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Backwater Kerala Tour
11 days
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This easygoing eleven-day journey visits Kerala, Indias laid-back southern state that is ideal for nature, culture, and leisure. With its laid-back beach atmosphere, elephant rides, and quiet houseboat tours through tropical backwaters, it is an amazing experience. Your trip will start with a visit to Cochin, sometimes known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. After discovering the citys hidden jewels, you will go inland to Munnar, a serene hill town surrounded by verdant fields and woods and packed with tea and rubber plantations. Continuing to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, which is located near Madurai in the upper Palani Hills of the Western Ghats. Trekking, yoga and meditation, and horseback riding are among the activities provided. After a two-night stay, you will return to Periyar. Floral species and a diverse assortment of plants are also abundant here. During a jungle stroll in the forest, you might see wild creatures. Finally, you will return to Cochin, where your journey will be over.
- Fort Kochi and its colonial architecture.
- The spice markets at Thekkady are flavored with black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Elephants at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
- A languid houseboat cruise through tranquil backwaters in Alleppey.
On this tour, you will visit the Arabian queen city Kochi, Hiking at Munnar, Spice market at Thekkady and unique night stay accommodation in a houseboat at Alleppey.
Organized by: travel-expert Naveen K
Program
Day 1. Arrival in Kochi by flight.
Assistance on your arrival at Kochi airport by our airport representative and he will transfer to the hotel. This city has had a historic maritime trade connection with the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Northern Europe. The architecture and structure of the buildings reflect a cosmopolitan past that is a mix of old Portuguese, Dutch and British influences.
Accommodation: Abad Plaza/ Similar 3 hotel.
Meal: No Meal on this day.
Day 2. Kochi sightseeing
Today, you will enjoy a Kochi sightseeing tour, you will visit the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese as a gift to the Raja of Kochi, the Jewish Synagogue dating back to 1568, and the Church of St. Francis. You will also explore the city of Kochi, its bazaars, and the old port area. In the evening, there is the possibility of an optional visit to see an exhibition of Kathakali, a classical dance form unique to Kerala.
Accommodation: Abad Plaza/ Similar 3 hotel.
Food: Breakfast
Day 3. Cochin - Munnar (130km / 3h 40m)
In the morning, you will drive away from the coastal plains towards Munnar, located in the Western Ghats. Munnar is a beautiful hill station that retains its colonial charm and is famous for its tea plantations. The city is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams Mudrapauzha, Naliathani, and Kundala. With its rolling hills, glistening waterfalls, tea plantations, and picture-postcard villages, the area is perfect for a leisurely walk. Upon arrival, you will check into the hotel and spend the rest of the day free enjoying the atmosphere of the city or the beauty of its bazaars.
Accommodation: Abad Copper Castle/ Similar 3 hotel.
Food: Breakfast
Day 4. Munnar
After an early breakfast, you will drive through the old town of Munnar and arrive in the small town of Nagarmudi, from there, accompanied by a local guide, you will start your walk. The trail begins with a gradual ascent through the tea plantations and then goes up to the Seven Malai Hills. Before reaching the top, you will enjoy walking through cardamom and coffee plantations. At the top, you will enjoy the spectacular views of Anamudi Peak, Changulam Lake, Chittrapuram Dam, Munnar City, and some local villages. Later you will descend the same route and will be transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Abad Copper Castle/ Similar 3 hotel.
Food: Breakfast
Day 5. Munnar - Kodaikanal (165km / 05hrs)
After a delicious breakfast, you will head towards Kodaikanal, where you will spend a night in an Ecolodge in the Elephant Valley, which consists of an ecological lodge surrounded by jungle, coffee plantations, waterfalls, traditional villages, and wildlife including elephants. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and the rest of the day is free to relax.
Accommodation: Hotel Shiva Priya/ similar 3 hotel.
Food: Breakfast
Day 6. Kodaikanal
A day of relaxation and discovery of nature and the surrounding wildlife. The Eco-lodge offers many activities (these activities can be arranged on-site with the hotel). For example, stroll through coffee plantations, hike to waterfalls, ride horses, practice yoga and meditation, and cycle a few miles to explore the surroundings at your own pace.
Accommodation: Hotel Shiva Priya/ Similar 3 hotel.
Food: Breakfast
Day 7. Kodaikanal - Periyar (Thekkady) (160km / 04h30m)
In the morning, you will drive through beautiful lush scenery through the top of the hills to Thekkady, near Periyar National Park, one of the most fascinating wildlife sanctuaries in India. After arriving in the small town of Thekkady, you will check into the hotel. This is an important spice growing area and after lunch, you will take a short walk through a spice garden where you can see a wide variety of live spice plants. There is plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the bazaar where you will see numerous shops selling cardamoms, vanilla, peppercorns, chili peppers, turmeric, and other spices.
Accommodation: Abad Green Forest/ Similar 3 hotel.
Food: Breakfast
Day 8. Periyar National Park
In the early morning, you will take a jungle walk in the park together with your forest guides to admire the abundance of birds including kingfishers, storks, and hornbills, which are the most commonly sighted birds. Periyar National Park is one of the largest reserves in South India and is located around a large man-made lake. You will return to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, there is the possibility of an optional boat ride on Lake Periyar. This is an ideal opportunity to get up close to the animals and a good opportunity to observe elephants, otters, wild boars, and buffalo. Ayurvedic massage is offered here (optional), which can be arranged at the nearby Ayurvedic massage center.
