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Amazing Kerala with Madurai A Luxury Holiday Tour India - 13 Nights / 14 Days

Enjoy the region’s landscapes and cultural attractions, relax and rejuvenate on a private Luxury holiday tour to Kerala. Discover the amazing hill stations, picturesque golden beaches, serene backwaters lagoons with a visit to the famous Meenakshi temple at Madurai in Tamilnadu. Amazing Kerala with Madurai a luxury holiday tour India is a cultural journey to experience authentic India. Do explore some rural parts and be enchanted by the hill stations, tea and spice plantations, rich wildlife, lakes, birdlife, beaches, the backwaters, people and the delicious cuisine. Cooking classes with a local family and cycle rickshaw ride through the lanes of Madurai will add an extra charm to your Kerala Luxury holiday tour.

Tour Overview & Description

Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days

Location : Kerala- South India

Best Season : Mid October to February

Category : Cultural, Heritage and Nature

Covering : Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Madurai, Kovalam, Varkala, Alleppey Backwaters, Marari Beach

You can take it : As a private, personalised tour (tour dates would be of your choice)

Special About Tour :

Enjoy the region’s landscapes and cultural attractions, relax and rejuvenate on a private Luxury holiday tour to Kerala. Discover the amazing hill stations, picturesque golden beaches, serene backwaters lagoons with a visit to the famous Meenakshi temple at Madurai in Tamilnadu. Amazing Kerala with Madurai a luxury holiday tour India is a cultural journey to experience authentic India. Do explore some rural parts and be enchanted by the hill stations, tea and spice plantations, rich wildlife, lakes, birdlife, beaches, the backwaters, people and the delicious cuisine. Cooking classes with a local family and cycle rickshaw ride through the lanes of Madurai will add an extra charm to your Kerala Luxury holiday tour.

Amazing Kerala with Madurai A Luxury Holiday Tour to India starts from Fort Cochin, also known as “Queen of Arabian Sea”, which is the vibrant city and considered as the most important city on the west coast. We’ll visit the model tourist village of Kumabalangi and get a introduction to rural India.

Further we continues to Munnar, the breathtakingly beautiful hill station in Kerala with magnificent mountains, lakes, tea plantations, exotic species of flora and fauna, wildlife sanctuaries, etc. We do visit Thekkady (Periyar) which has the largest national wildlife sanctuary for Wild Elephants and tigers with hills full of spice plantations.

We drive to visit the colourful Meenakshi Temples that tower over of the oldest cities in India: Madurai in the state of Tamilnadu. We explore the local streets with a cycle rickshaw and join a local family for the cooking classes here. We continue drive and visit Kovalam beach, Varkala Beach where you can relax and enjoy sea food in the local restaurants.

We visit the Trivandrum city –the capital of Kerala and do discover the backwaters of Alleppey, known as the ‘Venice of the East’, famous for its backwaters full of immense natural beauty. The traditional wooden houseboats also enhance the beauty of these backwaters with bright green paddy fields and lush waterways teeming with exotic bird life. . Overnight experience on these houseboats will fascinate you and will provide insight to the day to day life of the locals from much closer.

Before flying home, towards the end of the tour we stay at Marari beach one of the most picturesque and famous beaches of Kerala.

You choose to include Private guide throughout the tour as your tour escort or set off on a more independent trip with our English speaking driver, with local guides available at the each place you visit. You can travel reassured, knowing our vast experience and provide you with around-the-clock support to smooth out anything unexpected.

Treat the below Amazing Kerala with Madurai A Luxury Holiday Tour India just as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you, around your interest and requirements. Summit Safari India will make your tour a memorable and extra ordinary travel experience....!

Brief Itinerary : Cochin ( 3 Nights ) > Munnar ( 2 Nights) > Thekkady ( 2 Nights) > Madurai ( 2 Nights), Kovalam ( 1 Night), Varkala ( 1 Night), Backwater House boat at Alleppey (1 Night) > Marari Beach ( 1 Night)

Today to start with your Amazing Kerala with Madurai A Luxury 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 3 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.

Later on return back to your hotel and rest of the time is free to relax. Second night in the same hotel in Cochin.

Today after breakfast around we will take you for the tour to Kumabalangi village to experience rural village life in India. Begin with the boat ride , see fishermen at work – casting nets and preparing to catch their ‘catch of the day’. Disembark your boat and get a refreshing welcome drink fresh coconut water will be served before you set off on a further exploration about village life. Start perhaps with weavers at work on coir, or maybe watch local ladies weave coconut leaves – various other activities will be taking place which you can witness and even take part in. Fisherman will show you how the Chinese nets work – an art that is said to have been introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan. They operate by a system of weights and levers. The nets, on wooden frames, are raised periodically to check the catch. Traditional lunch will be served to you in the village.

