| Day 1
Cochin (Arrival)
Arrive Cochin meet and assisted, transferred to Hotel
Cochin is one of the most interesting towns in South India. A trading port since Roman times, it was on the main trade route between Europe and China. Fort Cochin occupies the South promontory on the seaward side of the Bay. Cochin is also known as the commercial capital of kerala.
Sightseeing of Cochin Fort Kochi: A European township In India, Kochi has an eventful and colorful history. The town was shaped by the cultural influences of the Dutch and later the British. The results of these cultural influences are seen in the many examples of Indo-European architecture that still exist here.
Chinese fishing nets: These huge cantilevered fishing nets are the legacy of one of the first visitors to the Malabar Coast. Erected here between 1350 and 1450 AD by Traders from the court of Kublai Khan, these nets are set up on teak wood and bamboo poles. The best place to watch the nets being lowered into the sea and the catch being brought in is the Vasco da Gama square, a narrow promenade that runs along the beach.
St.Francis Church:Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars, this is India's oldest European Church. This was initially built of timber and later reconstructed in stone. It was restored in 1779 by the Protestant Dutch and converted to an Anglican church by the British in 1795. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal.
Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace): Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. On display here are beautiful murals depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, and some of the Puranic Hindu legends. The palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal palanquins and the coronation robes of former maharajas of Kochi.
Synagogue: Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch.
Over Night
Day 2
Cochin - Munnar
- Breakfast
- Drive to Munnar
Munnar:Paradise of nature lovers, Munnar was the summer resort of the British government in South India. Surrounded by the Annamalai Hills, this hill station offers spectacular views of the craggy peaks, manicured tea estates, picturesque towns and winding lanes. Munnar in the wee hours of the morning is a dream, covered in mist.
Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands is the flower Neelakurinji, which bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years. It will bloom next in 2006 AD. Tiger, sambhar, bison, spotted deer, leopard, and Malabar flying squirrel, stripe-necked Mongoose etc. can also be spotted in the forest.
- Rest of the day at leisure
- Over Night
Day 3
Munnar
- Morning Sightseeing of Munnar.
- Visit Mattupetty dam and lake.
- Rajamala, the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat and the Eravikulam National Park.
- After noon relax.
- Over Night
Day 4
Munnar - Periyar
- Breakfast
- Drive to Periyar A hill station, produces large quantity of spices, like pepper, cardamom etc
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - one of the well maintained wild life sanctuaries of South India. Situated on the banks of an artificial lake formed with the construction of an irrigation dam the sanctuary is spread out over an area of 777 sq kms. Now
declared as a tiger reserve, this sanctuary is the best place to see the wild elephants, bison?s, wild dogs, deer?s, water birds and occasionally tiger
After Noon Visit of Spice plantations. Watch the trading at one of the spice shop.
Over Night
Day 5
Periyar
- Breakfast
- Early Morning Boating in Lake Periyar to watch the wild animals
- Day free for independent activities
- Overnight
Day 6
Periyar - Cochin (Departure)
- Breakfast
- Later drive to Cochin for Departure
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