Kerala Wildlife Tour
Duration of Tour : 08 Nights / 09 Days
Destination Covered : Cochin - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom.
Day 01: Arrive Cochin
Today arrive at Cochin airport; meet and greet by Namaste Tours representative. Transfer to hotel and check-in to hotel.
Jewish Synagogue, Cochin
the palm green commercial town of Kerala has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. A town with a hoary past, Cochin is the gateway to Kerala.
Overnight in Cochin
Day 02: Cochin
Morning enjoy your breakfast at hotel
After breakfast you will transfer to city tour of Cochin.
Visit the
Jewish Synagogue - built in 1568 AD contains Grand Scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates containing the privileges granted to the Jews by the Cochin rulers. The floor of the synagogue is paved with exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles. The Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD. 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indian epic, the Ramayana can be seen here. St Francis Church, built originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD is believed to be the first church built by Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here. The Chinese fishing nets can be seen at the entrance of the harbour. The Chinese through trade contact taught this technique of catching fish.
Evening transfer for Kathkali dance show
Kathkali - 'Katha' means story and 'Kali' means dance. As the name suggests Kathakali is a beautiful amalgamation of dance and drama. More precisely, Kathakali is a harmonious blend of five forms of art namely, Sahithyam (literature), Sangeetham (music), Chithram (painting), Natyam (acting) and Nritham (dance). 'Total Theatre' is the word often used to describe this highly evolved art.
Overnight in Cochin
Day 03: Cochin - Munnar (135 Kms. / 04 ½ Hrs)
After breakfast transfer to Munnar (135 kms/04½ hrs). On arrival in Munnar, check in at hotel.
Munnar (1,524 M) is the highest town of Kerala, with a cool, bracing climate exuding an old-world charm. The atmosphere is fragrant with extensive tea and cardamom plantations. There are enchanting high ranges, lakes and streams and beautiful view of low-lying clouds and the mist-filled valleys.
Afternoon visit the Eravikulam National Park is 97 sq. km. in extent, situated along the crest of the Western Ghats in the High Ranges of Idukki district of Kerala state, India. The Park holds the largest viable population of the endangered (IUCN) Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius). Apart from tahr, the Park is the abode of other little known fauna such as Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose,small clawed otter,dusky striped sqirrel etc
After visit back to your hotel
Overnight in Munnar
Day 04: Munnar
Morning after breakfast sightseeing tour of Munnar, visiting Tea plantations & , Tea Museum. See the actual process of Tea making.
You can also BUY TEA from here.
Later visit Pothamedu: This amazing viewpoint is located at a distance of 6 km from Munnar. This vantage point offers astounding views of breathtaking grandeur of the nearby tea, coffee and spice plantations. You can feast your eyes on the misty hills, green meadows and ravines crisscrossed with white streaks of gurgling rivulets. This is also an ideal spot to enjoy a casual ramble through the green mountains and to indulge in serious trekking activities. If you are into nature photography, this is a must visit spot to capture the real essence of Kerala's natural splendor.
Overnight in Munnar
Day 05: Munnar - Periyar (100 Kms. / 03 Hrs)
Tiger, Periyar Tiger Reserve
Morning: Drive to Periyar (100 kms/03 hrs). On arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon: Boat ride on Lake Periyar to watch wildlife.
Periyar Tiger Reserve, 777 sq km in area is set in a rich, mixed deciduous forest, interspersed with open areas of tall grass. Periyar has a splendid artificial lake dotted with snags of dead wood, which provide a perch for water birds; darter, grey heron, egret and kingfisher. It is one of the finest habitats for the Asiatic elephant. These enormous mammals swim in the waters and streams and usually they can be observed during the boat ride. Periyar also holds, apart from Tiger leopard, sambar, wild dog, barking deer, the lion tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur. The forest harbours a variety of woodland birds. Boat travel is the only means of transport in the Sanctuary.
Overnight in Periyar
Day 06: Periyar - Kumarakom (125 Kms. / 03 Hrs)
Morning: Drive to Kumarakom (125 kms/03 hrs). On arrival proceed for check-in to your hotel.
Kumarakom, located on the Southern coast of India enjoys a proportionate tropical weather. Nature has poised its magic to perfection here. Copious luxuriant coconut palms lining the rivers bow to look at its likeness on the shimmering rivers. Ubiquitously, nature is unsurpassed.
Later proceed for Bird Sanctuary visit.
Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the bird sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal.
A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. In addition, you can get thrilled of the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers.
The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons.
Evening enjoy sunset cruise on Vemband Lake. An unforgettable boat cruising on the Vembanad Lake and explore its exceptional scenic beauty and rich avifauna.
Overnight in Kumarakom
Day 07: Kumarakom - Cochin - Depart (Normal check-out is 1200 Hrs)
Morning is at leisure. Afternoon you will be transferred to Cochin Airport (60 Kms/2 hrs) to board the flight for onward journey
