Gems of Kerala

Day 1 : Kochi - Munnar | 150Km | 5Hrs

On arrival our Tripdoers travel executive will greet you at the Airport Lounge or Railway station. Thereafter proceed to Munnar, a gracious hill station that lives up to its huge reputation as a tourism hot spot. Developed by the British into a summer resort, Munnar’s picture post card image is considered by many international tourists as very similar to the Scottish hillsides, with its distinctly English and colonial imprint of crystalline lakes, sprawling hillsides swathed in the green of tea gardens, lush meadows, banks of flowers, pebble-strewn streams and the lavish, colonial bungalows with gabled roofs and tall chimneys. On the way from Kochi to Munnar we will cover sightseeing places. On arrival to Munnar, we will check into hotel and spend the remaining day in leisure.

After breakfast proceed to Munnar sightseeing. Romance beckons from every up and dip of its seductively curving hills and lanes. With the main town saturated with tourism, it is better to move away to the less frequented and still pristine locales of Rajamala, Chinnakkanal and Lock Heart Gap for a more private rendezvous with nature. Rajamala is known for its proximity to the Eravikulam National Park that conserves the almost extinct Nilgiri Tahr, which can be observed only at a distance. Mattupetty, famous for the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project and the Kundala dairy farm, further uphill surrounded by endless vistas of tea gardens are great spots for a kaleidoscopic view of Munnar and its surroundings. In the evening return to the hotel and sleep comfortably after having a special candle light dinner.

After Breakfast proceed to Houseboat. A rich tapestry of rivers, estuaries, lagoons, lakes and canals, Kerala has a 1500 kilometer stretch of waterways. The backwater cruises in the traditional houseboats called kettuvalloms is unique to the Kerala brand of tourism and there are few experiences more exotic. The backwaters of Kerala have been used for transportation, fishing and agriculture. The kettuvalloms sport a thatched roof over the wooden hulls and were in earlier days used as grain barges to transport rice and other cargo to the local markets. Today the houseboat is an experience in itself, it is a floating home with all the modern luxury that a resort or hotel provides. With the stunning vistas of equally vivid waterscapes and landscapes that unspool along the sides, a cruise is refreshing as it is restful.

After Breakfast proceed to Alappuzha, or the erstwhile Alleppey, is a very visible landmark on the tourism map of Kerala, thanks to its popularity as the hub of Kerala’s houseboat cruises. A labyrinth of canals that criss-cross the city, has won Alappuzha the eponym, the Venice of the East. The canals that once buzzed with commercial vibrance and hosted an unending traffic of canopied boats that carried cargo of yore, have become lackluster, flowing by unhurriedly, a mute witness to the dilapidation of the city that happened when its status as the premier port deserted it. The endless stretch of palm fringed bunds and causeways that keep the sea at bay and flank the entire route of the famous house boat cruises, set up an idyllic setting for the traveller.

After breakfast proceed to Kovalam beach destinations. The beaches of Kerala are as titillating as the rest of the tourism fare it offers. Its serene, tranquil coastline puts it on par with Goa as a beach tourism destination. Arguably the most popular and well-known among them is Kovalam, 16 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram and by far the most frequented. This is a real chill-out zone that the die-hard sea seekers rave about. Its shallow waters stretch meters into the placid sea that rarely springs a nasty surprise. The even temperature of the water at all times makes it a 24-hour-dip beach location. There is a Bohemian gaiety and abandon the place exudes, that enhance the experience beyond a mere beach and surf theme.

After breakfast proceed to Thiruvananthapuram. There is no setting better than Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, for a date with royalty and romance. As the seat of the Travancore kings who ruled the Venad kingdom for three centuries, the city and surrounding areas are dotted with historic relics and monuments, redolent of its regal past. Afternoon proceeds to Poovar-Peace, quiet and freedom from the swirl of a modern life are what Poovar offers.  The Poovar beach that spreads its shimmering swathe of golden sands between the sea and the Neyyar River is as tranquil as its settings – undisturbed-Unhurried. Head to Poovar and succumb to the subtle seduction of its quiet charm. During evening proceed back to Kovalam and overnight stay in hotel.

After Breakfast Proceed to Trivandrum Airport/Railway station.