Kerala Holidays From Belfast
Destination Covered:Cochin - Alleppey - Periyar - Munnar - Guruvayoor -
Cherai - Cochin
As the name suggests, this tour gives you the opportunity to discover the
best of Kerala from Belfast. Stay in the vibrant port town of Cochin,
experience the magic of the backwaters, of the lush tea hills of Munnar
and enjoy the cultural hub of Guruvayoor. Also included is the opportunity
to enjoy the sun and sand in the fascinating beaches of Kerala.
DAY 01 – Arrival – Cochin /
Kerala Holidays representative will receive
you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Cochin is a port town since
early centuries. Cochin, also known as the spice coast of India, attracted
traders and invaders from the world over. Needless to say, Cochin offers
you some fascinating snippets of history and culture. Overnight at the
Cochin Hotel.
DAY 02 – Cochin /
Day at leisure to explore the bustling city.
Overnight at Kochin Hotel.
DAY 03 – Cochin – Alleppey
(65 Km / 1 ½ hrs) / Drive to Alleppey, coined 'Venice of the East'
Alleppey or Alapuzzha is a mosaic of mirror-still lagoons, picture book
lakes, palm fringed canals and a long sandy beach - all brimming with
glimpses of daily life in the Kerala country side. Afternoon enjoy the
backwater cruise by motorboat. Overnight at Alappuzha.
DAY 04 – Alleppey – Periyar
(145 Km / 5 hrs) / Drive to Periyar an area known for its undulating
hills, spice plantations, and elephant sightings. One of the 27 tiger
reserves in India, the Periyar valley in Thekkady is the oldest. Check
into your hotel. Go on a spice plantation tour today where you will be
enticed by not only the aroma of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, pepper
and nutmeg but will also get to know how they are grown, harvested and
processed before they reach the supermarkets. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 05 – Periyar -
Enjoy an escorted trek for three hours in Periyar.
Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 06 – Periyar /
Day at leisure for your own activities in Periyar.
Overnight at Hotel
DAY 07 – Periyar – Munnar
(110 Km / 4 hrs) / Drive to Munnar a hill station
located 1600 meters above sea level. Once the summer resort of the
erstwhile British administration in South India it still retains its
colonial charm and is famous for its tea plantations, most of which are
privately owned. With its sprawling estates, rolling hills, sparkling
waterfalls, picture postcard hamlets and undulating valleys, Munnar is an
ideal holiday destination. Check into your hotel and unwind. Rest of the
day at leisure to enjoy the ambience of Munnar. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 08 – Munnar /
Day at leisure for your own activities. Overnight at
hotel.
DAY 09 – Munnar – Guruvayoor
(175 Km / 6 hrs) / Drive to Guruvayoor, the temple town near Thrissur; the
cultural capital of Kerala. Check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 10 – Guruvayoor /
Early morning visit the Punnathoor Elephant staple
and later visit The Guruvayur Temple; naturally it is the main centre of
attraction here. The temple can be entered from four gateways, the eastern
nada being the main one. All gateways lead to the place where the idol has
been enshrined. The walls are covered with innumerable delicate paintings
and carvings. In addition to the main deity of Lord Krishna, the temple
houses other idols of Sree Ayyappa, Ganapathy and Edathedathy Kavil
Bhagavathy. Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the temple. Guruvayur is
not only a sacred temple, but also an important centre of culture, where
different art forms and the literature of Kerala have been developed.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11 – Guruvayoor – Cherai
(65 Km / 1 ½ hrs) / Drive to Cherai Beach, a long
undulating strip of sand and surf. It has the distinction of being one of
the cleanest beaches in India and owing its shallow depths, is safe for
swimming, surfing and sunbathing. The newly spruced up 400 meters of
Cherai Beach features a walkway and High Mask Lamps that lend the environs
a magical touch at night. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 12 – Cherai
/ Day at leisure on
the beach. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 13 – Cherai /
Day at leisure on the beach. Overnight at
Cherai hotel.
DAY 14 – Cherai – Cochin
– Departure (30 km / 1 hr - Departure transfer to Cochin airport for
onward flight to Belfast.
