Hotels featured or similar : £1519
Varkala - Gateway Hotel Janardhanapuram
Backwaters - Houseboat
Mararikulam - Abad Turtle Beach
Cochin - Dream
Wayanad - Vythiri Village
Calicut - Kadavu Resort
Varkala - little beach town in the green-and-silver state of Kerala is a relatively recent tourist discovery, and makes a wonderful refuge for those looking to escape the everyday. Look forward to unspoiled beaches, pretty cliff faces, red rocks and palm trees.
Mararikulam - A paradise of sun, sea, sand and surf. Modelled on the fishing villages of the coast, this is a beach resort that offers total peace and natural beauty, rather than raucous rave parties.
Cochin - the Gateway to Kerala was once an important spice-trading route on Arabian Sea where Vasco D Gama landed in 1498 and boasted that he has come for soul and spices. Kochi is virtually the spice capital of world from where Portuguese were exporting 10,000 kilo of spices to east-indies and other countries and has derived it name from Calico-the famous fabric manufactured in this town. Kochi also forms the part of emerald isle of India. Harbour Cruise of Kochi is very much popular. With one of the finest natural harbours in the world, Kochi was once a major center for commerce and trade with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, and Dutch etc.
The Kerala backwaters consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes, & canals and are best experienced while slowly punting down the labyrinth of canals in a traditional thatch-roofed houseboat, known as ‘Kettuvallam’.
Wayanad – Hidden away in the hills of this land are some of the oldest tribes, as yet untouched by civilization. And the very first prehistoric engravings in Kerala discovered in the foothills of Edakkal and around Ambukuthimala bear testimony to a pre-historic culture dating back to the Mesolithic Age. Strikingly scenic, it is known for its sub-tropical savannahs, picturesque hill stations, sprawling spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions. A holistic confluence of wilderness, history and culture, Wayanad is located on the southern tip of the magnificent Deccan plateau.
Itinerary:
Day 1 : London Heathrow to Dubai by EK-2:1335-0025 Hrs, Dubai to Trivandrum by flight EK-0410-0935 Hrs
Trivandrum to Varkala by surface (approx. 75 Kms, 1 ½ Hrs).
0935 Hrs: Arrive Trivandrum, Upon arrival welcome, meet and assist at airport by our representative and drive to Varkala, check in at Hotel, Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 2 : Varkala
Day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 3 : Varkala to Alleppey by surface (approx. 120 Kms, 3 Hrs)
After breakfast drive to Alleppey boat jetty to embark Houseboat. (Lunch, Dinner and Overnight on Houseboat)
Day 4 : Alleppey to Mararikulam by surface
After breakfast disembark Houseboat at Alleppey boat jetty and drive to Mararikulam. Upon arrival check in at Hotel, Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 5 : Mararikulam
Day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 6 : Mararikulam to Cochin by surface (approx. 55 Kms, 1 hr)
After breakfast drive to Cochin, Upon arrival check in at Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 7 : Cochin
Morning enjoy sightseeing tour of Cochin, Visit The Hill Palace Museum, a fully-fledged archeological museum and Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum are the main attractions (closed on Mondays), Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) (Closed on Friday)– The place has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting the scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharata & Ramayana, Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Saturday and Jewish Holidays) – the oldest synagogue in the world is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers, was built in 1568. St. Francis Church: is the oldest church built by Europeans in India & Huge, elegant Chinese fishing nets that line the tip of Fort Kochi.
Evening Witness the Kathakali Dance Show.
Kathakali is the classical dance-drama of Kerala dates from the 17th century. Kathakali recitals are drama and are danced with elaborate masks and costumes. They are emotive and narrative, while other dance forms have either one of them. The dancers use their stunning costumes and make-up, with the accompaniment of drums and vocalists, to create various moods and emotions.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 8 : Cochin to Calicut by train Jan Shatabadi Express: 0920-1300 Hrs. Calicut to Wayanad by surface (approx. 100 kms, 3 Hrs)
Transfer to airport in time to board train for Calicut 1300 Hrs: Arrive Calicut, Upon arrival meet and assist at railway station and drive to Wayanad, Upon arrival check in at Hotel, Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 9 & 10 : Wayanad
Both days at leisure for independent activities . Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 11 : Wayanad to Calicut by surface
After breakfast drive to Calicut, Upon arrival check in at Hotel, Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 12 : Calicut
After breakfast enjoy city tour of Calicut visiting Beaches – Koxikode, Beypore Museums-Pazhassirah, Sanctuary – Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 13 : Calicut to Dubai by flight EK-561:1035-1300 Hrs, Dubai to London Heathrow by flight EK-5:1530-1915 Hrs.
Transfer to airport in time to board flight for London Heathrow via Dubai
Offer Includes:
- Flights from London Heathrow on Emirates
- Airport taxes
- 11 nights accommodation on bed and breakfast board basis
- 1 night accommodation on full baord basis at Houseboat
- All transfers and sightseeing tours by air-conditioned transportation
- Services of local English speaking guides
- Kathakali dance show in Cochin
- Train fare for the sector Cochin/Calicut by air-conditioned chair car
- Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers
