Kerala 2008

August 10 – 19th, 2008 Kerala, India

Cochin-Munnar-Thekkady-Alappuzha-Kanyakumari-Kovalam-Alappuzha-Cochin, 10 days/9 nights

Day : 01 Arrival at Cochin

10th August, Sunday

Arrival at Cochin by 3.30 pm, check in at hotel - Bijus Tourist Home- 5 pm

Arrival at Cochin International Air port (around 3.30 pm) and transported to Hotel.

After freshening up you may take a quick stroll around or ask your driver to take you to Marine drive for a stroll near the bay and enjoy the sunset and evening breeze. Since it is a weekend, streets may not be crowded and most shops may be closed. An old coffee shop on near by Broadway (in fact a narrow street) called Bharat Café is well liked for its Indian snack food and of course tea/coffee. If you are hungry enough for a proper dinner you can visit nearby SouthStar restaurant ( First floor, above Bimbis Bakery). Return to the hotel for over night stay.

Day: 02 Cochin-Munnar (160Km /4 Hrs)

11th August, Monday

Check out from Hotel at 9 AM and proceed to Munnar

You can have your breakfast at Hotel Colombo, next to your stay. After check out, you will travel to Munnar.

Munnar, highlights includes, Mattu petti dam, echo point - the place where your loud voice will be echoed from the forest across the river, Eravikulam National Park at a height of 2695 meters from sea level, Anamudi -the highest peak in South India looms here. The Eravikulam region, a natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres), is now home to half the world population estimated at around 1300 - of this endangered mountain goat.

Day: 3 Munnar – Thekkady ( Periyar) (120 kms/4 hrs)

12th August, Tuesday

Check out from hotel at 10 AM Make sure you check in the hotel – Periyar house- at Thekkady before 4 O clock. As it is situated inside the reserve forest, time limit is there

Morning transfer to Thekkady, This drive is widely believed to be one of the most beautiful drives in India. Scenic beauty is at its best, with majestic mountains on one side and velvet green tea gardens and valleys on the other side. Since it is rainy season now, roads may not be smooth and your travel could take longer. On arrival, check in at Hotel. Enjoy a boat safari on the Periyar Lake, to view the varied fauna of this region. Overnight at Hotel.Next day morning depart to visit a spice plantation and also visit Kumali village for shopping for memorabilia, some garden fresh tea leaves and aromatic spices. At Thekkady Meal plan is MAP, so you can have dinner and next day morning breakfast as complimentary.

Day4 Thekkady-Alappuzha150Km 3 ½ Hr

August 13th, Wednesday

Proceed to Alleppey by noon and Check in at Hotel Pulimoottil Towers in Alleppey at Mullakkal In the evening.

Alappuzha (also known by its earlier name, Alleppey). The town was once a buzzing port with traders from near and far flocking there with their wares, spices and coir products, to be exported to Europe. But the decline of the town started to set in with labour unrests driving traders away and closing down of the port as Kochi developed into a bigger port with better facilities and deeper draft. Today locked up warehouses and a rusting sea bridge stand testimony to Alappuzha’s heritage as an old sea port. After years of economic decline, Alappuzha town is now emerging as a favored backpacker destination thanks to its proximity to the back waters, beautiful beaches and its old town charm.

Take a stroll in the main market place called Mullakkal street. It is lined with shops on either side with the famous Mullakkal temple in the midst. The sheer variety of goods being traded, ranging from local herbal medicines to shining gold jewelry, gives you an idea about the lifestyle of Keralites (from the goods they consume and relative importance of each can roughly be gauged from the size of the stores!). You will find a similar street in any small town you visit in Kerala. So make sure you are not visiting here on a Sunday, a public holiday or a hartal day ! (Hartal is a local word to refer to a public protest against some Government decision/event; all shops are forced to stay closed that day and road traffic is at its minimum).

A good option for dinner if you would like to have Biryani is Halai’s restaurant (a hot favorite of Sajith). Alternatively you can check out Hotel Royal Park (another favorite of Sajith’s) if you would like to have some beer with your food.

Day 05 Alleppey – Kanyakumari 270 Km / 5 Hr

August 14th, Thursday

Check out by 9.00 AM from Alleppey and Check in at Kanyakumari by 2.00PM

This is a long road journey and you can ask the driver for an occasional halt if you need a break or would like to enjoy a view. We recommend hotel Al Saj at Kazhakkoottam near Trivandrum on your way for lunch.

