Must See Itineraries

Kerala Holidays

KERALA- A LAND OF TREMENDOUS VARIETY
Kerala - God's Own Country, a one of its kind stopover, home to a rich culture and varied tradition. The endless patch-work of green paddy fields, the cool mist filled high ranges, the palm fringed beaches and the timeless tranquility of the extensive backwaters -Kerala has everything that a person looks for in a perfect holiday. It is easy to get completely lost in this magical stretch of land. As darkness descends on any day in Kerala, you will be longing for the sun to rise next day. Come, the surprises are endless and fascinating.

KERALA HOLIDAYS- GET THE BEST OF KERALA
In a never before manner, Swagatam Tours & Travels Ltd., brings you the best of Kerala, with the support of a chain of hotels across the state. With Intersight, you are personally attended to, ensuring a trouble free and relaxing holiday. The accommodation will be in the finest hotels of your choice and transport by our fleet of well-maintained vehicles with multilingual chauffeurs. Get in touch with any of our offices or agents for the perfect holiday in Kerala.

Kerala Holidays
Kerala packed with 26 million people in 38,900 sq km in a narrow strip of land between the Western Ghats and the beaches of the Arabian Sea, clings like a banana leaf to the southwestern coast of the Indian peninsula. The strip of land found a natural defence in the hills that sealed off one longitudinal section, leaving it open to access from the sea alone.

Sea trade started with the Phoenicians, and in 1000 BC Kerala was visited by King Solomon's ship that travelled to 'Ophir', in all probability the modern Puvar, south of Trivandrum. Then followed the traders from Greece, Rome, Arabia, China, Portuguese who gained right in 1516; the Dutch merchants a stronghold in 1602, and by 1663 the Portuguese were forced out of the area. By 1795, however, the Dutch too had to move out, for the British traders had become the strongest power in India by that time. Much earlier, the Jews came to Kerala when they fled the rule of Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BC; St. Thomas the Apostle came here in the first century AD; the Syrian Christian were in existence here in the 2nd century AD. When the Portuguese came to Kerala, they found a thriving Christian community here, but one that had never heard of Pope.

Green and serene, a paradise, God's own country, an ethereal vision or a poet's inspiration, a treasure of infinite beauty - all is said about Kerala. Lush plantations rise from the sea and sweep the entire state in verdant glory. Splendid festivals with mysterious rituals, full of colour, herds of elephants, leading processions, or in the wild, exotic handicrafts, seafood preparation that makes Kerala one of the most exciting destinations of India. Snake-boat races on the backwaters of Kerala, Elephant March with hundreds of caparisoned elephants lined up, the martial art, Kathakali - the spectacular dance drama; Kerala Houseboats Kettuvallam on back waters and Ayurvedic Herbal Massage and Treatment that makes this part of India a unique destination.

CUSTOMISE TOUR PACKAGES

TOURISTIC PLACES IN KERALA
Calicut - Trichur - Munnar - Periyar - Kottayam - Kumarakom - Cochin - Alleppey - Varkala - Quilon - Trivandrum - Kovalam Beach

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SPECIAL KERALA HOLIDAY

Day 01 Arrive Cochin
Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel.
(Check-in time 1200 hrs)

Rest of time free.

Evening Kathakali Dance : A special treat awaits us this evening as we proceed to witness the strength and vigor of Kathakali dance drama, as it enacts episodes from great Indian epics. The extremely stylized gestures, the elaborate make-up, the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male dancers, recreates an incomparable sense of pageantry

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 Cochin
Full day tour of Cochin City : With its wealth of historical associations, and its magnificent setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, Cochin is one of the most fascinating cities of coastal South India. It is a city with indelible marks of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Jewish traditions. Of Special mention is the older parts of the Fort Cochin area.

It more or less exists as it used to be a 1000-year behind our times. This part of the city reflects an unusual blend of medieval Portugal, Dutch and English country life grafted on to the tropical Malabar Coast. The 16th century Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace is a fascinating fort with elegant buildings and interesting collections from the Royal traditions of the region. The unique feature of Cochin is the unexpected and isolated Jewish community, whose origins date back to AD 52. They are self-contained and have there own Synagogue. The area around the Synagogue, known as 'Jew Town' is one of the main centres of spice trade. Scores of small firms huddle together in old dilapidated buildings and the air is filled with the aroma of ginger, cardamom, cumin, turmeric and cloves. The area is very busy.

(Jew Synagogue / Dutch Palace closed on Friday)

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 Cochin / Munnar (158 km /4h)
Morning drive to Mumnar by road, on arrival check in at hotel.

