Duration: 09 Nights - 10 Days
Places Covered: Cochin/Kochi - Munnar - Anamudi - Periyar -
Kumarakom - Alleppey/Alappuzha - Kochi/Cochin.
Day 1: Kochi
Begin your Tour.
Arrive into Cochin
Welcome to your "Kerala Wildlife Tour"!
On arrival in Cochin, you will be met and transferred by Vardhman's representative
to your hotel. Relax for a while and later visit the city.
A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along
the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate,
Bastion Bungalow etc. Overnight stay at hotel.
Cochin set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, the port city of Cochin
(Kochi) (Queen of Arabia) reflects the eclecticism of Kerala perfectly. With
a rich past and a bustling present, it has been the business hub of the region
from the very early days after Alleppey (Alappuzha).
Cochin consists of mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willington, Bolgatty and
Gundu in the harbour, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern peninsula,
and Vypeen Island north of Fort Cochin, all was linked by ferry but now some
islands have bridges. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is
evident in Cochin and its people. The oldest church in India, 500-year-old Portugese
houses, old tiled houses built in the Chinese pagoda style, the famous Chinese
fishing nets, a Jewish community whose roots go back to the Diaspora, synagogues
and mosques all tell the fascinating story of this harbour town. The harbour
is still at the heart of the city and pepper, sea food, rubber and coir mats
and matting are exported from here. Despite this, Cochin is an attractive city
with serene creak & lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms and picturesque
islands. The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend
of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English country village grafted onto the
troppical Malabar coast. Cochin is one of India's largest ports and a major
naval base.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 2: Kochi/Cochin- Munnar
Proceed to the Fascinating Hill Station-Munnar. Enjoying the scenic beauty &
the marvelous waterfalls, high mountains with the low flying clouds passing
by. Upon arrival, check into your hotel.
Relax for a while and then you can go for sight seeing of Munnar which includes
the Raja Malai - a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain
goats).
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha,
Nallathanni and Kundala. This hill station, located at an altitude of 1600 m
above sea level, was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British government
in South India. 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 is the 'Neelakurinji'. This flower which
bathes the hills in blue every twelve years will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar
also has the highest peak in south India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m.
Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 3: Munnar - Anamudi - Munnar
Morning, after breakfast, visiting tea plantations, Anamudi, Eravikulam National
Park, Devikulam, Mattupetty, Pallivasal, Pothamedu, Attukal etc. Rest of the
day at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 4: Munnar - Periyar
This morning proceed to Periyar on the way visiting Idukki dam. On arrival check
in at your pre-booked hotel.
Periyar Wildlife sanctuary: It is home to nomadic tribes of wild elephant, boar,
deer, the great Indian tiger and more. One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries
in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every
year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching
the animals in their natural habitat. The forest here, slopes into the manmade
lake at the bottom of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals
and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even
tigers can be spotted here. There are boat services which takes the visitor
around the lake. The best season to visit the park is between October and June.
Evening go for boat cruise in the lake to watch wild animals.
Spread over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary
is located 137 km from Madurai. Although an excursion on the splendid artificial
lake is the standard way to experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around
with the local guide in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake
to frolic in the water.
Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers,
Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. There are
over 260 species of birds here, including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged
Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 5: Periyar
Morning after breakfast enjoy boating on Periyar lake - Wildlife sanctuary.
Visit the rare species of plants and animals.
Afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea
estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market
and pick up some fragrant spices.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 6: Periyar - Kumarakom
Early morning proceed to Kumarakom. Reach and visit the Bird Sanctuary. Proceed
to the Vembanand Lake and check into your houseboat. The backwaters of Kerala
are a unique product of Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters
are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers
that drain into the Arabian Sea. Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous
Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The Vembanad
Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave
an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of the fringed
palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets. The entire state of
Kerala is blessed with plenty of rivers and the resources of many are still
untapped. The waterways of Kerala which play a main role in the economy of the
state links remote villages and islands with the main land. The water ways provide
a cheap and economical mode of transport. The water ways of Kuttanad is now
a big attraction for tourist. It is incredibly different experience to cruise
in the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala villages.
The scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of breath-taking greens and deep blues.
Overnight: Houseboat
Day 7: House Boat Cruise (Alleppey Round trip)
Enjoy one more night cruising through the backwaters of Kerala.
Overnight: Houseboat
Day 8: Alleppey
Disembark the boat at Alleppey after breakfast. Then transfer to your hotel
in Alleppey/Alappuzha.
Alleppey: Alappuzha, formerly named as Alleppey, in Kerala is one of the major
backwater destinations. The thrilling boat race awaits you at Alleppey or Alappuzha.
Imagine to just lazing on a houseboat or enjoying fishing in Alleppey Kerala.
Kuttanad is also known as the 'rice bowl' of the state, Kerala India. Alleppey
is a captivating destination in Kerala India that provides backwaters, traditional
Kettuvallooms (house boats), beaches, boat race, swaying palms, gourmet delight
and many more.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 9: Alleppey-Kochi
After breakfast proceed to Kochi. Reach and check into your pre-booked hotel.
Relax for the remaining part of the day.
In the evening attend KATHAKALI DANCE Performance.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 10: Kochi/Cochin
On the last dau Evening transfer to airport/railway station to board the flight/train
for your onward destination with sweet and unforgettable memories of "Kerala
Wildlife Tour" escorted by Vardhman Vacations.
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