CULTURAL TOURS Kerala Spices, Beach & Tea Tour 12 Nights/13 Days Private tour: 1nt Cochin • 2nts Munnar • 2nt Periyar • 2nts Kumarakom • 1nt Houseboat • 4 nts Mararikulam This tour begins in the Historic city of Cochin and takes you through to the Day 5 - Periyar. Morning: Take a soft trek in the forest, which is scenic tea plantations of Munnar and then onward to Thekkady through the full of rare species of birds and mammals including Malabar Squirrel, blue and green mountains, water falls, and spice plantations. Thekkady Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Nilgiri Langur and the highly endangered is close to the Periyar Wild life Sanctuary and from the mountains to the lovely Lion-tailed Macaque. During the afternoon take a two-hour boat ride backwaters of Kerala at Kumarakom and then cruise through the lovely on the mist-shrouded lake, which offers excellent opportunities for backwaters of Kerala in your private house boat to discover the life which goes spotting wildlife, especially herds of elephants. Overnight stay. along the backwaters, which are a mixture of lakes, lagoons and canals. The last 4 nights you can just relax at the Marari Beach Resort, Mararikulam. Day 6 - Periyar/Kumarakom by surface (140 Kms/4 hrs.) Morning drive back down to the coast and to the melodically named Day 1 - Arrive Cochin. Upon arrival welcome, be met and assisted town of Kumarakom on the banks of Lake Vembanad. Kumarakom is at the airport and transfered to your hotel. Evening attend Kathakali world famous backwater destination. Upon arrival check in at Hotel. dance show - a popular art form of Kerala has been referred to as Enjoy an evening sunset cruise on Lake Vembanad. Overnight stay. ‘the fi rst theatre of imagination’ of the world owing to its elaborate costumes, ornaments and facial make-up. Overnight stay. Day 7 - Kumarakom. Day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight stay. Day 2 - Cochin/Munnar by surface (140 Kms/04 Hrs). Morning proceed for a city tour visiting the Dutch Palace – The place Day 8 - Kumarakom/ Alleppey by houseboat. Morning embark has a fi ne collection of mural paintings depicting the scenes from on the Kettuvallam – a typical Kerala houseboat and sail through the Hindu epics Mahabharata & Ramayana, Jewish Synagogue – the the beautiful backwaters region towards Alleppey. Explore the oldest synagogue in the world is magnifi cently decorated by Chinese labyrinthine network of waterways, which weave through villages tiles and Belgian chandeliers, was built in 1568. St. Francis Church is set amidst lush vegetation, offering glimpses of Kerala’s unique rural the oldest church built by Europeans in India & huge, elegant Chinese lifestyle, where land and water are inseparable. Overnight on board fi shing nets that line the tip of Fort Cochin. Afternoon drive to the houseboat. Munnar. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight stay. Day 9 - Alleppey / Mararikulam by surface (Approx 45 Kms. Day 3 - Munnar. After breakfast visit Eravikulam National Park, 1Hrs). Morning disembark houseboat and drive to Mararikulam and natural habitat of the rare mountain goat – Nilgiri Tahr and home of check in at hotel. Overnight stay. Aniamundi (2695m) the highest peak of South India. Afternoon at leisure for independent activities. Overnight stay. Day 9-12 - Mararikulam (04 Nights). All days at leisure for independent activities and stay at hotel. Day 4 - Munnar/Periyar by surface (120 kms/3 Hrs).Morning: Drive to Periyar a scenic drive through tea and spice plantations and Day 13 - Mararikulam/Cochin by surface (85 Kms/2 Hrs). blue hills and arrive at Periyar. Periyar tiger Reserve is an example of Depart Cochin. In time transfer to Kochi airport to board fl ight for nature’s bounty, with great scenic charm, rich bio-diversity and onward journey. providing veritable visitor satisfaction. Sprawled over an area of 777 Sq Kms. Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India. Upon arrival at Periyar and check in at Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight stay. 29.