Visual Odyssey

Arrive at Cochin International Airport, you will be greeted by a Marvel Tours representative. You will then be assisted and transferred to your hotel for check-in. This attractive city has served as a popular port for over 600 years and is known for its eclectic architecture and its array of religious monuments, museums, galleries, cafes, and antique shops. The city stretches across several peninsulas and islands, which can be reached by a network of water taxis and bridges. The majority of Kochi’s visitor highlights can be found on Fort Kochi's peninsula. Check in at the hotel and remainder of the day is free. Overnight Stay in Cochin.

We depart from hotel at 0830 Hours after breakfast. Board your common ferry boat for 07 min cruise to Vypeen Island. Board your vehicle and drive to Kodungallur (nearly 1 hour) for a guided heritage tour. Muziris, or Muchiri Pattanam (City of Pepper), which is believed to be an ancient port city that conducted trade with the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Chinese. While excavations are ongoing, Muziris could date to 1,000 B.C. It is believed that the first Jews arrived in Muziris around that time, possibly as members of King Solomon’s merchant fleet. Other historians date the arrival of the Jews to the first century A.D., around the same time St. Thomas is said to have arrived in India. Sites of interest include the Chendamangalam Synagogue and Paravur Synagogue (both from the 17th century), Cheraman Mosque (the oldest mosque in India, dating from the 7th century A.D.), and the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Palayur (the first Christian church in India, said to be established by St. Thomas himself). Evening enjoy a Sunset Harbour cruise (02 hours). Return back to the hotel. Overnight Stay in Cochin.

After breakfast, experience the real local life of Cochin during a half-day guided ethnic tour starting at 0900 Hours. Kochi’s kings used to live in Mattancherry Palace, gifted by the Portuguese. It sets the tone of how these trading communities live side-by-side all with their unique cultures. Walking is the best way to immerse into this mix. Along the way you will see mosques, synagogues, candle-making shops and narrow, spice-scented streets. From there we hop on a Tuk-Tuk to the neighboring Fort Kochi and head on to visit at the St. Francis CSI Church, the oldest European church in India built in 1503 where the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama was originally buried and the Santa Cruz Basilica, one of the finest and imposing churches in India. Continue your tour towards the famous Chinese Fishing Nets of Cochin. The huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that droop towards the waters like over-sized hammocks have become a hallmark that represents Fort Kochi on every postcard. By end of the sightseeing tour, we will visit a local home in Cochin. Meet the family and share the kitchen space with the host lady for a cooking demo class. Learn about the key ingredients used in preparing Syrian Christian recipe that is typical of the state of Kerala. It is a unique experience where you also get to interact with your hosts and learn more about the culture of Kerala. Enjoy your meal and say goodbye to the family. Evening, discover the famous dance drama of Kerala, the "Kathakali" (artist make up from 5 pm – 6 pm & dance performance from 6 pm – 7 pm). This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana Photography opportunities during make up and the play. Overnight Stay in Cochin.

After breakfast, proceed to Munnar - "Nature Lovers Paradise". Enjoy this scenic drive (nearly 4 hours) through the High ranges and hills, en route pass by Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls. The Kanan Devan Hills, or present day Munnar, was named so by the British Army Survey team. In the 19th century an adventurous British man named John Daniel Monro and Kanan Devar, the tribal chief of Anchunadu joined hands to shape the history of the present day Munnar. Cardamom and coffee were cultivated first. Later the Anglo American companies bought the land from Monro. They started the tea plantation. In honour of the tribal chief for his invaluable assistance, the Englishmen named the tea plantations after him. Upon arrival proceed for hotel check in. Remainder of the day is free to explore the surrounding area or take a short walk to the viewpoints. Dinner and Overnight Stay in Munnar.

Morning leave your hotel for a special tour with your local guide. Closely linked with tea are the lives of the female residents of the tea estates. They are the ones who pick the tea leaves, send them for processing, making sure that you get the tea leaves ready for your morning cup of tea. This tour has been planned in an effort to understand the intricacies in the life of this women-folk. The tour starts with a walk through Lockhart tea plantations and interaction with the tea pickers at the tea fields. Stroll through the residential quarters and enjoy a cup of tea from the village shop. Witness the lifestyle of tea pickers by visiting their homes if possible. Spend some time with the children at the crèche as their mothers pick tea leaves in the field. Chat with the babysitter at the crèche - she is an expert at keeping the kids engaged. On the way back to your hotel take a short break at the vegetable and fruit market. Here, you can see the ingredients used in the local dishes. Move on to visit TATA Tea Museum at Nallathanni Estate. One can observe the history and growth of tea estates in the area and end the session with the tea tasting trail. Before leaving the area, make a visit to Srishti Project for recycled paper studio and natural cotton dying centre run by specially-abled children and adults of the community of plantation workers in Munnar. Afternoon guided visit to Eravikulam National Park, the main inhabitant of the Nilgiri Tahr. Now the park has the largest known population of Tahrs existing in the world. Return back to your hotel by evening. Overnight Stay at Munnar.

