Palace Tours 12000 Biscayne Blvd. #107 Miami FL 33181 USA 800-724-5120 / 786-408-0610 Call Us 1-800-724-5120 Best of Kerala's Beaches and Backwaters Explore the beautiful beaches, soothing backwaters and vibrant cities of Kerala, known as "God's own country." This 12-day tour begins in the busy capital of Trivandrum, from where you are whisked away to the serene beaches at Kovalam. Journey to Kanyakumari at India's southernmost tip before traveling northwards to the picturesque beach paradise at Varkala. Indulge in the comforts of a traditional houseboat as you float along the backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom before your journey comes to an end in Cochin, where you have ample opportunities for sightseeing and pure relaxation. Itinerary Day 1 - Arrive in Trivandrum and enjoy the beaches at Kovalam Arrive today in Trivandrum, capital of Kerala. You are met and greeted upon arrival at the airport and transferred to a beach resort at Kovalam, an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to acclimate after your long flight or relax at the beach. Day 2 - Visit caves, palaces and parks This morning after breakfast, proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of the capital. Enjoy a visit to Vizhinjam Cave to see the magnificent 18th century rock-cut sculptures. Continue to visit Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace and Sree Chithra Art Gallery, whose collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali. The Zoological Park is like a small jungle in the heart of the city, with a reptile house containing many species of snakes also located on the premises. Get a bird's eye view of the city from University Observatory, which is located at the highest point in the city. Return to the resort and stay overnight. Day 3 - A day excursion at the land’s end of India Today you have the option to relax at the beach or proceed for day trip to Kanyakumari (90 kms/ 2 hrs), at the southernmost point in India where the three seas meet. Enchanting Kanyakumari or Cape Comorin is one of the most popular tourist spots in the South India. Visit the Vivekananda Memorial, built on Vivekananda Rock where the charismatic philosopher Swami Vivekananda meditated and transformed himself. Return to the resort in Trivandrum for your overnight stay. Day 4 - Your day at leisure at Kovalam Spend your day at leisure, relaxing on the golden beaches of Kovalam or perhaps trying some Ayurvedic treatments at the resort. Day 5 - Travel to the coastal town of Varkala This morning after breakfast, check out of the resort and proceed to Varkala (70 kms/ 2 hrs), the only place in Kerala where you can find picturesque cliffs adjacent to the Arabian Sea. Varkala is also an important Hindu pilgrimage center. Check in to the resort upon arrival and spend the rest of your day at leisure, where you may enjoy spa treatments at the resort or simply relax on the beach. Day 6 - Day at leisure in Varkala Enjoy breakfast at the resort. The rest of the day is yours at leisure in this coastal paradise. Day 7 - Discover the beauty of Kumarakom This morning after breakfast, check out of the resort and proceed northwards to Kumarakom (130 kms/ 4 hrs), an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Upon arrival, check in to the resort. In the evening, enjoy a visit to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an enchanting backwater destination which is spread across 14 acres and is a favorite haunt of migratory birds. Return to the resort and stay overnight. Day 8 - Explore the backwaters of Kerala Best of Kerala's Beaches and Backwaters(© www.palacetours.com) 1/17 Today is yours at leisure to relax at the resort or explore the calming backwaters of Kumarakom. Overnight at the resort. Day 9 - An enchanting Houseboat experience After breakfast, check out of the resort and board a Houseboat for a delightful cruise along the soothing backwaters of the Alleppey and Kumarakom. Enjoy all meals and an overnight stay on board the Houseboat. Day 10 - Travel to Cochin, "Queen of the Arabian Sea" Check out of the Houseboat after breakfast and proceed to Cochin, also known as Kochi (65 kms/ 1 hr), the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala. Upon arrival, check in to a hotel and spend the remainder of your day at leisure, strolling around the city, shopping, or relaxing at the hotel. Day 11 - Explore St. Francis Church, Pierce Leslie Bungalow and Princess Street After breakfast at the hotel, take an exciting full day city tour of Cochin. Today, visit the centuries-old St. Francis Church which was built completely of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry. Enjoy a tour of the Pierce Leslie Bungalow, a charming mansion that was once the office of the Pierce Leslie coffee merchants. This building reflects Portuguese, Dutch and local influences that comprise Cochin's rich heritage. Later, visit Loafer's Corner/Princess Street, one of the earliest streets constructed in Fort Kochi, and still retains its old world charm with European style residences. Today, it is the traditional hangout of the fun-loving people of the area. Return to the hotel for your overnight stay. Day 12 - Depart Cochin This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed to the airport to board your departure flight home or to your next exotic destination. Destination Information Alleppey Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state of Kerala with a large number of canals providing Alleppey its lifeline; this coir-manufacturing city was once known as "Venice of India". Alleppey the ideal headquarters for backwater tourism as well as for visits to the lovely church-filled town of Kottayam and the town of Aranmula, famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race which is an annual event. On the second Saturday in August the annual Nehry Cuo Snake Boat Race takes place, which starts with a water procession and concludes dramatically. Cochin (Kochi) Cochin is one of the most interesting places in India. The city is spread out over mainland, peninsula and islands. The ancient temples and the churches in this district are of special interest to tourists. You can also visit the Chinese fishing nets still present off the shores of the city. Cochin International Airport is one of the country's youngest airports with modern facilities and conveniences for the international traveler. Kanyakumari Kanyakumari or Cpae Comorin is a town in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu state, India. Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, it is also called Cape Comorin. The closest major cities are Nagercoil, the administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari district, (22 km) and Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala (85 km). A popular tourist place in India, the town and the district, Kanyakumari District, in which it is located, is a place of great natural beauty - from the blue seas of Kanyakumari town to the blue hills of the Western Ghats in the interior. Kumarakom Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala. The village of Kumarakom is actually a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake. The slender coconut palms all around, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves of nesting birds of a hundred varieties--all can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration. A picturesque world of backwaters, thatched houseboats, Cormorants, Chinese fishing nets and swaying Best of Kerala's Beaches and Backwaters(© www.palacetours.com) 2/17 palms awaits you here. Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland. Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the "Evergreen city of India", the city is characterized by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. With almost 745,000 inhabitants per the 2001 census, it is the largest and most populous city in Kerala; the wider urban agglomeration having a population of about one million. The city is the state capital and houses many central and state government offices, organizations and companies. Apart from being the political nerve centre of Kerala, it is also a major academic hub and is home to several educational institutions including the University of Kerala, and to many science and technology institutions, the most prominent being the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Technopark and IIST. Varkala Varkala is a coastal town and municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district situated in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located 51 kilometers (approx. 32 miles) north of Thiruvananthapuram. It is famous for its beach resorts, as well as its 3,500 year old Janardanaswamy temple, which is an important Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is referred to as Dakshin Kashi (Benares of the south). Other major landmarks in Varkala are the Sivagiri Mutt; the hill-top mausoleum of Sree Narayana Guru; the East-West University of Brahmavidya and Sree Narayana Gurukulam; and the Varkala Tunnel, part of the TS Canal, which was an important waterway during pre-independence times. Price Chart Your tour cost includes: 11 Nights accommodation as per the itinerary on a twin sharing basis with breakfast and all applicable taxes Transportation as per the itinerary by air-conditioned luxury car/coach with driver, fuel, parking charges and taxes All meals and jungle activities at the wildlife resorts as specified in the itinerary (if applicable) Entrances to all sightseeing places as per itinerary Your tour cost does not include: Domestic or international airfare except where specifically mentioned as included Lunches, dinners or beverages not specified as included Personal expenses such as laundry, gratuities, telephone calls, etc.