Today to start with your Kerala with Goa and Mumbai Holiday tour India, you will be met from your flight to Cochin International Airport by Summit Safari’s representative and driver, and we will transfer you to your hotel in Cochin also known as Fort Kochi where you will stay for 2 Nights. Rest of the day is free at leisure to relax after the flight.

Please Note: Cochin international airport is in Kerala state, in south part of India, and have flights from/ to U.K, Dubai (Middle East Asia) / Singapore (South East Asia). If you are coming from U.K / Europe or from Australia you can get your direct or connecting flights from these places. We would like to discuss these things with you at the time of your booking of the holidays with us.

Today morning after breakfast we will drive you to visit the famous heritage sites of old Cochin (Fort Cochin) with a local guide. Having been under the control of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, The Fort Cochin has a rich and varied history.

You will Explore the heritage part by foot and visit the Vasco the Gama square, the Chinese fishing nets, the church of St Francis originally built in 1503, is the oldest European church in India and has great historical significance where once the Vasco Da Gama was buried. Later we will drive you to visit the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, which features Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibits of the Rajas ( Kings) of Kochi. It was built by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma (1537–65), Raja (King) of Kochi.

We will also visit the Jewish Synagogue- or the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. It was built in 1568 by Cochin Jewish community. The synagogue is located in the quarter of Old Cochin known as Jew Town and is the only one of the seven synagogues in the area. Later on return back to the hotel and have some time to rest.

In the evening 05:00 P.M we will take you to visit the famous traditional Kathakali dance show - a classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country's present day state of Kerala and has developed over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming.

Later on return back to your hotel. Second night in the same hotel in Cochin.

After breakfast we will check out from the hotel at 08:30 A.M to Munnar (130/ 4.30 hrs). Munnar used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in south India and the hills are covered with tea estates. Enroute visit the Hill Palace Museum – was the official residence of the erstwhile rulers of Kochi. Built in 1865, it is now famous for being a full-fledged Ethno-Archaeological Museum and Kerala's first ever Heritage Museum. We will also visit the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls Enroute which are much better during the monsoon time.

Arrive Munnar by late afternoon- the magnificent hill-station of Kerala, check into the hotel. Evening is free to relax and walk around the tea plantation or to explore the local market in Munnar. Overnight in Munnar for 2 days.

Please Note: Hill Palace museum remains closed on Monday and visiting Hours are from: 9:00 to 12:30 hrs &14:00 to 16:30 hrs.

After breakfast at 08:00 A.M, we will leave for the sightseeing tour of Munnar including the Rajamala National park, also known as Eravikulam National Park, located about 15 km from Munnar; this park is famous for its endangered inhabitant - the Nilgiri Thar. Spread over an area of 97 sq. km., this park is also home to several species of rare butterflies, and birds. The park offers a magnificent view of the Anamudi peak, tea plantations and also the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mists. Anamudi peak around 2,695 metres, is the highest peak of south India.

The park and many hills around Munnar becomes a hot destination when the hill slopes here get covered in a carpet of blue, resulting from the flowering of Neelakurinji flower plant. It is a plant endemic to this part of the Western Ghats which blooms once in twelve years. The last time it bloomed was in 2018 and the next blooming of these flowers is expected in the year 2030.

Later on we will visit Mattupetty Dam and Kundale Lake. Today you might see the women plucking the tea leaves at the tea Gardens. On the way to Kundale Lake many times people are lucky to see the group of wild elephants also. Later we will return back to Munnar and visit the vegetable market and local market at Munnar. Second night in the same hotel in Munnar.

After breakfast (09:00 A.M.) we will drive you to Thekkady/ Periyar (90 kms /4 Hrs drive). Enjoy the natural views, and spice plantations and rubber plantations with the beautiful countryside on the way to Thekkady. Enroute we will visit the Tea Estate- Lockhart factory Devikulam where we will take a guided group tour to see various process of tea and even can enjoy the fresh orthodox tea in different flavors.

We will arrive Thekkady by afternoon and will be transferred to the hotel. Thekkady is famous for Periyar Wildlife and Tiger reserve. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over 777 sq. km. including 360 sq. km of dense evergreen forest tract, is one of the most fascinating wildlife reserves in Kerala. Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978, the sanctuary is noted for its geomorphology, abundance of wildlife and abounding scenic beauty. Later in the evening we will enjoy the tribal dance show, organized and done by the ethnic tribal group of the area. Overnight stay at Thekkady for 2 nights.

Today early morning we will take you for a boat trip on the Periyar Lake inside the Periyar wildlife sanctuary. This early morning boat trip offers us a chance to see the wildlife including, elephants, wild bores, Sambhar Deer, Bision, etc including various kinds of birds. Return back to the hotel after breakfast in the afternoon we will take you further to Elephant camp where you can see the elephants and even can help with the washing / feeding of the elephants.