Afternoon visit of Munnar : a hill station on the Western Ghats and with its lakes, reservoirs, forests and tea estates is the Nature-Lovers's Paradise. It is beautifully situated at the confluence of three rivers - the Muthirappuzh, Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar is a major center of Kerala's tea industry.

We have two days to explore the virgin beauty of the place and its several possibilities. Anaimudi (2694 m), the highest peak in the southern India, is nearby and the views from here are incredible. Munnar offers some great possibility for nature walks and visits to nearby tribal villages where people, though poor are extremely friendly, charming and hospitable. The ethnic lifestyles, traditional homes and the traditional occupation with ethnic tools and implements provides an incredible experience. The forest that surround Munnar are still rich in wildlife. The hills surrounding Munnar are home for one of the world's rarest mountain goats, Nilgiri tahr. The tropical forests are inhabited by elephants, tigers, deer and gaur (bison) Munnar is a birdwatcher delight with a variety of birds that are supported by the evergreen vegetation of the region. If one seek a sense of peace, a desire to communicate with nature and most importantly participate in a journey through a living museum, Munnar is the place that seeks to provide all this in a heavenly setting.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 Munnar
Morning you explore Munnar, which is surrounded by 30 tea gardens; the atmosphere is fragrant with extensive tea and cardamom plantations. Tea estates are situated mostly on the inner slopes of an elevated basin-like plateau. Estate elevations vary from about 1220 m to over 1830 m. some of the tea plantations, at an elevation of over 2135-m, are among the highest in the world. It would be worthwhile to visit some of these tea gardens to witness the plucking of leaves by women who carry conical bamboo baskets on their back and strapped to their forehead by a cloth band. The work on the field is all done by hand and is a fascinating sight. You may also visit the nearby Lockhart Gap, which provides a panoramic view of the valley and plantation down below. The enchanting high range of lakes and streams, the low-flying clouds and the mist-filled valleys cast a magical spell, which lingers long in the memory.

Afternoon free.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 Munnar /Periyar (140 km /3h30 min. )
Morning drive to Periyar by road, onarrival check into your hotel.
Afternoon visit Periyar : Periyar and its cool, misty Cardamom Hills - a magnificently scenic region 4000 feet and higher, with forests and valleys, roaring streams and pristine jungles. Arrive at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India’s first Project Tiger Reserves and an excellent place to view elephants and many other animals.

you viewing wildlife by boat on Lake Periyar where animals come to drink. Sail within close range of elephant groups, feeding and bathing. Scout for statuesque sambar deer and giant wild oxen, or guar, browsing in the marshes. Search the green wooded shores for wild boars, monkeys, and an array of birdlife. If you are lucky, you will get a rare sighting of tiger. Spend the night in splendid isolation at your comfortable jungle cottage.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 Periyar / Kumarakkom (140 km /3h30 min)
Drive to Kumarakom by road, on arrival check into your hotel.
Day free for independent activities . You can also enjoy the optional ayurvedic body massage at the resort. You could also choose to explore the surrounding tribal villages, visit the nearby water bird sanctuary or ride through the narrow backwater channels through back of beyond Kerala

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 Kumarakom / Houseboat
Morning board the Houseboat for a unique experience through the narrow canals and channels of the backwaters of Kerala . The material that go into the making of houseboat are all local and Eco-friendly; bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats carpets etc. The main wood used is "Anjali ". The Houseboat provides all comforts - Beds, a kitchen, western toilets and an upper deck. Traditional lanterns are used as lights.

The cuisine is of traditional Kerala flavour along with the local Specialties - delicious fish and prawns. Cruising on a boat through remote tribal villages along the tranquil backwaters of Kerala is a superb experience.

We explore the backwaters in your Houseboat .Sensational in its own silent way, the cruise takes you along snake boat docks, friendly cheering villagers, coir (Jute) making communities, toddy (local spirit) shops, fishing nets pitched for the day's catch, bunded paddy fields and manual canoes of different sizes criss-crossing each other. The experience enables you to reach beautiful untouched areas .

Overnight at the House Boat

Day 08 Houseboat /Kovalam (170 km /4h30 min)
Disembark from Houseboat and drive to Kovalam ,on arrival check in to your hotel.
Aftrernoon free.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 - 11 Kovalam
Full day free for Own beach activities.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 Kovalam /Trivandrum / Departure
Drive to Trivandrum airport for your flight for onward destination.


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Must See Itineraries
Cave & Temple Tour —› Extensive South Tour —› Golden Triangle Tour —› Historical Rajasthan Tour —› Kerala Holidays —› Ladakh Tour —› North India Nepal Tour