Destinations Covered: Ernakulam - Tripunithura - Munnar - Kottayam - Kumarakom - Kaviyoor - Vazhappally - Aruvikkara - Vizhinjam - Padmanabhapuram - Kovalam - Thiruvananthapuram - Varkala - Kollam - Alappuzha - Cochin - Kalady - Azhikode - Kodungallur Thrissur - Guruvayur Kozhikode - Mahe - Thalassery Kannur - Wayanad
Tour Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Day 01: Ernakulam
Arrive at Cochin International Airport or Railway Station. Receive a warm welcome from our representative who will escort you to the hotel at Ernakulam. Relax at the hotel and relieve your jet lag by calling it a day.
Day 02: Ernakulam - Tripunithura - Munnar
Your cultural trip starts on day two from Ernakulam. The famous Ernakulathappan Temple of Lord Shiva, showcasing the rich and unique tradition of Kerala, lies in the heart of the city. The eight-day festival held here during January-February is one of the major attractions of this place. Proceed further to the next cultural site, Sree Poornathrayesa Temple at Tripunithura. Renowned for its annual Utsavams or festivals in Kerala, the temple witnesses the largest gathering of local and foreign tourists during this time. This shrine houses the deity of Lord Vishnu as Santhanagopala Murthy, who was believed to bless childless couples with children. Munnar falls in as the next destination on your enriching cultural trip. It is a reservoir of some ecstatic sights of magnificent and spectacular waterfalls, like Athukad, Cheeyappara, and Valara. The water cascading in seven steps at Cheeyappara Waterfalls is a real feast for the eyes. Spend the night at Tall Trees Resort.
Day 03: Kottayam - Kumarakom
The third day of the trip begins with the journey onwards to the enchanting and astounding Kottayam. This captivating destination is home to scenic, religious, historical, and cultural sites, like Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Thazathangadi Juma Masjid, Panachikkad Saraswathi Temple. After these religious sites have overwhelmed you with their beauty and charm, continue to your next destination in-line. The backwater paradise of Kerala, Kumarakom is a preferred tourist spot for bird lovers. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, also called Vembanad Bird Sanctuary, spreads over 14 acres of green land, with some rare and exclusive bird species to catch a glimpse of. Reach out for the skies and at the coastline with your camera to spot waterfowls, cuckoos, owls, egrets, herons, cormorants, moorhens, darters, Siberian cranes, Brahminy kites, and so on. Retire at Coconut Lagoon in the night.
Day 04: Kaviyoor - Vazhappally - Kumarakom
From Kumarakom, drive down to Kaviyoor, a Brahmin hamlet in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, where you’ll be a witness to the ancient history of this place. Rock Cut Cave Temple, Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple, Njaliyil Bhagavathy Temple, and Thirunelli Temple are major tourist attractions here. Further explore the cradles of Kerala civilization as you are driven to Vazhappally. The Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple, situated in the heart, forms the highlight of the district. Ride back to Kumarakom to spend the night at Coconut Lagoon.
Day 05: Kumarakom Houseboat
On day five, you have the perfect opportunity to retreat back in the supreme beauty of the backwaters of Kumarakom as you are transferred to a houseboat in the blissful and serene Vembanad Lake. Spend the day resting and ingesting the incredible beauty of the scenic backwaters. The houseboat is your heavenly haven for the night.
Day 06: Kumarakom Houseboat
Spend the entire day at leisure. Try your hand at exciting activities, such as boating, yachting, and fishing, in the midst of panoramic views of the wonderful lake. For a more traditional and pleasurable experience, the two-hour rowing canoe trip would be simply perfect.
Day 07: Aruvikkara - Vizhinjam - Padmanabhapuram - Kovalam - Thiruvananthapuram
Day seven of your trip provides you a golden chance to discover the beguiling Aruvikkara, a scenic spot on the banks of Karamana River. This is followed by the lighthouse at Vizhinjam and the majestic old Padmanabhapuram Palace at Padmanabhapuram. Suchindram Thanumalayar Temple, a pious shrine at Suchindaram is next in-line. A ride to Kovalam and Thiruvananthapuram will let you witness the most significant tourist attractions here. Revive yourself at The Muthoot Plaza after a long tiring day.
Day 08: Thiruvananthapuram - Varkala - Kollam - Alappuzha
Start your day with some eminent cultural destinations in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. Madavoorpara Cave Temple and Kazhakoottam Mahadeva Temple are two sanctified pilgrim centers, not to be given a miss. Proceed to Varkala to pay your homage to the 2000 year old Janardana Swami Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Thevally Palace at Kollam is a perfect example of architectural excellence. Aasramam Sreekrishna Swamy Temple, Mukhathala Murari Temple, Juma-'Ath Palli, Muthirapparambu Palli, and Kadeesa Syrian Orthodox Church are some prominent religious places in Kollam. Shri Dharma Sastha Temple, situated in Sasthamkotta, is one of the five ancient Sastha temples in Kerala. Inhabited by monkeys, they are regarded as the presiding deity of the temple.
