Day 1 – Arrive Thiruvantipuram (Trivandrum). Stay at Taj Garden Retreat, Varkala. Try out the Ayurvedic facilities on offer, or simply laze away by the pool or beach.
Day 2 and 3 –
Drive to Kochi(approx 4 hours). Stay at Taj Malabar. Sightseeing .
Visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India, built in 1568. Also visit The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, see the Chinese fishing nets lining the entrance to the harbour mouth . Opportunity to visit a local family and partake of, and even learn to cook , the local cuisine. Try your hand at tying a sari. Visit St. Francis Church. In the evening enjoy a Kathakali dance performance, see the dance make up being applied (if you are early enough). Excellent for wooden artefacts.
Day 4 and 5 – Drive to Munnar (approx 3 hours). Stay at Windermere Estate, perched on a hill, set among cardamom and tea plantations – enjoy trekking, walking among the cardamom trees. Visit tea estates. Leave the stress of the city behind and enjoy the peace and solitude. Great cuisine.
Day 6 – Drive to Thekkady (Periyar National Park). Stay at Shalimar Spice. Boat or jungle safari into the park to view birds, elephants and wildlife. The resort abounds with exotic trees and spices, all of which are named, making for an educational stroll.
Day 7 and 8 –Drive to Kumarakom (approx 3 hours). Stay at Coconut Lagoon on the shores of Vembanad Lake. The resort has Ayurvedic and Yoga facilities. Enjoy a sunset cruise on Lake Vembanad. Visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary for its abundance of birdlife such as Siberian stork, wild duck, herons, darters, waterfowl. Have lunch with a local family at a spice plantation. Water Sport options.
Day 9 –Backwaters – board a romantic riceboat (or a luxury yacht). Cruise the backwaters, viewing villages and local life. Oppurtunity for night fishing, an unforgettable experience.
Day 10, 11, 12-
Drive to Mararikulam (approx 2 hours). Stay at Marari Beach resort. Excellent beaches, water sports. Relax in the sun, or explore the area. Excellent cuisine.
Day 13 –Drive to Kochi(approx 2 hours) for flight to onward destination.
