Kerala Panorama Tour

Cochin – Periyar – Kumarakom – Backwaters – Kovalam

Day 1: Arrive Cochin

You will be met at Cochin airport and driven to you hotel (about 1-1.5 hours). Stay in Cochin for 2 nights.

In the evening, enjoy a sunset boat trip along Cochin harbour. This is an ideal way to see the activities in the Cochin harbour and the Chinese fishing nets dotting the shore look spectacular as the sun goes down on them.

Day 2: Cochin

Today morning, you will explore the Fort Kochi area – the cultural heart of the city. Surrounded by a wonderful blend of colonial architecture, you will visit the Mattancherry Palace – also known as the Dutch Palace. Then visit the Jewish Synagogue – one of the best preserved synoguge in South Asia. Later visit the St Francis Church – the first European Church in India. Later take a stroll through spice market.

In the evening, attend the Kathakali dance performance.  This traditional dance form of Kerala has dancers primarily use facial expressions to tell the story. Plan to arrive in plenty of time to see the performers apply their elaborate and colourful make up.

Day 3:  Cochin – Periyar

This morning, you will be driven for 5-6 hours to Periyar National Park. On the way, stop at a rubber plantation for a lunch with local family. Stay in Periyar for two nights. This evening, attend Kalaripayattu performance. Kalaripayattu is the oldest and most ancient form of Indian martial arts.

Day 4:  Periyar 

This morning, you will be taken into Periyar National Park for a nature walk and rafting on the lake. The forests are rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. During the rafting, you get a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.

(This activity is arranged by the forest department)

In the afternoon, you visit a spice plantation. Periyar region is one of the principal spice producing areas in Kerala. At a spice plantation, your host will tell you more more about how the numerous aromatic and flavoursome spices are grown and used. On your tour, your guide will identify and explain various spices which will include vanilla, nutmeg, pepper, turmeric, cloves and cardamom, and point out some more unusual spices and plants.

Day 5:  Periyar – Kumarakom 

This morning, you will travel across the Western Ghat passing through rubber and spice plantation to arrive at Kumarakom – a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake and checkin at hotel for overnight stay. In the evening, relax by the backwaters or visit nearby bird sancturay. You may also indulge in the spa or Ayurveda facilities offered by your resort.

Day 6:  Kumarakom – Alleppey (Houseboat)

Around mid-day, you will embark on a private, air-conditioned houseboat. Enjoy the cruise on Kerala backwaters – a tranquil network of canals and lakes formed by the 40 odd rivers that flow down to the Arabian Sea from the hills inland. The scenery is idyllic as you sail along shallow palm-fringed waterways where coconuts and cashews are loaded on to dugout canoes, fishermen carefully mend their nets, and children wave excitedly from small villages as you cruise past. The houseboat has a private air-conditioned bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and all meals are served onboard. The food is traditional local Keralan cuisine. This is a truly wonderful experience and a highlight of the tour.

Day 7:  Alleppey – Kovalam  

After breakfast, disembark from your houseboat. You will be met and driven for 3-4 hours to Kovalam – a famous beach destintion in South Kerala. Stay at a beach resort for the next two nights (or more). Remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 8: Kovalam

Day at leisure to enjoy the beach. An excursion to Trivandrum city to see famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple can be arranged.

Day 9: Depart Trivandrum

At an appropriate time, you will be driven for about 45 minutes to Trivandrum International Airport to board your return flight home.