0500 HRS : Transfer to Chennai airport to board flight for Cochin. Upon arrival in Cochin transfer to hotel.

Cochin is spread across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and the backwaters. The city was formed in 1341 when a flood created a natural safe port which became the principal harbour for the Malabar coast’s spice trade. The rulers of Cochin invited people of various religions to settle there, attracting Jews and Christians who built places of worship and their own communities.

Afternoon proceed for half day sight seeing of Cochin. This tour includes visits to Jewtown (Remain closed on Friday & Saturday), St Francis Church and the Chinese fishing nets. The synagogue in Jewtown was built in 1568 and rebuilt in 1664. Its interior is a hotchpotch of styles, with hand painted blue and white floor tiles from Canton, 19th century Belgian oil-burning chandeliers and an elaborately carved Ark housing four scrolls from the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. Please note, visitors to the synagogue should be modestly dressed. Admission will be denied to men and women wearing short trousers/skirts and/or sleeveless t-shirts/blouses; bare shoulders and mid-riffs are not permitted. The church of St Francis, dating back to 1503, was the first European church in India, built by the Portuguese Admiral Albuquerque. The church was Protestant Dutch, then Anglican and is now Church of South India. The Chinese fishing nets, lining the northern shore of Fort Cochin, are a most graceful sight, suspended from their arced poles, and are thought to have been introduced to the region by the court of Kublai Khan.

Evening proceed for Kathakali Dancing (evening)

Performance of Kathakali dancing demonstrates an ancient ritual that plays an important role in Kerala’s cultural life. The plays are based on the three major Hindu epics, acted out with elaborate hand gestures, facial expressions and choreographed movements
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Overnight at hotel.

An island on Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is just 16 kms west of Kottayam and only 1½ hour’s drive from Cochin. This sleepy agricultural and fishing township is accessed by navigable waterways known as the ‘backwaters’. On the water people punt narrow dug out boats carrying their loads of coir, copra and cashews. The entire area is surrounded by the lush tropical vegetation and coconut palms that give this area its stunning natural beauty.

Upon arrival in Kumarakom check-in at hotel.

Evening proceed for cruise on Lake Vembanad

An evening cruise on a traditional country boat through Lake Vembanad and the backwaters.

Overnight at hotel.

Today you will take a cruise in a traditional Rice Barge through the canals and backwaters where you will see rural life that has remained unchanged for centuries. Rice Barges or kettuvallams ('roped-together') as they are called in Malayalam, are built from jackfruit logs lashed firmly together with coconut fibre and are poled alone the waterways by one or two men. Previously these vessels were used for transporting rice coconut and other commodities to market

Overnight at hotel.

Set amidst spice plantations, Thekkady is known for its spices and the Periyar Wildlife Reserve.

Afternoon proceed for local spice plantation tour.

Kerala is a large source of many different spices. A guided tour around a spice plantation is an excellent way to see how the different spices are grown, harvested, processed and packed. Cardamom, pepper, turmeric and ginger are the main spices cultivated in the area although many more are grown on a smaller scale.

Overnight at hotel.

Periyar is south India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary. During today’s visit you will enjoy a boat cruise on the lake, having the opportunity to view wildlife. The park encompasses a 26 square km artificial lake, created by the British in 1895 to provide water to Madurai, and is home to bison, antelopes, sambars, wild boars, monkeys, langurs, a wide variety of birds and some 750 elephants.

Rest of the day at Leisure in Periyar.

Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Cochin. Upon arrival in Cochin transfer to airport to connect flight to back home.

********TOUR ENDS WITH SWEET MEMORIES********