Itinerary: Cochin - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Periyar - Munnar - Cochin - Mararikulam

Day 1: Arrival in Cochin
A Yatra representative will meet you at a location convenient to you in Cochin and transfer you in an air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel of stay. Check-in at your pre-booked hotel.

After checking-in at the hotel, set out on an afternoon sightseeing tour of Cochin - a fishing port and cosmopolitan hub. Accompanied by an English-speaking guide, you will visit the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace on Mattancherry Island and St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. See the huge Chinese fishing nets believed to have been brought to Kochi by Chinese traders. Lastly, you will halt at the Willingdon Island, an artificial island created from the sand dug out while deepening Kochi port. It has been named after Lord Willingdon, the erstwhile Madras governor, who was instrumental in implementing the island project.

After exploring the major attractions of Cochin, return to your hotel and spend the night.

Day 2: Cochin – Kumarakom
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken on a scenic drive to Kumarakom near Kottayam, about 90 kilometers (approx. 2-hour drive) from Cochin. At Kumarakom, check-in at a backwater resort. Nestled on the shores of Kerala’s Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a cluster of sleepy islands ideal for boating, fishing, bird-watching and nature walks.

You are at leisure for the rest of the day. Spend the night at your hotel.

Day 3: Kumarakom - Alleppey (Houseboat)
After breakfast, drive a short distance about 20 kilometers (half an hour) before switching to a boat for a ride through the many canals and waterways all the way up to Alleppey. Enjoy unlimited surfing on backwaters, sip refreshing coconut water, get disturbed by the chirping of birds and occasional ripples in water and savour mouthwatering delicacies prepared by your Kitchen crew. Spend the day soaking up the backwater life. Overnight stay in the houseboat.

Day 4: Houseboat – Periyar
After breakfast, disembark and drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar. Located about 155 kilometers away, it will take you about 4 hours to reach Periyar.

Upon arrival in Periyar, check-in at the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure; you can walk around the peaceful town known for its fragrant spice and coffee plantations. Overnight stay at your hotel in Periyar.

Day 5: Periyar - Munnar
After a hearty breakfast, enjoy an early morning boat ride on Lake Periyar. Keep your binoculars handy all along, as you might spot a herd of elephant grazing with gay abandon or a plod of hippo by the water’s edge. In the afternoon, set out on a scenic drive to the hill station of Munnar, about 160 kilometers (approx. 4 hours) from Periyar. Upon arrival in Munnar, check-in at a pre-booked hotel and spend the night.

Day 6: Munnar
Spend the day relaxing in Munnar, taking in the scenic beauty of this hill station. Munnar is situated near the Anaimudi Peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 6000 feet from the sea level. Munnar’s sprawling tea gardens with tall trees jutting out of sharp cliffs, and a plethora of wildflowers in a riot of colors, make it look like a painter’s canvas.

You might want to take a drive around and explore the points of sightsee. You will be able to spot little wisps of clouds drifting past you and shroud the tea estate that was conspicuous only a while ago. All along you will be serenaded by the sound of gurgling brooks or waterfalls seeping through narrow rocks. Pause on the way, maybe to buy farm fresh carrots from a hawker or small souvenir shops selling wooden artifacts and a range of authentic spices. Photographic opportunities abound here.

Return to your hotel and spend the night

Day 7: Munnar – Cochin
After a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel, drive to Cochin about 135 kilometers (approx. 3.5 hours) from Munnar. Upon arrival in the city, check-in at a pre-booked hotel for your overnight stay. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 8: Cochin - Mararikulam
After breakfast, enjoy a lovely scenic drive to Mararikulam, about 60 kilometers from Cochin. On arrival check-in at a pre-booked hotel for your overnight stay.

Mararikulam is a picturesque fishing village by the Arabian Sea; home to the local fishing community, life hasn’t changed much here in the last many decades. A day in this lovely seaside hamlet sees men leaving for the sea in the morning, while women attend to the household chores. The village has a host of fine sandy beaches fringed by coconut palms, ideal to stroll around, enjoy the waves and spend some time in solitude. The Mararikulam Beach offers numerous beach activities to tourists such as surfing, parasailing, swimming or beach volleyball. If you are not keen on an adrenalin-rush, it is a great idea to take a walk to the traditional coir-making units for which Mararikulam is famous.

You have the rest of the day to yourself to stroll about and soak up the splendid coastal scenery of Mararikulam.

Day 9 -10: In Mararikulam
After breakfast at your hotel, you are at leisure for the rest of the day to explore the beaches, meet the locals, try out an array of water sports or simply lounge around on the silvery sand and soak up the sun. Spend the night at your hotel.

Day 11: Mararikulam - Cochin
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Cochin international airport or any place convenient to you in Cochin for your onward journey.

Note:
- Standard check-in/check-out times at all hotels will be 12 noon.