Wonders of South India: Culture, Coast & Hills

On arrival at Cochin, proceed to Munnar. A breathtakingly beautiful - haven of peace and tranquility which cannot be portrayed in a single canvas. Situated at 1,600m above sea level with unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains, you’re often up above the clouds watching veils of mist clinging to the mountain tops. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji/Strobilanthes. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once in every twelve years, will bloom next in 2018. On the way to Munnar visit Cheeyappara & Valara waterfalls. The Cheeyappara Waterfall cascades down in seven steps. Valara has a chain of waterfalls surrounded by thick green forests. Enroute Spice plantation tour. Overnight stay at Hotel.

• After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Munnar. Visit Eravikulam National Park (ticket price extra) Closed for Jan 2025 till March 2025 & Mattupetty Dam (ticket price extra), a storage concrete gravity dam built in the mountains. Mattupetty offers many fascinating sights to relish. Besides the tea plantations & the rolling grasslands, the Shola forests in and around Mattupetty are ideal for trekking and are habitat to a variety of birds.
• Later visit Kundala Dam (ticket price extra), the famous Neela Kurunji flowers which bloom once in twelve years, bloom in the hills and valleys around Kundala lake.
• Enroute visit Echo Point & Pothamedu View Point. Echo Point always has a greenish look as it is covered with abundant green sceneries. View Point is perfect to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the coffee, tea & cardamom plantations. They are an adventurous destination, which will be a perfect choice for those who love to have a nature walk or trekking. Overnight stay at Hotel.

• After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed to Thekkady.
• Thekkady is considered as a heaven for natural spices. The Periyar forests of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Periyar encompasses 777 sq km & a 26-sq-km artificial lake.
• Check-in at hotel & later head out for sightseeing to visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (ticket price extra), it is home to herds of wild Elephants, Sambar, Tigers, Gaur, Lion-tailed Macaques, Nilgiri Langurs & more. The place can sometimes feel a bit like Disneyland-in-the-Ghats, but its mountain scenery & jungle walks make for an enjoyable visit. Evening enjoy the boat cruise in the lake (at additional cost) to spot wild animals. Overnight stay at Hotel.

After breakfast, check out from hotel and proceed to Alleppey which has an immense natural beauty and is also known as the “Venice of the East”. It is famous for backwater cruising and boat race. Check into your hotel/houseboat & cruise (if staying in houseboat) through the Narrow Canal amidst the Paddy Fields, Coconut Lagoons and Coir Villages in Alleppey. Overnight stay in Alleppey.

• After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed to Cochin. Check-in at hotel & later head out for sightseeing covering the historical towns of Fort Cochin & Mattancherry which consists of wonderfully built atmosphere - thick with the smell of the past.
• Jewish Synagogue - a 400-year old synagogue. Enter the synagogue & the large main hall arrests your attention with display of rare antique objects that add to the grandeur of the place.
• Secondly, The St. Francis Church well-known for its beautiful architecture & ambience & is believed to be one of the oldest churches built by the Europeans in India.
• Santa Cruz Basilica - (at extra cost) one of the eight Basilicas in India, this church is one of the finest & most impressive churches & visited by tourists the whole year round.
• Vasco House (built in the Portuguese style of architecture) is believed to be the house where Vasco Da Gama stayed during his visits to Kochi, right until his death in 1524.
• Later visit Fort Kochi beach & Chinese Fishing Nets - Nowhere else in India could you find such giant fishing nets from China. Back to the hotel for an overnight stay at Hotel.

After breakfast proceed to Kochi Airport