Duration : 7 Nights / 8 Days
Places Covered : Cochin, Eravikulam, Kumarakom Beach, Trivandrum
Cutural
tours that give you a feel of the different aspects of culture followed in this
south Indian state. You can take an insight into the popular arts and artists
of Kerala. The old dance forms of Kathkali and Koottiyattam are till date performed
in Kerala. The former dance form concentrates on the gestures of the hands and
the expressions on the face of the performer. The later happens to be the earliest
classical dramatic art form of Kerala. Other dance forms of Kerala are Krishnanattom,
Mohiniyattom, Thullal, Koodiyattom, Kolkkali, Thiruvathirakali, Kakkarishi Natakom,
Oppanna, and Chavittunatakom. Panchavadyam, Nadanpattu, Omanathinkal Kidavo
and many more music forms have evolved over the centuries in Kerala.
Day 1: Arrive into Cochin
Transfer to Hotel for overnight stay.
Cochin the capital city of Kerala - the area where you will get to see the mixture
of of cultures that ruled the state when it was in the rule of the portugese
and the Dutch,Chinese culture. A small population of Jews still resides here
forming their own small community. Visit Mattancherry Palace, Chinese Fishing
Nets, and Saint Francis Church. Get to see the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth.
Walk through the busy spice markets in the Jewtown area. In the evening watch
Kathakali dance performance. Overnight stay at Fort Heritage Hotel.
Day
2: Morning sightseeing of Fort Cochin
Fort Cochin is a small town in the southern part of India. For centuries, it
remained the focal point to many a European traveler, who eventually made it
their home. And in years to follow, it gradually acquired an eclectic mix of
varied cultures that blend to form a unique existence for itself. Today, much
of the place continues to exude this charm.
Its tiny allies, European styled villas, quaint cafes and extensive grounds,
all of which merge to create a beautiful location Visit to the St Francis Church,
where Vasco De Gama was first buried, Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry Palace
with well-preserved fresco paintings and the oldest Synagogue in the Commonwealth.
The area around Jewtown is still a bustling market where spice trading continues
today. After lunch drive 120kms (3hrs) to Munnar. Munnar is situated in the
cradle of tea plantations stretching in all directions. The area is surrounded
by verdant forest, excellent trekking areas and the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary,
home to the endangered Nilgiri Thar, a rare species of mountain goat.
Day 3: Morning free for trekking with a naturalist who is very well trained
and a well known professional in their respective fields, a wide range of birds
also inhabit this area. We also move towards our next destination of Eravikulam.
After
lunch take a scenic drive to Periyar ( 110kms/2.5hrs). Periyar is part of the
Project Tiger scheme and is also home to large herds of elephants, bison and
deer. It is also famous for it's wide range of water birds and is unique in
that the wildlife spotting is done by boat with a 2 hour boat ride on Lake Periyar.
Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for seeing elephants and
other animals coming to the lake to drink and bathe. In the night there are
also cocktail with born fire to make the night more entertaining and enjoyable.Overnight
in Periyar.
Day 4: Take an early morning boat ride and visit the various spice plantations
where cardamom, nutmeg and pepper are grown. After lunch drive through lush
agricultural areas down the hills to Kumarakom. Kumarakom is located on the
Backwaters and is home to the
Kumarakom
Bird Sanctuary. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, situated on the banks of the Vembanand
Lake is known for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as waterfowls,
cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here.
The Kumarakom Tourist Complex, sprawling over 101 acres of enchanting wooded
land and lake, was built around the 50-year-old 'Baker's Mansion', which was
earlier a small hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).Take
a boat ride at sunset to see the birds coming into nest for the night. Overnight
in Kumarkom.
Day 5: Morning free to explore the local area or just relax.
At noon your houseboat will pick you up at the resort and you will embark on
a remarkable journey through the coconut-palmed canals. These trees just seem
as the heart of Kerala and the soul of this state and true to its benefits contribute
a lot to the state in terms of revenue. You may think that time has taken you
into the years that were never there. Into the time that has stood still as
the peace and serene ambience engulfs you in its clutches and you remain wanting
for more and more. You are then picked up by your houseboat and the local crew
members will serve you with some deliciously made food like freshly fried fish.
Your floating home has a modern bathroom and comfortable bedroom as well as
a sitting area and sun lounging deck.
Day
6: In the morning you will reach Alleppey
after breakfast you leave the houseboat and take up a drive for 4hrs to Kovalam
Beach. A clean blue beach,with the white sand running through your feet when
you walk by them giving you the trickling feeling in your feet and making you
feel on top of the world.Where the sun rises and the horizon meets is the mraning
of life that lies in the deep waters of these lovely beaches. Kovalam beach
is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum. A sheet of silvery and sand curves into
an arc, that is bordered on one side and azure blue waters and on the other
side, by a sumptuous spread of green palm groves.
After a hard day though it may not seem as if one. No one seems to be feeling
tired amidst nature and the its tranquil surroundings. Awaiting at the resorts
there are qualified Ayurvedic Doctors and therapists who can take you to the
paradise of Ayurveda and its treatments. Any body pain or ailment all you have
to do is take up these fine massages and aromatic bathes and you are free from
those mind bogling tensions and
stress
and make you feel completely relaxed. Ayurveda is a holistic system of healing
which evolved among the Brahmin sages of ancient India some 3000-5000 years
ago. There are several aspects of this system and is recognized as one of the
most effective forms of treatment of any kind of ailments nd disease.
Day 7 and 8: Relaxing at the beach.
As the evening draws near we transfer you to Trivandrum airport for onward
flights
Cultural Heritage of Kerala
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