KERALA STANDARD HOLIDAYS FOR 5 DAYS
Houseboats
A houseboat, also known as a Kettuvalam in the olden times, is a huge boat that is like a house. They consist of a living room, an upper floor and a lower floor with rooms, beds, an air conditioner, a kitchen, bathrooms, toilets and everything else you can think of in a house. The kitchen has local chefs who will make you breakfast, lunch and dinner, depending on the duration of time that you are staying on the boat. The boat passes by some beautiful scenery of lotus paddies, glistening water and tall palm trees. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy the scenery and eat delicious food made by local Kerala cooks.
Explore Kuttanand
Also known as the ‘Rice bowl of Kerala’, Kuttanad is all about dense paddy fields, palm trees, duck farming and fishing. Here you can see what farming 4-10 ft below sea level actually means. This place is declared to be one of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. The rural village life of the people living there will give you a different feel altogether. The beautiful waterways and canals are worth seeing and getting off the boat to meet the locals and drinking some todi is something that will give you an authentic feel of the place.
Go Bird watching
Alleppey is such a beautiful place that has so many different things to do. You can simply canoe or kayak in the water while taking photos of unique birds that are native to the land. The backwaters are the home to some of the most exquisite birds like Stork Billed and White Throated Kingfishers, Jungle Myna, White Breasted Waterhen, Asian Palm Swift, and Black Drongo. So don’t forget to get those cameras out to get the perfect click of those lovely birds. You can do all of this while riding your kayak and these beautiful birds flying all around you.
Visit the Vijaya Beach Park
A visit to the beach is absolutely necessary when you go to Kerala, and if you are travelling to Allepey with children, this beach is a good one to go to. The Vijaya Beach Park is located on the Alappuzha Beach and is maintained by the Kerala Municipal Board. Though this beach park is very much commercialized and there are a lot of people near the park with children all around, you can always hire a bike and explore the rest of the parts of the beach where it is a little more secluded, to have some peace of mind.
Eat Authentic Seafood
This part of India is endowed with a lot of flora and fauna, hence the cuisine here is different and absolutely delicious. The food here is easy to afford and very authentic and as per the preparations that have been coming down the generations. Try a spicy shrimp or prawns dish to start off, savor the taste of Meen Vattichathu which is a curry made of fish heads and you must eat it with tapioca. Beef roast is something you can find at every corner of the road and is made deliciously crispy, topped with spices. Also, do not forget to buy and pack the banana chips fried in pure coconut oil for your journey back home.
Visit Temples and Churches
Kerala, also known as God’s own Country, is incomplete without temples and churches. Alleppey has a number of places of worship where you can sit for hours, just feeling the peace of the atmosphere. Many temples have maintained the traditional values of the place. Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Nagaraja Temple, St Mary’s Church, , Latin Catholic Church , St Andrew’s Florence Forance Church, Ambalapuzha Krishna Temple are some of the renowned places of worship in Alleppey. Embark on a journey that is spiritual and full of devotion to see the most beautiful temples and churches.
Rejuvenate with Ayurveda
Kerala is the birthplace of Ayurveda and healing people’s ailments with natural products. There are a number of resorts in Alleppey that treat people with chronic illnesses. You can choose to stay at the Amrutham Ayurvedic Village Resort, which is a rustic set up in natural surroundings. This place is exclusively made for people who want to go for an ayurvedic spa or any kind of treatment. This place offers its guest with a unique experience which is personalized and suits the needs of the person. A perfect wellness retreat, this place offers everything from yoga, meditation, nature walks and delicious and light vegetarian food for the people who visit.
Snake Boat Races
One of the most exciting activities that happen in Allepey is the snake boat race that happens in August. It is a very exciting event to watch or even participate in; 100-120 long boats that are shaped like canoes make serpentine movements through the water, to race with one another. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is thrilling to watch and is crowded with people who are tourists and well as locals, cheering amongst themselves for their favorite team. You can visit Alleppey around June, when it is not that crowded and they have practice sessions, preparing for the big race in August, just to get a feel of how it happens.
Attukal Waterfalls
Attukal Waterfalls is one of the four main waterfalls in Munnar, which is popular among adventure-seeking tourists, as the mud mountains path through the forest offers relaxation on every single towards the waterfalls. Swimmers must carry their swimsuit as the pool at the bottom of the waterfalls has enough fresh water to dip and enjoy bathing. This destination is highly preferable for visit in monsoon season. It is situated between Munnar and Pallivasal that can be reached by crossing a wooden bridge. Attukal Waterfalls witness numerous tourists every year and is famous for its mystical beauty. Time to visit is from 9 am to 7:30 pm.
