Kerala Nature And Wildlife Tour Prog For Dr. Manju And Group Final

MERUKA INDIA TO U R I S M

S E R V I C E

Kerala Nature and Wildlife Tour Prog for Ms. Manju and Group Cochin – Munnar - Periyar – Alleppey – Alumkadavu - Kovalam – Kanyakumari - Trivandrum 08 Nights – 09 days 01 Day: 28th Dec: Arrival Cochin: Assistance on arrival at Cochin airport, you will be meeting our representative and transferred to the hotel. After some rest and relaxation take a sightseeing tour of Cochin: Oasis state of Kerala & on to the Malabar Coasts & Kochi (formerly Cochin), one of the India's most colourful cities. This inter, connected series of Islands & shoreline presents a vivacious blend of Cultures & Religions; take a sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting today enjoy a memorable experience in any journey in Kerala is a Boat Trip along the Palm Fringed Lakes & Backwaters of the Area; we enjoy this extraordinary excursion today. As we sail along the shady canals we see cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. From our launch, we enjoy use of narrow produced Laden dugouts & the everyday life of families living on narrow spits of land between the waters. Boat cruise is from Kochi Harbour to Willingdon Island, Mattanchery Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, St.Francis Church, Fort Kochi and Bolgatty Island. Daily 2 trips. 9.00 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 17.30. Sunset cruise from 17.30 to 19.00. 3-hour backwater village cruise covering coir villages and coconut groves. In the evening enjoy the Kathakali, one of India's most famous Classical dances. Lavish Costumes & Exotic makeup & Masks intensify the beauty of the dancers, intricate moments. Overnight at Cochin. Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin is proud of its world class port and international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate. Cochin is situated in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'. 02 Day: 29th Dec: Cochin – Munnar (140 kms

3- 4 hours):

After an early breakfast drive to Munnar, on arrival transfer to the hotel, Munnar is located at the Idukki district of Kerala State in India. The word "Munnar" means three rivers. 3 mountain streams (Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala) are joining together here. During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it the favorite tourist places. There are about 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range exposes it's beauty. The Munnar hills are covered by tea plants, which make Periyar the feeling of seeing a wide green carpet. Later visit at Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar,) The Nilgiri Tahr can be observed at close quarters here. This park is established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiri Ibex). The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. Enjoy the tea plantation and Munnar Lake site. Return to the hotel for overnight stay. Munnar, the erstwhile 'summer capital of the British', has become the most sought after holiday destination in South India. It is the luxuriant gift of nature to the Western Ghats, the eastern border of Kerala, 5000ft above sea level. Dense forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and major cash crop plantations cover most of this region. Munnar abounds in animals like elephants and Nilgiri Thar and rich biodiversity teeming with flora and fauna. 03 Day: 30th Dec: Munnar: After breakfast you can opt to visit to Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm, followed by visit to Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and Long Mountain walks. Later visit at Devikulam (7 km from Munnar). This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing. Return to the hotel for overnight stay at Munnar. 04 Day: 31st Dec: Munnar – Periyar (110 kms 3 ½ hours): After breakfast check out the hotel and drive Periyar through tranquil countryside, rich plantations & thick jungles. On arrival transfer to the hotel, Later in the evening take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Overnight at Periyar. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India's biggest wildlife sanctuaries covering 777 sq. Km (300 Sq.miles) is a Tiger Reserve. Its centerpiece, the man-made Periyar Lake at the height of 2000 ft. covers 26 sq.km, running through the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala. The lake is an important source of water for the many wild animals. The Best time to visit Periyar is between OCTOBER and MAY. The best chance of watching animals is during

the hot months of march, April and May, when water gets low and the grass dries out, animals especially elephants come down to the Periyar lake to bath & frolic in the water with the young ones. 05 Day: 1st Jan: Periyar After breakfast visit to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary one of India's biggest wildlife sanctuaries covering 777 sq. Km (300 Sq. miles) is a Tiger Reserve. Its centrepiece, the man-made Periyar Lake at the height of 2000 ft. covers 26 sq. km, running through the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala, discover the park, animals found here include elephant, sambar, gaur and wild boars and birds like ibis and grey heron. The visit is done in a boat to view animals with a bit of extra luck we may be able to see the rare tiger as well. Overnight at the re Alleppey situated in south of Cochin, is the center for backwater cruises in Kerala. It has a large network of canals, which passes through the town, provides its lifeline & has a long sandy beach. It is also the center of the famous coir products of Kerala. Nehru Trophy Boat Race - the most colorful snake-boat race in Kerala - is held here on the second Saturday of August every year. Alleppey A glide in a "Kettuvalam" (Houseboat) through the enchanting backwaters of Alleppey is sure to rob your heart. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land. 06 Day: : 2nd Jan: Periyar – Alleppey (120 kms 3 hours): (Backwaters tours through sailing boat to Alumkadavu (Kollam):. After breakfast checkout and drive for Kumarakom, on arrival embark at the houseboat. The day for the journey of backwaters in the boat, through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters by regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous, while sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land, you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats, evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats, moving towards Alumkadavu (Kollam). The Houseboats have generated electricity; sitting cum dinning area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef, and Srank (Driver). Overnight at the houseboat. Kollam in the state of Kerala, an old sea port town on the Arabian coast, stands on the Ashtamudi Lake. In the ancient times, Kollam had a sustained