Later drive back to Cochin ( 2:30 P.M) and visit the Folklore Museum –the biggest private museum that has various antiques that showcase the history, tradition and cultural differences in different parts of the country, especially south India. There are costumes of dance forms like Mohiniattam and Theyyam. Antique collections, including the oldest Bible, old writings instruments, antique chairs etc.

Return back to the hotel and have some time to relax.

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. Third 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 remain 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 Moring after breakfast we will drive you to Madurai (165/ 4 hrs). Enroute we will stop for photos break and comfort break. We will arrive Madurai by afternoon where on arrival we will check in to the hotel and have some time to rest.

Later in the late afternoon 3:00 P.M we will take you on a guided tour our local to visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Meenakshi temple at Madurai. The famous Meenakshi Amma temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati who is known as” Meenakshi” and her consort, Shiva, named here as “Sundareswarar”. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai. The "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" or Thousand Pillar Hall contains 985( instead of 1000) carved pillars. The hall was built in 1569 and it is a structure where the engineering skill and artistic vision are blended. There is a Temple Art Museum in the hall where icons, photographs, drawings, and other exhibits of the 1200 years old history of the temple is displayed. Return back to the hotel in the evening. Rest of the time is free at leisure .Overnight in Hotel Heritage Madurai for two nights.

After breakfast at 09:00 A.M we will drive to meet our local Rickshaw men and they will take you in a bicycle rickshaw around Madurai for the next (2.30/ 3 hrs) as per your interest. The tour covers the interesting places like the bamboo market, local vegetable and banana market, open air laundry, metal pot making, cotton spinning, weaving and the Gandhi museum at the end.

Later around 12:30 P.M we will take you to visit a local family’s home for cooking / Rangoli demo, lunch and interaction with the family. It will give you chance to interact with locals and also to learn a little about the local culture. Later return back to the hotel and rest of the time us free to relax your own. Second night at the same hotel in Madurai.

After breakfast we will drive you to Kovalam (310 kms/8 hr), which is a beautiful beach in Kerala. Enroute visit the famous Padmanabhapuram Palace ( closed on Monday). Padmanabhapuram is the former capital city of the erstwhile Hindu Kingdom of Travancore. Later continue your drive to Kovalam beach. On arrival at the beautiful beach of Kovalam check in to your hotel. Evening is free to walk around Kovalam and you can walk to the nearby Hawa beach, old light house to enjoy the sunset in the evening.

If interested you can have dinner and drinks at the local restaurants by the beach in Kovalam, where freshly cooked sea food is served as per your choice. Overnight stay in Kovalam for 1 Night.

Today after breakfast 8:30 A.M we’ll check out from the hotel and drive you to Varkala ( 70 kms). Enroute will take you for a half day guided sightseeing tour of Trivandrum city the capital town 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 palce 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.

You even have visit the Sri Chithira art gallery which was opened to the public by the erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore Sri Chithira Thirunal on the 25th of September 1935. The Gallery owes it's origin to Dr.J.H.Cousins, the Art Advisor to Government of Travancore. It has a rich collection representing the various genre of paintings in India along with a few from other parts of Asia.

Later we continue our drive toVarkala beach ( 70 kms) famous for its cliff’s. Reach Varkala by late afternoon and check in to your hotel. Evening is free to walk the cliff and enjoy the sunset and the beach below. You can even walk down to the beach.

You have a choice to have your dinner in the local restaurants on the cliffs, with beautiful views of the sunset, the beach and the sea below. In these local restaurants fresh sea food is cooked as per your choice. Overnight in Varkala for 1 night.

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. (Mostly local veg meals).

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, as per your flight schedule we drive and transfer you to Cochin airport (73 kms/ 2.15 hrs), from where you will board your flight back to home.

End Of The tour and the services....!

This is the tour itinerary for the Amazing Kerala with Madurai A Luxury Holiday 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.

