Highlights of the tour:

Day 01

Arrive Cochin

On arrival at Cochin International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Fort Cochin. Stay at Fort House Hotel for 02 nights. In the evening enjoy a sunset cruise along the harbour.

Day 02

Cochin

Today morning visit Kumbalanghi Model Tourism Village to experience the fishermen village activities like live fish catching, Crab farm, coir making etc. On arrival refresh yourself with a tender coconut drink; later visit the Fishing Village. Later enjoy a home cooked lunch by the side of backwaters. Afternoon you’ll explore the heritage quarters of Fort Cochin & Mattancherry. You will visit the local fish market, Chinese Fishing Nets and the St. Francis Church in Fort Cochin. Later proceed to Mattancherry to see the Dutch Palace and the Jewish Synagogue. In the evening witness Kathakali dance performance. Accompanied by a gong, drums and cymbals, Kathakali performers combine dance and theatre in a ritualistic portrayal of gods and demons.

Day 03

Cochin - Munnar

After breakfast, we drive up the hills to the tea country of Munnar. Stay at Ambady Estate for 02 nights, a private plantation retreat. Evening is free to take a stroll through 125 acres of cardamom and spice plantations.

Day 04

Munnar

This morning, enjoy a Lockhart Tea Trail and Factory visit. You can catch stunning views of the green, carpeted tea fields as you follow the tea trail through the Lockhart tea estate. We offer walks lasting from 30 minutes to 03 - 04 hours here. During the tour, you can interact with the ladies picking tea leaves, depending on the area where they are picking and you can also visit the Lockhart tea factory if interested.

Day 05

Munnar - Madurai

After breakfast, you will drive down the hills to the famous temple town of Madurai, home to some fine examples of Dravidian architecture, and in particular the stunning Meenakshi Temple complex with its vast colourfully carved gopuram. Stay at The Courtyard by Marriott Madurai for 02 nights, a deluxe grade modern hotel. Late evening, visit the Madurai Meenakshi temple to witness and experience the extraordinary ‘Going to Bed Ceremony’. The ceremony is chaotic and noisy, but this is something that should not be missed and is an eye-opening experience to India’s often intense spirituality.

Day 06

Madurai

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Madurai visiting the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple and Thiru Malai Nayak Palace. Later take a rickshaw ride through the busy market areas that sells utensils, silverware, textiles, jewellery, banana market, vegetables and fruits. In the afternoon, take a short drive to the nearby village of Vilachery, a small settlement of potters and idol makers and watch mud go from mundane to the sublime. You will be greeted by one of the most colourful neighbourhoods of the city, rife with handcrafted idols of Ganesha, Kolu dolls, small dioramas, depicting daily life in the villages, and watch the village artisans make clay dolls of Hindu Gods and Godesses.

Day 07

Madurai - Periyar

Leaving the inlands of Tamil Nadu, we drive through the winding ghat road to Periyar wildlife Sanctuary, South India’s best-kept Tiger reserve. Stay at Cardamom County for 02 nights. Visit a spice plantation in the evening to learn more about the spices grown in this area.

Day 08

Periyar

Early morning you will be transferred to the boat landing point of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Enjoy a half day bamboo rafting and trekking through some of the richest forest paths of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Try your hand at navigating a raft across the famous Periyar Lake, followed by a visit to Periyar Tiger Reserve where you may spot wildlife including elephants, Sambar deers and Indian bisons.

Day 09

Kumarakom

This morning, you’ll drive down the hills visiting the tea and rubber plantations enroute to Kumarakom, famous for its tranquil backwaters. On arrival, check-in to Coconut Lagoon, a heritage backwater resort overlooking the Vembanad Lake for the night. Remainder of the day at leisure to relax by the backwaters or to experience some authentic ayurvedic therapies at the Ayurveda spa.

Day 10

Kumarakom - Alleppey

Morning at leisure. Afternoon, board your private houseboat (Kettuvallom) for an overnight cruise through the famous Vembanad Lake. Enjoy a relaxing cruise through the tranquil backwaters and narrow canals enjoying the village life. Your lunch, evening tea and dinner will be served on board the houseboat. Overnight on houseboat.

Day 11

Alleppey - Kovalam

After a leisurely breakfast, you disembark from the houseboat at Alleppey, where you’ll be met by the driver and transferred to Kovalam. Stay at The Travancore Heritage for 03 nights, a beautiful resort on top of a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea.

Day 12 - 13

Kovalam

Day at leisure to relax by the beach or to experience some authentic ayurvedic therapies at the Ayurveda Spa.

Day 14

Transfer to Trivandrum Airport

Like all good things, your tour in India comes to an end but you will always carry with you, memories of this unique and unforgettable holiday experience. In goodtime you will be transferred to Trivandrum International Airport to connect your flight home.