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A TROPICAL PARADISE OF UNDULATING PALMS AND WARM, SANDY BEACHES, KERALA IS A NARROW STRIP OF COASTAL TERRITORY SLOPING DOWN FROM THE WESTERN GHATS IN A RIOT OF GREEN, LUXURIANT VEGETATION. SAID TO HAVE BEEN CARVED OUT BY AXE-WIELDING PARASURAMA IN LEGENDARY TIMES, IT IS STILL A LAND OF ANCIENT CHARM AND MYSTERY. ALSO ONE OF THE RICHEST STATES IN INDIA WITH FORESTS AND PLANTATIONS OF RUBBER, CASHEW AND COCONUTS EVERYWHERE. THE MEETING PLACE OF MANY CULTURES - HINDU, MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS, JEWISH - KERALA HAS A PARTICULARLY RICH HERITAGE OF DANCE & DRAMA (KATHAKALI, KOOLHU AND OTHER TEMPLE ARTS ORIGINATED FROM HERE) AND HER PEOPLE ARE AMONG THE MOST INDUSTRIOUS AND WELL - EDUCATED IN THE COUNTRY.

KERALA - Queen of the Arabian Sea

DAY 01,DELHI:

Transfer to the airport to connect flight for Trivandrum.

KOVALAM:

Arrive Trivandrum airport and be escorted to your hotel at Kovalam, 13 Kms away from Trivandrum.

South India's premier beach resort, Kovalam is a series of small palm - fringed bays sheltered by a high rock promontory. Ideal for swimming, water - sports and general relaxation, it is famous for its warm waters, silk - soft white sands and its panoramic views extending to the ocean -line. Rest of the day free. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02, KOVALAM - TRIVANDRUM:

Morning free at golden beach. Afternoon take half-day city tour of Trivandrum, is capital of Kerala State, a pleasant seaside city built on seven hills. The Britishers changed its real name of Thiruvanantapuram (meaning home of the serpent, Vishnu's incarnation as Padmanbha), visit Padmanbhaswamy Temple - notable for its seven - storied gopuram, and fine murals and relief's, Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Napier Museum and other places. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03, KOVALAM:

Morning packup and depart by car for Alleppey.

DAY 04, ALLEPPEY:

Morning packs up and depart by car for Periyar.

PERIYAR:

Arrive in 4 hour's drive, the main wildlife sanctuary of the South and one of the largest in India and check in to your hotel. The 777 sq. Kms of lush, tropical forest with a vast artificial lake in the center, is the natural habitat of an extensive range of wildlife. Afternoon take a jungle tour spotting Leopard, Gaur, Bison, Sambar, Wild Pig and a variety of colorful birds. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 05, PERIYAR:

Early morning take a boat cruise onto Periyar lake to see the wildlife to best advantage. Afternoon packup and depart for Cochin.

COCHIN:

Arrive in 4 hour's drive and check in to your hotel. Cochin is one of Kerala's most beautiful places - a lagoon full of islands and peninsular separated by the backwaters of the Arabian Sea, connected by bridges and ferries. Cochin has a rich maritime history, and still ships Kerala's coir, rubber, sea food and pepper products to foreign lands. Influenced at various times by the Arabs, the Chinese, the Dutch, the British and the Portuguese, it was Cochin's Jews who founded the first strong community here, over 1000 years ago. All the Kerala's conquerors left their distinctive mark, and present day Fort Cochin/Mattancherry is a curious potpourri of Jewish synagogues, Chinese fishing - nets, Portuguese churches, Dutch palaces and British cricket - greens. In the evening participate in the 'KATHAKALI DANCE SHOW' its name implies a story play. This is a form of dance drama over 500 years old. Dancers in enormous skirts, glittering crowns and painted faces enact ancient legends. A performance seen by the light of tall brass lamp is an unforgettable experience. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06 COCHIN:

Morning take a city tour visiting Fort Cochin, St Francis church, Santa Cruz church, Jewish synagogue, Mattancherry Palace and Museum. Afternoon enjoy the scenic setting of Cochin's famous natural harbour - surrounded by palm groves, green fields, inland lakes and backwaters which has earned it the title "Queen of the Arabian sea". Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 07, COCHIN:

Morning be escorted to the airport to connect flight for your onward destination.