Kerala, a small leaf-shaped state that clings to India's western flank as if
blown there by the south-west monsoon, suspended between the azure waters of
the Arabian Sea and the brilliant green of the towering Western Ghats, the
world still beats a path to its door. As you'd expect from a state where
water has played such a key part in shaping its history and character, many
of Kerala's most impressive festivals posses a pronounced aquatic emphasis.
In August & September the festival of Onam gives thanks for the monsoon.
We arrive at Cochin, situated on one of the finest natural harbours of India's Malabar Coast and move towards the cultural capital of Kerala - Trishur. Gradually we drive to slopes of the Western Ghats, so begins the rolling carpet of first coffee than tea plantations, which reach their picturesque height around Munnar and from there to the Periyar Wild life Sanctuary.
From the middle of the tour we slips into the Alleppey district interlocked with large number of canals and inland lagoons where we will take part of Snake boat races, we end the tour at Kovalam, the relaxing days on beach.
Note
: We have to follow this Programme as per the 2004 dates in order to attend
the festivities and snake boat race. DAY 01 COCHIN
Arrive Cochin from your home country, garland welcome, assistance and direct transfer to Shornur (about 90kms/03hrs). Check into the hotel located on the banks of Bharatapuzha (Nila) a river of astonishing poetry, beauty & silence, which was the summer palace of Maharaja of Cochin. Evening free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 02 SHORNUR TO COCHIN
Morning visit the Kerala Kalamandalam, home of the renowned repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form. It is in this academy that the best of Kerala’s Kathakali performers get their rigorous training. Proceed to Cochin, enroute visit Punnathur Kotta, near Guruvayoor, the place where the temple elephants (numbering over 50) are take care of. Check into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03 COCHIN
Cochin, a major port of call on the ancient trade route from China to Rome. The mixture of influences here is a heady brew. Chinese fishing nets dot the coast, the Mattancheri Palace was built by the Portuguese, the Bolghatty Palace by the Dutch, and Willingdon Island was created by the British. Here you will find Hindu Temples, Christian Churches, mosques, and a synagogue (the Jewish settlement dates from at least as far back as AD 400). Morning after breakfast visit famous monuments & churches. Afternoon we drive to Tripunithura, 9kms away to watch the spectacular procession ‘Athachamayam’, that marks the beginning of the Onam festival. This procession is conducted in pomp and splendour, it displays a rare treasure house of folk and temple arts of Kerala performed by skilled artists, apart from caparisoned elephants and a variety of floats. Back to Cochin, O/n Hotel.
DAY 04 COCHIN TO MUNNAR
Morning after breakfast drive to Munnar (about 140kms/04hrs), a major centre of Kerala’s tea industry, and close to Anamudi (2695 m), the highest peak in South India.
Check into the hotel located amongst tall trees and cardamom plantation. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 05 MUNNAR Morning after breakfast we drive 14 km northwest of Munnar to visit Eravikulam/Rajamalai National Park, set up in 1978 to preserve the endangered species Nilgiri Tahr (Ibex). This sure-footed wild goats live in herds on the steep black rocky slopes of the Anamudi Mountains. Explore the park by walking, the scenery is magnificent. Rest of the day free to relax or stroll in the tea estates. O/n Hotel.
DAY 06 MUNNAR TO THEKKADY
Morning after breakfast drive to Thekkady set on an attractive Periyar Lake side through Cardamom Hills. Check into the hotel. Afternoon at leisure or walk around the spice market of Kumily. O/n Hotel.
DAY 07 THEKKADY
Morning explore the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, near the border with Tamil Nadu, is in a beautiful setting and designated a part of Project Tiger in 1973, though tigers are very rarely seen and its better known for its elephants. Bison, sambar, wild boar and barking deer are fairly common, in addition to 246 species of birds, there are 112 species of butterfly..
The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife area encircles. Rest of the day free to relax by the pool side. O/n Hotel.
DAY 08 THEKKADY TO KUMARAKOM
Morning after breakfast drive to Kumarakom (about 140kms/04hrs), a small village located on the banks of Vembanadu Lake. The road from the hills descend to the plains, through tropical evergreen forests, rubber and spice plantations, cardamom and tea plantations on the high land gives fall to pepper on low land. It is an interesting drive with superb views. Check into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 09 KUMARAKOM
Day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 10 KUMARAKOM TO MARARIKULAM
Morning after breakfast drive to Mararikulam (about 70kms/02hrs), check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax on the quite, secluded beach. Visit the adjoining fishing village also. O/n Hotel.
