Visit South India Tours - Malabar Trail
Day 1: Mumbai
Following your arrival in Mumbai, transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 : Mumbai
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon a tour of Mumbai will introduce some of the great sights of this commercial centre.
Day 3 : Kochi
Take the early morning flight to Cochin, arriving at your hotel there in mid-morning and spending the afternoon sightseeing. The Chinese cantilevered fishing nets, Jewish synagogues, Portuguese churches, Hindu temples and Dutch fort all make the point that this is a very cosmopolitan city.
Day 4 : Kochi - Munnar
This morning you drive to Munnar, in the Western Ghats. Munnar is located at the confluence of the mountain streams Muthirappuzha, Chanduvarai and undala. It is surrounded by wild jungles and is wet and cold for most of the year.
Day 5 : Munnar
Visit Mattupetty Lake, situated at a distance of 15 km from Munnar, Rajamala is home to almost half the population of Nilgiri tahrs (a rare mountain goat). Overnight stay in Abad copper castle, Munnar.
Day 6: Periyar
The morning drive takes you south along the Ghats, past the tea plantations of Devikulam to Lake Periyar and its renowned wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary surrounds picturesque Periyar lake. In the afternoon you will take to the water, for game viewing.
Day 7 : Kumarakom
In the morning you drive down through tea and then rubber plantations, interspersed with small cardamom, coffee, ginger and pepper-growing estates to tranquil Kumarakom, adjacent to the bird sanctuary on Lake Vembanad. The afternoon at leisure.
Day 8 : Houseboat cruise
Enjoy a comfortable Kettuvallam houseboat for a day cruise. These simply furnished but comfortable houseboats are equipped with a living room and bedroom (en suite bathroom) and are powered by local oarsmen.
Day 9 : Varkala
After disembarking at Quilon in the morning you drive the short distance south to the delightful seaside town of Varkala. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 10 : Varkala - Kovalam
Proceed to Kovalam. This internationally renowned beach has been a favourite haunt for tourists. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southern most, known as the Lighthouse Beach , is the most popular.
Day 11 : Kovalam
Relaxed day at Kovalam. Enjoy the sun, golden sand and the beach.
Day 12 : Trivandrum - Mumbai
Afternoon drive to Trivandrum for the flight to Mumbai, arriving late afternoon and transferring to the international airport for your late-night flight to home.