Pothamedu View Point
Pothamedu View Point is situated on National Highway 49, about 6 km away from Munnar. It is set amidst coffee and tea plantations and rolling hills. It offers stunning view of Munnar and adjoining valleys, visitors can also enjoy watching Idukki Arch Dam and River Muthirapuzha, from such height. The view is made of number of emerald hill slopes where tea, coffee, pepper, and cardamom are grown all over the hills. It is also a famous spot among trekkers, nature lovers and hikers, to enjoy the pleasing scenic beauty. Pothamedu View Point is also a perfect destination for photography lovers as they can capture the small paradise from different shooting angles and get a unique background for breathtaking shots.
Chokramudi Peak
It is one of the highest peaks in Munnar, which attracts mainly trekkers and nature lovers. With a height of 7200-feet in the Eravikulam National Peak, Chokramudi Peak offers an impressive view of the tea plantations, Idukki dam, and Anamudi peak. However, this peak is isolated from other hill ranges in Munnar, but sunrise is a sight that you must not miss from this peak. Since Chokramudi Peak lies in the Eravikulam National Park sector, there are some formalities that need to be done before trekking. This park is home to many rare species of animals and plants, such as Gaurs, Nilgiri Tahrs, and Asian Elephants.
Kundala Lake
The lake is situated around 20 km away from Munnar on the way to Top Station at an altitude of 1700-meters above the level of the sea. The overwhelming background of green hill slopes, the unparallel beauty of cherry blossoms, the majestic sunrises, and a blue blanket of Neela Kurunji flowers that blossoms only once in every 12-years makes it a dreamy destination and is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Munnar. Kundala Lake also features Asia’s first Arch Dam and water connects tourists in distinct kinds of boating experience such as Kshmirishikara boats, rowboats, and pedal boats. Visitors enjoy cherry garden in the tourist spot.
TATA Tea Museum
Tea played an important part in the history of Munnar and tea plantations played a vital role in attracting people to this area. In 2015, TATA Tea Museum in Munnar was established, which has machineries and photographs, which narrates the chronicle journey of tea in the zone. TATA Tea Museum was developed at Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea make sure that the legacy of those who have worked hard to ensure the plantation survived long is recognized publicly. Visitors can also see the magneto phone, typewriters, manual calculators, hand tea roller and iron over, which have been considered the necessary tools during the old days. It is also one of the most-visited tourist spots in Munnar.
Eravikulam National Park
It is a 97 square kilometers national park, situated along the Western Ghats in Kerala’s Idukki district. Eravikulam National Park is the first of its kind in Kerala, which is administered by the Kerala Department of Forests and wildlife. It is enlisted by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. It offers home to endangered species, including Nilgiris Tahr and Neelakurinji is the second most attraction of this park. Anamudi also takes abode in Eravikulam National Park. Visitors can also enjoy the view of River Chalakudy, River Periyar, and Lakhom Waterfalls within the park. Time for entrance is 7:30 am to 4 pm and remains open for all seven days of the week.
Mattupetty Dam
Located in Munnar’s Idukki District, Mattupetty Dam is a basically a storage Concrete Gravity Dam developed in the mountains of Kerala to conserve water for formation of hydroelectricity. Along with other dams, Mattupetty Dam has been an important source of power yielding, which generates huge revenue in Kerala. It is considered as one of the most-visited grounds of wild elephants in the area. If you carefully look at the stillness of the water, you can notice the reflection of lush tea gardens on the sides of the dam. It is situated about 1700-meters above sea level and is well-known as one of the highest dams in the state.
Meesapulimala
It is considered to be the third-highest peak in the Western Ghats of Kerala’s Idukki district. Meesapulimala is situated at an altitude of 8661-feet above the sea level. Meesapulimala is the first highest peak in Munnar that can be trekked, though Anamudi has restrictions for trekkers. Top Station, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, and Tipadamala are nearby to this place. It also shares the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which is a moderate trek by passing eight hills to reach at the Top Most point. Meesapulimala is peaceful and enough to retain peace, makes it one of the most-visited tourist destinations.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
It is situated 18 km North of Marayoor and bordered by Eravikulam National Park in the South on SH 17, home to endangered species. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary was developed in August 1984, is one of the soothing habitats for Hanuman Monkeys, Elephants, Gaur, Tufted Grey Langur, Crocodile, Spotted Deer, Slendar Loris, Tiger, Leopard, along with various bird and plants. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the 12th wildlife sanctuaries among the protected zone in Kerala. It has also earned the title of only rehabilitation centre for star tortoise in the country. There are nearly 11 tribal settlements inside this sanctuary, each of which is well-distinguished by temporary stone walls.
