Kerala In A Nutshell

Suggested Itinerary - 15D/14N

KOVALAM + VARKALA + HOUSEBOAT + THEKKADY + MUNNAR + KOCHI + ATHIRAPPILLY + CALICUT + WAYANAD + KANNUR + MANGALORE

Day 1: Trivandrum Airport – Kovalam

Arrive Trivandrum airport, a warm Welcome to Kerala!!

Meet & Greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Kovalam.

Check-in and relax

After a good relaxation, set off for a sightseeing of in and around Kovalam and finally you could visit the famous beaches

Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favorite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.

The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them

Evening relax and enjoy your time at the beach and spend some time at the beachside restaurants& pubs

Overnight at hotel in Kovalam

Day 2: Kovalam –Kanyakumari – Kovalam

Breakfast at hotel. Later, set off to visit Kanyakumarifor a beautiful sun set and a visit to the famous ‘Vivekananda Rock’

Overnight at hotel in Kovalam

Day 3: Kovalam – Varkala

Breakfast at hotel

Check-out and proceed to Varkala, one of the most famous and beautiful beachesof Kerala

Varkala, a calm and quiet hamlet, lies on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district. It has several tourist attractions that include a beautiful beach, a 2000-year-old Vishnu Temple and the Ashramam - Sivagiri Mutt a little distance from the beach.

The Papanasam Beach (also called as Varkala Beach), which is ten kilometers away from Varkala, is renowned for a natural spring. Which is considered to have medicinal and curative properties. A dip in the holy waters at this beach is believed to purge the body of impurities and the soul of all sins; hence the name 'Papanasam Beach'

Unwind your day at the beach and relax

Overnight at hotel in Varkala

Day 4: Varkala – Houseboat

Breakfast at hotel

Check-out and set off to experience the highlight of Kerala – The Houseboat in Alleppey

The Kerala houseboat is a modified kettuvallam, the large boat of yesteryears. In Malayalam, ‘kettu’ means to tie and ‘vallom’ means boat. These boats were held together with rope and hence the name. Kettuvallams were used for the transportation of goods like rice and spices from Kumarakom and areas of Kuttanad to neighbouring towns. With the emergence and development of modern road and rail transportation, these graceful behemoths were shelved. Their reemergence occurred with the growth of tourism. It is now a tourist attraction and a popular mode to explore the magnificence of the Kumarakom backwaters

Board the houseboat and start that wonderful experience of being in backwaters!

Lunch, evening tea & dinner will be served on board, and is part of your package

Overnight at houseboat

Day 5: Houseboat – Thekkady

After a traditional breakfast at houseboat, it is time to proceed

De-board the houseboat and set off to Thekkady– One of the best wild life destinations of Kerala

Enroute you may be taken to few more sightseeing spots in Munnar and outskirts

The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spreads across the entire district are the picturesque plantations and hill towns that nestle beautiful trails for treks and mountain walks.It is one of the oldest tiger reserves in the country and the forests of Periyar is embellished by the presence of endangered species including White Tigers

Arrive Thekkady and check-in to the hotel.

After lunch, proceed to get a local glimpse of Thekkady

Overnight at hotel in Thekkady

Day 6: Thekkady – Munnar

Breakfast at hotel

Check-out and proceed to the famous and most visited hill stations of Kerala - Munnar

Munnar, the famed hill station of south India, is a romantic locale where natural beauty is everywhere to visit, explore and to enjoy. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala – and the word ‘Munnar’ means three rivers in Malayalam. Situated about 1600m above sea level, the hill station had been the summer resort of the British Government during the colonial era. Imprints of the colonial past stand tall in the Munnar town in the form of English country cottages. Virgin forests, savannah, rolling hills, scenic valleys, numerous streams, huge splashy waterfalls, sprawling tea plantations and winding walkways are all part of the great holiday experience on offer for a traveler to Munnar. Munnar is also known for Neelakurinji, a rare plant which flowers only once in twelve years. The ‘kurinji season’ in Munnar is a magnificent sight when the hills and valleys get bathed in the blue of the Neelakurinji blooms

After lunch, proceed for the sightseeing of Munnar

Overnight at hotel in Munnar

Day 7: Munnar

After breakfast, proceed for full day sightseeing of Munnar including Rajamala, Eravikulam National Park, the 97 sq km park with its irresistible grace and beauty is home to the endangered Mountain goats etc. Enjoy a guided short trek in the beautiful hill station. Afternoon - Visit the Mattupetty Dam built in the mountains. Later visit Echo point, a very popular place for the natural phenomenon. The echo that reverberates after hitting the distant hills is fascinating

Overnight stay at Munnar

Day 8: Munnar – Kochi

Breakfast at hotel

Check-out and proceed to the Commercial Capital of Kerala – The Kochi

Kochi represents different things to different people. To many, it is an emerging cosmopolitan city with bustling life in the streets, the cinema halls, the shopping malls, and the skyscrapers; the commercial capital of the state, with a style statement different from the rest of the State - whether in clothes or lifestyle. To some others, Kochi is a placewith deep roots in history and its streets exude an old-world charm; a place with beautiful monuments and a variety of linguistic and ethnic communities including Jews, Konkinis, Gujaratis and so on. In short, Kochi offers a cocktail of modernity, old-world charm and a global outlook that, at the same time, facilitates continuity and change. For centuries, Kochi had been a main port city, not only of Kerala, but also of the Indian Peninsula

