Day 1: Cochin Arrival
On arrival in Cochin, you will met by Engrossing India’s representative who will escort you till your hotel.
Kerala’s long history of international trade has made it eclectic, which in turn has influenced many aspects of culture and religious balance. Cochin has become one of India’s most fascinating cities. Beautifully located on a cluster of islands and peninsulas, it surrounds a large natural harbour. Evidence of its colourful past survives in its many historic sites.
Cochin (Kochi) The city’s serene backwaters and lagoons are bordered by feathery coconut palms. The older parts, Fort Cochin and Mattanchery, are an unlikely blend of Indian and medieval Portuguese. Now the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala, it is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India after Mumbai.
Check in at the hotel.
Evening witness Kathakali Dance which is the classical dance-drama of Kerala, South India, which dates from the 17th century. Kathakali recitals are drama and are danced with elaborate masks and costumes. They are emotive and narrative, while other dance forms have either one of them. The dancers use their stunning costumes and make-up, with the accompaniment of drums and vocalists, to create various moods and emotions.
Overnight in Cochin
Day 2: Cochin
Breakfast at hotel
Afternoon Cochin sightseeing
Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town, Mattancherry: The synagogue, built in 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. It is located near the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry (Remains closed on Saturdays).
St. Francis Church: Close the Fort Kochi it is the oldest church in India, built in 1503 by Franciscan Friars. On his third visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama the Portuguese trader, who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi and was buried in St. Francis Church. Fourteen years later his remains were exhumed and taken back to Portugal. Despite this his grave inside the church is clearly marked.
Chinese Fishing Nets: It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan installed these fishing nets here. Oddly, outside China these nets are only found in and around Cochin. Today many fishermen still earn their livelihood using these massive nets, which are dotted along a stretch from Fort Cochin, opposite Vypeen Island.
Note : Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace) remains closed on Friday afternoon and Saturday
Overnight in Cochin
Day 3: Cochin - Munnar (Surface 4-5 hrs Aprx.)
Following your breakfast, check out and drive to Munnar.
Munnar is the lovely hill station of Kerala rests in the high-ranges of Idukki district at an altitude of 4,500ft with towering mountains, beautiful lakes, rich wildlife, hills draped in folds of green carpet of tea gardens. This most popular hill stations in Kerala is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. It is here that you will find the Anamudi peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats, in South India.
Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience.
On arrival, check in at the hotel and spend remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Munnar
Day 4: Munnar
After breakfast, half day visit Tea Museum and Tea estate.
Munnar is very famous for its endless tea plantations. Tea museum is located at Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in the city. The tea museum run by the Tata Tea Company and exhibits the beginning in the 1880s and the consequent growth of tea plantations in Kerala through photographs, machinery and memoirs. On display are most interesting items of a bygone era such as photographs, furniture, the original tea roller (dating back to 1905), typewriters, manual calculators, wooden bathtub and EPABX of the 1909 telephone system. You can see the tea pickers busy with their job of picking up the tea leaves and can meet a few of them on your way.
Overnight in Munnar
Day 5: Munnar - Periyar (Surface 3-4 hrs Aprx.)
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive to Periyar.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Thekkady district of Kerala near the border of Tamil Nadu. It is in the hills of the Western Ghats, the heartland of coffee, tea, pepper and cardamom plantations.
A pride of Kerala the Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. In this unique setting are opportunities to see a wide variety of animals that leave the seclusion of the forests to drink on the lakeshore.
Arrive Periyar, check in at your hotel. Later proceed to visit Spice Plantation & Wildlife. This plantation tour give you an insight into the growing, harvesting and processing of spices.
Overnight in Periyar
Day 6: Periyar - Houseboat (surface 04 hrs Aprx.)
After leisurely breakfast at the hotel, embark on your houseboat. Cruise through the lake and witness the life of local people.
Houseboat on the Backwaters: The backwaters of Kerala are a series of interconnected waterways, lakes, inlets and riverine estuaries that form an intermeshed network along the coast of Kerala.
Today’s houseboats on Kerala’s backwaters were originally barges, traditionally known as “Kettuvallam” constructed using only natural materials – wood, rattan and bamboo, in harmonious tones of brown and honey. In earlier times, when the backwaters were the “roads” for transporting spices, chillies, coconuts, coffee, tea, coir and rice to Cochin and waiting ships, Kettuvallam were the trucks. In their new role as comfortable houseboats they have solar–powered lighting, chic spacious bedrooms, and shower rooms with WC, a fully equipped kitchenette and large decks on which to relax. Although mainly polled along the backwater channels Kettuvallams are motorized so that when required longer distances can be covered efficiently and quietly. The crew includes two boatmen and a cook.
Overnight Onboard Houseboat
Day 7: Houseboat - Cochin (Surface 02 hrs aprx) / Cochin Departure
After breakfast at houseboat transfer to Cochin airport to board your flight back to home.