Kerala Itinerary 7 Nights 8 Days

Arrival in Cochin 

Get welcomed and greeted by our representative in Cochin and drive to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel. Cochin is a melting point of medieval Portugal, Holland and an old English village on the backdrop of the tropical Malabar Coast. Start touring the city with the Mattanchery Palace, gifted by the Portuguese to the King of Cochin in 1555, housing the nearly five-centuries old Jewish synagogue. Other attractions include the Chinese fishing nets, local spices market and Kerala’s primary art form –the Kathakali Dance. Return to the hotel, and spend overnight.

Cochin – Thekkady (145 kms / approx. 3.5 hours) 

Morning breakfast is followed by a drive to Thekkady (Periyar), and upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Periyar is a fantastic destination for sightseeing. Located in the high ranges of the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala, the Periyar Tiger Reserve and National Park offer a scenic view of the lake in the middle of the sanctuary. One can find herds of elephants playing joyfully or taking a bath in the waters. Take a boat ride on the lake to have a closer view of the natural habitat. You can also find the wild dog, leopard, mouse deer, barking deer, bonnet macaque, Nilgiri langur, porcupines, sloth bear, wild bear, guar (Indian Bison), squirrels and Sambhar. Later, take a trip around the spice plantations. You’ll find the aroma and milieu of the spice and tea plantations of Periyar fresh and invigorating. Buy spices in Thekkady including clove, pepper, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, vanilla, turmeric and curry leaves. In the evening, enjoy the traditional Kalaripattu dance (optional). Don’t forget to enjoy the elephant ride while in Periyar. Return to the hotel and spend overnight.

All-day leisure at Thekkady 

Enjoy the breakfast. Spend the full day at Thekkady in leisure. Spend overnight at Thekkady.

Thekkady – Kumarakom (125 kms / approx. 3.5 hour) 

Morning breakfast followed by a drive to Kumarakom—a dazzling emerald peninsula extending into the scenic Vembanad Lake dotted with numerous traditional boats, country rafts and canoes. The flow of fresh water from the lake into the mainland has given rise to a labyrinth of canals, lagoons, backwaters and watercourses. Spend the remaining part of the day at a lovely resort at Kumarakom. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian healing system, is the main form of medical treatment in the form of massages and Kashayams here. People from all over visit Kumarakom for traditional treatment laced with herb powder, medicated herbal oils and poultices and organic ingredients. Explore the ravishing beauty of the Kerala backwaters in the early evening through sunset at Vembanad Lake. Spend overnight at Kumarakom.

Full day at leisure at Kumarakom 

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Engage in leisure activities throughout the day at Kumarakom. Spend overnight at the hotel.

Kumarakom – Mararikulam (30 kms / approx. 1 hour) 

Morning breakfast is followed by a drive to Maraikulam. Maraikulam is one of the most gorgeous private beaches in Kerala offering a relaxing beach stay experience, suitable for swimming and water sports. Marari makes an idyllic beach retreat stay. Spend the evening for leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day at leisure in Mararikulam. 

Enjoy morning breakfast. Spend the day in leisure activities—the white sandy beaches of Maraikulam are calling. 

Departure from Cochin (30 kms / approx. 1 hour) 

After breakfast, you will be transported to Cochin airport. Take the return flight back.