Cochin (Ernakulam) - Cochin (Fort Cochin)(2) - Alleppey(1) - Thekkady(2) - Cochin (Ernakulam)
Day-1 Arrive at Cochin. Proceed to Fort Cochin. Evening Walk around the Heritage Bylanes. Visit Greenix Village. Arrive at Cochin and Proceed to Fort Cochin (45 kms - 1 hr). Fort Cochin is a charming heritage corner of Cochin visited for its heritage character, Arabian Sea views, Chinese Fishing nets, charming heritage bylanes and heritage hotels. Evening Walk in heritage bylanes of Fort Cochin visiting Church and Jewish Synagogue. Visit Greenix village for evening performances of traditional dance forms of Kerala.
Day-2 In and around Fort Cochin Visit Kumbhalangi area to experience rural lifestyle with backwater character. In the afternoon take a boat trip to neighbouring Islands (Vypeen and Bolgatty) In the evening explore Fishermen at work using Chinese fishing nets. Evening Dinner at one of the charming restaurants in a heritage hotel in Fort Cochin.
Day-3 Proceed to Alleppey boat Cruise Jetty. Alleppey round houseboat cruise. Proceed to Alleppey houseboat Jetty (65 kms - 1.5 hr). Reach before 12 noon. Alleppey is renowned for its lakeside and backwaters and character and what gives Kerala the name "Venice of the East". Alleppey round of Houseboat Cruise. Overnight stay in Alleppey.
Day-4 Proceed to Thekkady. Elephant ride in the evening. Alight at Kumarakom jetty at 9:30 AM and Proceed to Thekkady (110 kms - 3 hrs). The route takes one through one of the most spectacular drives around the Rubber plantation area of Kottayam, Churches and luxury planter homes built on ethnic lines. Thekkady is a spice plantation area surrounded by Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and visited for its salibrious climate, plantation backdrop and activities around Periyar reserve forest. Late afternoon visit to Spice garden (Cardamom, Pepper, Cinnamon, Vanilla) alongwith visit to Elephant Junction for the elephant experience (elephant ride).
Day-5 Half Day or Full day programme in Periyar Reserve ForestHalf Day or Full day programme in Periyar Reserve Forest Opt for one of the many programmes offered by the Forest dept that involves half -day walking / trekking in the forest (upto 3 hours) OR a full day programme involving walking / trekking / bamboo rafting. Guests may even opt for the Eco Tourism programme offered by Forest Dept at Gavi (42 kms from Thekkady).
Day-6 Departure Proceed to Cochin (175 kms - 4.5 hours) and Depart for onward journey.
Cochin (Ernakulam) - Ernakulam, part of Cochin area is business hub of Cochin and also commercial capital of Kerala.
Cochin (Fort Cochin) - A heritage area a few kilometers from Willingdon Island. With many charming heritage hotels in the area, its perhaps the best area of accommodation for leisure and experience oriented travelers.
Alleppey - Alleppey is renowned for its backwaters and is known as the Venice of the east. Overnight houseboats in Alleppey lake and backwaters are considered an experience.
Thekkady - Thekkady (2500 ft asl) is a stopover on the South India Itinerary on Madurai - Kottayam route known for nature centric experiences connected with Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
