ESSENCE OF KERALA

COCHIN (1N)–  MUNNAR (2N)–  THEKKADY (1N) –KUMARAKOM (1N)–TRIVANDRUM (2N) – KANYAKUMARI- TRIVANDRUM

 (Comfort) [7 Nights / 8 Days]

Day 1: Cochin Sightseeing

Pick up from Ernakulam Railway Station/Cochin Airport. Transfer to hotel in Cochin. Sight Seeing of Kochi – Dutch Palace (Open 10:00 Hrs to 17:00 Hrs, closed on Friday) and Jews Synagogue (Open 10:00 Hrs – 12:00 Hrs & 15:00 Hrs -17:00 Hrs, closed on Saturday, Friday afternoon session and Jews Holidays) & Fort Kochi- St. Francis Church ( Open till 17:00 Hrs only on weekdays), Santa Cruz Basilica( Open 09:00 hrs – 13:00 Hrs & 15;00 Hrs-17:00 Hrs). Evening, enjoy the Boat-ride at Marine drive (If time permits). Overnight halt in Ernakulam (Cochin).

Day 2: Cochin-Munnar

After breakfast check-out and proceed to Munnar. Check-in to Hotel. Visit Tea Museum (Open 10:00 Hrs – 16:00 Hrs), Closed on Mondays) & Munnar Town. Overnight stay in Munnar.

Day 3: Munnar Sightseeing

Full day local sightseeing of Munnar – Eravikulam National Park , Mattupetty Dam & Echo Point. Overnight stay in Munnar.

Day 4: Munnar-Thekkady

After an early breakfast, proceed to Thekkady. Check-in to hotel at Thekkady. Afternoon enjoy boating (optional or direct payment) in the Lake of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Overnight stay at hotel in Thekkady.

Day 5: Thekkady-Kumarakom

After breakfast proceed to Kumarakom. Enjoy boating (Optional or direct payment ) in the backwater of Vembanad Lake. On arrival in , check-in to hotel. Overnight stay in Houseboat at Kumarakom.

[Cruise timing: -12:00 Hrs to 13.30Hrs. Then 30 minutes break for lunch, again cruising from 15.00 hrs till 17:30 Hrs. Thereafter boat will be tugged at a designated area on the bank of lake.  Cruising after 17:30 Hrs till is not permitted as per the law.  Next day morning cruising from 08:00 Hrs 09: 00 Hrs afterwards check-out from the houseboat and drop at Kumarakom Boat Jetty after the breakfast].

Day 6:  Kumarakom/Alleppey – Trivandrum

Morning check-out and departure for Trivandrum. On arrival in  Trivandrum, check-in to hotel. In the Evening, visit Kovalam Beach. Overnight at Trivandrum.
Day 7: Trivandrum-Kanyakumari- Day Tour

Morning after breakfast proceed for Kanyakumari day sightseeing. On arrival in Kanyakumari, visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial (Ferry Service available from 08.00 Hrs to 16:00 Hrs.), Gandhi Mandapam (Open 07:00 Hrs to 19:00 Hrs) & Kumari Amman Temple (Open 04:30 Hrs – 11:45 Hrs & 17:30 Hrs-20:30 Hrs). In the evening enjoy sunset view offshore near Kumari Amman Temple. Return back to  Trivandrum. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 8: Trivandrum

After breakfast proceed to Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple (open 04:15 Hrs – 05:15 Hrs, 06:45 Hrs – 07:15 hrs, 08:30 hrs – 11:15 Hrs, 17:00 Hrs – 19:30 Hrs), Kuthiramalika [Horse] Palace Museum (Open 08:30 Hrs – 13:00 Hrs & 15:00 Hrs to 17:00 Hrs, closed on Monday) and Napier Museum (Open 10:00 Hrs – 16:45 Hrs, closed on Monday, Wednesday forenoon, January 26th, August 15th, ThiruOnam & Mahanavami) if time permits. Drop at Trivandrum Railway station /Trivandrum Airport. Tour Ends.

N.B.:

1. Covering all sightseeing at day 1 is possible only if Guest/Tourist(s) arrive (s) Ernakulam/Cochin advisably in the/by morning/forenoon.
2. In Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Kumari Amman Temple, visitors/devotees whether men and women, are not permitted without Mundu (a garment worn around the waist and also popularly known as Dhoti).
3. During the festivals(Chingam 1st, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Thiruvonam, Ashtami Rohini, Navarathri Pooja, Valiya Ganapathi Homam, Alpasi Ulsavam, Mandala Chirappu, Swargavathil Ekadasi, Bhadradeepam, Kalabham, Makara Sreebali, Sivarathri, Painkuni Utsavam, Sree Rama Navami, Vishu, Karkataka Sreebali, Sree Veda Vyasa Jayanthi, Niraputhari, Murajapam & Lakshadeepam) occasions in Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the darshan time is reduced in order to performing the special poojas hence it may be checked with travel agent/tour operator a day prior to visit temple.