We will also take a guided tour of spice plantations to see some of the famous spices of India. You can enjoy lunch in the local restaurant in Thekkady.

Other optional activities: for the day can includes Jungle walk, nature walk, easy walking ( 2 hrs) through the Periyar wildlife sanctuary and all area organized by the Forest department of Kerala with proper forest guides, and these activity depends on the availability of the tickets , as tickets are available directly at the forest office counters and needs to be booked in advance- at an Extra Cost.

In the evening walk around the local market and from 06:00 P.M to 7:00 P.M we will take you to witness the Kalaripayattu (shortened as Kalari) is an Indian martial art and fighting system that originated in Kerala. Kalaripayattu – the oldest existing martial art form, dating back to at least the 6th century BCE. More than 2000 years ago the Buddhist monk Bodhi dharma took this knowledge from India to China. Later return back to the hotel. Second night in the same hotel in Thekkady.

Today morning after breakfast check out from the hotel at 08:00 AM and we will drive you to Alleppey (135 kms /4 hrs) from where we will board the house boat around 12:00 P.M, to experience the beautiful back waters of Kerala.

The house boat will take you on the back water canals of Vembanad Lake. Here most of the land and paddy fields are below the sea level. Alleppey, known as the ‘Venice of the East’, is a district of immense natural beauty, with a vast network of lakes, lagoons, canals and freshwater rivers crisscrossing its terrain. Today, this backwater destination is famous for its boat races, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Enjoy a full day cruise along the scenic backwaters of Vembanad Lake.

The boat travels slowly on the backwater canals, where you can enjoy the beautiful views of paddy fields, coconut trees, palm trees, local villages, and local people busy with their daily work routine.

You will also have 40 minutes of a canoe trip through the small water canals where the big houseboat is unable to take you. The boat halts on the water in the evening ( around 05:30 P.M till 08:00 A.M in the next morning) and you can enjoy the beautiful sunset from the house boat.

All meals will be served on the house boat and overnight in house boat. You will spend entire day on the house boat experiencing the life of the local people and enjoying the nature. Overnight in house boat for 1 night.

Meals Plan-: Breakfast + traditional Lunch + Dinner, with evening tea and snacks.

Today after breakfast around 10:00 AM we will be dropped at the jetty where our driver will meet us and will drive to Marari Beach (15 kms/ 30 minutes). Enroute we will take a stroll at Alleppey and further drive to picturesque Marari Beach to spend the last night of the tour.

On arrival check in to the hotel and rest of the time is free to walk around the beach, take a swim, try an Ayurvedic massage, or hire a bicycle to explore the surrounding quiet lanes. Take a stroll along the beach or relax under a palm tree with a book.

Overnight stay at Marari Beach for 1 night.

Today morning after breakfast check out from the hotel around 9:30 A.M and drive to Kovalam beach ( 180 kms/ 5 hrs) near Trivandrum the capital of Kerala, where we will visit the old Palace (Puthen Malika palace) and museum in the city centre.

The palace forms part of a vast complex of royal buildings in the vicinity of Padmanabhaswamy Temple. A portion of Kuthira Malika has been converted to a Palace Museum that houses some of the assets owned by the Travancore Royal Family. Although 80 rooms are there in the palace, only 20 are open for visitors. A guided tour is available inside the palace (with the official guide of this palace and museum). The palace collections include 14 life-size Kathakali mannequins, Belgian and Italian mirrors, crystal chandeliers, paintings, a giant Belgian harpoon, musical instruments, traditional furniture, a musical tree which produces 8 sounds on tapping and other artifacts.

Later continue to Kovalam beach (18 kms/ 30 minutes). On arrival check in to the hotel for two nights and evening is free to relax at the hotel or to take a walk around the beach.

Overnight at Kovalam for 2 nights.

Today you are going to have a day at leisure. You can relax at the beach, enjoy the water sports activities, go for Ayurvedic massage, have sun bah, eat and drink at the local restaurants on the beach or choose to walk up to the lighthouse from where you can to enjoy the sunset in the evening.

Overnight is the same hotel in Kovalam for second night.

This is the tour itinerary for Best of Kerala Backwaters Hill Stations and Beach Tour India, which we run regularly. It can be altered & customised as we like to discuss plans with clients and can make suggestions about special places to visit depending on our clients’ interests, and available time. You can get an idea of your holidays from the mentioned tour. The itinerary is planned in such a way that while travelling you get a good time to experience India and see the real life of Indian people from much closer.

Whether you choose to be on a privately guided tour to India or set off on a more independent trip, with local guides available wherever required, you can travel reassured, knowing our vast experience and provide you with around-the-clock support to smooth out anything unexpected. The safety and well-being of our guests is paramount.