Kanyakumari. Indian subcontinent’s southern most tip where the seas of East (Bay of Bengal) and West (Arabian sea) meets Indian ocean has been an important pilgrimage centre for Indians for centuries. It is one of the few capes in the world where you can marvel at the beauty of sun rise and sun set across the seas from the same location. So, start your day early with the breathtaking view of sun rise across the Bay of Bengal, from your hotel terrace. You can then head towards the beach for a stroll or a bath. After a shower, you can visit the famous temple on the beach dedicated to Mother Goddess (Devi). Colorful legends galore about the deity, her famous diamond nose stud that shines like a lamp and more. A short boat ride across the sea would take you to Vivekananda rock where you would nearly be swept off your feet by strong sea winds while the endless view of the ocean could cast a meditative spell on you.

Day 06 Kanyakumari – Kovalam 100 Km / 2 Hr

August 15th Friday (Public holiday, India’s Independence day)

Check out from Kanyakumari by 11 AM and check in at Kovalam 2 PM

after visiting Padmanabhapuram palace on the way.

As you travel down from Kanyakumari to Kovalam, the ever favorite tourist hot spot beach of Kerala, you pass by historic monuments and palaces that can give you a feel about the history and culture of Kerala. So, ask your driver for a brief stop over at Padmanabapuram palace.

Kovalam is a typical Indian tourist beach and is a small version of the famous Goa beaches. Silver sands and shallow seas and mildly warm sunny climate has made it a tourist hot spot. You can go for a swim or take a sun bath at the beach. You may meet tourists from across the world here. You may see several good restaurants serving Western cuisine. It could be a nice break to eat familiar food after several days of spicy Indian food. Kovalam, is often, very crowded – both with tourists and traders who are always trying to sell something to tourists.

Day 07 Kovalam- Alleppey 185 Km / 4 Hr

August 16th , Saturday

Check out from Kovalam by 9 AM and reach Sajith’s house by Noon, have lunch, local visit and check in at Hotel GreenPalace at Alappuzha in the evening.

You will be exploring a village near Sajith’s house, and house boat ride on the next day.

After an authentic Kerala meal at Sajith’s house (his mom is a superb cook !!), you can proceed for a brief village visit including a visit to coir carpet weaving unit, stroll through rural housing colony and may be a short display of toddy tapping (Toddy is a local alcoholic beverage derived by tapping the shoot of coconut tree, which you would have seen all over the state. Infact, Kerala, literally means land of coconut trees.)

Kanichukulangara (a sea side village, 15 km north of Alappuzha, where Sajith’s house is located) is like most villages in Kerala, and is centered around a temple. Start your village trip by spending some time with a local hero. He is a handsome ‘domestic’ elephant raised by Sajith’s father’s cousin. You can help feed the elephant or if the time is right, help the mahout give him a bath. If he is in the right mood, you may take a ride atop. If time permits, a visit to nearby church (St Sebastian’s Church at Arthunkal) is recommended. It is amongst the oldest catholic churches in the district and its annual fair that lasts for a week is very famous both for religious and trade reasons.

You can enjoy sun set at the beautiful chethy beach that borders the village and travel back to Alappuzha for supper and rest.

Day 08 Alleppey

August 17th Sunday

Check out from Hotel by 11.30 AM and check in House boat at 12 noon.

Alappuzha (earlier known as Alleppey) - also called “Venice of The East” due to its once famous inland waterways. Check in the houseboat. Timing of the boat is 12 noon to 9 am. The houseboat, with all modern comforts, lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters. It has been the key highlights of tourism to Kerala given the unique experience it offers. Savour every bit of it.

Day 09 Alleppey- Cochin 70 Km / 1 1/2 Hr

August 18th Monday

Check out from House boat at 9 AM after breakfast and Check in at Biju’s Tourist Home at Cochin at 11 am.

Travel to Kochi by road.

You would be joined by our local authorized guide here. He would accompany you to Fort Cochin for a trip to several ancient churches, synagogue, streets amongst other places. You can opt for a local boat service from Fort Cochin or a sight seeing boat trip for tourists from Marine drive (fixed timings for departure, check with guide).

Would you like to have tasty Biriyani ? visit “Kayees Restaurant” Opp Durbar Hall Ground, driver will take you there. 1Km from Cannonshed road (where your hotel is located). Just want to have Masala Dosa and coffee ?? visit the Veg restaurant on the side of cannon shed road itself on the way to Lodge. Want to visit one of budget Bar?? Visit Malabar House on Market road, go to Roof top bar – not the crowded smoky counters on the ground floor. Here they offer a very good array of spicy Indian food of all varieties too.

Day 10 Departure from Cochin

August 19th , Tuesday

Your 10 day holiday in Kerala comes to a close today and you have the first half of the day here before boarding your flight by 4 pm. You may need to check in at the airport by 2.30 pm.

During the first half of the day, you can visit Chennamangalam for a quick trip to the historic monuments – churche/synagogue/palace here. Check this link for more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chendamangalam. It is a slight detour from your trip to the airport. Hence, check out from your hotel by morning 9 am or earlier to have a detailed visit of this place.

We suggest that you have your lunch before checking in the flight to Delhi.

Bon Voyage!