After breakfast leave for Thekkady (nearly 5-6 hours), the cardamom hills of Kerala. As you traverse through the high ranges of Kerala, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings nature like waterfalls, rivers, plantations, village hamlets etc. Upon arrival, proceed for check in. To rejuvenate yourself, indulge in a refreshing dip in the inviting swimming pool. Later in the day enjoy a Spice Plantation Tour with naturalist. The plantation tour is an opportunity to meander through cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and many other varieties of spices and medicinal plants and gives you an insight into how these are grown, harvested and processed. Take a leisurely stroll through the vibrant Spice Market. Explore the diverse array of fresh products sourced directly from the nearby plantations, perfect for stocking your kitchen cupboards with flavorsome delights. Overnight Stay in Periyar.

Morning enjoy a Nature Walk at Periyar Tiger Reserve guided a local man from the tribal community. This is an interpretive program offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. After two and half hours trekking program, we return back to your hotel. After breakfast outside your hotel enjoy an exhilarating elephant activity program. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring experience of bathing these majestic creatures, while also getting a hands-on opportunity to assist the skilled mahouts in washing them. Witness the incredible obedience of these gentle giants as they attentively follow instructions during their refreshing bath. Afternoon Boat Safari (1.5 Hours) on Lake Periyar. Visitor’s stand a better chance of viewing wildlife as the animals come to the lake frequently for drinking water. This shared experience offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to witness wildlife up close, as the animals frequently gather at the lake to quench their thirst. Keep your eyes peeled, as you may be fortunate enough to catch sight of magnificent herds of Gaur, graceful Sambar, and elusive wild boars roaming the grasslands along the shores. Overnight Stay in Periyar.

After breakfast, check out. Enjoy your downhill drive through the High Ranges. On the way Waterfalls at Murinjapuzha will draw your attention. One of Kerala’s most alluring backwaters is Kumarakom, a hub of biodiversity where mangrove forests are mixed in with rice paddies, coconut palms, and bursts of white lilies. This vivid subtropical peninsula juts into Vembanad Lake and is a popular place to study yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic massage, and from which to take bird-watching, boating, and fishing trips. On arrival check into your resort, overlooks the famed Lake Vembanad, making it romantically private. Evening enjoy Sunset motorboat cruise on the lake (common) and cultural night as offered by the resort. Overnight Stay in Kumarakom.

This morning, after enjoying breakfast, you will depart from the hotel. You will be accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide who will introduce you to the breathtaking landscapes and lush green surroundings of Kumarakom. Step into a country canoe powered by oarsmen and enjoy a cruise through the narrow canals to experience the village life in Kerala. Your trained guide from the local community takes you to meet the villagers at their place of works as well as homes to explain daily life in this backwater locked village. Treat your eyes by watching coconut climbing and toddy tapping in the grove, the art of coconut leaves and screw pine weaving of local women by hands, the fascinating process of coir making, local fishing etc. If interested, try out hands at coir spinning and celebrate the end of the day activity by treating yourself to fresh tender coconut. Evening (1530-1800 Hours) visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary visit your naturalist. Overnight Stay in Kumarakom.

Morning is free to relax by the backwaters. An our drive by road will take you to houseboat embarkation point. Alleppey, or locally called Alappuzha, is famous for its wide network of interlinking, palm fringed backwater canals & houseboats adorning the God's Own Country. By noon board your traditional Houseboat to explore and enjoy the beauty of rural village life and backwaters, a tour through the backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. These boats were traditionally used to transport rice and other produce from the backwaters to markets. They have now been converted to boats for tourists and have modern en suite facilities. All your meals will be served on board. You board the boat at midday, cruise for the afternoon, and then anchor for the night. Your luggage travels with you on board. The houseboats do not stock beverages so we suggest carrying your own and they will be happy to serve. Overnight Stay in Houseboat.

During the cruise, especially in the morning, you can spot variety of birds on the backwaters like the Waterfowl, Cormorant Cuckoo, Egret, Heron and the Water Duck, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes, White necked stork, etc. The palm trees, shrubs, various leafy plants, and bushes that grow alongside the backwaters attract these birds. After a delightful morning cruise and breakfast on board, disembark at the boat jetty and road transfer to Kovalam (nearly 4 hours) Check-into your beach side resort on arrival. Evening enjoy the beach for a beautiful Sunset over the ocean. Overnight Stay in Kovalam.

Morning venture out for a guided heritage tour of Trivandrum. A city that dates back to many centuries before Christ, the city has many stories to tell. Take a walk with your storyteller and learn of the hidden histories, wondrous fables and strange truths that make up this hallowed city. Powerful queens and pious saints, haunted forts and blessed ponds, ghosts and ghastly nobles, great victory and despicable betrayal – it’s all a part of the glorious history of Trivandrum. Take a leisurely walk along Mahatma Gandhi Road (MG Road). This bustling street is lined with colonial-era buildings, shops, and cafes. Enjoy the charming ambiance as you soak in the local atmosphere and observe the mix of traditional and modern influences. Lunch at Baker’s Arch. Return back to your hotel in the afternoon. Once a casual fishermen village, Kovalam is extremely popular among beach lovers due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. It is also one of the oldest tourist enclaves in India. Apart from the shimmering waves and the alluring shores, Kovalam bestows one with the best village life experience too. At the southern end of Lighthouse Beach is a striped lighthouse with a viewing platform. Palm-backed beaches also include Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach. Overnight Stay in Kovalam.

Day is yours at leisure enjoy the beach or Ayurvedic Spa massage at the resort. Overnight Stay in Kovalam.

Your tour ends today. Private car departure transfer with assistance to Trivandrum International Airport for your return flight back to home.