Essence of Kerala

Esssence of Kerala- 10 Nights / 11 Days

31st October to 10th November 2024

Day 01- 31^st Oct 2024 Thursday           

Arrive Cochin by international flight.

On arrival at Cochin airport after clearing immigration formalities, you will meet our representative in the arrival hall holding paging of your name. He will further assist you with your vehicle and then hotel check-in formalities. (Standard check-in time is 1200 hours)

He will further assist you with hotel check-in. (Standard check-in time is 1200 hours)

Cochin: This magnificent Malabar coastal city has been attracting towards its shores many traders, explorers, and travelers for over 600 years. The Old Fort Cochin area quench the thirst of the travelers who has historical interest with its famous Portuguese settlement Mattenchery Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace, Old colonial roads with tree line avenues. Huge Chinese fishing nets and St. Francis Church are another attraction. Here one can experience the stay of some of the best Ayurveda Resorts, home stay and traditional Kathkali Dance and traditional Martial art Kalarpayattu.

Evening enjoy Kathakali dance (Classical form of dance drama) describing Indian ancient Hindu mythological stories. They present the story through beautiful dance wearing beautiful traditional outfits. It shows rich tradition and culture of India.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 02- 01 November 2024 Friday         

Cochin

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast proceed for half day city sightseeing visiting Mattenchery Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace Santa Cruz Basilica church a church built originally by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558, was spared by the Dutch conquerors who destroyed many Catholic buildings.

Evening watch Kalaripayattu martial art in a studio. Later proceed for cooking demonstration of authentic Kerala dish with a local family.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 03- 02 November 2023 Saturday     

Cochin –Munnar (approx. 150 Kms/5 hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Munnar. Munnar is carpeted in emerald, green plantations set an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki District.

On arrival check in at the hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 04- 03 November 2024 Sunday       

Munnar

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast visit Ervakulam National Park. It was declared a National Park in 1978. The Park has a rolling hill plateau with a rolling with a base elevation of 2000 mt. Three major types of plant communities are found in the park – grasslands, shrublands and forests. The Park has various population of endangered.

Nilgiri Tahr includes other little-known fauna Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small, clawed otter, dusky striped squirrel etc.

Afternoon visit tea plantation and Tea factory (closed on Monday). Munnar is perhaps the choicest of places to preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects of the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala’s high ranges.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 05- 04^th November 2024 Monday   

Munnar – Thekkady (approx. 110 Kms/ 3.5 hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Thekkady. It is located at an altitude of 700 m above sea level. Thekkady holds nature’s beauty, wildlife Sanctuary, and famous spice plantation. The place has great opportunities for mountain walking and trekking.

On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon enjoy boat ride at Lake Periyar.

Evening will be at leisure.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 06- 05^th November 2024 Tuesday   

Thekkady

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast visit spice plantation with a naturalist. This tour gives you an insight of famous spice plantation like cardamom, Pepper, turmeric etc.

The rest of the day will be at leisure to relax in this beautiful location.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 07- 06^th November 2024 Wednesday

Thekkady – Alleppey (approx. 95 Kms/ 2 hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Alleppey. It is also known as Venice of East. It is home of a vast waterways network.

On arrival in Alleppey embarks on the houseboat, locally called Kettuvalam. Kettuvalam is a traditional houseboat with knot, during assembling work of this traditional houseboat not a single nail is used, only coir ropes tied in knot to hold the whole structure.

On arrival at Alleppey Jetty embarks on the houseboat. The cruise will take you through small water canals and while cruising you can see small villages and witness village people and their daily routine.

Dinner & overnight onboard.

Day 08- 07^th November 2024 Thursday

Alleppey – Kovalam (approx. 180 Kms/ 4 .5 hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast disembark the houseboat.  Later drive to Kovalam. It is located approx. 16 Kms/ ½ an hour drive from Trivandrum which is capital city of Kerala. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, Ayurveda resorts, lighthouse and surrounded by small fisherman villages.