Lakkom Water Falls
It is one of the most-visited tourist destinations situated near Marayoor in Kerala’s Idukki District. Lakkom Water Falls is a part of Eravikulam stream, which is a vital part of Eravikulam National Park and one of the main tributaries of River Pambar. Visitors will enjoy touring through the thick tea plantation on a narrow winding track and witness the white magic of nature. In the crystal clear water, one can see his toe on the rocks. This falls is one the way from Munnar towards Udumalaipettai. Time to visit Lakkom Water Falls is from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and visitors need to pay entrance fees of Rs. 20. Hence, Lakkom Water Falls is one of the sightseeing destinations in Munnar, which attracts visitors attention.
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Arrival in Kochi & Transfer to Munnar (185 Kms - Approx 6 Hrs)
On your arrival at Cochin, proceed to Munnar via Athirappilly Falls, the most famous waterfalls of Kerala. The 80 ft high and 330 ft wide Athirapally Falls is a majestic waterfall right in front of the Sholayar ranges and are often called the "Niagara Falls of India." Just 5 km from this fall is another magnificent waterfall - Vazhachal. After spending some time at the waterfalls, proceed towards Munnar. Situated at 1,600m above sea level with an unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains, you're often up above the clouds watching veils of mist clinging to the mountain tops. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 2: Munnar Full-Day Sightseeing Tour
After breakfast, proceed sightseeing in Munnar. Visit Mattupetty Dam (ticket price extra), a storage concrete gravity dam built in the mountains. Mattupetty offers many fascinating sights to relish. Besides the tea plantations & the rolling grasslands, the Shola forests in and around Mattupetty are ideal for trekking and are habitat to various birds.
Later visit Kundala Dam (ticket price extra), the famous Neela Kurunji flowers, which bloom once in twelve years, bloom in the hills and valleys around Kundala Lake. En route, visit Echo Point & Pothamedu View Point. Echo Point always has a greenish look as it is covered with abundant green scenery. View Point is perfect for enjoying the spectacular beauty of the coffee, tea & cardamom plantations. They are an adventurous destination that will be an ideal choice for those who love nature walks or trekking. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 3:Transfer from Munnar to Thekkady - (95 Kms - Approx 3.5 Hrs)
After breakfast, check out from the Hotel & proceed to Thekkady. It is considered a heaven for natural spices. The Periyar forests of Thekkady are one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Periyar encompasses 777 sq km & a 26-sq-km artificial lake. Check-in at the Hotel & later head out for sightseeing to visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (ticket price extra); it is home to herds of wild Elephants, Sambar, Tigers, Gaur, Lion-tailed Macaques, Nilgiri Langurs & more. The place sometimes feels like Disneyland-in-the-Ghats, but its mountain scenery & jungle walks make for an enjoyable visit. Evening enjoys the boat cruise in the Lake (at additional cost) to spot wild animals. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 4:Transfer from Theakady to Alleppey - (155 Kms - Approx 4 Hrs)
After breakfast, check out from the Hotel and proceed to Alleppey, which has immense natural beauty and is known as the "Venice of the East." It is famous for backwater cruising and boat racing. Check into your hotel/houseboat & cruise (if staying in a houseboat) through the Narrow Canal amidst the Paddy Fields, Coconut Lagoons, and Coir Villages in Alleppey. Overnight stay in Alleppey.
Day 5: Transfer from Alleppey to Kochi Departure(80 Kms - Approx 2 Hrs)
After breakfast, check out from the Hotel & transfer to Kochi for departure, back home with beautiful memories of God's Own Country. If time permits, you can also spend some time on the beach or shop for souvenirs.
Inclusions
- Accommodation in the mentioned or similar hotels.
- The package includes breakfast & dinners at the hotel except on the day of arrival and the date of departure, respectively.
