Best of Kerala Tour

Best of Kerala

Kerala, the God’s Own Country, needs no introduction.
With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats in the east, tranquil stretches of emerald Backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, sprawling spice plantations,
Ayurveda and exotic cuisine are some of the highlights of Kerala that make it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in India. Come and enjoy all of the above and much more is this Kerala Tour.

Inclusions:

1.Accommodation on twin-share basis in the mentioned hotels or similar
2.Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
3.Transport in air-conditioned vehicle
4.Assistance during check-ins and check-outs at hotels
5.Services of local English Speaking Guides for sightseeing

Kerala Houseboat

6.Entry fee to monuments
7.All currently applicable taxes

Please contact Hop Asia or your Travel Agent regarding more info, package terms and conditions.......

Day 1: Arrive Cochin

Arrive in Cochin today. On arrival you will be received at the airport by our representative and taken to your hotel (check in after 12 noon). Rest of the day will be at leisure. In the evening you will be collected from your hotel and taken to witness spectacular Kathakali Dance Drama.
Kathakali is Kerala’s very own classical dance-drama form which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and other story books. Presented in the temple precincts after dusk falls, Kathakali is heralded by the Kelikottu or the beating of drums and to the accompaniment of the Chengila (gong). The riches of a happy blending of colour, expressions, music, drama and dance are unparalleled in any other art form. Those who are interested may come a little early to see make up of the artistes being done which is considered to be a full-blown art in itself and is regarded as important as the dance-drama.
Accommodation: Cochin Meals: None

Day 2: Cochin

If Kerala is India's most beautiful state, which many believe, then the lovely port of Cochin is its jewel. It has been variously hailed as Queen of the Arabian Sea, Venice of Orient, etc. Some choose to call it simply a museum city for its rich past and colourful present. Cochin displays a blend of people and architecture. It is one place where you can see a Jewishsynagogue,Portuguese churches, Dutch architecture, mosques,temples and Chinese fishing nets all in one day. Your tour of Cochin will include visit to Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays), Mattancherry or Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays) , St Francis Church and Chinese fishing nets. Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in 1555 for the maharaja of Cochin. Later renovated by the Dutch, it came to be known as the Dutch Palace. It has a large central courtyard and a temple depicting scenes from the Ramayana and other legends. The little museum at the palace has a collection of costumes, palanquins and other articles from the royalty. Jewish Synagogue was built in 1568. This simple building has marvellously rich interiors. There are clusters of coloured glass lamps hanging from the ceiling and the floor has blue willow patterned tiles, none of which are identical. St. Francis Church is one of the oldest churches in the subcontinent. It was built by the Portuguese, but became a Protestant church with the arrival of the Dutch and an Anglican church after the British occupation. Vasco da Gama was buried in this churchyard. Chinese fishing nets are distinctly unique to Cochin. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Oddly, these nets are found only in Kochi, outside China! Many fishermen earn their livelihood by fishing using these massive nets.
Accommodation: Cochin Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Cochin – Munnar

This morning you will be driven to Munnar (4½ hours drive) where you arrive around noon and would be at leisure for the rest of the day. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams — Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. At 1600m above sea level, this hill station was the summer resort of the British Government in South India. With its sprawling tea plantations, picture-book scenery, winding lanes and nice holiday facilities, Munnar is still a very popular hill station in Kerala.
Accommodation: Munnar Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Munnar

Full-day to explore Munnar and the neighbouring regions with our car and driver at your disposal.
You may visit Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar) which was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiri Ibex). If you are lucky, you can observe the Tahr from close quarters here. Or, visit Tea Museum where you also get to taste some tea. Or, simply sit and relax at the hotel….
Accommodation: Munnar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Munnar – Madurai

