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364 Embassy, Koramangala, Bangalore. Ph: +91 9483958408, 9880388991, [email protected], www.takeabreak.in

Program: Cochin – – Thekkady – Kumarakom Houseboat - Alleppey Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

COCHIN

MUNNAR

THEKKADY P a g e | 2

KUMARAKOM HOUSEBOAT

ALLEPPEY

Overview

Destination Nights Basis

Cochin 2 BB Munnar 3 BB

Thekkady 2 BB Kumarakom 1 BB Alleppey 2 BB

RO: Room only SC: Self Catering HB: Half Board B&B: Bed and breakfast D, B&B: Dinner, bed and breakfast HB – breakfast & dinner FB: Dinner, bed, breakfast and lunch FB+: Dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch and activities daily FI: Fully inclusive

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Day 1: COCHIN

Cochin Serene has been drawing traders and explorers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in could you find such an intriguing mix: giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old , ancient mosques, Portuguese houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval , Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. It’s a delightful place to spend some time and nap in some of India’s finest homestays and heritage accommodation. Kochi is also a centre for Keralan arts and one of the best places to see Kathakali and kalarippayattu. Mainland is the hectic transport and cosmopolitan hub of Kochi, while the historical towns of Fort Cochin and , though well-touristed, remain wonderfully atmospheric – thick with the smell of the past. Other islands, including Willingdon and Vypeen, are linked by a network of ferries and bridges.

Day Notes Arrive Cochin Airport/ Railway Station You will be greeted by our chauffeur and drive to your hotel. Check-in to the Hotel & rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Cochin

Included BB

Day 2: COCHIN

Day Notes After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of Cochin

Cochin Sightseeing: , the Paradesi Synagogue, Fort Cochin, Jew Town & Folklore Museum

Return to the resort and rest of the day at leisure

Overnight at Cochin

Included BB Visit the below sightseeing points

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Chinese Fishing Nets Walk out to the ancient Chinese fishing nets to see how lanterns are used to attract and catch the fish at night. The contrast of the endless Chinese fishing nets and the countless modern ships in the distance showcase the India of today – an eclectic collection of tradition and modernity.

The Paradesi Synagogue Also known as the Mattancherry Synagogue, the Paradesi Synagogue is located in old Cochin, formerly known as Jew town. It is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth Nations, and is the only one of the seven in the area still in use. The complex has four buildings. It was built adjacent to the temple on the land awarded to the Malabari Yehuden community by the Raja of Kochi. The Mattancherry Palace temple and the Mattancherry Synagogue have a common wall connecting them.

Fort Cochin Moving northwest from Mattancherry Palace along Bazaar Road, you pass wholesale emporia where owners, sitting behind scales surrounded by sacks of spices. Keep walking in a northerly direction, over the canal and then westwards into Fort Cochin. The architecture of the quiet streets in this enclave is very definitely European, with fine houses built by wealthy British traders, and Dutch cottages with split farm house doors.

Jew Town The synagogue is smack-bang in the middle of Jew Town, a bustling port area and centre of the Kochi spice trade. Scores of small firms huddle together in old, dilapidated buildings and the air is filled with the biting aromas of ginger, cardamom, cumin, turmeric and cloves. These days, the lanes right around the Dutch Palace and the synagogue are filled with antique and tourist curio shops rather than pungent spices. Look out for the Jewish names on some of the buildings.

Folklore Museum Created in Keralan style from ancient temples and beautiful old houses collected by its owner, an antique dealer, the museum includes over 4000 artefacts and covers three architectural styles: Malabar on the ground-floor, Kochi on the 1st, Travancore on the 2nd. Upstairs is a beautiful wood-lined theatre, with a 17th-century wooden ceiling.

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Day 3: COCHIN – MUNNAR (130kms/4hrs drive)

Day Notes After breakfast, check-out from your hotel and drive to Munnar

Arrive Munnar and check-in to your Hotel

Rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight at Munnar

MUNNAR

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1,600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in . Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once in every twelve years, will bloom next in 2018. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, , which towers over 2,695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.

Included BB

Day 4: MUNNAR

Day Notes After Breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of Munnar

Munnar Sightseeing: Visit TATA Tea Museum, Pothamedu View Point &

Return to the resort and overnight at the Hotel/ Resort, Munnar

Included BB Visit the below sightseeing points

TATA Tea Musuem The Tea Museum opened by Tata Tea at Nallathanni Tea Estate in Munnar, is a tribute to the pioneers, whose toils and commitment transformed Munnar in to a major tea plantation centre of . Tata Tea Museum showcases pieces of antiquity. The most prominent among them is the burial urn excavated from the vicinity of Periakanal Estate, which can be dated back to 2nd century BC. Rotorvane of 1905, Pelton Wheel used at Kanniamallay Estate in 1920s, a rail engine wheel of the Kundale Valley Light Railway used in between 1900 – 1950, etc. are some of the items exhibited here. Tata Tea Museum P a g e | 6 portrays the genesis and evolution of tea plantations of Munnar. There are many curios, photographs and machineries displayed at the museum each of which depict the milestones achieved by the tea estates of the region.