- You can opt for a day cruising ( Snacks & Lunch) in the backwaters or stay overnight ( All meals) in a premium airconditioned (Full time) houseboat at an extra payment of Rs 6,000/-.
- All transfers and sightseeing by AC Sedan / AC SUV Vehicle. (Please note that AC will be switched off during hills. We will provide a sedan for one room booking & an SUV for two rooms booking together)
- You can also upgrade the vehicle to Innova for a single room booking with an additional cost of 600/- per day.
- The vehicle will accommodate three standard baggage per room & the driver may ask for extra payments for excess baggage at his discretion.
- The transportation will be as per the Itinerary given & includes all toll taxes, parking charges, and driver allowances. The driver will charge for any deviation request of the tour route subject to acceptance by the driver.
- All currently applicable hotel taxes except GST @ Current Rate.
| S.No | Place | Hotel Name | Room Type | No of Nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munnar | Clouds Valley Leisure Hotel | Valley View | 2 |
| 2 | Thekkady | Hotel PepperVine | Deluxe | 1 |
| 3 | Alleppey | Abad Whispering Palms | Lagoon Deluxe | 1 |
Terms & Conditions
- We have tabulated this quotation in INR on the current date of currency exchange rates.
- The rooms & other services rates are subject to availability during booking/confirmation.
- Similar hotels will be provided in case of non-availability of the quoted accommodation.
- Certain hotels abroad may request a security deposit during check-in, which is refundable at check-out, subject to the hotel policy.
- Specific international destinations attract city tax on the accommodation & the guest is liable to pay it directly at the hotel as per the actuals.
- International Hotel check-in time is from 14.00 hrs onward. & check-out time is at 12.00 hrs.
- Hotel, Sightseeing, Meals, and Transfers rates might change with prior notice once & unless you make the payment.
- We have not added any charges for sightseeing activities on Day at Leisure in the itinerary. The costs will be higher than the pre-booked activities. So you can opt for the optional activities from the given list & pre-book them. Else it would be best if you explored on your own at the destination. Our ground handling team may help you arrange your requirements locally against the direct payment.
- Kindly be on time for your activities, tours, and transfers, or else you may lose the to avail of the service & you will not get any refund or concession for it.
- We will provide the Transportation for the quoted itinerary for both SIC and Private (not at disposal).
- Anything other than that mentioned in the inclusions attracts extra cost & subject to availability.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, alcoholic beverages, mini bar, etc., are not included in the package.
- Air ticket cost mentioned ( if any ) will be subject to availability & prevailing prices at the time of booking.
- The change in dates will attract re-quote.
- GST 5% will be applicable against the final Invoice (Subject to Payment Made in India).
- TCS 5% will be applicable against the final Invoice for all international travelers against the PAN card & We will provide you the certificate for the amount. You can fill it in your IT returns.
- We will send All your confirmation vouchers 48 hrs before your journey. (Subject to clearance of your payment on time )
- Suppose we cancel your package due to any natural calamity. In that case, weather conditions, etc., Etravego.com shall strive to give you the maximum possible refund subject to the agreement made with our trade partners/vendors.
- If you fail to make the payment as per the schedule provided in the Proforma Invoice, Etravego.com reserves the right to cancel the booking after attempting to contact you. Refunds would be as per the package cancellation policy.
- Please note that if your package includes a flight from a low-cost carrier (Air Asia, Scoot Airlines, Air Arabia, Jetstar, Fly Dubai, Thai AirAsia, Air India Express, Tiger Airways), it won't include any baggage in the package. You can add the Baggage as per your requirement at an additional cost depending on the airlines and destination. Our Travel Consultant will attempt to contact you within 24 hours after the booking gets confirmed for baggage addition.
Cancellation Policy:
- The guest must give the notice to cancel the Holiday in writing or by mail to our office, and Etravego.com shall refund the tour cost after deducting the cancellation charges.
- From the booking date to 45 days before the departure date, 25 % of the package cost is chargeable.
- From 45 days to 30 days before the departure date, 50 % of the package cost is chargeable.
- From 30 days to 15/21 days before the departure date, respectively, for domestic/ international packages, 75 % of the package cost is chargeable.
- For cancellations within 15/21 days before the departure date, respectively, for domestic/ international packages,100% of the package cost is chargeable.
- In the case of cruises, 100% of the cruise cost paid will be forfeited in case of any cancellations, irrespective of the time of cancellation.