DAY 11 MARARIKULAM
The day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 12 MARARIKULAM TO ALLEPPEY
Today is the biggest and most important festival of Kerala – Thiruvonam (Onam), a harvest festival, celebrated throughout Kerala in the month of Chingam (August – September). According to the legend, it is on the first day that the good Asura King Mahabali who once ruled Kerala, comes from exile to visit his beloved people; homes are decorated with flowers in preparation for his visit. On the later, a grand feast is held in every home. Onam also provides an occasion for family gettogethers for the Keralites. We will visit one of the houses to participate in the Onam celebrations with that family. O/n Hotel.
DAY 13 ALLEPPEY
Morning after breakfast board a houseboat from the finishing point jetty, cruise from Alleppey, which is hailed as the Venice of the East, because of its intricated maze and backwaters, canals and bridges. Take a cruise through small canals and lagoons will be a memorable experience. O/n Houseboat.
DAY 14 ALLEPPEY TO KOLLAM
Morning
disembark from the Houseboat, drive to Aranmula to visit the the Vinjana
Kala Vedi Cultural Centre founded by Louba Schild, a French scholar. The
centre offers residential training courses in Kerala’s traditional arts
and crafts like Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Bharta Natyam, Kalaripayattu, Music
and Wood Carving etc. We will have a Kerala style lunch in banana leaves.
Proceed to Payipaad to be a part of Snake Boat race conducted there.Snake Boat Race :
It is in the month of August and September that the moist, rain-drenched earth and the glorious overflowing backwaters burst into song together, as over hundred thousands men and women gather on the banks to witness a spectacular water ragetta – the Snake Boat Race. Boat race crews begin to practise for the race months before the great day. They live together, eat together, and toil together to work themselves into a smooth, co-ordinated team. On boat race day, the Chundan Valloms as the greatest racing boats are called – are slicked down with a special oil to make them glide effortlessly through water. The crews then visit a shrine carrying the stroke and largest steering oar with them. And having offered prayers to the Almighty, they are now ready to war with their fellow men. The air crackles with excitement as the best of the 130 feet Chundan Valloms, each manned by over a hundred rowers, fly through the waters at petitive spirit that marks the event and the spectators lusty oars. Large and spectacular chundans glide towards the finishing line like meteors in the sky with water splashing violently on the both sides like streaks of lightning. An unforgettable and truly special scene. The fund of energy, spirit of competition and unerring co-ordination makes this sport one of the most dynamic.
After watching the competition, proceed to Kollam (about 120kms/03hrs), check into the hotel located on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 15 KOLLAM TO VARKALA
Morning after breakfast drive to Varkala (about 20kms), check into the hotel. Afternoon visit the beach, backed by high reddish cliffs, is an excellent place to unwind, and the sea here is very enticing. O/n Hotel.
DAY 16 VARKALA
Day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 17 VARKALA TO KUTTALAM
Morning after breakfast drive to Kuttalam, the ‘Spa of South’ is situated at an elevation of 167 mts, in the Western Ghats. Its waterfalls are known for their curative properties. Enroute visit the Thenmala Eco Park across the Thenmala Dam. Check into the hotel with basic facilities. O/n Hotel.
DAY 18 KUTTALAM TO KANYAKUMARI
Morning after breakfast drive to Tiruchendur Murugan Temple (about 99kms/03hrs), is situated right on the beach adding glory to the beach. Afternoon drive to Kanyakumari, the land’s end of India, at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Check into the hotel. Evening visit to Vivekananda Rock and Kumari Amman Temple. Evening enjoy the sunset. O/n Hotel.
DAY 19 KANYAKUMARI TO POOVAR
Morning watch the sunrise, after breakfast drive to Poovar (about 90kms/03hrs). Enroute visit the Suchindram Temple with musical pillars, also visit Padmanabhapuram Palace, was once the capital of the State of Travancore contains 17th and 18th century murals and some fascinating architecture and paintings. Check into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 19 POOVAR
Day at leisure at Poovar Island Resort located on 12.5 acres of lush green coconut gardens alongside the beach, sea and backwaters at Poovar. O/n Hotel.
DAY 20 POOVAR
Day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 21 POOVAR TO KOVALAM
Morning after breakfast drive to Kovalam, check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax on beach. O/n Hotel.
DAY 22 KOVALAM
Day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 23 KOVALAM TO TRIVANDRUM
Morning after breakfast drive to Trivandrum International airport to board flight to your home country.