KERELA – GOD’S OWN COUNTRY: 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHT

Arrive into Kochi’s International airport.

Upon arrival, once you step off the aircraft door, you are on aerobridge, as you walk down the aerobridge and step into the airport terminal, you will find our representative holding placard with your name on it. He/ She will then escort you through the immigration & help you with baggage at the baggage belt. Once you walk out of the customs door into meet & greet hall, our concierge or airport representative will escort you to your hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, he will also assist you with, the Hotels’ check in formalities.

Room reserved from 1400 hours of this day.

Kochi is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as ‘God’s Own Country’. The fairytale milieu suits Kochi impeccably since it is one of the most laid-back of Kerala cities. A city that despite being the commercial hub, is a self-assured juxtaposition of both the past and the present. Experience this city with its modern new town at Ernakalum contrasting with the sleepy old town with its melting pot of history including, Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese and Jewish influences.

Spend two nights in Kochi.

After breakfast proceed for a tour of Kochi.

Visit the Chinese fishing nets of Fort Kochi and witness an unusual form of fishing — shore operated lift nets; if you are lucky then you can see the big catch of the day, & bargain with fisherman for freshly caught fishes; St. Francis Church- the oldesturopean church in India that has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent; The Mattancherry Palace, also known as Dutch Palace (Closed on Fridays); and the Jew town including the Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Fridays and Saturdays) – the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth nations .

Later visit the spice markets and shop for souvenirs from the antique bazaars of the heritage Jew town. In the evening, enjoy a performance of the highly ritualized “Kathakali” dance which tells stories from the ancient Hindu epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata.

DAVID HALL, ART GALLERY – David Hall, reminiscent of the Dutch glory of yesteryears, is situated on one side of the Parade Ground in Fort Kochi. The history and architectural grandeur of the halls woos many visitors. It also houses an art gallery and acts as a cultural center to support young exponents of visual and performing art forms. David Hall was built around 1695 by the Dutch East India Company.

MASTER THE ART OF COOKING INDIAN CURRIES WITH NIMMY & PAUL
Put on your apron and turn into a chef for a special culinary session. Learn the secrets of herbs and spices used in Indian cuisine & try your hand at authentic recipes. Take home the recipes of the dishes and a personalize apron. Nimmy and Paul have been involved in ‘At Home’ hospitality for more than twelve years. Traditional Kerala Dresses for guests can also be arranged (at an additional). Kerala cook book shall be presented to each guest after the dinner, signed by Nimmy & Paul.

Nimmy, a professional cookery instructor for more than twenty years, and her stockbroker husband Paul, are passionate about their cuisine and offer culinary cooking & interactive sessions to guests visiting Kochi.

Both of them belong to traditional Syrian Christian community in Kerala. In keeping with the tradition of their families they enjoy having guests and serving good food.

Overnight in Kochi.

Arise early this morning, as we are taking a drive outside the city to meet and mingle with the elephants at Abhayaranyam (Monday closed). The Elephant Training Camp is located at a beautiful and scenic spot on bank of River Periyar, and is the only elephant center in Kerala specializing in rescuing and training stranded adult and baby elephants from the Kerala forest regions. Four to six baby elephants are brought in and trained every year, watching them from infancy through various stages of their growth. Training plays an important role for elephants while their brains develop and they learn vital survival and knowledge.

We spend the morning with the orphaned Asian elephants at this fascinating training camp. The elephants are relaxed and enjoy the attention and pampering from their trainers.

Return to Kochi hotel for breakfast.

Later transfer by road to Alleppey (approximately 01 hours and 30 minutes drive) to board private Kettuvallam (traditional thatch-roofed houseboat) with traditional Lunch onboard.

Embark on a day cruise through the most scenic of Kerala’s backwaters. A complex network of lagoons, rivers, and canals fringing the coast of Kerala, it forms the basis of a distinct regional lifestyle. These celebrated backwaters of Kerala comprise one of South India’s most picturesque rural areas. We share the backwaters with Kettavalum boats painted with evil-eye repellent, hand-poled dugout punts, and traditional boats with huge sails and prows carved into the shape of dragons. Our boat crosses shallow, palm-fringed lakes studded with Chinese fishing nets, and along narrow, shady canals where coir (coconut fiber), copra, and cashews are loaded onto boats. Enjoy the serenity and natural beauty of the surroundings as we cruise past villages and witness a way of life that has changed little through the centuries. A favorite spot for birdlife, keep an eye out for cuckoos, owls, egrets, herons, cormorants, moorhen, and the Brahminy kite as well as the migratory Siberian crane, parrot, teal and lark.

Early afternoon disembark Houseboat at the hotel’s jetty.

Spend two nights in Kumarakom.

Overnight at hotel.

Day ay leisure to enjoy the Ayurveda at the hotel (on direct payment)

Kumarakom is an emerald peninsula of paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters that juts out into Lake Vembanad. Perhaps more famously knows as the Backwaters this area is unique being made up of labyrinth of canals and lakes that stretch between the capital Kochi and Quilon in the south. From the vastness of Lake Vembanad to the quiet streams just large enough for a canoe, the Backwaters form the arteries through which rural daily life calmly flows – children splashing in the water, women washing clothes at the water’s edge, fishermen up to their necks in water digging out fish with their feet, rice barges transporting coconuts and rice (the staples of the Keralan diet) and, above all, an overriding sense of peace and tranquility that permeates every aspect of this stunning region.

Enjoy Traditional Ayurvedic massage at the hotel (Duration: 01 Hour)

Overnight in Kumarakom.

After breakfast at hotel, transfer by road to Kovalam (approximately 05 hours drive).

Kovalam is a small coastal town in the southern Indian state of Kerala, south of Thiruvananthapuram. At the southern end of Lighthouse Beach is a striped lighthouse with a viewing platform. Palm-backed beaches also include Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach. Heading south, Vizhinjam Juma Masjid mosque overlooks the busy fishing harbor. Inland, Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium displays technology used in pearl production.

On arrival, assistance at the hotel for check-in.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Spend three nights in Kovalam.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure for independent activities (on direct payment).

Visit to the Hostel for Tribal Girls in Trivandrum (approximately 45 minutes drive each way)

An Ashram built in the memory of Late Vinoba Bhave, is where you will visit this hostel for tribal girls. The institution also runs an international school along Hindu scriptures at this venue. This Ashram runs a hostel for tribal girls to provide them education and social exposure, which has over 150 inmates studying in various classes from 1st to 10th standard. There are innumerable other activities including khadi gram, cultivation of medicinal plants, model agriculture and dairy farm, environmental programme, self-employment programme, etc. Visiting hours: Between 1400 hrs to 1700hrs.

Overnight in Kovalam.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure for independent activities (on direct payment).

Overnight in Kovalam.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Note: Hotel check out is at 1200 hours

Later in time transfer to Trivandrum airport (approximately 45 minutes drive) to board the onward flight.