- The company reserves the right to cancel any Tour before the departure without assigning any reason. In such an event, all monies paid by the guest will be fully refunded immediately in Indian Rupees currency only, but no compensation will be payable.
Description :
Alleppey, known as Alappuzha from back in the day and is now also known as ‘The Venice of the East’. Located in the hub of Kerela’s backwaters, Alleppey is a charming and a very serene place having a big network of backwaters along with houseboats. The Kettuvalams in the olden times are now re done and improvised to become house boats. This beautiful town is famous for its backwaters and over shadows every other attraction present, but there are a variety of things to do other than relaxing on a huge houseboat. Look beyond the houseboats, and you will find surprising as to the number of things that can be done in this quaint town. Discover small villages by the water that sell a variety of sea food that are freshly gotten from the water or even sit by a local ‘todi’ shop and drink this fermented concoction of a fruit to feel a little tipsy, Alleppey has everything you need to relax and have a good vacation. Alleppey is located 53 km from Cochin and is also famous for beautiful temples, colorful lagoons, rice paddies and a light house that is 150 years old. Also, the famous Andhakaranazhi Beach is the most beautiful beach in Alleppey, which is worth visiting, especially during sunset.
Attraction: Houseboats, Stay in Kuttanand, Go Bird watching, Visit the Andhakaranazhi Beach, Eat Authentic Seafood, Visit Temples and Churches, Rejuvenate with Ayurveda, Practicing Sessions of Snake Boat Races.
Airport: The Cochin International Airport is the closest.
Local language: Malayalam
Currency: Indian Rupee
Local Cuisine: Beef roast, Meen Vattichathu, Kozhi curry, Puttu and Kadala, Dosa and chicken roast, Appam and beef stew.
Weather: Summers last from March to May with temperatures going up to 38°C, monsoons prevail from June to August and maximum temperatures during the day go up to 30°C. Winters are slightly cooler and temperatures are a maximum of 28°C.
Unique Attributes: The house boats are the most unique things in Alleppey. The cuisine here is delicious and something every unique from the rest of the country; the local cuisine is something that you must taste.
Description :
Munnar is a hill station town situated in the Idukki district of Kerala, standing at 5200-feet above the sea level in the Western Ghats mountain range. It is also termed the “Kashmir of South India” and famous as exotic honeymoon destinations. Munnar was also the summer resort of the Britishers. Tourists visit this place to enjoy the vast tea plantations of the region. It is a typical India town with guests houses, shops, traditional, and real beauty of nature. Munnar is distinct in two parts, Old Munnar and Munnar. In Old Munnar, there are tourist information office and most guesthouses and bus stops are situated in Munnar.
Munnar etymologically means “Three Rivers”, refers to its location at the convergence of River Kundaly, River Nallathanni, and River Mudhirapuzha. Geographically, Munnar is situated at 10°05’ 21’’ N, 77°03’35’’ E, on the Devikulam Taluk of Kannan Devan Hills Village and also the largest Panchayat in Idukki District. Munnar covers a total area of 215 square miles, which is well-connected by all three- National Highways, State Highways, and Rural Roads. The nearest railway stations to Munnar are situated at Aluva, and Ernakulam, the functioning railway station is at Udumalaipettai. It is especially known for several endemic and threatened species, including elephant, grizzled giant squirrel, Nilgiri Thar, gaur, Nilgiti wood-pigeon, sambar, Nilgiri langur, and neelakurinji.
Attractions :Top tourist attractions to visit in Munnar are- Attukal Waterfalls, Pothamedu View Point, Chokramudi Peak, Kundala Lake, TATA Tea Museum, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Meesapulimala, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Lakkom Water Falls.
Airport :Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Munnay, which is 68-miles away from the hill station town.
Local language :Tamil and Malayalam are the main languages spoken by people of Munnar.
Currency :India Rupee is the only currency used across India.
Food :Munnar is famous for fish curry and snacks. For drinking, fresh tea, milk, and coffee are available.
Weather:In Munnar, temperature ranges between 15 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius in summer and 5 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius in winter.
Unique Attributes :The Stobilanthus, also known as “Neelakurinji” in the local language, which is a blue flower that blooms only once in every 12-years is found in Munnar. The Stobilanthus last bloomed in September 2018. It is also the highest peak in South India, Ananmudi at 2695 meter high.
Description :
Thekkady is the location of the Periyar National Park, which is an important tourist attraction in the Kerala state of India.