11 days Kerala Holiday with CGH Earth Experiences
Price starting from $ 1,490 Per Person (Private Tour)
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Arrival & Departure from Cochin Airport (COK)
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Destinations Included in the program -
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Fort Kochi heritage town - (2 nights)
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Munnar Plantation bungalow - (2 nights)
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Thekkady Cardamom hills - (2 nights)
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Kumarakom backwater village - (2 night)
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Houseboat rice barge cruise - (day cruise)
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Marari Beach fishermen's village - (2 nights)
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Program highlights
Programs highlights in Kochi
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Stay at the Brunton Boatyard in a sea view room.
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Harbor cruise (Evening group sunset cruise)
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Guided sightseeing tour of Jew Town, Paradeshi Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church and Chinese fishing nets
- Kathakali dance show at a local theatre
Programs highlights in Munnar
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Stay at the Lockhart Estate Bungalow - It was the manager's Bungalow earlier.
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Letchmi Estate Trek
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Guided sightseeing tour of Munnar - Eravikulam National Park, visit the vegetable market, The lockhart tea factory (Orthodox tea factory), audio visual show at Tea Museum.
Programs highlights in Thekkady
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Stay at the Spice village - Elephant grass thatched cottage.
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Spice Garden tours.
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Periyar National Park - Common boat ride.
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Kalaripayattu Martial art Show.
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Nature walk (3 hour nature trail into the Periyar National Park.
Programs highlights in Kumarakom
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Accommodation at the Coconut Lagoon - overlooking the Vembanad Lake.
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Lunch at a Syrian Christian homestead.
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Backwater village tour by boat and foot.
Programs highlights in Alleppey
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Four hours Houseboat cruise with lunch served on board.
Programs highlights in Marari Beach
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Stay at the Marari Beach Resort designed like a Fisherman's cove, with access to the beach.
Eleven days Kerala Itinerary route map
CGH Earth Kerala Holidays - Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival at Cochin Airport and Transfer to Fort Kochi - [1.5 hours]
Upon arrival at Cochin international airport, our representative will be receiving you at the airport. Upon arrival drive to Fort Kochi [1.5 hours]. In case if your arrival is in the morning you have the day at your disposal to prepare yourself for the forthcoming days in Kerala. Considering it being an international flight from UK, Europe or US, you have the day available for rest until evening.
On arrival at Fort Kochi, check in at the Brunton Boatyard, located close to the Estuary. Our representative will meet you at the hotel and brief you about the complete program. Later proceed for a short harbor cruise in a motor boat through the backwaters of Fort Kochi. The backwaters here allow kochi to become a natural harbor and port, that used to export tea and spices across the world. Return to the hotel after an hour of boat cruise. Overnight stay at the hotel of stay in Fort Kochi.
Day 2 - Visits around Fort Kochi and Mattancherry
Fort Kochi gets its prefix from the fort, known as Fort Emmanuel, it was built by the Portuguese around the 16th century and later occupied by the Dutch and British. Today, though much of the fort itself has eroded over time, remnants like the walls and a few structures can still be seen, contributing to the area's historical charm.
Start your journey at Fort Kochi along with an English speaking local guide, exploring its colonial heritage through the remnants of Fort Emmanuel, St. Francis Church, and the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets along the coastline. Wander through Jew Town in Mattancherry to visit the Paradesi Synagogue and explore its antique shops. Evening visit a local theatre to witness the Keralan dance drama art form named Kathakali
Day 3 - Drive up to the Kannan Devan Hills of Munnar [4 hours]
Munnar, nestled in the Western Ghats of Kerala, is a picturesque hill station renowned for its lush tea plantations, misty mountains, and serene valleys. The region boasts breathtaking landscapes with rolling hills adorned by vibrant greenery, making it a haven for nature lovers and trekkers. Check in at the Lockhart Estate Bungalow built in the 1940s, restored to offer a glimpse into an era of the European plantation owners of Munnar.
Set against the backdrop of rolling hills and lush tea gardens, the bungalow provides a glimpse into the colonial past with its architecture and ambiance. It's an ideal getaway for those looking to immerse themselves in the serene surroundings, savoring the cool mountain air and picturesque landscapes that Munnar is renowned for.
Day 4 - Visits in and around Munnar
After breakfast, drive down to the Lockhart tea factory, the visit offers a fascinating insight into the intricate process of orthodox tea production. The guided tour will take you through the various stages of tea processing.
Proceed to Eravikulam National Park, renowned for its biodiversity and being the habitat of the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat species. The park houses the highest peak in South india named Anamudi (2695 m).
Finally pay a visit to Shrishti by Tata Trusts in Munnar is an initiative focused on sustainable livelihoods and community development in the region. They organise various programs and interventions, Shrishti aims to enhance the socio-economic well-being of local communities
Day 5 - Drive to the Cardamom hills of Periyar [3 hours]
After breakfast, move Thekkady, often referred to as the "Cardamom Hills" of Kerala. The mountain range is renowned for its lush forests and biodiversity, especially the cultivation of cardamom, which is a highly valued spice. Apart from Cardamom hills this place is known for the "Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve".
Upon arrival, check in to "Spice Village" a beautiful resort built up in the ambiance of a tribal village. The resort houses a Nature interpretation centre which explains how rich the biodiversity is here in the Western Ghats, one of the top bio hotspots in the world. By evening visit a spice Garden where an English speaking local guide explains you everything from cultivation to harvest of the native spices of Kerala. By evening there is a Kalaripayattu show, where young martial art enthusiasts perform various moves of this ancient Indian martial art form.
Day 6 - Nature walk at the Periyar National Park
A nature walk at Periyar National Park in Kerala is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of the region. These guided walks are typically led by trained local guides or naturalists who provide insightful information about the park's flora, fauna, and ecosystems. During the nature walk, you'll traverse through different trails within the park, exploring diverse habitats like dense forests, grasslands, and marshy areas.
The pace of these walks is usually relaxed, allowing ample time to observe and appreciate the natural surroundings. It's a serene experience, offering a deeper connection to nature and a chance to appreciate the conservation efforts undertaken in the park. The walk would take 3 hours in total and would cover a walking distance between 4 - 5 Kilometres
Day 7 - Drive to the Agrarian backwater village of Kumarakom [3.5 hours]
Kumarakom, nestled on the serene banks of Vembanad Lake in Kerala, is a picturesque village renowned for its backwaters and lush natural beauty. The heart of Kumarakom lies in its intricate network of lagoons, canals, and waterways that form the famous Kerala backwaters.
Coconut Lagoon is a classic example of traditional Kerala architecture. The resort itself has used a lot of components and wooden structures of old traditional Kerala family homes which were demolished due to various reasons, mostly during the late 1990s. Coconut Lagoon is located right opposite to the celebrated Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a haven for migratory birds like Siberian storks, egrets, herons, and more.
Day 8 - Village tour in Kumarakom
Responsible tourism village tours in Kumarakom offer a unique and ethical way to explore the local communities, culture, and environment while contributing positively to the area. These tours are designed to provide visitors with an authentic experience while ensuring the well-being of the local residents and preserving the environment.
The tour involves a boat cruise and walking and takes a little more than two hours. The program primarily has Interaction with locals, showcasing sustainable Practices like organic farming, waste management, or eco-friendly initiatives, local practices like toddy tapping and weaving mats, and will have cultural exchanges. By evening a sunset cruise will be organised from the resort for an hour.
Day 9 - Houseboat cruise followed by stay at the Fishermen village of Mararikulam [1 hour]
Houseboat day cruise in Alleppey offer a serene and leisurely way to explore the backwaters of Kerala, providing a unique perspective on her natural beauty and culture. The houseboat day tour is an experience that showcases the charm of Kerala's waterways and hospitality. Along the way, you'll witness local life unfolding on the banks—people fishing, washing clothes, and going about their daily activities. It's a glimpse into the authentic, unhurried pace of village life.
The cruise will extend for four hours after which you disembark the houseboat and drive to the quaint fishermen village of Mararikulam, a pristine stretch of coastline nestled between Alleppey and Kochi. Check in at Marari Beach Resort for overnight stay.
Day 10 - A leisurely stay Marari Beach Resort
Houseboat day cruise in Alleppey offer a serene and leisurely way to explore the backwaters of Kerala, providing a unique perspective on her natural beauty and culture. The houseboat day tour is an experience that showcases the charm of Kerala's waterways and hospitality. Along the way, you'll witness local life unfolding on the banks—people fishing, washing clothes, and going about their daily activities. It's a glimpse into the authentic, unhurried pace of village life.
The cruise will extend for four hours after which you disembark the houseboat and drive to the quaint fishermen village of Mararikulam, a pristine stretch of coastline nestled between Alleppey and Kochi. Check in at Marari Beach Resort for overnight stay.
Day 11 - Departure transfer to Cochin Airport or continue beach extension [2.5 hours]
Today is the departure day, to return home with fond memories of God's own country - Kerala. We can definitely let you know that this tour would not just be like a holiday, it is even more than an experiential holiday, we can definitely say that this could become a transformative holiday where you learn and experience from a whole new world.
You can opt to end the tour here, otherwise if you wish to continue your stay at Marari Beach Resort for a few more nights, that is also possible.
Departure transfer to Cochin International Airport [2.5 hours]
Accommodation & Pricing per person
* The above rates are per person rates based on minimum two adults traveling together.
* Beach Supplement price is for a room for two adults staying together
* The prices are not applicable between 15th December 2024 to 10th January 2025 and for the month of February in 2025
What does the price include
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Accommodation in the above mentioned hotels or resort with breakfast.
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Transfers and sightseeing in Large car, Toyota Innova.
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Tolls, parking, permits if required and driver allowances.
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Houseboat day cruise with lunch that involves a local menu served on board.
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Service of an English speaking local guide for the sightseeing tour of Fort Kochi and Munnar.
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All entrance tickets at monuments and places of interest.
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Estate Walk in Munnar with an English speaking guide.
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Spice Garden tour in Thekkady.
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Nature walk at Periyar National Park.
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Kalaripayattu Show in Thekkady.
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Lunch at a Syrian Christian home enroute Thekkady to Kumarakom.
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Backwater Village tour involving local experiences in Kumarakom.
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One time Ayurveda - general full body massage during the course of the tour.
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Packaged drinking water as per requirement.
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5% Goods Service Tax.
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24 / 7 customer support / assistance.
What is not included in the program
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Lunch or dinner or any other meal that is not mentioned in the program.
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Expenses of personal nature like tips, table drinks, shopping etc.
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Refreshments if any during the course of the tour, other than water, specially during toilet breaks.
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Visa to India, Flight tickets, travel insurance etc.
Notes
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The price is on per person basis, based on 2 adults travelling together.
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Houseboat meal menu would be a local backwater cuisine.
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Camera tickets at places of interest are not included in the program price.
Booking Procedure and Cancellation Policy
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Once you have come to know all the details of the tour and have decided to go ahead with the tour, we would like to have a confirmation from your end. Following which we shall secure rooms at the respective hotels as per the type of price you have availed.
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We shall send you a confirmation voucher with all the details of the tour.
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Upon receiving the confirmation voucher from our end, you are require to make a deposit of the tour price. For which we shall send you the payment links to make the advance deposit.
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The cancellation and refund policy is available at the cancellation & Refund policy page.