Timings: 10.00 am - 5.00 pm

Pothamedu View Point Pothamedu (Pothanmedu, Potamed) is a small village six kilometers away from Munnar. The extended area has vast tracts of tea, coffee and cardamom plantations. Like other parts of Munnar, Pothamedu is blessed with its share of mighty green hills. It is destination of most of the trekkers. The visitors can reach here from Munnar, which is just 6 km away. Look for Zigzag roads and high altitude viewpoints.

Cheeyappara Waterfalls Cheeyappara waterfalls is located between and around 10 km on the Kochi - Madurai Highway. The Cheeyappara Waterfall cascades down in seven steps. This is also a great place for trekking. Waterfalls is around around 42 km from Munnar via Aluva-Munnar Rd.

DAY 5: MUNNAR - THEKKADY (88kms/3hrs drive)

Day Notes After breakfast, check-out from your Hotel and drive to Thekkady

Arrive in Thekkady and check-in to the Hotel

Rest of the evening at leisure

Overnight at Thekkady

Over

Included BB

DAY 6: THEKKADY

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Day Notes After breakfast, you may wish to take up a Jungle Safari or relax and enjoy the resort amenities.

Pl Note: if you wish to take up the forest Safari, pl inform the reception or our coordinators 24hrs prior to make the needful arrangements.

Return to the hotel and overnight at Thekkady

Over

Included BB

DAY 7: THEKKADY - KUMARAKOM(122kms/3.30hrs drive)

Day Notes After breakfast, check-out from your Hotel and drive to Kumarakom

Arrive in Kumarakom and check-in to the Houseboat

Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the activities on the houseboat

Overnight in the Houseboat

Included FB

DAY 8: Alleppey

Day Notes After breakfast, check-out from the Houseboat and drop to your Hotel in Alleppey

Check-in to the Hotel & Freshen-up

Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the amenities in the property

Evening visit the Alleppey Beach

Return to the Hotel & overnight at Alleppey

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Included BB Visit the below sightseeing points

Alleppey Beach is a beach in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. The beach has a small park nearby. stands near the beach which is also an interesting spot for tourists. Remains of Alappuzha Sea Bridge, which is in ruins, are still there as a memory of the good old days when Alappuzha port was one of the most famous and important ports in Kerala. The Sea Bridge enabled the passage of goods that came via ships. Alappuzha is referred to as the Venice of the East by travellers from across the world.

DAY 9: Alleppey

Day Notes After breakfast, check-out from the Hotel and proceed to the Airport/ Railway Station for your return journey

PRICE

No. of Pax Std Option: 3* Dlx Option: 4*

2 Adults Rs. 34,500/- per person Rs. 45,500/- per person

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Hotel Information

Destination 3* Catg 4* Catg

Cochin Travancore Heritage Ramada Resort www.thetravancoreheritage.com www.ramada.com/hotels/india/cochin/ramada- resort-cochin/hotel-overview?cid=local

Munnar The Wind Munnar www.thewindmunnar.com The Siena Village www.thesienavillage.com

Thekkady Springdale Heritage www.springdaleheritage.in Poetree Sarovar www.poetreeresort.com

Houseboat Deluxe Houseboat Luxury Houseboat

Alleppey Deshadan Backwater Resort Backwater Ripples www.backwaterripples.com www.deshadan.com/home.html

INCLUSIONS Accommodation on double occupancy in the above well rated properties Breakfast Plan on all days All Meal Plan (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) in Houseboat Transportation by chauffer driven car for 10 Days (Includes Fuel, Toll, Parking & chauffeur allowance) Sightseeing as per the itinerary – (final Itinerary will be shared one week prior to the travel date) Usage of Resort/ Hotel facilities All Govt. Taxes as on date

EXCLUSIONS Airfare / Railway fare Expense of personal nature Meals not specified in the inclusions Additional guest requests, orders and services Additional Activities taken up at the resort Transport for personal use Exigency cost – in case of emergency Travel Insurance Entrance fees at points of interest Gratitude & Portage

Note - The Above cost is calculated based on minimum 2 adults travelling together. Any change in the total no. of guests travelling with result in change of rates. - In case of non-availability of the above properties, similar properties will be considered. - Most of our programs are customised and we work in line with the requirements of our clients and hence the final detailed itinerary is prepared 5 days prior to the travel date based on the weather conditions and feasibility of visiting places during sightseeing.