commercial reputation around the world. Fed by the Chinese trade, it was regarded by Ibn Batuta, as one of the five ports, which he had seen in the course of his travels during a period of 24 years, in the 14th century AD. Kollam, the gateway to Kerala's beautiful backwaters is blessed with unique representative features - sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest, vast green fields and tropical crop of every variety both food crop and cash crop, so called 'The Gods Own Capital'. 07 Day 3rd Jan: Alumkadavu (Kollam) – Kovalam (100 Kms – 3 hours) After breakfast, drive to and drive to Kovalam. On arrival in Kovalam, check in at the beach resort, which has been a favorite haunt of tourists since 1930's. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. Kovalam is much sought after for sunbathing, water sports, shopping, catamaran cruising, yoga, meditation and rejuvenating ayurvedic massages. Check in hotel and day for leisure. Overnight at hotel. Kovalam: On the Malabar Coast along the Kerala shoreline is a small village; called Kovalam is 16 kms away from Trivandrum, a sheltered bay endowed with unusual beauty. This natural bay is a safe sea-pool free from high waves and surge. The beach resort here is of international standard. Today Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a paradise of nature. 08 Day: 4th Jan: Kovalam- Cape Camorin - Kovalam (84 Kms – 11/2 hour – one way) After breakfast drive to Cape Camorin also known as Kanya Kumari, this place is at the tail tip end of India, one can see the 3 seas meet over here (Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean & bay of Bengal) on arrival visit Kumari Amman Devi Temple, Vivekananda Rock & Ashram, enjoy sunset over here. Return to Kovalam for overnight stay. Kanyakumari - Referred to by the British as Cape Commorin, Kanyakumari in the state of Tamil Nadu is located at the southern most tip of the peninsular Indian. The small temple dedicated to Kanyakumari, or the youthful form of the primeval energy Shakti (Mother Goddess) is located on the seashore, in the town known by the same name. Kanyakumari is the point of confluence of three oceans - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. This well-known Hindu pilgrimage center is famous for its beautiful sights of sunrise and sunset over the waters. 09 Day: 5th Jan: Kovalam – Trivandrum (16 kms) - hometown After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Trivandrum city, the capital of the state of Kerala is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. The famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Swami Temple is dedicated to Vishnu and is a landmark in the city. Later drive to the airport to board the scheduled flight for hometown. On departure tour concludes with happy memories.

Trivandrum: Thiruvananthapuram shot into prominence in the 18th century when the capital was shifted here form Padmanabhapuram, a little down south. The erstwhile kings of the then Travancore State, taking on the title of Padmanabhadas (servant of Lord), had dedicated themselves completely to the service of the Lord residing in the temple here. By the terms of this dedication, the deity owns the kingdom while the king is the mere executor of the trust. The temples in the city are believed to be several thousands years old. After independence, the city was designated as the capital of Kerala.

Double Sharing (Total 10 People) Tour Cost Rs. 22,700/- per person with hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, transportation and other services as mentioned in A & B. Triple Sharing (Total 6 People) Tour Cost Rs. 20,850/- per person with hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, transportation and other services as mentioned in A & B.

A) Accommodation in 3 Star / 3 Star Deluxe hotels with breakfast and all luxury taxes: City

Hotel

Meal Plan

Cochin

Park Central

Breakfast with dinner

Munnar

Ambavady Falling Waters

Breakfast with dinner

Periyar

Abad Green Resort

Breakfast with New Year Gala Dinner

Alleppey

2 Ac Deluxe Houseboat

All meals

Kovalam

Udai Samudra

Breakfast

Rooms 05 Double + 02 Triple Deluxe Rooms 05 Double + 02 Triple Garden Suites 05 Double + 02 Triple Sharing (Jungle Lodge Room) 02 Double Rooms + 04 Triple 05 Double + 02 Triple Exotica Rooms

B) Transportation and other services as under: 1. Air-conditioned Deluxe Mini Coach (18 seater) for all transfers, sightseeing, intercity travel as per the above tour programme. 2. Transportation services include fuel cost, driver allowance (food and stay), state permit, toll taxes, parking etc. 3. Alleppey houseboats stay with all meals.

4. Kathakali Dance Presentation at Cochin Not Included: 1. Any international/domestic Airfare. 2. 4.12 % government tax on total tour cost. 3. Monuments entrance fee at actual (directly payable by the guest) 4. Expenditure pertaining to personal nature: phone calls, (meals: unless not mentioned), laundry, tip, Mineral Water, etc. Prepared By: Tashi Pareek Meruka India Tourism Service