This morning you will be driven to Madurai (4 hours) where you arrive around noon. Madurai is one of south India's oldest cities, and has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Madurai's attraction is the famous Shri Meenakshi Temple. The temple seethes with activity from dawn to dust, its many shrines attracting pilgrims from every part of India and tourists from all over the world. Early evening you will be taken to visit Sri Meenakshi Temple. Shri Meenakshi Temple is a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture with 'gopurams' covered from top to bottom with a breathless profusion of multi coloured images of gods and goddesses, animals and mythic figures. Designed in 1560 by Vishwanath Nayak, the present temple was substantially built during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak (1623-55 AD), but its history goes back 2000 years to the time when Madurai was the capital of the Pandya kings. There are four entrance to the temple, which occupies six hectares. It has 12 towers, ranging in height from 45 to 50 metres, and four outer-rim nine-storey towers, the tallest of which is the 50-metre-high southern tower. Stay around in the evening to witness the ‘evening temple ceremony’, the nightly wedding rituals of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. A ceremonial procession wends its way through the temple each evening, accompanied by music and chanting. The statue of Lord Shiva is transported to the chambers of Meenakshi, where a ritual wedding is performed and image is left overnight.
Accommodation: Madurai
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Madurai – Chettinadu - Madurai

After breakfast you will be taken on a full-day excursion to Chettinadu.
Chettinadu is the homeland of the famous Tamil traders Chettiars, a prosperous banking and business community, many of whose members migrated to various part of Southeast Asia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today Chettinadu is well known for its mansions, embellished with marble and Burma teak, wide courtyards, spacious rooms. Sadly, all these lovely mansions today are vacant, though they are still well-maintained by the Chettiars living in different parts of the world…as they come once in few years to visit their homeland. It is an absolutely amazing experience to wander around a typical Chettinadu village and explore these largely abandoned mansions.
Accommodation: Madurai
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Madurai – Paradisa

This morning after a leisurely breakfast you will be driven to Paradisa (3 hours drive). On arrival in Paradisa check into your hotel and rest of the day may be spent at leisure or explore the neighbouring hills for spice and coffee plantation gardens. Set amidst the tranquil atmosphere of organic coffee and spice plantations, Paradisa Plantation Retreat comprises separately arranged traditional wooden Kerala style houses. Sitting in your cottage, the view itself on offer is enough to rejuvenate your mind and body. From Paradisa Plantation Retreat you can hike through the plantations to see the cultivation and harvesting of coffee, cardamom, cloves and pepper. The tea plantations and factory are also well worth a visit.
Accommodation: Paradisa
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Paradisa

Full-day at leisure or you may explore the plantation and hill country with the help of hotel staff.

Accommodation: Paradisa

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Paradisa - Houseboat

Kerala Houseboat

This morning you will be driven to Alleppey in the Backwaters of Kerala (3 ½ hours) to board your Houseboat.
Houseboats: The entire state of Kerala is criss-crossed with waterways that provide for irrigation and also serve as convenient modes of transportation and commerce. Next to the coastline, these endless stretches of lakes and lagoons are together called the backwaters. Life along these canals and byways is quite different from that seen along the highways. Many of the villages are isolated and entirely dependent on the canals for means of livelihood, transportation and communication…and the best way to explore these surroundings is by a ‘kettuvallam’ or houseboat. Enjoy backwater cruise in your houseboat as it meanders through the tranquil network of water canals, dotted with busy hamlets and lush green paddy fields. A houseboat ride through these placid waters is a heavenly experience, with visions of life gliding silently by.
Accommodation: Air-conditioned Deluxe Houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:Houseboat – Marari Beach

After leisurely breakfast you will disembark the houseboat and driven a short distance (30-40 minutes) to Marari Beach. At Marari you may:
Relax by the beach

Cook an interactive meal for yourself at the farm kitchen
Let the miracles of Yoga work on you
Unwind and relax through an authentic Ayurvedic Massage (direct payment)

Accommodation: Marari Beach
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11:Marari Beach

Full-day at leisure by the beach.
Accommodation: Marari Beach
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12:Marari Beach