The small hamlet of Krishnapuram is sure to astound you with the magnificence of the Krishnapuram Palace. It is one of the finest and rarest specimens of the Keralite architecture. Next in-line on your cultural itinerary is the Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi Temple, located in Mavelikkara district. The deity appearing as Maha Saraswathi in the morning, Maha Lakshmi at noon, and Sri Durga or Bhadrakali in the evening is the specialty of this shrine. A drive to Mannarsala will land you at the 6000 year old Mannarsala Snake Temple, dedicated to snakes, a rare and unique fact among Kerala temples. Alappuzha offers some beautiful views of Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple and Edathua Church. End the day at Lake Palace Resort.
Day 09: Cochin - Kalady - Azhikode - Kodungallur
Refreshed and revitalized, get ready to explore one of the major port cities of India, Cochin. This city is bound to amaze you with its unique blend of cultures left behind by the Arabs, Chinese, Jews, Dutch, Portuguese, and British. Check out some major tourist destinations like Fort Kochi, Princess Street, Dutch Cemetery, and Mattancherry Palace. After an exciting city tour of Cochin, proceed further to some beautiful historical shrines located in and around Cochin. Bhagavathy Temple at Chottanikkara, Shiva Temple at Aluva, Sree Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthamba Mandapam at Kalady, Kallil Devi Temple at Perumbavoor, Ambadath Malikeyil Sree Ayappa Temple at Manjapra, St. Thomas Mount at Malayattoor, and Marthoma Pontifical Shrine at Azhikode. Spend the night at Heritage Resort in Kodungallur.
Day 10: Kodungallur - Thrissur - Guruvayur
The tenth day of your tour has a number of enthralling shrines and religious spots in store for you. Beginning with Sri Rama Temple at Triprayar in Kodungallur, you’ll be journeyed to an array of sites of tourist and historical importance. Koodal Manikyam Temple is the major highlight of Irinjalakuda. Moving ahead, Thrissur presents Arattupuzha Sree Satha Temple, Urakam Ammathiruvadi Temple, Vaddakunathan Temple, Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple, and Shakthan Thampuran Palace. The small town of Guruvayur is home to one of the five Krishna temples - Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. Call it a day at Sopanam Heritage at Guruvayur.
Day 11: Kozhikode - Mahe - Thalassery
The eleventh day of your vacation bestows you with enriching and enchanting destinations, oozing out culture, history, and tradition of Kerala. Navamukundan Temple at Thirunavaya, Garuda Temple at Triprangode, and Keraladeeshapuram Temple at Tanur will take up the first quarter of your day. Drive down to Kozhikode for the next section of tourist attractions. Herein, you will find a plethora of interesting and fascinating sites, like Mananchira Tank Mucchandipalli, Viliya Angari, Thali Temple, and Valayanad Devi Temple. Proceed further to Kappad to explore the Spice Market, Chembotti Theruvu, Erringal Rock, and Lokanarku Temple. A little ahead lies Mahé, a small district of Puducherry in Kerala. The French constructed St. Georges Fort offers panoramic views of the city down. Your last stop for the day is Thalassery, presenting you architectural pieces of sheer beauty and grandeur. Sree Ram Swami Temple, Tellicherry Fort, and Odathil Palli Mosque are the most sought-after attractions to look out here. Enjoy the delectable supper served at Pearl Regency and relax in the coziness of your deluxe room.
Day 12: Kannur
After an early breakfast, our representative will accompany you to a sightseeing tour of Kannur. St. Angelo Fort, also called Kannur Fort, provides an insight into the Portuguese and Dutch periods. Arakkal Kettu, Sree Muthappan Temple, Trichambaram Temple, Sri Rajarajeswari Temple, Subramaniam Temple, Nileswaram Palace, Horsdurg Fort, and Bekal Fort form the integral destinations in Kannur. Drive back to Thalassery for overnight stay at Pearl Regency.
Day 13: Wayanad
Complete your morning meal and set out to explore the adventurous side of you on day 13. As you undertake the 1½ hours journey from Thalassery to Wayanad, the marvelous beauty passing by will spellbind you. Reach at Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, the second largest wildlife asylum in Kerala, to discover some rare and unique flora and fauna. The Indian bison, elephant, deer, tiger, peacocks, and peafowls can be easily sighted from the naked eye. Besides, the salubrious climate and pleasant air will refresh and energize you. Call it a day at Edakkal Hermitage.
Day 14: Wayanad
After an entire day of wandering amid the dark dense forests and lush greens of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, it is time to check out another bunch of tourist destinations. Soochipara Waterfalls, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Meenmutty Waterfalls, rain forests of Lakkidi, Pookote Lake, Edakkal Caves, and Thirunelli Temple are a few breathtaking and captivating places. Spend the night at Edakkal Hermitage.
Day 15: Cochin
Post breakfast, pack your bags and drive back to Cochin for your return journey. This pleasurable and delightful cultural excursion comes to an end.
Kerala Cultural vacation promises trip to best destinations in Kerala.
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