Pick up from Cochin airport. Check in at hotel. Visit the Hill palace at the old royal town of Tripunithura – the home of the erstwhile rulers of Kochi. Displayed inside are the thirteen galleries of oil paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to the royal family. Afternoon take a guided tour through the tree lined avenues and quaint little lanes of Fort Cochin and you will see the St. Francis Chu rch, Santa Cruz Basilica, Chinese Fishing nets on the Fort Cochin Beach and the Dutch Cemetery. Then drive to Mattancherry (1 ½ kms) and see the murals at the Dutch Palace and the 400-year-old Jewish Synagogue. Bargain for spice and antiques in the narrow bylanes. Evening watch a cultural show of fort/art forms of South India.

After breakfast proceed to Munnar, a small hill station located at 1600 M above sea level and which was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Check in at the Hotel/Resort. Here, more than hectares of lush, manicured tea fields form an irresistible canvas. Afternoon visit the Tea Museum – which houses an interesting array of relics and artifacts of the past. At the adjacent tea-processing unit one can see the various stages of tea manufacture and the intricacies of tea tasting which is an educative experience. Open 10 am to 4 pm. Evening relax at the resort.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

After breakfast, visit the Eravikulam National park in Rajamalai (18 kms) and home to the largest population of the endangered nilgiri tahr (wild goats). This 97 sq. Km park, a former hunting preserve of the British planters today exemplifies wildlife conservation at its best. The incredibly agile Nilgiri Tahr is today the pride of Munnar and its mascot. Afternoon go to Top Station which is perched precariously on a precipitous ridge and has an interesting site-the ruins of the old ropeway station that linked the foothills to the tea estates, transporting tea chests out and provisions in. Enroute see the Mattupetty Dam, the Kundale Lake and the Echo point. Night return back to resort.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

After breakfast proceed to Thekkady. Thekkady is situated in the southern segment of the Western Ghats in the Cardamom Hills at an altitude of 900 to 6000 ft. The climate is pleasantly cool through out the year. The Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the 18 hot spots in the world recognized for their biodiversity. Check in at resort. Afternoon visit a Tribal Village built inside Mannan settlement, the earliest people to inhabit Periyar Tiger Reserve. They have various types of artifacts related to agriculture, marriage ceremonies, cultural events, etc.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

Early morning enjoy a boat ride in the lake to see wildlife in their natural habitat at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. Afternoon go on a guided plantation tour into a spice plantation where pepper, cardamom, vanilla, etc is grown. Evening back to the resort.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

Depart from Munnar after breakfast, drive to Kumarakom, the heart of the famous backwaters of Kerala. Check in at resort. Relax at the resort. Spend the waning hours of the afternoon just watching the sun go down or explore the area on foot to a local village set amidst paddy fields.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

Visit the Kumarakom bird sanctuary early in the morning. Return back to resort. After breakfast proceed to Alleppey. At noon board the traditional houseboat and start the long and meandering ride through the unique backwaters of Kerala in a thatched roof houseboat. The houseboat is an improvisation of the large country barges, which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by.  The kettuvalloms (houseboats) are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, bath attached bedroom and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly. Every houseboat is manned by a crew - chef, guide and oarsman. Winding through the vast expanse of the paddy fields and tiny hamlets and palm fringed narrow canals is an unforgettable experience. Night at the houseboat.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

Disembark the houseboat after breakfast proceed to Kovalam. Check in at the resort. Unwind at any of the three crescent shaped beaches separated by rocky headlands – Lighthouse beach, Hawa and Ashok Beach. The beaches are safe and clean. Explore the delightful village of Chowara with its stretch of white sandy beach and the sea. At sunset watch the fishing boats set out to fish from the harbour.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

After breakfast sight seeing at Trivandrum (15 kms) – a city with lovely tree-lined avenues and red tiled roofs and bounded by the Arabian Sea in the West. Visit the Kuthiramalika Palace, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Napier Museum and the Sree Chitra Art gallery. Then proceed to Thakkala in Tamil Nadu (54 kms) and see the Padmabhapuram Palace, a unique marvel in wood. Evening return back to hotel.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

After breakfast drop at Trivandrum airport.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys