Day 01 : Arrive Kochi
Welcome to Kochi, the most charming city of Kerala. On arrival at Airport in Kochi / Railway station in Ernakulam, begin your tour of 'Charming Kerala'. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. On arrival, check-in to your hotel.
Later, visit the St. Francis Church, the Mattencherry Palace, the Jewish Synagogue and view the Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi area.
St.Francis Church is said to be India's oldest European built church, built by Portuguese Franciscan friars. The original wooden structure was rebuilt in stone around the mid-16th century.After the occupation of Kochi by the British in 1795,it became an Anglican church and is presently being used by the Church of South India. Having passed away in Kochi in 1524, Vasco da Gama was buried here for 14 years before his remains were taken to Lisbon. His tombstone can be seen in the church.
Mattenchary Palace was built by the Portuguese in 1555 and was presented to the raja of Kochi as a goodwill gesture. The side galleries have amazing murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends.
The synagogue was built in 1568 and destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662 and rebuilt two years later when the Dutch took Kochi. It features hand painted willow patterned floor tiles brought from China. Inside the sanctuary is an ornate gold pulpit and an upstairs balcony for women who worship separately according to the community's Orthodox rites.
Overnight in Kochi - None (Meals on your own)
Day 02: On to Munnar (130 kms / approx. 4 hour drive)
This morning, drive through the picturesque countryside to Munnar. On arrival, check-in to your hotel. Set in the mountain scenery, once known as the High Range of Travancore, the hill station of Munnar is the commercial Centre of some of the world's highest tea - growing estates. With its craggy peaks,manicures tea estates and crisp mountain air, Munnar is an ideal retreat.
The rest of the day is at leisure to explore this quaint hill station.
Day 03: Munnar
Today, proceed for a full day sightseeing of Munnar, where you will enjoy visiting sections of old Munnar, which includes the charming old Christ Church with its original fourteen rows of wooden pews and the Tata Tea Museum.
Later, you will also visit Mattupetty Lake which is flanked by steep hills, woods and the small hydro-electricity dam. Enjoy a panoramic view of the dam surrounded by wooden hills and tea plantations.
The evening is at leisure. You can spend time within the hotel and simply enjoying a delicious dinner and maybe in the evening going out for a stroll to the local market.
Overnight in Munnar (B)
Day 04: On to Thekkady (105 kms / approx. 3 1/2 hrs drive)
Today, drive to Thekkady (Periyar) the land of spice plantations . On arrival, check-in to your hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure. You can walk through the spice market in the Kumily Village.
Overnight in Thekkady (B)
Day 05: On to Alleppey (110 kms / approx. 4 hour drive)
The morning is at leisure. You can enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Periyar (boats can be hired directly), to observe wildlife in the Periyar Sanctuary.
Later, drive to the idyllic backwaters of Alleppey and check-in to your resort.
Overnight in Alleppey (B)
Day 06: On to Kumarakom (51 kms / approx. 1 & 1/2 hrs drive)
Today, after breakfast, drive to the idyllic backwaters of Kumarakom, popularly known as the rice bowl of Kerala.
A huddle of tiny islets on the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a pictorial, unsoiled village. Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala.
On arrival, check-in to your hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure. You can explore local markets for various spices such as cardamom, pepper, kokam, nut meg, clove, cinnamon, coffee, cassia, tamarind and so on. Shop for Handicrafts made of natural fibre, metal and woodcraft products such as wall mirrors with antique finish, multi-colored screw pine boxes, baskets, bags in various sizes, whitewood icons and artifacts are other favourite items found in Kerala.
Overnight in Kumarakom (B)
Day 07: Depart to Kochi (60 kms / approx. 2 hour drive)
Today, bid farewell to your 'Charming Kerala' tour as you get transferred to Airport in Kochi / Railway station in Ernakulam for your onward journey.
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