8 Days 7 Nights Kovalam Temple Trip Package

Arrive in Kochi and we will be there to pick you up and take you on an amazing drive through the backwater country. We tread higher each passing hour and make our way through gorgeous waterfalls and some outstanding views of the valley below. Mist-shrouded mountains and lush tea gardens welcome you to Munnar. Check in at your hotel and relax for the day.

Drive down to the tea garden after breakfast at your hotel where our guide will tell you all about what it takes to get that perfect cup of tea every morning. Walk through field roads, making your way towards the tea factory through tea bushes that are much older than you. Watch tea-pluckers at work as they nip ?two leaves and a bud? with unmatchable dexterity and speed ? try your hand at one if you must, before you understand how these are processed. From withering and oxidation to rolling and drying, there?s much that goes into making that fine cuppa. With samples and pictures, there?s much more to the history of tea in Munnar than meets the eye. Head over to Nallathanni Estate for Tata Tea?s unique museum on how Munnar came to be one of India?s major tea centres. Get a good look at the 1905 original tea roller and 1920 Pelton Wheel that was used in power generation as well as fascinating old photographs and bungalow furniture here. A visit to the inspiring Srishti Welfare Centre tells of kind-hearted people who, as part of Tata Tea?s CSR initiative, have formed rehabilitation programs that now produce everything from delicious chocolate to recycled paper and paper bags to naturally dyed fabric. Our last stop is at the century-old High Range Club. Step back in time to an era where manicured lawns, teak floors and colonial artefacts were the norm at the entertainment epicentre that the club once was for British tea planters. Club rules, like not having children in the bar, billiards room or squash courts are still observed as well as dress codes that do not allow sandals or flip-flops. Head back to your hotel after a sumptuous lunch at the Club?s well-appointed dining hall.

Post breakfast, we drive down to Thekkady. Elephants have been synonymous with Kerala. Long domesticated to carry royalty, to ride into war, to lead temple processions and to haul timber, these gentle giants are one of a kind. After check-in at your hotel, drive down to Persian Paradise safari site, where your ride awaits you. A wooden pedestal at the end of a flight of stairs leads up to the elephant?s saddle and makes getting on easier. The easy swaying movements of the elephant don?t cause you any discomfort, and you are seated well. Wander through the cardamom plantations, around small trails, and spice plantations. Watch the mahout manoeuvre the elephant, wriggling his feet behind those large ears as you ramble on at a leisurely pace. Make sure you?ve got your belongings waterproofed as you head to the pool. Before you know what?s happening, have the quickest shower possible as the elephant raises his trunk back with a jet of water that is sprayed over you. The elephant probably enjoys this as much as you do, as you practically see him shake his head in laughter at all the squealing. Disembark after a while and spend some time with the elephant as the mahout tells you more about how they?ve been domesticated and their peculiar manners and behaviour. A couple of lovely pictures later, say goodbye to your new elephant friend as he raises his trunk in farewell. Drive back to your hotel for some much needed relaxation and a hot dinner.

Wake up to the lush green around you and dig in to your breakfast. We pick you up and drive you down to the entry gate of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. While through a thrilling and adventurous trip through the Periyar Tiger Reserve, something which cannot be missed at any cost is the high to be derived while slowly moving around with keen observation on a boat floating on the massive artificial lake at Thekkady. The two hour boating trips are arranged by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and mostly these trips never go in vain. The hot months of March and April are when the most number of animals come of their secret dwellings inside the thick forest in search of water. You won?t get tired of seeing the naughty baby elephants having fun in the water as the elders try to control them without much success. Herds of Sambar, Wild boars, Gaur etc. also can be spotted. A large number of bird species also are regular visitors coming to fish and soak in the lake water. After the ride, we drive you back to your hotel.

Take a morning ride to the backwaters to Alleppey. Backwater cruises are synonymous to ?God?s own country?, so much so that the first image that comes to your mind when you think ?Kerala? is probably a houseboat. The extensive backwater system here, complete with large channels flanked by coconut palms and villages on either side, are unique to just this part of the world. Settle down for a serene cruise on one of the famed houseboats of the Alleppey backwaters, at the docking area a short drive from your hotel around noon. Spend your time watching the world go by on the serene backwaters, on deck with a good book or just watching the captain manoeuvre this large boat through some rather tricky channels. The authentic Kerala lunch served here is probably among the best you?ll ever get to taste. Take forty winks in one of the fancy bedrooms on board post lunch, or get some picture postcard views of fascinating villages by the banks and fishermen in their small boats going about their day. Have a cup of tea on board the houseboat before you head back to the jetty. A houseboat cruise always seems to end too soon, and you?re guaranteed to want another holiday just to do this all over again. A good 5-hour cruise later, we get you back to your hotel in the evening.

Morning checkout from your hotel at Alleppey and we drive you down to Kovalam down south. After check-in at your hotel, begin at your tour of Kovalam?s famed beaches at Hawa Beach Eve?s beach, named after the topless European women who used to sunbathe there. A lovely walk past quaint eateries would lead you to Kovalam?s southernmost Lighthouse Beach, named after the 118 metre high lighthouse here on top of a hillock. Sunbathing tourists lie scattered on the beach or frolicking the shallow waters. Spend time strolling around this black-sand beach as you take time to watch your footprints get washed away, quite literally like the sands of time. A short drive from ?Lighthouse beach? would take you to the less frequented Samudra Beach. Settle down with a book on this secluded beach as you listen to waves come crashing down. You could get to witness the odd fisherman pushing his boat across to sea for the evening catch. Spend a memorable evening here at Samudra Beach as you watch the sun go down in the horizon.

A short drive post breakfast will take you to Trivandrum. The glorious legacy of the kingdom of Travancore can be seen, quite literally, around every corner here in Trivandrum. From ancient temples to fascinating museums, embark on this culturally exquisite Travancore Heritage Trail of one of South India?s finest cities. A short drive down to the centre of town would take you to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Recently in the news for its several unopened vaults, seeing is believing here at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple which the Guinness Book claims is the world?s richest Hindu temple with gold and antiques worth nearly $20 billion. The temple itself has a ?Hindu only? entry policy and strict dress code; however, the spectacular view from the temple compound beside the pond is worth a visit in itself. Step into the Kuthira Malika Palace museum a little beyond the main entrance with relics from the erstwhile Travancore royals before heading on to the zoo. The Trivandrum zoo compound has the zoo, the Napier museum and the Shri Chitra Art Gallery. Apparently Asia?s oldest zoo, established in 1857, the disabled lion Simba here is supposed to be the inspiration behind Yann Martel?s ?Life of Pi?. Large enclosures with tree-lined avenues mark this home to exotic birds and it also has a fascinating snake park. Head over to the Shri Chitra Art Gallery with its famed Raja Ravi Varma paintings as well as those of Svetoslav and Nicholas Roerich. The Napier Museum with its distinct Mughal minarets and Kerala style layout has bronze sculptures, ornaments and even a temple chariot. An interesting walk around this architecturally significant museum later, head on to Shankumugham Beach as our expert guide tells you more about the history of the Travancore kingdom and the monuments you?ve visited. Shankumugham beach itself is a picture of contrasts with the fascinating 35-metre long mermaid at the entrance and the pillared ?mandapam? of Lord Padmanabhaswamy, Lord Narasimha, and Lord Krishna on the beach itself.

A unique blissful satisfaction? is the emotion which will engage your psyche while being driven to your way back home after a stupendous week of knowing Kerala?s exceptional atmospheres. While recollecting the memories, you will wonder if such diverse terrains and ambiences can be experienced anywhere else within such a short period of time.