Cultural Tour

You will be welcomed by a Kerala Travel Centre representative at the airport and drive to your hotel. The southernmost part of Kerala, Trivandrum, is bounded by the wooded highlands of the Western Ghats in the east and northeast and the Arabian Sea in the west. A long shoreline with secluded, internationally-renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches, hill stations and a rich cultural heritage are awaiting you here. Overnight at the hotel with a vehicle at your disposal.

Enjoy the guided tour of the many cultural attractions in the city of the erstwhile rulers of Travancore - Trivandrum. Visit the Padmanabhapuram Palace, a wooden palace dating back to the 17th century. Then see Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India, it is at the tail point of India, where the three seas meet together. Overnight at the hotel with a vehicle at your disposal.

Drive to Alleppey. Embark on your private houseboat and cruise on the backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. Your houseboats, or Kettuvalloms, are luxurious boats with well-appointed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the palm-fringed landscape from your cabins. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings, it’s the life along the coast that adds a touch of exotica to this experience. The locals travel in canoes, and you will find vegetable sellers, fishermen and other traders bringing household goods door-to-door in small, wooden boats. As you cruise along the backwaters, you can ask your captain to stop at villages, paddy fields and other places, en route. Overnight on board with full board and a vehicle provided for your transfer.

Disembark from your houseboat at Alleppey and drive to Cochin. A port town since early centuries, Cochin attracted traders and invaders from the world over. Needless to say, Cochin offers you some fascinating snippets of history and culture. Relax and unwind at the hotel. In the evening, embark on a relaxing sunset cruise. Overnight at the hotel with a vehicle at your disposal.

Go for a sightseeing tour to explore the many fascinating highlights of Cochin; including, the Jewish Synagogue; St. Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India; the Santa Cruz Basilica, which was built in 1557 by the Portuguese; the Dutch Palace; the Spice Market; and the 15th century Chinese fishing nets believed to have been brought by Chinese traders. In the evening, visit an auditorium to watch the famous, traditional dance drama of Kerala, the Kathakali. This dance is characterised by intricate storytelling, amazing costumes and extensive make-up. Overnight at the hotel with a vehicle at your disposal.

This morning, drive to Guruvayoor, the temple town near Thrissur; the cultural capital of Kerala. Visit the famous Krishna temple and, while entry is not permitted to non-Hindus, walk along the four roads leading to the temple for an awe-inspiring experience. En route, visit the Punathoor Kotta, which houses more than 60 elephants. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing. Overnight at the hotel with a vehicle at your disposal.

This morning after an early breakfast, drive to Mannarkad, located in Palakkad, and visit Kalamandalam en route. Kalamandalam is a centre of learning founded with the objective of reviving, preserving and developing the ancient and traditional art forms of Kerala. Visitors can spend a day with the masters and witness artists and teachers in action. Later drive to Mannarkad, a small, beautiful town in Palakkad district. Have the evening to relax. Overnight at the hotel with a vehicle at your disposal.

Today you can visit Attapaddy. Situated on the northeastern side of the district of Palakkad and spread over an area of 827 sq. km, it has the largest tribal settlement. The place consists of mostly hilly highland terrain, fed by the tributaries of the River Cauvery. Attapaddy is of great interest to anthropologists, as this is the habitat of many tribes like the Irula and the Mudugar. Later, visit Silent Valley national park; it is the last known region that is untouched by man. Scientists value the rich biodiversity of this place and take pains to keep it this way. The Kerala Silent Valley wildlife sanctuary has got its name due to the absence of the noisy cicadas. The Silent Valley Park is rich in flora and fauna and is home to many animals and birds. Overnight at the hotel with a vehicle at your disposal.

Drive to Calicut (Kozhikode). Once the capital of the powerful Zamorins, Hindu Eradi rulers of the area from the 12th to the 18th century, it is a historical town. Calicut was a significant port for trade and commerce in the early centuries, and Calico cotton is believed to have originated here. Once you arrive, enjoy a relaxing, full-body Ayurveda massage at the resort. In the evening, visit Hindustan Kalari Sangam, which trains in Kalaripayattu, the martial arts of Kerala. Have an evening of leisure. Overnight at the hotel with a vehicle at your disposal.

Departure transfer to Calicut airport for your return flight with a vehicle provided for your transfer.