TOUR ROUTE:

Calicutt – Waynad/Vythiri – Tellicherry – Guruvayoor – Cheruthurthy- Cochin – Alleppey – Kovalam - Trivandrum

Accommodations: 

Following are the hotels reccommended at the time of print. If you wish to stay at other hotels, please let us know your choice.

PLACE                     NIGHTS                 HOTELS     
Waynad                   2 nights                   Vythiri Resort
Tellicherry              2 nights                  Ayisha Manzil
Cheruthuruthy       1 night                   Eco Garden Resort
Cochin                    1 night                   Old Harbour
Alleppey                1 night                   Houseboat
Kovalam                3 nights                  Leela Kovalam Beach
Or
Marari                    3 nights                    Marari Beach Resort

 

 

Trip Cost:

Provided based on number of passengers and dates of travel. Request details

 

Included:

Accommodations as listed or similar. Daily breakfast and some meals as indicated by B/L/D for breakfast/lunch/dinner. All private transfers and transportation are provided on private air-con vehicle with a driver.

Not Included:

• Flights in and out of India with departure tax
• Travel/Medical and evacuation Insurance – optional
• Tips and gratuities (optional)

Itinerary in Details

Day 1: Arrive at Calicut & transfer to Waynad (B)

Upon arrival at Calicut (Kozhikode), meet our company representative. Transfer to Waynad – a small hill station and rain forest at an altitude between 700 - 2100 meters above the sea level. Waynad has the highest number of tribal settlements in Kerala. Upon arrival at Vythiri, check into a hotel. Overnight at hotel in Vythiri/Waynad.

 

Day 2: In Waynad Sightseeing (B/L)

After breakfast, visit Thirunelly temple, which is one of the oldest temples of the world. It has an excellent example of ancient temple architecture. It is built from large pieces of square granite slabs that have been carved and sculpted to perfection. The floor of the temple is made with massive granite blocks. Visit Kuruva Island/Dweep - a 950 acre protected river delta system (collection of small islands) on the Kabini River. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this beautiful patch of land. You will also visit Banasura Sagar Dam, which is Asia’s second biggest earth dam. It is also a wonderful picnic spot. At the end visit Edakkal Caves in the Ambukuthy mountains. There are some interesting carvings from the pre-historic era.
Overnight at Hotel in Vythiri.

 

Day 3: Waynad to Tellicherry (B/L/D)

Checkout from the hotel and drive along the lovely winding roads to Thalassery (Tellicherry) - a city on the Malabar Coast of Kerala. The British established their presence in Kerala in 1682 in order to participate in the flourishing trade in the region. This town became an important commercial center. Once you arrive check into a traditional Malabar home stay named “Ayisha Manzil”. It is often referred to as the ‘house on the hill’. This magnificent structure was constructed in 1862 by a former English colonel, who later turned into a cinnamon planter. In the year 1900, Mr. Moosa’s grandfather purchased this property. Mr. Moosa, who is still managing this property, is basically a clan of the Muslim spice traders of yesteryear. It has large airy, antique furnished, with modern facilities. Free evening with Host family to interact and dine.
Overnight at Ayirsha Manzil Tellicherry.

 

Day 4: In Tellicherry/ Visits + Cookery demo (B,L,D)

With an easy start of the day after breakfast, visit Thalassery Fort. It is an important historical monument, around which the town was built. The Juma masjid at the heart of the town is a remarkable structure built in the Indo-Saracenic style almost a thousand years ago. Another mosque is Odathil Palli built over 200 years ago. Return to Ayisha manzil and in the evening enjoy “Cookery Demo & Hands-on Cooking” the famous “Thalassery Biriyani”.
Overnight at Ayisha manzil in Tellicherry.

 

Day 5: Tellicherry to Cheruthurthy /via. Guruvayoor

Checkout from Ayisha manzil after early breakfast and drive to Guruvayoor – one of the main pilgrim centre and famous temple of “Lord Krishna”. In addition to temples, the elephant farm at Punathoor Kotta is very famous to visit. It is the only camp in Kerala with such a large number of elephants. Most of the elephants are given as offering to Lord Krishna (Vishnu) at Guruvayoor temple. Next visit Cheruthuruthy - a charming riverside village situated in Thrissur – the cultural capital of Kerala. It is the location of Cheruthuruthy that has made it a unique place. It lies at the west end of western Ghats, a route once used by traders, immigrants and invaders to access the coastal regions of Kerala. The convenience of this trade route attracted people to this district and made it an area rich in cultural attractions. It is undoubtedly the ‘Kerala Kalamandalam’ institution that has put this serene village on to the global map of art and culture. You will stay at the Concept resort “Cheruthuruthy Eco Garden” – a definite place to relax and rejuvenate. You may choose for an Ayurveda and Yoga during your stay here.
Overnight at Cheruthuruthy.

 

Day 6: Cheruthuruthy to Cochin

After breakfast, we will visit the most popular cultural program of Kerala called the “Day With Master,” which is at Kerala Kalamandalam. “A Day with the Masters” is a pilgrimage to the most sacred temple of arts. It gives a world class experience to visitors with a unique menu of presentations that bring out the grandeur of this institution. The tour will feature Kalamandalam students as guides. The students have been trained in an art form for at least 3 years and they have been given special training for escorting visitors too. You will have the masters accompanying you to socialize. You will visit the classes where various performing arts are studied. Post lunch drive to Cochin.
Overnight at hotel in Cochin.

 

Day 7: Cochin to Alleppey / Houseboat

After breakfast visit attractions in Cochin: Mattancherry palace (The Dutch palace), The Jewish Synagogue and spice market at the narrow streets. ‘The St. Francis Church’, the oldest European Church in India, ‘The Santa Cruz Basilica’ originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese and the Cochin boast “Chinese fishing nets”. Onward proceed to the backwater land of Alleppey – the Venice of the East. Arrive Alleppey and at 12.00noon embark the private House Boat, which is waiting to take you on a tour through the backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the landscape from the protection of the cabin. People here sail, fish, swim and bathe here. They do their washing and their washing-ups. They are so adapted to the water that you see people talking for an extended period of time, while in water reaching their necks. You will witness countless birds wait for their chance to catch a fish. The trip goes through a wonderful area full of palm trees, rice fields and floating water plants that surround the boat like emerald Green Island.
Overnight onboard Houseboat.

 

Day 8: Alleppey to Kovalam

Disembark from Houseboat and transfer to Kovalam – one of the most beautiful seaside destination in Kerala. Upon arrival check in to hotel and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Kovalam.

 

Day 9: In Kovalam / leisure

A free choice day for own activities.
Optional: Day return excursion to Kanyakumari – the lands end of India, along with a visit to the “Padmanabhapuram Wooden Palace” – one of the oldest and historic palaces of India.

Day 10: In Kovalam / leisure

Leisure day to explore the local on your own. It’s a nice destination to relax and unwind, enjoy some traditional Kerala Ayurveda.

 

Day 11: Departure transfer to Trivandrum

Check out from hotel according to your flight schedule and the tour ends today with a departure transfer to Trivandrum airport to connect onward flight.

Note: If you have a departure flight from Cochin, you can choose to stay at “Marari Beach” instead of Kovalam. Marari beach is also one of the best beaches in Kerala and less commercial.