Kerala is regarded as the one among the most prominent tourist destination in India, with unique geographical features that give the state a special place in the world tourism map. The land is having boarders the towering Western Ghats on the west and Arabian Sea on the east. The place is kept green throughout the year by a network of 44 rivers.
These rivers, except three, originate in the Western Ghats and create a vast network of canals, inlets, streams, rivulets, estuaries, and backwaters. The backwaters of Kerala are a labyrinthine system that consists of lagoons and lakes which are linked through many canals. These backwaters witness a number of tourist activities throughout the year.
The romantic monsoon rain that hardly shows any furry on the landscape attracts many honeymooners to this exquisite state. The state also has high literacy rates, high life expectancy, and highest female gender ratio and the people are very hospitable. The state also has many ecotourism projects that include many adventures trip and it is a chance to know the nature and wilderness from up close.
The alluring beauty of Kerala has helped it to be named as one of the ‘10 paradises of the world’ and one of the 50 must see destinations of a lifetime by the National Geographic’s Traveller magazine. Kerala, the state also offers exotic beaches, lush hill-stations, spectacular waterfalls, wilderness to explore, many sanctuaries, ancient ports, and greenery everywhere. The state is known for its hospitality and if you are currently in search of your next travel destination here is the one calling you.
Day 01 Arrive Cochin (By Flight)
Arrive Cochin, meet assist and transfer to the hotel.
Check in to your hotel at Cochin.
By evening witness the world famous Kathakali dance at a local theatre, a traditional art form of kerala and one among the national dances of India.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02 Cochin
After Breakfast Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Cochin covering – The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese trade.Venture into the busy markets of Cochin for a shopping experience, an ideal place to find curios, souveniers, spices, textiles etc.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03 Cochin – Munnar (By Road) (127 Kms. / 3H 45M appx.)
After breakfast, drive to Munnar.
Surrounded by lush green-carpeted tea and coffee plantations, Munnar is a picturesque hill station situated in the eastern part of Kerala. The town is located at the confluence of three mountain streams — Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kudala—and is known for its clean, neat, and brightly painted ambience. The beautiful landscapes, cosy weather, and the smell of tealeaves make Munnar one of the most sought-after destinations in South India. Precisely these were the reason why the British always retreated to Munnar when the heat and humidity was on its peak in other parts of Kerala. Munnar is situated near the Anaimudi Peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats. The hills here are covered with a carpet of flowers in bloom. Also found here is an exotic plant called Neelakurunji that flowers just once in a 12-year period.
Upon arrival. Enroute visit the Tea Museum and Mattuppetty dam site.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04 Munnar – Periyar (By Road) (98 Kms. / 3H 15M appx.)
After breakfast, drive to Periyar.
Periyar the land of unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. It houses the famous wildlife sanctuary in South India and has also been declared as a Tiger Reserve.
On arrival, check into the hotel. By late afternoon proceed for a boatride to lake periyar for viewing the wild life. Herds of Elephants, bisons are common sights here.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05 Periyar–Alleppey (113 Km/ 3H)/Alleppey–Kumarakom (Houseboat)
After breakfast, drive to Alleppey.
On arrival, embark the houseboat to enjoy cruising experience on the backwaters of Kerala.
After some hours, disembark the houseboat and transfer to Kumarakom hotel.
Ovenright in Kumarakom.
Houseboats, also known as kettuvallam or rice boats, are today one of the major tourist attractions in Kerala, but these boats were used to carry rice bags in their earlier days. These houseboats are uniquely designed using local materials like bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. and are a fabulous way to enjoy exploring the fascinating beauties of backwaters. With their languid grace and quaint design adding another dimension to your cruise in the shimmering blue waters.
Day 06 Kumarakom – Kovalam (By Road) (175 Kms. / 4H 20M appx.)
After breakfast, city tour of Kovalam.
Later, transfer to Kovalam.
On arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Kovalam.
Kumarakom is a village on Vembanad Lake in the backwaters of Kerala, southern India. It’s laced with canals, where houseboats ply the waters. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to many species including cuckoos and Siberian storks. Nearby, the Bay Island Driftwood Museum displays wooden sculptures. In the lake, Pathiramanal Island is a haven for rare migratory birds. Ancient Thazhathangady Mosque is east of Kumarakom.
Day 07 Kovalam
Day 08 Kovalam
Beach Relax in Kovalam.
Overnight in Kovalam.
Kovalam is a small coastal town in the southern Indian state of Kerala, south of Thiruvananthapuram. At the southern end of Lighthouse Beach is a striped lighthouse with a viewing platform. Palm-backed beaches also include Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach. Heading south, Vizhinjam Juma Masjid mosque overlooks the busy fishing harbor. Inland, Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium displays technology used in pearl production.
Day 09 Kovalam – Trivandrum (By Road) (30 Km/ 55M) / Depart Trivandrum
After Breakfast Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is just a stones throw away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle. Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple from outside only, Puthenmalike Palace museum.
Optional – After Lunch, shopping of antiques and souveniers before return drive to Kovalam resort.
After dinner, transfer to the Trivandrum International airport for flight to onward destination.
| City | Night (s) | 5* Hotels |
| Cochin | 02 | Mariott Cochin |
| Munnar | 01 | The Panoramic Getaway |
| Periyar | 01 | Elephant Court |
| Kumarakom | 01 | The Zuri Kumarakom |
| Kovalam | 03 | Uday Samudra |
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at the airport and hotels.
– 08 nights hotel accommodation as per the program.
– Daily breakfast and dinners.
– Entrance fees to the monuments.
– 2-3 hours of houseboat cruising on the backwaters of Kerala in Alleppey.
– Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
– Boatride to lake periyar for viewing the wild life.
– Ayurveda Massage, Sunset Cruise And Bird Sanctuary.
– Tea Museum and Mattuppetty dam site
– St. Francis Church.
– Local English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Chinese / Russian speaking guide.
– All transfers, sightseeing, excursions by private AC vehicle.
– All taxes.
– Tips
– International Air Fare
– Visa Fees
– Travel Insurance
– Personal expenses and drinks.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.