afternoon, we will explore the Vembanad Lake, a striking picnic spot and fast-developing backwaters, which offers boating and fishing. Further, we will continue our explorations by boat along winding backwaters witnessing the life of the people of Kerala and its entire color. As the sun goes down, we will be entertained by the boatmen singing traditional songs.
Throughout the day, you will get an opportunity to talk and interact with the local families, learn about their life in the islands and eat traditional local cuisine in their homes. An overnight stay in the houseboat.
Day 3: Alleppey - Thekkady- Periyar
After breakfast leave for Thekkady/Periyar. On arrival at Thekkady check-in at the hotel. You may opt for a pleasant boat ride along the Periyar Lake in the evening. Enjoy watching varied birds and animals like tigers, elephants, wild boar, deer, etc. at the Periyar / Thekkady National Park. You can also visit a few tribal villages around Periyar and witness fascinating activities of tribals collecting honey from dangerous hill bees. Evening transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Thekkady - Varkala
Today we will start our day a bit early in the morning and drive to Varkala. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Varkala, a temple town, is also famous for its landscape. Nestled in the southern Indian state of Kerala, it is known for its mineral water springs and sea beach getaway. A tour to Kerala remains incomplete without a stop-off at the beautiful beaches of Varkala. The silvery stretches of sands along the Arabian Sea offer a placid destination for the beach lovers. The sunset at Varkala Beach is truly overwhelming with the sun sinking into the sky just like a ball of molten gold as the sun.
In the evening, spend some time traveling in the peaceful gardens of an ashram devoted to the most eminent spiritual and social reformer of Kerala. Also, visit the mystical Janardhana Swamy Temple or just head to the beach to relax and watch the Arabian Sea.
Later return to the hotel to enjoy a delicious meal and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Varkala
Take pleasure of another purifying morning in Varkala. This picturesque town is a group of religious pilgrims who approached Narada, a saint of ancient times and confessed to having sinned. Narada threw his valkalam and it landed at a place near the seashore.
We will be visiting the ancient Janardhana temple. It is at the clifftop where most of the hotels and restaurants are situated. Further, we will visit Sivagiri Matt, which is located just 3 kms away from the Janardana Temple, Varkala Tunnel which is the 924ft tunnel and Kapil Lake that gives way to the beautiful world of the Kerala backwaters. Also, one can enjoy an elephant ride down the village roads. Later return to the hotel for a meal and an overnight stay.
Day 6: Varkala - Cochin Departure
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Cochin. On arrival at cochin drop you at the airport to connect flight for onward destination.
