Kerala Spice Tour

Duration: 11 Nights & 12 Days
Places to see: Thiruvananthapuram – Somatheeram – Trivandrum – Alleppey (Backwaters) – Kumarakom – Periyar – Munnar – Cochin

Day 01: Home – Thiruvananthapuram – Somatheeram

Upon arrival our representative will pick you up and transfer to a Somatheeram – Ayurveda and Kerala have become the most talked about words in the travel and tourism fraternity of the world. And when it comes to traditional and authentic ayurvedic health services, the expertise of Somatheeram and the wide acceptance enjoyed by it speak for their credible presence as a premier Ayurvedic health resort in Kerala. You will have rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Somatheeram – Trivandrum – Somatheeram

After breakfast we will take you on a city tour of Trivandrum / Thiruvananthapuram. Overnight stay will be at the resort.

Day 03: Somatheeram

Have full day to relax at the wonderful tropical beach and later set out for fishing with local fishermen on traditional kattamaran. You will also have the option of rejuvenating yourself with the much acclaimed Ayurveda treatment. Overnight stay will be at the resort.

Day 04: Somatheeram – Alleppey (Backwaters)

In the morning board the Rice boat Alleppey – the central hub of Kerala backwaters. Stay in a traditional Kerala house opening right over the Vembanad Lake surrounded by banana plantations. You will have the rest of the day free to relax with the option of herbal oil massage. Also relish the wonderful Kerala cuisine in ethnic way. Rice boat – It took great skill and meticulousness to construct these Houseboats by tying huge planks of jack wood together, without the use of a single nail. It usually has one or two bath rooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide. The backwaters of Kerala form the lifeblood of beautiful Kerala and played a main role in the economy of the state. Rice boats and small ships used to ply in these waters, carrying coconut, rubber, rice and spices to various trading centers of Kerala. Even today, these waterways link remote villages and island with the main land .It is an incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of the villages. Sail along the winding network of Kerala backwaters, see the unique water world and experience its myriad charms. Eat spiced and baked rice cakes on board a floating rice barge, fish for fresh catch and have the cook onboard cook a traditional delicacy for you, lie down on the deck and count the glittering stars that garland a clear moon with crickets making pleasant sounds as your barge floats along the unending network of Kerala backwaters. Embark at the local villages that flourish on the banks of the emerald Kerala backwaters and visit the village bazaars that are flooded with coir products, coconuts and other village produce. You can also interact with the local population see their lifestyle. Although practically surrounded by water, they still manage to keep cows, pigs, chickens and ducks and cultivate small vegetable gardens, prawns and fish. In houseboats, traditional Kerala food will be served. Lunch, Dinner & overnight on Boat.

Day 05: Alleppey (Backwaters) – Kumarakom

In the morning after breakfast disembark the boat, and drive to drive to Kumarakom – The tourist village of Kumarakom lies in the scenic backwater area, on the shore of the pleasant Vembanad Lake, 16 km away from Kottayam. Here an old rubber plantation around the lake has been developed into a bird sanctuary. A path goes through the swamp to the main nesting area, while the island in the middle of the lake can be reached by boat. On arrival, check in the hotel. You can take Ayurveda treatments from the hotel on direct payment basis. Over night stay at the hotel.

Day 06: Kumarakom – Periyar

After breakfast proceed to Periyar – South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq. km. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. The dense forest cover and the variety of flora are also among the tourist attractions in Periyar. There are trees more than 100 years old and over 50 m high. On arrival in Periyar, check-in at the hotel. Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 07: Periyar

In the morning enjoy game viewing by boats, which carry you through the jungle along convoluted waterways. This biosphere reserve has a varied range of flora and fauna and you can set out for a tour of this exotic territory with camera in your hand and hope to capture the shy residents of the forest. The elephants are the most majestic among all the things to watch in Periyar. They can be spotted on the lake shores bathing and basking in the sun. However, you can come across many other mammalian species such as leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur (an endangered primate), bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar, and sloth bear Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 08: Periyar – Munnar

After breakfast drive to Munnar – is a serene hill station in the Kannan Devan hills. For those who do not want to be surrounded by crowds, Munnar is one of the best destinations that could be selected. The place has greenery, lakes, reservoirs and some of the highest tea estates in the world. The place also has good facilities for adventure sports. Munnar is located in the eastern part of Kerala at an altitude of 1524 meters. On the way to Munnar can see tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers, lust green hills, a place so difficult to describe, very low population too far from pollution. On arrival check in to the Hotel and Evening stroll through the tea estates. Over night stay at hotel.

Day 09: Munnar

After breakfast sightseeing of Munnar which includes the Raja Malai, a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats), Muttupetty dam, you can also enjoy boating in the Lake (optional / on direct payment basis). Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10: Munnar – Cochin

Arrive and transfer to city hotel in Cochin – is a beautiful city situated on the Western Coast of India facing the Arabian Sea, and rightfully called the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. It has a rich network of backwaters and is the culture and heritage centre of Kerala. A cluster of islands, Cochin is the commercial city of Kerala and is one of the finest natural harbors in the world. On arrival in Cochin, check in at the hotel. Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 11: Cochin

In the morning have city tour of Cochin. You will visit Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. It is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Mattancherry Palace or Dutch Palace has fine collection of mural paintings depicting the scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. It is closed on Fridays. In Fort Cochin visit St. Francis Church, the oldest church built by European in India. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal. The tombstone still remains. Also visit Chinese Fishing Nets that are the most efficient means of backwater fishing. You can enthrall yourself with a special presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali Dance Show in a local theatre. Kathakali is an ancient religious pantomime dance drama handed down through generations for more than 300 years and performed by dedicated families of Kerala

Day 12: Cochin – Home

It is time to say goodbye to Kerala as your Kerala spice tour comes to an end. Our representative will transfer you to railway airport for onward journey.