Discover kerala
| Duration : 15 Nights / 16 Days |
| Destinations : Mumbai – Mangalore – Bekal – Wayanad – Kozhikode(Calicut) – Cochin – Thekkady – Kumarakom – Houseboat – Quillon – Varkala - Kovalam (Trivandrum) |
Detailed Itinerary
This package explores the myriad facets Kerala has to offer. We travel the entire stretch of Kerala, north to south, introducing you from the onset of the beautiful landscape and scenery that one will experience on this two weeks tour. We start with Bekal, a small village of ethereal beauty set on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Wyanad, a part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, rich in its biodiversity comes next. We then come to the commercial port towns of Calicut and Cochin, famous for its spices. The next stopover is Thekkady, where one gets an opportunity to feel the adrenaline rush by opting for tiger trails, bamboo rafting or night patrols into the pristine jungles of Kerala. After this you can slow down your pace and enjoy the Ayurvedic massages at Kumarakom and relax as the houseboats drift by under serene backwater environments. Lastly, we stop at Varkala, a small beach town, unexplored with stretches of beach land and few people in sight.
Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai
Traditional welcoming at the international airport by Travel Pals executive to transfer to the hotel for overnight stay with immediate check-in.
Day 02 - Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel. Full day city tour of Mumbai, visiting Hanging Garden, Marine Drive, Dhobi Ghat, Vidhan Sabha, Malabar Hill & Prince of Wales Musuem. Evening at leisure on the most happening place of the local people of Mumbai city - Choupatty beach. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 - Mumbai – Mangalore (air) – Bekal (50 kms / 1.5 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. On arrival at Mangalore, drive straight to Bekal. Check in hotel. Evening visit the Bekal Fort. This fort is the largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala. The sea bastions, underground tunnels and the observation tower are impressive. The Bekal fort is located on a vast 35-acre headland that runs into the Arabian Sea. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 - Bekal – Wayanad (225 kms / 5 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Wayanad. Afternoon Drive to Vythiri to visit Lakkidi, The gateway to Wayanad, situated 700 mts above sea level, at the crust of Thamarassery Ghat pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxurious forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station. Also visit the Pookot lake. The perennial fresh water lake, nestled among wooded hills, is an only one of its kind in Kerala. It has been developed as a recreational centre having boating facilities, children’s' park, fresh water aquarium etc. Overnight at hotel.
>Day 05 - Wayanad
Breakfast at leisure. Today one can opt to trek around the region as there are many trekking routes. Or else, visit the Wayanad wildlife Sanctuary. Time permitting one can also visit the Sentinal Rock Waterfalls (Soochippara) a three-step waterfall more than 200 mts in height. Soochipara can be reached by a scenic 2 kms. nature walk. Also, the Wayanad Heritage Museum is worth a visit. This Museum is home to an interesting collection of artefacts that shed light on the history, culture and heritage of Wayanad region. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 - Wayanad – Calicut (75 kms / 1.5 hrs)
Enjoy breakfast and then drive to Calicut (Kozhikhode). On arrival check in hotel. Later, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour visiting Mananchira, which was the palace tank now converted into a traditional architectural splendour; Marine Life Aquarium; the piers at Kozhikhode beach and Kappad, the place where Vasco da Gama set foot for the first time when he came to India.
Day 07 - Calicut – Cochin (225 kms / 5 hrs)
Early morning visit Dolphin's point, a good place to watch dolphins playing in the sea. Breakfast at hotel followed by a drive to Cochin (Kochi). On arrival check in hotel. Evening free for relaxation / shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 - Kochi - Thekkady (185 kms / 5 hrs)
After breakfast, a half-day guided tour of the city visiting Fort Kochi, with its European heritage, St. Francis' Church, Chinese fishing nets, Dutch palace and Jewish Synagogue. After lunch, drive on to Thekkady. Evening at leisure to shop at the handicraft and spice shops that stretch all the way from Kumily to Thekkady. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 - Thekkady
Take an early morning boat ride on the Periyar Lake. After breakfast, free day to opt from the many activities conducted by the Periyar Tiger Reserve: Nature Walk, Jungle Patrol, Bamboo Rafting, Border Hiking or a Bullock Cart ride exploring rural Kerala. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 - Thekkady – Kumarakom (125 kms / 3.5 hrs)
After breakfast, visit the Tribal Heritage Museum and then drive to Kumarakom. On arrival check in a backwater resort for experiencing the beauty and tranquillity of this absolute natural destination. Overnight at backwater resort.
Day 11 - Kumarakom – Sailing in Houseboat
Enjoy relaxed breakfast. At noon drive to jetty point or embarkation point and board your private backwater houseboat locally known as Kettuvalloms - a traditional rice boat of Kerala which gives a romantic way to explore the unique web of lagoons, lakes, canals & rivers. Lunch, dinner & overnight in houseboat.
Day 12 - Arrive Tottapally – Quillon (35 kms / 1 hr)
Breakfast on board. Enjoy lazy cruising until noon and disembark at Tottapally and enjoy the most scenic drive to Quillon (Kollam). On arrival check in resort. Overnight at resort.
Day 13 - Kollam- Varkala (40 kms / 1 hrs)
After breakfast, visit Thangesseri a picturesque seaside village. Explore the ruins of Portuguese / Dutch forts and 18th century churches, a three km long beach and a century old lighthouse. Evening drive to Varkala, to check in a seaside resort and spa. Overnight at resort.
Breakfast at resort. Later, drive to Trivandrum to stay at the Kovalam beach in a resort.
Day 15 - Kovalam (Trivandrum)
After breakfast, day free at leisure to enjoy the sandy beach and sunshine. Overnight at resort.
Day 16 - Kovalam - onward destination
Breakfast at resort. Day free to laze on the beach and indulge in Ayurvedic massage(s) and yoga to rejuvenate your body and mind. Then, transfer to Trivandrum airport for flight to onward destination.
