The Masala Chai with Backwaters
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Duration7 Days
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Region
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Category
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Best Time
- October - April
Introduction
Experiencing the emerald rainforest covering Western Ghat mountains with the emerald waterways, is to really explore the "God's Own Country" Kerala for all its wonderful diversity of mountains, jungles, canals and beaches, along with the welcoming and hospitable Malayalees. The opportunities to hike around the Munnar hills through the rainforests and spice plantations to, exploring the jungles at Thekkady which are home to tigers, elephants and the gaur (bisons), is to take in the stunning nature of the Western Ghats which have been named as one of the major biodiversity hotspots of the world!
Sailing through the emerald waterways of the world famous Kerala Backwaters which has been called the "Green Venice of the East" with coconut palm tree lined rivers and canals is possibly the most relaxing way to voyage and explore this beautiful combination of lakes, lagoons, rivers and canals. In some places you sail through wide lakes and lagoons and in some places, sail through the narrow canals through which the boats barely fit in and the houses on the banks are an arm’s reach away. Some places the canals are held together by dykes that are twenty feet above the surrounding paddy fields and somewhere, the lagoons are next to the sea separated by narrow beaches. Visiting the temples, villages, churches, art schools, martial art school to see where Karate was first born, bird sanctuaries, artisan villages where brass and metal works are carried out, is to do a deep dive into the life of these very talented people.
Ending the Southern Sojourn with the harbour city of Kochi with the Arabian Sea to the West and the Backwaters to the East has its own great highlight of exploring the streets of Mattancherry and all the lovely quaint handicraft shops, the Fort Kochi area with the freshly caught and fried prawns, the beautiful Dutch palace and the Jewish synagogue, marketplaces and the ancient church where Vasco Da Gama was first laid to rest. If you live in nearby Southern states this could be a self drive holiday too with friends and family or, it could be a driven holiday if you are flying into Kochi airport.
Destinations Covered
Munnar
Have you ever trekked across an extraordinarily lush green hill; walked along a flawlessly curved path in a valley; swam across a meandering river reflecting clear blue skies; and swayed to the alluring aromas that connect your very being with your senses? Have you ever been blessed to have cherished all of these together, in just one experience?
If not yet, Munnar is just the place to begin with. However to start with, here's everything you need to know about the place.
Thekkady
Land of Spices and Periyar Tiger ReserveThekkady is home to lush landscape of spice plantations and tea gardens. Over twelve varieties of spices comprising ginger, garlic, cardamom, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, clove and nutmeg is cultivated in the blessed slopes of Western Ghats. These farms are an interesting place to visit. At these estates, tourists can enjoy blissful scenery, traditional lifestyle and the trade of these natural produces.
Backwaters of Kerala
Kerala is renowned for its emerald backwaters that sing of tranquility and rejuvination like Backwaters in Kerala is a network of 1500 km of canals both man-made and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. While hill resorts and beaches can be found in other parts of India, the backwaters are unique to Kerala. Meandering through the coastal areas of Kerala is a 900 kilometers (560 miles) long intricate network of lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas of several rivers that flow into the Arabian Sea.
Kochi
Queen of the Arabian SeaKochi (formerly Cochin) is a cosmopolitan city in the state of Kerala with a bustling commercial port. Kochi is the financial capital of Kerala and, with a population of more than 2 million, the biggest urban agglomeration in the state. It is one of the major tourist destinations in India.
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive Kochi & drive to Munnar (Approx. 136 Kms / 4 hours’ drive)
- Day 2 Munnar
- Day 3 Munnar - Periyar (Thekkady) (Approx. 96 Kms / 4 hours’ drive)
- Day 4 Periyar (Thekkady) - Backwaters (Approx. 147 Kms / 4 hours’ drive)
- Day 5 Backwaters
- Day 6 Backwaters – Kochi (Approx. 95 kms / 2 ½ hours’ drive)
- Day 7 Kochi & Departure
Dates & Prices
Day | City | Hotel/Accomodations | Meal Plan |
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1 | Munnar | Fragrant Nature, Munnar
Tropic Green
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No Meals
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2 | Munnar | Fragrant Nature, Munnar
Tropic Green
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B
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3 | Thekkady | Sarovar Portico, Thekkady
Club Room
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B
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4 | Backwaters of Kerala | RV Vaikundam
Deluxe Cabin
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B, L, D
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5 | Backwaters of Kerala | RV Vaikundam
Deluxe Cabin
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B, L, D
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6 | Kochi | Le Meridien, Cochin
Deluxe Room
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B
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7 | Kochi |
B
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B- Breakfast, L- Lunch & D- Dinner
Prices
Valid from 1st October 2020 till 15th April 2021
Not Valid from 20th December 2020 till 5th January 2021
Particulars | Prices Per Person |
Per Person prices for minimum 2 paying guests staying in twin sharing | INR 31759 |
Single Room Supplement | INR 28652 |
Optional Supplement
Transport Services from Cochin to Cochin as per the itinerary (inclusive of Fuel, interstate taxes, toll taxes, parking, driver overnight charges, mineral water and all currently applicable govt. taxes)
Particulars | Prices |
AC Indigo/Similar (recommended upto 3 guests) | INR 22525 |
AC Innova (recommended upto 4 guests) | INR 26520 |
AC Tempo Traveller (recommended upto 7 guests) | INR 33915 |
*For transport services from other cities please contact us.
- Accommodation on Twin/Double room sharing basis as per the above mentioned Hotels OR Similar in base category rooms as per above mentioned meal plan.
- 2 nights accommodation on the Kerala Backwater boat with all meals and activities
- Guided Tour of Fort Kochi (Entrances on Direct Payment basis)
- Boat ride in the Periyar (Thekkady) Tiger Reserve on seat sharing basis.
- Munnar Tea Museum.
- Spice plantation tour at Periyar (Thekkady).
- All currently applicable taxes
- Expense of personal nature like laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, etc.
- Any Insurance.
- Any tipping.
- All entrance fees at the monuments as per the itinerary.
- Kathakali dance performance at Kochi.
- Transport services (supplement mentioned above)
- Assistance at the Airports.
- Any meals or beverages that are not specified on the above inclusions.
- Expenses caused by factors beyond our control like rail and air plane delays, roadblocks, vehicle malfunctions, political disturbances, taxes, lost luggage, etc.
- Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions.
- Any further tax levied by the government of India.