Tour Description : This 07 Nights / 08 Days tours gives you the complete insight of Kerala. Enjoy the visit to famous Old Town of Cochin, witness the Chinese fishing nets, the beautiful Dutch Palace, the serenity, peace and tranquility of the God's Own Country with its magical backwaters, lush green tea estates, spice plantations, spend an overnight in Houseboat with your chef at your service to serve you with mouthwatering delicacies, experience the local culture, beautiful landscape scenery, waterfalls. The tour ends at Kovalam famous for its beaches where one can indulge, unwind and pamper themselves with Ayurvedic Massage therapies offered at the resort. A complete one week of serenity, peace, tranquility and much more.

Day 1: Arrive Cochin
Namaste! We are warmly welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are transferred to our Hotel. Rest of the day is free for rest Overnight: Casino Hotel (2 Nights) (Dinner)

Day 2: Cochin
In the morning we tour Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, with one of the finest natural harbors in the world. We visit the oldest European Church in India "St. Francis Church". Today it is governed by the Church of South India (CSI). Vasco De Gama was buried here before his remains were taken back to Portugal 14 years later. Next we visit the Santa Cruz Cathedral Built by the Portuguese in around the 16th century; this Roman Catholic Church is famous for the beautiful paintings on its ceiling. We visit the Jewish Quarter with its old synagogue, and the Dutch palace built by the Portuguese and given to the Raja of Cochin. Later we take a boat cruise to visit the Bolghatty Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action. In the evening we enjoy Kathakali Dance Performance. This dramatized presentation of a play usually based on the Hindu epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3: Cochin - Thekkady : (Drive: 195 Km / 5 Hrs)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Thekkady. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Entry: 0600 to 1800 hrs): Lying close to plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world. On arrival in Thekkady, we check in our Hotel. After lunch we visit a spice plantation. About 4000 Sq. KM of Idukki district is under spice plantations. The main occupations of the natives are spice farming and trading. The original produce was cardamom, pepper, ginger and turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, all spice, tea etc. This will give an excellent opportunity to the visitor to see the spice plants and ayurvedic medicinal plants and buy some garden fresh spices from the plantations. This is a guided Tour and it will take 1-1:30 hours. Later in the evening we return back to our hotel. Dinner & Overnight at Thekkady Wild Corridor (2 Nights) (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: Thekkady
Our day starts with a Jungle walk at the Periyar Wild life Sanctuary. Later we return back to our hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon we take boat ride over the Lake Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat on the water's edge. While cruising on Lake Periyar, we are likely to see animals like Wild Boars, Sambars, Wild Dogs, Langur Monkeys, Wild Elephants and water birds; darter, grey heron, egret and kingfisher. Evening is free to explore the local bazaars at Thekkday and time to purchase some local spices grown in that area. Dinner and Overnight is at hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5: Thekkady - Kumarakom: (Drive: 150 Km / 3 ½ Hrs)
Today we drive to Kumarakom. An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in this small water world you will come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes which will take you into the heart of the scenic lake. On arrival in Kumarakom we board our traditional houseboat (rice boats - "Ketuvallam") and begin our journey through the picturesque backwaters and small lakes relaxing in the tranquility of Kerala's beautiful scenery -Experience the way of life and activity of the local people. Overnight: A.C. Deluxe House Boat (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Alleppey - Kovalam: (Drive: 175 Km / 4 Hrs)
Breakfast on board. Sail to Alleppey & disembark at Puthenagady Jetty. A scenic comfortable drive conveys us to the beautiful Kovalam Beach on the Malabar Coast near Trivandrum. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories make this beach an incredible paradise. Overnight: Uday Samudra Beach Hotel (2 Nights) (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: Kovalam
Day is free to relax on Beach. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8: Kovalam - Trivandrum - Home
Today we are transferred to Trivandrum airport for our flight to onward destination. (Breakfast)

We accept payment in GBP / EURO or equivalent USD (for clients from North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honor that rate. For Clients making payment in USD, please visit http://www.xe.com to check the conversion rate. The conversion rate on the payment due date will be applicable. For Complete payment procedures please visit http://www.travelling-in-india.com/payinfo.html

PRICES OF THE ABOVE TOUR -
(All Prices on Per Person Basis in GBP / EURO)

Departure Dates		Price in GBP		Price in EURO
Tour Start Date	Tour End Date	Per Person Cost on Twin Sharing	Single Room Supplement	Per Person Cost on Twin Sharing	Single Room Supplement
26-Sep-2011	03-Oct-2011	GBP 426	GBP 226	EURO 495	EURO 274
24-Oct-2011	31-Oct-2011	GBP 483	GBP 268	EURO 562	EURO 311
14-Nov-2011	21-Nov-2011	GBP 483	GBP 268	EURO 562	EURO 311
19-Dec-2011	26-Dec-2011	GBP 543	GBP 328	EURO 632	EURO 381
23-Jan-2012	30-Jan-2012	GBP 483	GBP 268	EURO 562	EURO 311
27-Feb-2012	05-Mar-2012	GBP 483	GBP 268	EURO 562	EURO 311
26-Mar-2012	02-Apr-2012	GBP 483	GBP 268	EURO 562	EURO 311

City	Hotel Name	Category of room	No. of nights
Cochin	Casino Hotel by CGH Earth	Standard Room	02
Thekkady	Thekkady Wild Corridor	Deluxe Room	02
Kumarakom - Alleppey	Deluxe A.C. Houseboat	Houseboat	01
Kovalam	Uday Samudra Beach Hotel	Exotica DBL	02

Inclusions	Exclusions
Accommodation on twin share basis in the mentioned hotels for 07 Nights with daily buffet Breakfast as per the itinerary.	Any personal expenses such as laundry bills, telephone bills, alcoholic / Non Alcoholic beverages
(Total 15 Meals) 07 Breakfasts, 07 Dinners & 1 Lunch as per the itinerary	Tips and other such cost which is to be paid to the drivers, guides, porters etc.
Transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary by air-conditioned Vehicle	Visa fees or International flight tickets and insurance.
All entrances to Monuments of visit as per the itinerary, excluding camera / Video Camera Charges.	Any other services not mentioned in the cost inclusions.
Road tax, Toll Charges, parking fees and driver's overnight wages.
Services of an English speaking tour Manager.
Harbor Cruise in Cochin (Common Boat)
Kathakali Dance performance - Cochin
Boat Ride at Lake Periyar - Thekkady
Guided Jungle Walking Tour - Thekkady
All presently applicable taxes.