  • Introduction to the Kerala rural life at the model tourist village of Kumabalangi.
  • Stay in Luxury hotels, hideaway in Cardamom hills, backwater houseboat and enjoy region’s landscapes and cultural attractions.
  • Guided tour to the famous Meenakshi temple at Madurai.
  • Join a local family at their home for the cooking classes and enjoy traditional food during lunch with them.
  • Cycle rickshaw ride in Madurai to explore the local streets and lanes.
  • Experience and get a deep insight to the day to day life of the people.
  • Visit the best hill stations, beaches and backwaters of The God’s Own Country Kerala.
  • Visit to the India’s oldest church and historical town at Fort Cochin where Vasco Da Gama died and was buried.
  • Enjoy the traditional Kathakali dance form and make up show -from Kerala at Fort Cochin.
  • Witness Kalaripayattu the World’s oldest and mother to the most of the martial arts in the world.
  • Enjoy the Tribal dance performed by the ethnic tribal people from Thekkady.
  • Visit the famous hill station of Kerala- Munnar and Periyar famous for its wildlife sanctuary, tea, coffee and spice plantations.
  • Chances to see the wildlife including wild elephants, Nilgiri Thar’s, Sambar Deers, Bison, Wild boar with various kind of birds and pheasants.
  • Participate in the Elephant feeding and washing programme.
  • Spice Plantation tour with a guide.
  • Enjoy a boat trip inside the Periyar National Tiger Reserve to view the wildlife.
  • Overnight on the local house boat in Kerala which are known as Kettuvallam (rice Barge) and experience the famous backwaters of Alleppey at Kerala.
  • A canoe ride through the picturesque canals of the Keralan backwaters.
  • Relax and unwind yourself on the beautiful beaches of Marari and Kovalam.
  • Enjoy the world famous Kerala massage therapies at various places on the tour.
  • Enjoy local cuisines with a variety of fresh sea food.
  • Apart from fresh banana’s and coconut water, enjoy meeting the beautiful people of Kerala famous for their customs and traditions.

Arrangements

You will follow the itinerary as a Private tour. Internal travel by road from Cochin to Munnar, Thekkady, Madurai, Kovalam, Varkala, Alleppey, Marari beach and back to Cochin airport is by a private chauffeur-driven SUV Toyota Car/ similar vehicle.


Accomodation

These destinations are some of the most popular tourist places in India. To cater to the huge number of tourists these places have plenty of hotels, which are well equipped with all modern amenities and are famous for their traditional Indian hospitality and provide services which are at par with the best in the world. One can choose the place of accommodation according to one’s requirement and budget.

The Hotel accommodation comprises variety of deluxe hotels, budget hotels, guest houses, home stay with local people, and can be categorise as Heritage hotels, 3 star hotels, 4 star hotels as well as 5 star hotels.

You will stay in star class Luxury hotels, houseboat, all as preferred by you. We would like to discuss and make suggestions about accommodation at the time of planning your holidays with us.

Meals Plan: Room + Breakfast + Dinner

Cloths: Cottons with light woollens

Tour Cost :

The Cost would be provided on Request

Please Note: The Cost of our each tour is based as per individual requirements, interests and budget of the client. The tour cost depending on the hotel accommodations you choose, food plan, mode of transportation you choose, whether you choose to include Escorted guide throughout the tour or set off on a more independent trip, with local guides available wherever required during the tour. This all we discuss with you while planning your tour and work out the best cost for your tour, accordingly.

We'll work with you until you’re satisfied with every detail of your India Holiday Tour. We'll then manage all your reservations and logistics in India, so that you’re taken care of from the moment you landed in India until your return back. The safety and well-being of our guests is paramount.


Inclusions

  • All accommodation on twin sharing using hotels with modern amenities + 1 night of houseboat or as per your choice.
  • All transportation, using 1 Air conditioned SUV car including all sightseeing as per the tour details, fuel, toll taxes, parking, and state taxes.
  • Meals Including Breakfast, Dinner and 3 lunches during the entire tour.
  • English Speaking Escorted Guide/ local guides as per your choice.
  • All kind of Entrance tickets to visit monuments, temples, museums etc. wherever required during the entire tour as per the tour itinerary.
  • Canoe Trip on Backwaters 40 minutes.
  • Spice plantation tour, Elephant Camp Visit, Tribal Dance and Kalaripayattu Martial art show.
  • Kathakali dance show in Cochin Kathakali centre, including the makeup session.
  • Cooking classes at a local family’s home including lunch with them.
  • Cycle rickshaw ride at Madurai to explore the local lanes.
  • Entrance tickets to Eravikulam National Park Munnar and Thekkady wildlife sanctuary including Boat ride, inside the Periyar national park and tiger reserve.
  • 1 bottles of mineral water per person, per day.
  • All airport arrival and departures.
  • Assistance on arrival and departure.
  • All kind of hotel taxes and GST.

Exclusions

  • Any kind of lunch during the tour, other than 3 one the houseboat, one at the village and one with the local family in Madurai.
  • Any kind of international flights / visa charges.
  • Any kind of tips to tour escort / local guides/ drivers/hotel staff.
  • Any kind of alcohol drinks ( Beer/ wine etc).
  • Any kind of camera fees.
  • Your travel Insurance.
  • Extra Baggage cost on the Domestic flight in India.
  • Any change in the tour management / additional arrangement due to road blockage / flight cancellations/ flight missed or things beyond our control etc.
  • Any Kind of Personal Expenses or things which are not mentioned in the “Cost Includes”.

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