Accommodation: Abad Green Forest/ Equivalent 3 star hotel
Food: Breakfast
Day 9. Periyar (Thekkady) - Alappuzha (Alleppey) (150km /
After breakfast, you will drive to Alleppey. Also known as Alappuzha, the city is a main backwater cruise hub in Kerala. You will board your houseboats and start your cruise on the Kerala backwaters; one of the highlights of the trip. These charming ships have been decorated and turned into comfortable cruise ships. You will meander along waterways flanked by lush tropical vegetation, glimpsing dazzling tropical birds, and gazing out at idyllic villages. You will spend the night on the boats in the middle of the famous Vembanad Lake.
Accommodation: Deluxe House Boat
Food: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10. Alleppey - Backwaters
After a relaxing breakfast on the houseboats, you will disembark and drive along the picturesque Malabar coast to Alapatt Homestay, a West Chennamkary-based community homestay, right in the heart of the picturesque Kuttanad district amidst backwaters. . In the evening, you will go for a walk in the village. Here you can organize various optional activities such as canoeing, a cycling tour of the villages and cooking classes.
Accommodation: Alapatt Homestay/ Equivalent homestay
Food: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11. Alleppey - Kochi airport (82km / 02 hrs)
This morning you will be transferred to Kochi airport to board your flight back home.
Accommodation: No accommodation on this day.
Food: Breakfast
Exertion Level
Medium
Activities within the same location or change of several locations during the route, infrastructure-developed locations, periodic outings to nature.
A comment from the tour leader
Describe how intense the program of your is going to be
It all depends on the itinerary as how busy the trip is, some trips are for a very short time, therefore are very busy and they see a lot in the lesser time. Some trips are leisure trips where you spend two nights in each city, therefore they are a relaxed tour, but before going on the holidays travelers are aware of the intensity of a tour.
How much are you going to walk per day?
More or less you walk 5 to 8 km per day, someday can be very activities other days can be more.
Are there any special skills required for a tour?
No special requirements unless its a trekking tour or hiking tour, better if clients let the tour company know if anything is challenging for them.
I need to wear things on my own or will there be porters?
We have porters at the railway stations, you pay and they carry your luggage.
Whats the most challenging part of your schedule?
The first thing is always to keep the group together, to win the confidence of a client, to finish the day schedule, to take them to decent restaurants, and many more.
Conditions
Included
- 08 nights of accommodation in 3 hotels in double/twin room sharing bed and breakfast.
- 01 night in full board in a houseboat in Alleppey.
- 01 night in full board with a host family in Alleppey.
- Guided hike in Munnar.
- Forest hike with a naturalist in Periyar National Park.
- All ground transportation is included in the program using a private air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking driver.
- Entrance fees to parks and monuments as mentioned in the itinerary.
- A Professional English-speaking tour leader will accompany you throughout the tour.
- Current government applicable service tax.
Not included
- International flight tickets.
- Travel insurance.
- Miscellaneous expenses: drinks, souvenirs, personal expenses, etc.
- Lunch and Dinner throughout the trip except for Full Board in Alleppey.
- Tips for drivers and other local personnel.
- Camera charges at monuments and parks.
- Cancellation and luggage insurance, assistance, and repatriation.
- Any optional activity.
- Indian Visa fees.
Allocation
Hotel 3*, Houseboat
Comfort
Midscale
Is affordable, with a modestly enhanced level of facilities, décor and amenities.
Accommodation
Double
Important information
Tour preparation
The Mattancherry Palace is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
The synagogue is closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays.
Cancellation terms
In the event of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reason/s, we must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive advice in writing, and cancellation charges would be as follows:
45 days before arrival: 25% of the Tour/service cost
15 days before arrival: 40% of the Tour/service cost
07 days before arrival: 65% of the Tour/service cost
48 hours before arrival OR No Show: No Refund
For the X-mas and new year period from 20 Dec to 05 Jan the payment is non-refundable.
In case you cancel the trip after commencement, refund would be restricted to a limited amount only which too would depend on the amount that we would be able to recover from the hoteliers/ contractors we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation missed meals, etc. we do not bear any responsibility to refund.
Guest requirements
No services are held. All arrangements are subject to availability upon receipt of your completed booking.
Traveling times from one destination to another destination are approximately and it depends on road conditions.
Please note the names of the hotels mentioned in the above offer only indicate that our rates are based on the tariff of the respective hotels. It is not to be construed that accommodation is being held at these hotels unless and until a confirmation is received from the respective hotels and is communicated to you.
Check-in & out time at all envisaged properties is 1400 hrs & 1200 hrs respectively.
The check-in baggage allowed for all domestic flights is 15 Kg and hand baggage is 07 Kg. Excess baggage will be chargeable as per airline regulations.
Satellite phones and drone cameras are not allowed in India.
For air tickets, train tickets & Jungle safari booking, we required scan copies of passports on a top priority basis.
Christmas & New Year Eve mandatory room supplement and Gala Dinner will be applicable and will be decided closer to the travel date.
Do I need to pay full amount at once?
The amount of prepayment is determined by the Travel Expert and is indicated on the tour page. For the majority of tours standard prepayment does not exceed 50% of the tour price. If you have any difficulties with payment, please contact the customer service.
How do I book a trip
Select your dates and click Reserve. You’ll be redirected to the page with fast and secure payment by credit card or by Apple Pay / Google Pay. For tours with instant booking, you get an immediate confirmation. For other tours, you can reserve a place in the group by making an advance payment, then your booking is approved by the travel expert within 24 hours. If the booking is rejected, your prepayment will be refunded instantly. Please feel free to contact the tour organizer directly if you have any questions prior to booking.
