Tour Date
- Start : 23 February 2025
- End : 04 March 2025
State
- Kerala India
9 Nights & 10 Days - Surreal Sojourn
With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering between 500-2700 meters in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate, long shoreline and serene beaches are the hallmarks as are tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters. Exotic wildlife & roam within forest reserves. Sprawling plantations `competing' with lush paddy fields are a photographer's delight. Enchanting art forms can be witnessed at magical festivals. With a fair balance of historical & cultural monuments Kerala offers a unique experience. And what's more, each of these charming destinations are a short driving times from the other – a singular advantage no other destination offers.
Join us on an escorted journey to India's greenest state, affectionately branded as `God's Own County.' With three decades of experience in tourism, L'orient Travels offers you sights, an intimate experience, professional service,– all combining to offer you a holiday of a life time. Highlights range from a rafting tour in Periyar to an invigorating ride on a deluxe houseboat. What's best – with an escorted holiday you have nothing to worry about. All needs take care of; you need to simply relax & absorb the experience.
Closest Airport to begin : Kochi
Closest Airport to depart : Trivandrum
Day 1 23 February 2025
Place Kochi
Mode Mini-Bus
Highlights of your tour
Arrive Kochi, transfer to hotel. Walking tour of Fort Kochi- an obscure fishing village that became the first European township in India. Renowned for its cantilevered fishing nets at Vasco-da-Gama square, watch locals lower nets into the sea & the catch being brought in. Visit the oldest European Church dating to1503 (contains the tombstone of Vasco Da Gama) ,though his remains were later transported to Lisbon The Pierce Leslie colonial Bungalow built in 1862 reflects a mix of Portuguese & Dutch influence while the Koder House built in 1808 is a supreme example of transition from colonial to Indo-European architecture. End your day with a visit to Greenix Village for an evening of delightful dance performances ranging from Kathakali to Kalaripayattu.
Day 2 24 February 2025
Place Kochi
Mode Mini-Bus
Highlights of your tour
Begin with a visit to the Dutch Palace (Closed on Friday & Saturday ) where you see beautiful murals, royal palanquins & three dimensional portraits of the Maharaja of Kochi. Rebuilt by the Dutch in 1664 the Jewish Synagogue (oldest in the Commonwealth) contains 18th century hand painted, willow-patterned tiles from Canton in China, great scrolls of the Old Testament and ancient scripts. Shop later for antiques on Jew Street! . Rest of your day includes a memorable boat ride from Fort Kochi to Bolgatty Island followed by a visit to the first eco tourism village in India. Kochi will leave behind many FB picture moments!!!
Day 3 25 February 2025
Place Munnar
Mode Mini-Bus
Highlights of your tour
Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Munnar at a height of 1600 meters has sprawling tea plantations, picture-postcard towns, winding lanes & splendid mountain views. Once every twelve years there is a bloom of the Neelakaranji flower that bathes the hills in blue. En-route to Munnar we organise a program to Thattekad National Park on the Ernakulam-Munnar road. Home to more than 300 varieties of birds, including drongos, darters, nightjars & kingfishers.
Day 4 26 February 2025
Place Munnar
Mode Mini-Bus
Highlights of your tour
Your day's program includes visits to a Tea Plantation & Museum, followed by a visit to Eravikulam National Park, famed for the Nilgiri Thar (Antelope). Enjoy the cool afternoon breeze at Devikulam. With its exotic flora & fauna, this pretty hill station is a feast for the eyes. We organise a boating tour at a languid pace.
Day 5 27 February 2025
Place Periyar
Mode Mini-Bus
Highlights of your tour
Over 1965 flowering plants, 171 grass species & 140 species of orchids are found at Periyar Tiger Reserve four hours driving time from Munnar. Well known mammals include wild elephant, wild boar, lion tailed macaque, flying squirrel to name a few can be spotted here. Afternoon visit a spice plantation (5 kms) away for a panorama of coffee, pepper & cardamom plantations, before the actual adventure begins the next morning!
Day 6 28 February 2025
Place Periyar
Mode Mini-Bus
Highlights of your tour
Morning & Afternoon Boating Tour – Your best chance of spotting herd of wild elephants come to quench their thirst & bathe at Lake Periyar. Be enamoured in the delightful company of otters, wild boars, spotted deer & scarcely spotted wild dog. This is definitely `God's own country.' Enjoy the evening with a well-deserved Ayurvedic Massage (on your own cost) at resort.
Day 7 01 March 2025
Place Houseboat
Mode Mini-Bus
Highlights of your tour
Mirror still lagoons, picture book lakesides, palm fringed canals, shores bustling with glimpses from day to day life in the country side. Welcome to the backwaters of Kerala. Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Riceboats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvalloms went off the scene. A glide in a "Kettuvallam" (Houseboat) through the enchanting backwaters of Alleppey is sure to rob your heart. The houseboat is your home for twenty hours. Local Keralan meals are provided during your stay in a luxury houseboat with a sit-out, kitchenette, bedroom & washroom.
Day 8 02 March 2025
Place Kovalam
Mode Mini-Bus
Highlights of your tour
The golden sands of Kovalam, inviting waters of the ocean, quaint fishing villages, non-descript places of religious worship is what Kovalam has to offer. For those wishing to unwind we suggest Ayurvedic Therapeutic Massages at the resort you are staying in.
Day 9 03 March 2025
Place Kovalam
Mode Mini-Bus
Highlights of your tour
Day free for rest & relaxation. For those who still wish to wander – we've organised an optional visit to Thiruvallam where you can go on canoe rides, kayaking or cruising to the nearby islands. Afternoon visit a local fishing village, it's also the only location where the sea recedes during the monsoon.
Day 10 04 March 2025
Place Trivandrum
Mode Mini-Bus
Highlights of your tour
It's the last day of your program before boarding you flight back to your destination. Pay a brief visit to Napier Museum containing paintings of Raja Ravi Verma. We leave you with an enchanting view of the Padmanabha Swamy temple around which this green city & the state's capital is built on seven low lying hills.
Price per person on twin sharing basis – USD 2900 per person on twin sharing basis – Maximum number of persons is twelve.
Single Supplement USD 800
Inclusions
- Accommodation on twin/double sharing basis with breakfast & dinner in deluxe four star/heritage hotels
- Air conditioned Mini Coach for complete program – pickup from Kochi Airport & drop to Trivandrum Airport
- Sightseeing as per program with English speaking guide
- Boating on Lake Periyar
- Visit to Greenix Village for a cultural evening program in Fort Kochi
- Overnight in a houseboat with all meals provided
- English speaking escort for complete program
- Entrance fees to monuments
- One bottle of mineral water free per person during sightseeing & excursions
Exclusions
- Lunch
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Any item not specifically mentioned as `included' in tour program
- Any increase in taxes or fuel, leading to increase in surface transportation
- Optional items mentioned in program
Booking Terms & Conditions
- If you are interested, send us a deposit of USD 500 to block your seat. This amount is non-refundable
- If you are single & willing to share, we will help find you a person from the group also willing to share
- Balance payment to be made 75 days before tour commences