After Lunch set off to get a glimpse of Kochi, Fort Kochi & Willingdon Island

Overnight at hotel in Kochi

Day 9: Kochi - Athirappilly

Breakfast at hotel 

Check-out and proceed to Athirappilly – one of the best waterfalls of Kerala

Athirappillyis Kerala's most famous and largest waterfall at over 80 ft high. The sight of the water crashing onto the ground leaves you with a sense of wonder at the sheer power and magnificence of nature. Located around 63 km from Thrissur district, it is a perennial picnic spot for people in the area and beyond. Its surrounding greenery is perfect for walks and picnics with loved ones. Lying at the entrance to the Sholayar forest ranges, it is a part of the Chalakudy River which calls the Western Ghats its home.

Barely 5 km away is another family favourite, Vazhachal Waterfalls. These waterfalls became famous for not just their view but the endemic species found in the surrounding dense forests. Researchers have found four endangered species of the Hornbill here, the only place they thrive in the entire Western Ghats. Ornithologists attach great significance to this location and bird watchers can come across many rare and vibrant species in these parts

After lunch, proceed to experience the thrill of Athirappilly & Vazhachal waterfalls. Ensure to carry an extra pair of dress.

Overnight at hotel in Athirappilly

Day 10: Athirappilly - Calicut

Breakfast at the hotel

Check-out and proceed to Calicut aka Kozhikode. Arrive Calicut and check-in to the hotel.

Later, proceed for sightseeing of Calicut.

Kozhikode is a coastal city in the south Indian state of Kerala. It was a significant spice trade center and is close to Kappad Beach, where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. The central Kozhikode Beach, overlooked by an old lighthouse, is a popular spot for watching the sunset. Inland, tree-lined Mananchira Square, with its musical fountain, surrounds the massive Mananchira Tank, an artificial pond. If time permits you could also visit Kappad beach, one of the cleanest beaches in Kerala

Overnight at hotel in Calicut

Day 11: Calicut – Wayanad

Breakfast at hotel

Proceed to Wayanad, one of the wild life destinations of Kerala. It is famous for wildlife and its spice plantations. Wayanad is part of a forest reserve, located on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Because of it wild green coverage it offers great scenic beauty along with the experience of seeing wildlife

Overnight stay at hotel in Wayanad

Day 12: Wayanad  

Breakfast at the hotel

Proceed for sightseeing of Wayanad

Adorning the northern hills of Kerala is the beautiful district of Wayanad, maintained by the District Tourism Promotion Council, Wayanad. This area is famous for its large amount of camping and trekking trails, breathtaking waterfalls, caves, bird-watching sites, flora, fauna and an overall plethora of magnificent sights. This area has been a tourist favourite over the years. People are especially delighted by the range of exotic products including spices, coffee, tea, bamboo products, honey and herbal plants available here. Kanthanpara Waterfalls is one hotspot in Wayanad that allures tourists from all over the world. Another must-visit place in Wayanad is the Edakkal Caves. The caves are two natural rock formations believed to have been formed by a large split in a huge rock. The carvings inside are extremely beautiful

Overnight at hotel in Wayanad

Day 13: Wayanad - Kannur

Breakfast at hotel, check-out and proceed to Kannur– land of the old culture and rituals of Kerala

Kannur is most renowned for the Theyyam performances in its temples. This magnificent art form plays an integral part in the culture of this Northern Kerala district. Formerly known as Cannanore, Marco Polo christened it a ‘Great Emporium Of Spice Trade’. Kannur has, since time immemorial, been hailed as an influential sea port. Legend has it that it had interactions and trade relations with the rest of the world since the time of King Solomon to the Greeks, Arabs and Romans. It has a plethora of forts, temples, beaches and wildlife sanctuaries that regularly attract visitors. Major festivals and events are held throughout the year and this is among the best places in Kerala to spend your vacation in

After check-in to hotel, proceed to get a glimpse of Kannur. You could witness one of the finest art festival called “Theyyam” show during the festive season time. Ensure not to miss the famous Kalaripayattu show, which is the martial art form of Kerala

Overnight at hotel in Kannur

Day 14: Kannur – Bekal Fort - Mangalore

Breakfast at hotel

Check-out and proceed to Mangalore. En-route at Kasaragod, visit the famous Bekal Fort– One of the most renowned forts in Kerala

Around 16 km to the south of northernmost district in Kerala, Kasaragod, lies the massive Bekal Fort. It is among the biggest forts in Kerala and has been impeccably maintained throughout the years. It rises to 130 feet above sea level and is situated on a headland spanning 35km. Much effort has been put to develop a beautiful beach here called the Bekal Fort Beach. People flock to these spots in great numbers. Situated comfortably on steep hills by the sea, the fortprovides for an imposing view from the beach. Built using laterite slabs and with a polygonal shape, it is amongst the most visited sites in Kerala

After the fort visit, proceed to Mangalore

In the evening, you can go around to get a glimpse of this beautiful little city

Overnight at hotel in Mangalore

Day 15: Mangalore - Airport

Breakfast at hotel

Check-out and proceed for the city tour of Mangalore

Later proceed to airport for your return journey, carrying some best memories of Kerala

End of itinerary
 

We hope to see you again in “God’s Own Country.”