GEMS
OF KERALA
A cultural tour of India
|
|
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
| 01 |
Arrive
Cochin |
| 02 |
Cochin |
| 03 |
Cochin
– Thekkady
(Drive: 190 Km / 6 Hrs) |
| 04 |
Thekkady |
| 05 |
Thekkady
– Kumarakom
(Drive: 150 Km / 3 1⁄2 Hrs) |
| 06 |
Alleppey – Kovalam
(Drive: 175 Km / 4 Hrs) |
| 07 |
Kovalam |
| 08 |
Kovalam
– Trivandrum – Home |
|
|
Day 01: Arrive Cochin
Namaste! We are warmly welcomed the traditional Indian
way with hands clapped together. After immigration and
custom formalities, we are transferred to our Hotel.
Rest of the day is free for rest.
Overnight: Casino Hotel (2 Nights) (D)
 Day
02: Cochin
In the morning we tour Cochin, the commercial capital
of Kerala, with one of the finest natural harbors in
the world. We visit the oldest European Church in India
"St. Francis Church". Today it is governed
by the Church of South India (CSI). Vasco De Gama was
buried here before his remains were taken back to Portugal
14 years later. Next we visit the Santa Cruz Cathedral
Built by the Portuguese in around the 16th century;
this Roman Catholic Church is famous for the beautiful
paintings on its ceiling. We visit the Jewish Quarter
with its old synagogue, and the Dutch palace built by
the Portuguese and given to the Raja of Cochin. Later
we take a boat cruise to visit the Bolghatty Palace
and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in
action.
In the evening we enjoy Kathakali Dance Performance.
This dramatized presentation of a play usually based
on the Hindu epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas
has a unique combination of literature, music, painting,
acting and dance. (B, D)
Day 03: Cochin – Thekkady (Drive: 195
Km / 5 Hrs)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Thekkady.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Entry: 0600 to 1800
hrs): Lying close to plantations, in the rich jungles
of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world’s most
fascinating natural wildlife reserves – the Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq km, of which
360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted
for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic
beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors from all over
the world. On arrival in Thekkady, we check in our Hotel.
After lunch we visit a spice plantation. About 4000
Sq. KM of Idukki district is under spice plantations.
The main occupations of the natives are spice farming
and trading. The original produce was cardamom, pepper,
ginger and turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, all spice,
tea etc. This will give an excellent opportunity to
the visitor to see the spice plants and ayurvedic medicinal
plants and buy some garden fresh spices from the plantations.
This is a guided Tour and it will take 1-1:30 hours.
Later in the evening we return back to our hotel.
Overnight: Thekkady Wild Corridor (2 Nights)
(B, D)
Day 04: Thekkady
Our day starts with a Jungle walk at the Periyar Wild
life Sanctuary. Later we return back to our hotel for
breakfast. In the afternoon we take boat ride over the
Lake Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat
on the water's edge. While cruising on Lake Periyar,
we are likely to see animals like Wild Boars, Sambars,
Wild Dogs, Langur Monkeys, Wild Elephants and water
birds; darter, grey heron, egret and kingfisher. Evening
is free to explore the local bazaars at Thekkday and
time to purchase some local spices grown in that area.
Dinner and Overnight is at hotel.
(B, D)
Day
05: Thekkady – Kumarakom (Drive: 150 Km / 3 1⁄2
Hrs)
Today we drive to Kumarakom. An unbelievably beautiful
paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields
and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways
and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the
Vembanad Lake, in this small water world you will come
across plenty of traditional country  crafts,
boats and canoes which will take you into the heart
of the scenic lake. On arrival in Kumarakom we board
our traditional houseboat (rice boats - "Ketuvallam")
and begin our journey through the picturesque backwaters
and small lakes relaxing in the tranquility of Kerala's
beautiful scenery -Experience the way of life and activity
of the local people.
Overnight: A.C. Deluxe House Boat (1 night)
(B, L, D)
Day
06: Alleppey - Kovalam (Drive: 175 Km / 4 Hrs)
Breakfast on board. Sail to Alleppey & disembark
at Puthenagady Jetty. A scenic comfortable drive conveys
us to the beautiful Kovalam Beach on the Malabar Coast
near Trivandrum. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut
groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters
of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away
by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the
rocky promontories make this beach an incredible paradise.
Overnight: Uday Samudra Beach Hotel (2 Nights)
(B, D)
Day
07: Kovalam
Day is free to relax on Beach. (B, D)
Day
08: Kovalam – Trivandrum – Home
Today we are transferred to Trivandrum airport for our
flight to onward destination. (B)
GUARANTEED
GROUP DEPARTURE DATES |
2012
English Speaking Departures
Jan 23, Feb 27, Mar 26, Apr 23, May
29, Jun 26, Jul 23, Sep 03, 17 |
Inclusions |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
Accommodation on twin share basis in the mentioned hotels with daily buffet Breakfast as per the itinerary. |
International airfare & airport/departure taxes |
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) |
Insurance / Visas |
Transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary by air-conditioned Vehicle. |
Tips / Gratuities |
Road tax, Toll Charges, parking fees and driver’s overnight wages. |
|
Services of local English speaking guide |
|
| Entrances to museums and sites included in the itinerary |
|
| Harbor Cruise in Cochin (Common Boat) |
|
| Kathakali Dance performance –Cochin |
|
| Boat Ride at Lake Periyar –Thekkady |
|
| Guided Jungle Walking Tour –Thekkady |
|
|
Tour
Price |
|
| We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars),
CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent
EURO (for clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no
modification has been made to the tour itinerary,
we will honour that rate.
For
complete payment procedures, please download
 Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat. |
| Departures
2012 |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Supplement |
| Jan
23, Feb 27 & Mar 26 |
US $ 1055 |
US $ 542 |
Apr
23, May 29, Jun 26
Jul 23 & Sep 03, 17 |
US $ 945 |
US $ 467 |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour |
| Canada
- West Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
US
$ 1200 |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 1000 |
|
Participants |
| N/A |
Notes
|
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates
other than the above ones or with a customised
itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy
to work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
|
|
