Incredible Kerala
Cochin - Kanam - Munnar - Allepey
Duration:8 Days / 7 Nights
Day 1
ARRIVE COCHIN
Today on arrival in Cochin you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel, where the rest of your day is at leisure. Overnight: Malabar House, Deluxe Room.
Day 2
COCHIN
This morning you will be escorted on a half day city tour of Cochin, formerly a princely state which beckoned travellers from distant shores, Cochin is also known as 'The Queen of the Arabian Sea'. The sightseeing of Cochin will include the Mattancherry Dutch Palace, the famous Jew Street, the beautiful Cochin Synagogue built in 1568 and St. Francis' Church. You will also be taken to see the Chinese fishing nets along the shores.
This evening you will be taken to witness the spectacular Kathakali Dance Drama. The most popular and sacred dance-drama of Kerala, Kathakali, has evolved over the last 400 years. This classical dance requires lengthy and rigorous training to attain complete control of the body and sensitivity to emotion so as to be able to render all its nuances through facial expressions and hand gestures. Themes centre round the two great Indian epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. We suggest arriving early in order to witness the artists putting on their make-up. Overnight: Malabar House, Deluxe Room. B
Day 3
COCHIN - KANAM
In the morning (0800 hours), you will be driven to Kanam (approx 6 hours). The rest of the day will be at leisure. Situated on a small hilltop, Serenity is surrounded by a rubber plantation located midway between Cochin and Thekkady. It is a delightful old plantation bungalow built in the 1920's which has been beautifully converted. It is situated in a little visited region of Kerala that is an ideal stopping place between the backwaters and the hills. As well as wonderful staff to attend to your every need, there is a resident chef who can cook a range of Indian or Continental cuisines. Among the many delights of this house is Laxmi, the resident elephant with whom you can tour the estate's rubber, spice, cocoa and coffee plantations, and with her Mahout's help, bathe her in the river. Overnight: Serenity, Deluxe Room. B
Day 4
KANAM
Day with elephant at Kanam where you will have an opportunity to bathe and spend further time with the resident elephant Laxmi. Overnight: Serenity, Deluxe Room. B
Day 5
KANAM - MUNNAR
Today you will be driven to Munnar (4 hrs approx) and transferred to Windermere Estate where the rest of your day is at leisure. Munnar is located some 1600 metres above sea level and is a hill station that was once a summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Set amongst the sprawling green hills of tea plantations, Munnar is home to the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 metres. Overnight: Windermere Estate, Cottage. B
Day 6
MUNNAR
Today you can enjoy a visit to the Tea Plantation and the Tea Museum. The rest of you day is free to explore the local region with walks in the hills or private cardamom estate, and enjoy the peace and solitude of the hills. Overnight: Windermere Estate, Cottage. B
Day 7
MUNNAR - ALLEPEY
Today you will be driven to Alleppey and transferred to your private houseboat where the rest of your day is at leisure. Your houseboat is a traditional rice barge also called a 'Kettuvallam'. In Malayalam, the word 'kettuvallam' means a sewn or stitched canoe. Traditionally they were built of planks sewn together with coir cordage, threaded through with a `needle' carved from a palm frond. The seams, caulked with coir plugs soaked in sardine or cashew oil made the boats waterproof. The traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the most enduring images of the backwaters - its natural, cocoon-like profile complementing the surrounding countryside. These 'kettuvallams', were designed to carry heavy cargo, such as coconuts and spices, and to provide living accommodation for the boatmen. Preserving their historic character and style, craftsmen have created a unique atmosphere on board, a luxurious, self-contained world from which to observe rural Indian life flowing gently by. Overnight: Lakes & Lagoons, Dlx A/C Houseboat. BLD
Day 8
ALLEPEY - COCHIN - ONWARD DESTINATION
This morning you will be driven to the Cochin airport in time to board your onward flight. B
