Welcome to our world of private luxury travel...

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Day 01
Cochin:
 
COMPASS REPRESENTATIVE will receive you on arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Cochin is a diverse and colorful port/city, spreading over 4-5 islands and peninsulas. The main town of Ernakulam is on the mainland. All the islands are connected by a ferryboat network and therein lay the charm of an exploratory two days here. Around the headland of Fort Cochin, a phalanx of cantilevered Chinese fishing boats dips into the sea at high tide. In its back streets, there is an aroma of ginger, cardamom and other spices, piled high in every nook and cranny.

Overnight will be at Cochin.

Day 02
Cochin:

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Proceed for a sightseeing tour of the city.

Old Cochin area – this is one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. The Jewish community traces its history to nearly 2000 years ago. In 1948 the community numbered 2500 and today there are fewer that 30 people. The community is still centered round JEWTOWN where you will visit its crown Jewel, the Paradesi Synagogue. Built in 1568 and reconstructed after a Portuguese bombardment in 1662, the synagogue is distinguished by its tile roof and bell tower. The small synagogue is also known for its hand-painted, willow-patterned, blue and white Chinese floor tiles, and the many brass and crystal lamps that hang from the ceiling. Later visit the interesting International Pepper Exchange, also located in Jew town.

Chinese fishing nets – The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea. Learn the operation of the interesting Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles which work on the principle of balance.

The other important places are the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, Mattancherry Palace, etc. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450.

In the evening proceed for KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION.

Overnight will be at Cochin.


Day 03
Cochin – Munnar:
By Road 160 kms/04 hrs

After breakfast proceed to Munnar. Reach and check into the hotel.

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. 1600 meter above sea level this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in the blue every twelve years will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.

Overnight will be at Munnar.

Day 04
Munnar:

Enjoy breakfast at the resort.

The day will be spent at leisure taking treks and finding small buildings of historical importance around the hill station.

The night will be at Munnar.

Day 05
Munnar – Thekkady:
By Road 110kms/04 hrs

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Four hour drive southwards over rolling hills and coffee plantations to the PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, one of the major wildlife reserves in India. Indian elephants, wild boars, lion-tailed monkeys, ibex, tigers, leopards and sloth bears are on the list. The park surrounds a large, many-fingered lake and a dawn or dusk foray on one of the boats will be a thrilling experience. It is from the lake rather than vehicles that the wildlife is viewed. The sanctuary is rich in bird life. Great hornbills, kites, darters, herons, egrets, owls and kingfishers are in abundance. Surrounding the reserve are many small spice plantations and we spend an absorbing afternoon searching for pepper, cardamom, turmeric, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and betel.

Visit Kumily market to buy the best spices available.

Overnight will be at the hotel.

Day 06
Thekkady:

Breakfast will be at the resort.

Today you will visit the rare species of plants and animals by taking a NATURE TREK into the Park and then a short walk.

In the afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices.

Enjoy elephant ride.

Overnight will be at Thekkady.

Day 07
Thekkady:

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Enjoy Bamboo Rafting.

This is a dawn to dusk range hiking and rafting programme through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Starting at 8 am from the boat landing, a mosaic of habitats will be traversed before the party gets into rafts made of bamboos.

The forests are rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. The rafting is for about three hours and one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and Sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.

The team hitchhikes back to the boat landing by about 5 pm. An armed guard and 4 guides will accompany a maximum of 10 tourists. Tea, snacks and packed lunch will be served enroute.

Overnight will be at Periyar.

Day 08
Thekkady – Kumarakom:
By Road 120kms / 04 hrs

Breakfast at the resort then proceed to Kumarakom.

Check in to the Houseboat.

Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. 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.

Cruise through the backwaters towards Alleppey. Lunch will be served on the boat. The menu is simple and traditional. The cook (chef) of the boat prepares the lunch from fresh materials and even you can have a peek at the recipe.

Tea and snacks would be served in the evening. The boat will be anchored in the backwaters along a paddy field and you can go for a stroll into the village or relax at the deck of the boat.

Dinner will be on the boat. Overnight will be at Houseboat.

Day 09
Alleppey – Kovalam:
By Road in 175kms / 04 hrs

Breakfast will be on board the boat.

Cruise through the backwaters watching the children going to school and the village markets opening.

Disembark the boat at the finishing point where your driver will be waiting for you to drive to KOVALAM.

Kovalam went through a gradual metamorphosis from an obscure fishing village to a contemporary holiday destination. Though frequented often, the very beautiful Kovalam beach glows in its un-spoilt beauty and offers a relaxing holiday to a tired and wandering soul.

Life at the tiny fishing village located on the Kovalam coast goes on as it did for ages. Take walk near the fishing village in Kovalam, Kerala, and South India and be enthralled at the simplicity, happiness and contentment that greet you.

A natural bay created by a breathtaking rock cluster and three crescent shaped beaches make up the stunning and very beautiful Kovalam beach in Kerala, South India.

Reach and check in at the resort. Day will be free to explore and relax at the beach.

Overnight will be in Kovalam.

Day 10
Kovalam – Excursion to Kanyakumari
By Road 120kms/02hrs

After breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing tour of Kanyakumari.

Surrounded by Majestic Hills and the plains bordered by colourful sea-shores, fringed with coconut trees and paddy fields, here and there are few elevated patches of red cliffs with undulating valleys and plains between the mountainous terrain and the sea - coast, so closely interwoven with Temples and Churches and other edifices lies the district, 'Kanyakumari'. (The district name is spelled as ' Kanyakumari ' in official records which are in tune with the spoken name of the district in Tamil language). With an area of 1672 sq.km, It occupies 1.29% of the total extent of Tamil Nadu. It ranks first in literacy among other districts in Tamil Nadu.

Evening - return to Kovalam.

Overnight will be at Kovalam

Day 11
Kovalam:

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Relax and spend the day at leisure on your own.

Overnight will be at Kovalam.

Day 12
Kovalam – Trivandrum - Home:
By Road 16Kms/45 minutes

Drive to Trivandrum after a leisurely morning breakfast.

Proceed for the short sightseeing tour of Trivandrum.

As per the flight timings you will be transferred to the airport to take flight back home with sweet memories of GOD’S OWN COUNTRY – KERALA.

TOUR ENDS