Day 1: Australia - CochinHotel: 4* Fort Heritage

Depart Australia in the morning for India. On arrival in to Cochin’s airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.More popular as the Queen of the Arabian sea, Cochin is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake. The Lake opens out into the Arabian sea here to form one of the finest natural harbours in the world. It is this natural advantage that has made Co-chin a fascinating blend of the cultures and influences of explorers and traders. The Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and the British have all left their mark here. The Jewish syn-agogue, the Dutch Palace, the Chinese fishing nets, and other remnants of European and Asian architecture merge smoothly into the traditional fabric of the seaport city.The rest of the evening if free at leisure.

Day 2: Cochin (B,D)Hotel: 4* Fort Heritage

After leisurely buffet breakfast, we will proceed for an in-depth sightseeing tour of Cochin. First stop, the Dutch Palace is also known as Mattancherry Palace. Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin in 1555 AD. It acquired the present name after 1663 when the Dutch carried out extensions and repairs in the palace. Its interiors are decorated with murals from the Ramayana and there are some lively displays of royal costumes and palanquins. Continue on to visit the Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568 AD. The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Co-chin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand-painted tiles are on display inside. We then head to the ocean to view the coast lined by Chinese Fishing Nets. The Chinese Fishing net exhibit a mechanical method of catching fish by local fishermen in Fort Kochi. Said to have been brought from China by traders of Kubalai Khan’s Court, they are used at high tide. Afterwards we make our way to St. Francis Church. This Protestant church was originally built by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the oldest church built by the Europeans in India. It is here the remains of the inveterate traveller, Vasco da Gam-

Private Kerala & the Backwaters

Tour 13 Days

ma were initially buried and 14 years later, his mortal remains were taken to Portugal. We then head back to the hotel to relax before this evenings entertainment.In the evening, you will be taken to a Kathakali dance centre where you will witness the most elaborate of the dance forms in southern India. Here you will witness the artists readying themselves up with the make up for the final performance. Kerala owes its trans-national fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance form, which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. It is said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam, Krishnanattam and Kalarippayattu. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and Puranas. Presented in the temple precincts after dusk falls Kathakali is heralded by the Kelikottu or the beating of drums in accompaniment of the Chengila (gong).

Day 3: Cochin – Munnar (B,D)Hotel: 4* Clouds Valley

After breakfast, we leave by road for an overwhelming scenic journey to Munnar (Approx. 150 Kms/ 4 -5 hrs drive). Located at an altitude of over 6000 feet above sea level, Munnar ranks among the most beautiful hill stations in South Asia. Majestic mountains, lush green forests, pristine mountain streams and sprawling tea, coffee & cardamom plantations give Munnar its unique charm and beauty. It is the home of the endangered Nilgiri Thar (ibex) that roams on a stretch of grassland or is seen climbing the pinnacles of the undulating hills. On arrival, check in to the hotel for a free evening to explore this picturesque town.

Day 4: Munnar (B,D)Hotel: 4* Clouds Valley

After breakfast we head out for a Kolukkumalai Jeep safari on the tea trails. Drive through the Kanan Devan Hills tea plantations, scenic valleys, Lockheart gap & stunning spice plantations. Home to the world’s highest organic tea growing estate, the steepness of the slopes makes the tea very special as well the view. On the top of the range we will be able to see the low land of Tamil Nadu and off in the distance the second highest peak in south India. From there we will drive or walk a little further to one of the oldest orthodox tea factory in this region. We’ll then sample fresh tea picked, processed and made on the spot before we have a picnic lunch near the cliff with a wonderful view over the tea plantations.

After lunch will proceed back to Munnar in the jeep, a wonderful experience through the tea plantations and the country side of the rural Tamil people who tend to the tea fields. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and explore the region on foot if you wish to im-merse yourself in the charm and beauty of the area.

Day 5: Munnar - Thekkady (B,D)Hotel: 4* Poeteree Sarover Portico

After breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed to the famous Tea Museum, which shows accurate scale models of the inner workings of a tea factory. The Tata Tea Museum dili-gently portrays the growth of Munnar tea estates, veritably conveyed through some of the displays like the rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory. Visitors to the museum can satiate their curiosity on various stages of tea processing, and also learn a thing or two about the production of black tea. After we drive to Thekkady (Approx 160 Kms, 4-5 hrs drive). On arrival to Thekkady check in to hotel. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Day 6: Thekkady - Periyar - Kumarakom (B,L,D)Hotel: 4* Aveda

This morning we head to Periyar. Periyar is a small town with its unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations it is famous for the Periyar Wildlife Reserve, noted for its geomorphology, diverse wildlife and beautiful landscape. We head off on a 2-3hr walk (We would recommend guests wear comfortable walking shoes). Here we have the opportuni-ty to see wild Asian Elephants and the elusive Tiger. Afterwards we drive to Kumarakom (Approx 160 Kms, 4-5 hrs).In the lush backwaters of Kottayam in Kerala, lies a veritable paradise, which is called Ku-marakom, or the ‘Venice of the East’. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields, and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. Kumarakom is Kerala’s heartland of lagoons, palm fringed lakes, and paddy fields, inter-linked with hundreds of winding canals, with the typical low slung country boats that carry everything from people to fish, rice and co-conuts to the milkman and newspaper boy, local politicians and priests to wedding parties. Remaining day is free for relaxation. Lie in a hammock on the lakeshore and allow your

senses to possess you.

Day 7: Kumarakom (B,D)Hotel: 4* Aveda

Breakfast at the hotel this morning. Today is a full day at lesiure to relax at the backwater resort or explore Kamarakom.

Day 8: Kumarakom – Alleppey (B,L,D)Hotel: Houseboat

After breakfast at the hotel we embark to board your luxurious houseboat to experience the backwaters of Kerala.Houseboats are also known as the “Ketuvallam” or Rice Boat. A Ketuvallam ride can be the most romantic ride you can ever have with a night halt in the middle of lake Vem-banad. A backwater comprises of a unique web of rivers, lakes, bays, lagoons and canals extending into the villages and town of the city. Backwaters are a central part of Kerala’s Tourism Synopsis, making an unforgettable cruise through the twisting and meandering water streams. This backwater journey through the narrow canals crossing exquisite vil-lages of Kerala, embellished with lush green paddy fields, tall coconut grooves, makes it a most spellbinding site.

Day 9: Alleppey (B,L,D)Hotel: Houseboat

Enjoy one more day relaxing on the Backwaters, cruising through the canals watching the world go by.

Day 10: Alleppey - Mararikulam (B,D)Hotel: 4* Abad Turtle Beach Resort

This morning we have breakfast on board the houseboat before disembark and proceed for the walking tour of Alleppey, this walk takes you around some key sights of the town, starting with a presentation of the town’s history. The walk proceeds through the Gujarati

quarter, the canal banks and the old wholesale market - areas rarely seen by most visitors. A visit to Mullackal Devi Temple also can be arranged (program will be two hours in to-tal). This programme is run on voluntary basis by residents of Alleppey who have come together as Preserve Alleppey Society, a group of people passionate about their heritage. Please note that this program is run by the residents who are looking to create awareness amongst tourists. They are not professional guides, but keen to share their towns history.Later we drive to Mararikulam (Approx 20 Kms, 45 minutes) where we’ll check in to the hotel. Mararikulam is one of the picturesque fishing villages that dot the lovely coast line of Kerala. This private, shallow beach is fringed with unending lines of coconut palms. Sprawled expansively across 25 acres of land, Marari Beach Resort, like its namesake, is separated from the sea by a windbreak of stretching palms. The cottages are separated by generous stretches of open parkland, dotted with fruit-laden trees. The winding village pathways are a faithful echo of the originals. Rambling walls curve around corners, their rust-coloured stones smothered with trumpet flowers. Completing the picture are rippling lotus ponds, usually with a family of ducklings getting a swimming lesson out in the mid-dle.

Day 11: Mararikulam (B,D)Hotel: Boutique Abad Turtle Beach Resort

Today is a full day at leisure to relax at the hotel and soak up the sea breeze or explore Maraikulam.

Day 12: Mararikulam – Cochin – Australia (B)

After breakfast we drive to Cochin International airport (Approx 02 hrs drive) to board your flight back to Australia.

Day 13: Australia

Arrive home this morning.