Duration : 17 Nights / 18 Days

Day 1 :
Arrival at Trivandrum airport. Transfer to Paravoor a small village on the banks of the backwaters near Kollam town or a unique floating resort near Kovalam. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2 & 3 :
Transfer to Mararikulam Beach and check into a theme resort. At leisure at the resort to enjoy the beach and the surf.

Day 4 :
AM after a leisurely breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to " Puthengadi boat jetty " to board the Houseboat by 12 noon, for and overnight cruise along the scenic backwaters. Enroute stop by at small coir making units, local churches, temples, villages etc.

Day 5 :
AM after breakfast on board the houseboat, disembark at a resort set in the heart of the backwaters of Kumarakom. Accommodation here is in old, reassembled wooden traditional Kerala houses. Rest of the day at leisure at the resort. Evening option of visiting the Kumarakom bird sanctuary next door.

Day 6 :
Check out from the resort and transfer by road to Thekkady / Periyar ( 4 hrs ). Check in by lunchtime into a resort set in the midst of a Spice plantation. Evening go for a guided trek through the forests.

Day 7 :
At Thekkady / Periyar. Early morning go for a 2 hr boat ride on Periyar Lake to see the Wildlife the only way to see it. Return to the resort for breakfast. Later in the morning go on a guided plantation tour to visit Tea estates, factory and a Spice farm. Lunch at the resort and the rest of the evening on your own to explore the town.

Day 8 :
AM transfer to Cochin to check into a heritage hotel located in historic Fort Cochin. Rest of the day to relax at the hotel. Evening: Attend the Kathakali show. Dinner return to the hotel.

Day 9:
At Cochin go on a guided 1/2 day local S/S tour in and around Fort Cochin to visit

St. Francis Portuguese church.
Jewish Synagogue.
Dutch Palace.
Antiques and Spices market.
Lunch back at the hotel.
Noon: Shopping trip to Ernakulam city.

Day 10 & 11 :
Morning transfer to Tellicherry in North Kerala and check into a unique Heritage house overlooking the sea. This luxurious home has a private swimming pool, large A/C bath attached rooms all furnished with antiques. The highlight of the stay here is the regional cuisine where the emphasis is on the fresh Seafood. Enroute stop for lunch at a resort on Kappad beach.

Activities: There is an excellent beach a short drive away and various places of interest located nearby like the:-

Parassinikadavu temple to watch the dramatic and colourful closing evening rituals, where Theyyam dance is performed.

Cinnamon gardens - 300 acres.

Beedi - local hand rolled cigarettes made of dried Tendu leaves.

Local fish market.

St. Angelo's Fort at Kannur.

Handloom weaving units where cloth is woven on Shuttle weaves.

Day 12 & 13 :
Transfer to Mysore. ( 5 hrs ). Check into a palace hotel or a modern one in the city. Local S/S trips to see the Palace, Chamundi hills temple etc. Shop for Silks and sandalwood.

Day 14:
Transfer to Chikmangalur ( 190 kms) and check into a hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 15:
AM after breakfast check out and proceed to Bangalore. ( approx. 250 kms ). Enroute visit the old Hoysala temples at Belur / Halebid with the option - of visiting Sravanabelagola to see the huge Buddha statue and Jain temples. You will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide. Late evening check into a city hotel in Bangalore.

Day 16:
At leisure at Bangalore for Shopping, S/S etc.

Day 17 :
Transfer to Bangalore airport to board the daily flight to Trivandrum. Placard pk up at airport and check into a city hotel at Trivandrum. Noon option - Local city tour to visit Napier museum, Sree Chitra Art Gallery etc.

Day 18 :
Early morning transfer to Trivandrum airport to board flight out of Kerala.

END OF TOUR.