On arrival check in at the hotel. Evening will be at leisure to relax.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 09- 08^th November 2024  Friday   

Kovalam

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast proceed for an excursion to Kanyakumari enroute visit Padamnabhpuram Palace and Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Padamnabhpuram Palace: It is the topmost attraction of Kanyakumari and actually a teakwood Palace. The beauty of this Palace is unparalleled with its stunning interiors, elaborately carved columns and Belgian mirrors. It leaves the unforgettable experience in visitor’s heart and mind,

Vivekanand Rock Memorial, it is the famous place where India’s most loved Saint Swami Vivekananad attained the enlightment. Evening enjoys the beautiful sunset view of Kanyakumari.

Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10- 09^th November 2024  Saturday

Kovalam

Breakfast at hotel.

This day will be at leisure to pursue independent activities or to relax and enjoy this beautiful destination.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 11- 10^th November 2024  Sunday

Kovalam-Trivandrum airport (16 Kms/ ½ hour)

Depart Trivandrum by international flight.

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast you will be transferred to the airport to board the flight for your onward destination.

Hotel envisaged:

10 Nights staying in a 4-star & 5 Star hotels.

Meals as mentioned above.

01 cooking demonstration followed by dinner with a local family in Cochin.

Seat in coach basis included.

English speaking accompanied guide service is included. From Cochin till 2^nd day in Kovalam as the last day in Kovalam will be free hence guide service is not required.

Secure your seat by depositing USD 50 per person/ AUD80/ Euro 50/ GBP 42 which will be non-refundable in-lieu of cancellation.

We would require full and final payment 70 days prior the arrival in India.

Cost includes:

• Accommodation for 10 nights based on above mentioned hotels on DOUBLE/TWIN sharing basis.
• Meals are included as follows:
• Breakfast is included at all the hotels at hotel’s coffee shop on buffet basis.
• In Munnar dinner is included on buffer basis at hotel’s coffee shop.
• During the stay on the houseboat all meals are included.

(Please note that on the arrival day breakfast is not included)

• 2^nd Day enjoy cooking demonstration followed by dinner with a local family in Cochin.
• All transportation i.e. airport transfers, sightseeing and interstate drives will be done using following vehicles:
• 06 pax-using tempo traveller (minivan).
• 7- 12 pax Mini coach. (18seater-mini coach)
• Separate arrival transfer service is included.
• We have envisaged the services of English-speaking accompanied guide from Cochin till 9^th day in Kovalam.
• We have included 01-time entrance fee as per the itinerary.
• Bottled water and wet tissue throughout in the vehicle.
• All currently applicable taxes. (5% Goods & Service Tax)

Cost Does Not Include:

• International airfare
• Domestic airfare or Internal flights
• Visa charges
• Any room service, telephone charges, mini bar, gratuities, tips.
• Any expenses of personal nature & Insurance of any kind.
• Any meals not specified in the itinerary.
• Any item not specified under ‘cost includes’.
• Any bank charges during transferring the payment.

Special Notes

• The flight timings and FARES are subject to change at the time of issuance.
• The check-in time at hotel is 1400 hrs and check-out time is 1200 noon. Incase if you have flight arriving or departing during midnight, we suggest the book room for pre-night/late check-out to avoid any inconvenience.
• The vehicle will be as per the itinerary only and not available during leisure time and strictly as per the itinerary.
• The hotels mentioned are indicative and will be booked only once we get go ahead from your end. The rooms will be subject to availability.
• Incase if any of the guest/s are allergic to any food or have any dietary restrictions, we request you to please advise in advance to update hotels/restaurants accordingly.

Visa process:

• Now you can obtain e-visa online for India. The details and process are available on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html Please check the eligibility and apply for Visa accordingly.

Booking terms

• At the time of booking USD 50 per person/ AUD80/ Euro 50/ GBP 42 which will be non-refundable in-lieu of cancellation.
• In case of internal flight ticket is involved we would require air-fare amount to issue the
• ticket well in advance.
• We would require full and final payment 70 days prior the arrival in India.
• In case of air tickets involved, we need payment to issue the tickets as ticket always issue in advance.

Cancellation terms:

• 49 days prior to arrival in India: 10% of total billing
• 30 days prior to arrival in India: 50% of total billing

10-15 days or less prior to arrival in India: No refund

Flight ticket cancellation:

• 30 days prior to arrival in India: internal/international flights (if issued non-refundable ticket), will refund as per airline policy after deducting our handling charges.

We strongly recommend having travel insurance before leaving for the holidays.