COCHIN (LOCAL SIGHTSEEING)

Morning after breakfast proceed for the city tour.
Cochin comprising of a cluster of islands and towns, Cochin is a living museum. Fort Cochin is believed to be the oldest European settlement in India, with the Portuguese flag first hoisted here in 1500. St Francis Church, built in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama, is the first European church built in India and is the site where da Gama was buried. The "Dutch Palace" was built in the 1550s by the Portuguese and taken over by the Dutch, who later presented it to the Rajas of Cochin. The palace contains excellent mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring - a subtle mix of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg whites - which gives the effect of polished marble. You have time to wander around Mattancherri or Jew Town. Jew Street is full of antique shops selling genuine and pseudo objects d’art. The Jewish Synagogue was built in 1568 and considerably embellished in the mid 18th century. It contains Grand Scroll of the Old Testament and the copper plates giving privileges to the Jew settlers by the rulers of Kochi.

Post lunch relax and in the evening, witness a Kathakali dance performance. This is the most developed dance drama art of India. Drums beckon an audience to a performance most magnificent - actors depict characters from the Puranas and the Mahabharata, the great Indian epics - demons, superhuman beings and ordinary men and women. The dancers, all male, adorn themselves in huge skirts and elaborate head-dress, wearing what must surely be the most intricate make up known to any dance style in the world.

Overnight at Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

MUNNAR (LOCAL SIGHTSEEING)

After breakfast at the hotel full day is at leisure to explore Munnar.
Unending expanse of tea plantations, pristine valleys and mountains, exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests, the aroma of spice scented cool air - Munnar has all these and more. The Eravikulam National Park, encompassing 100 square km of moist evergreen forests and grassy hilltops in the Western Ghats, lies 13 km northeast of Munnar. Once the hunting reserve of British planters, today it is home to one of the world's rarest mountain goats. It is the most sought after destination in Munnar and the first of its kind in Kerala, where the endangered Nilgiri Thar is protected. Spread over 100 sq. km., this park holds the largest viable population of Tahr, several other species of rare animals, birds and butterflies. The park offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also of the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mist. The park becomes a hot destination when the hill slopes get covered in a carpet of blue, resulting from the flowering of Neelakurinji. It is a plant endemic to this part of the Western Ghats which blooms once in twelve years.
Rajamala
Rajamala is the tourism zone of Eravikulam National Park and is a place where one can see Nilgiri Tahr at close quarter.The tourism zone will be closed in calving season during Feb – March every year. Visitors can get assured sighting of Nilgiri Tahr, feel the kurinji and experience the shola grassland eco system. Visitors will be picked from 5th Mile on safari buses and dropped back. The park have restaurants, eco shops and an amenity centre. Entry time 7.30 am – 4.00 pm

For a wide and clear view of the Park, go to the Directors Leap followed by visit of Tea Museum
Overnight at Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

THEKKADY – ALLEPPY (DRIVE: 150KMS/4HRS)

Early morning at 0700 Hrs drive to Alleppey with packed Breakfast from Hotel.
Alleppey, known as the "Venice of the East", is situated on the Vembanad Lake. A maze of canals and a network of bridges give this busy commercial town its descriptive sobriquet. Alleppey is known for its coir, the retted fibre of the coconut husk and for black pepper. Coir yarn, mats and matting and a wealth of other coir products are manufactured here and are good buys.
Board the Kettuvalam (traditional houseboat), a special delight that Kerala offers. Take a leisurely cruise on the beautiful backwaters, through forests, and palm-shaded canals, enjoying the magnificent scenery along the waterways and stopping to admire what history and religion have left along the way. Your boat crew will prepare a delicious lunch and dinner for you on the houseboat.
Overnight in the Deluxe House Boat. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

KOVALAM – KANYKUMARI – TRIVANDRUM (DRIVE: 200KMS/4HRS)

Morning after breakfast at hotel drive to Kanyakumari 90 kms and visit the Cape Comerin.
Kanyakumari, the southernmost part of the Indian maid is the meeting point of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The place is dedicated to the Goddess Devi Kanya, believed to be an incarnation of Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife. See the Vivekananda Memorial built about 400 metres offshore, where Swami Vivekananda meditated in 1892 before embarking on a journey to usher in the religious reforms throughout the country.

Visit the Kanyakumari temple, and post lunch drive to Trivandrum. After dinner departure from Trivandrum International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner