INDIA

‘Enlighten your Body, Mind & Soul’

FAM specially prepared for ASTA Fam Tour

DATE ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

Day 01 Arrive in Cochin. Overnight in Cochin. Day 02 In Cochin, sightseeing. Overnight in Cochin. Day 03 Drive to Thekkady (Periyar). Overnight in Thekkady (Periyar) Day 04 In Thekkady, proceed for the game drive at Lake Periyar. Overnight in Thekkady. Day 05 Drive to Kumarkom. Overnight in Kumarkom. Day 06 In Kumarkom, sightseeing. Overnight in Kumarkom. Day 07 Drive to Marari. Overnight in Marari Day 08 In Marari, day to relax at the beach. Overnight in Marari. Day 09 Drive back to Cochin international airport to connect flight to onward destination

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive Cochin Arrive Cochin. After completing immigration and custom formalities you will be met by your guide

outside the baggage claim area and escorted to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to the hotel.

Serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travellers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. It’s a delightful place to spend some time and nap in some of India’s finest homestays and heritage accommodation. Kochi is also a centre for Keralan arts and one of the best places to see Kathakali and kalarippayat. Mainland Ernakulam is the hectic transport and cosmopolitan hub of Kochi, while the historical towns of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, though well-touristed, remain wonderfully atmospheric – thick with the smell of the past. Other islands, including Willingdon and Vypeen, are linked by a network of ferries and bridges. Overnight in Cochin

Day 02: In Cochin

Morning after the breakfast proceed for the sightseeing of Fort Cochin. Visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace - open from 10.00 to 15.00 hrs. (Closed on Fridays and public

holidays), which was built by the Portuguese in 1555 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663. In the

ancient rooms are 17th century murals that relate in vibrant color the story of the epic Ramayana.

Visit a Jewish Synagogue - open 10.00 to 12.00 hrs. & 15.00 to 17.00 hrs. (Closed on all Fridays and

Saturdays and Jewish holidays) in Jew Town and Fort Cochin Area - Legend dates Jewish trade

with Kerala from the times of King Solomon. There are a couple of streets of picture-postcard

houses out of another age, in 17th century Dutch and traditional Kerala styles. Visit St. Francis

Church - open from 09.00 to 13.00 hrs. And 14.30 to 17.30 hrs. (Closed for visitors on Sundays from

08.00 to 11.00 hrs.) the oldest European Church in India. It has several antiquities including a

wealth of records. These include a palm-leaf title deed the local Raja gave the Portuguese in 1503.

See the Chinese Fishing Nets, along the tip of Fort Cochin unique to this part of Kerala and living

symbols of a centuries-old Chinese influence on this coast.

Evening witness the Kathakali dance at the Auditorium. Kathakali performances, a dance-drama based on the ancient epics forming among the most colourful of the country’s stage tradition. Male actors in makeup that takes as much as two to three hours to apply, cavort on the stage in a spellbinding display of morality-theatre. The women perform the more graceful dance form, the Mohiniattam. Welcome Dinner at Seafood Dinner. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 03: Cochin – Thekkady (Periyar) (160 kms. / 4hrs.)

Morning after breakfast, drive to Thekkady (Periyar). On arrival Check-in at the hotel. Thekkady is heaven for wildlife as well as for nature lovers. It’s cool climate, scenic vistas, lush greenery and the exotic wildlife sanctuary attracts tourists from the nook and corner of the world. More of all the wonderful destinations and the blissful ambiance of Thekkady have truly made it the most favoured holidaying destination in Kerala, India. Thekkady brings the live images of elephant’s pack walking along the pristine lakes and rivers in

Periyar wild life sanctuary and boating in the lake, spice gardens surrounded by aromatic air,

chains of lush green hills, lovely waterfalls and the call of the nature giving a soothing experience &

revitalizing your soul. Thekkady is the perfect place to see the wildlife animals from the very close

point from the safety of the boat cruise over the scenic Periyar Lake. The major attraction of

Thekkady is the herds of elephants that walk along the edge of the Lake sprinkling water all over.

Overnight in Periyar.

Day 04: In Periyar

Morning after breakfast, proceed for the boat ride at lake Periyar. Thekkady has one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India is a dream destination for any tourist

visiting India. The Country’s sole Tiger reserve, Periyar, with its bountiful treasures of tropical flora

and fauna is the ultimate reservoir of many an endangered species and a rich tribal culture, is a

pleasant heaven on earth for those who love nature in its wild manifestations. Thekkady is well

known for boating in the lake, to view wildlife from a distance. The most popular activity that a tourist can enjoy in Thekkady is boating in the Periyar lake. One can see

the wild animals along the gringe of the lake foraging, bathing, drinking and resting. It would be a greater

fun if one is lucky enough to see the elephants playing with their babies in the lake.

Rest of the day free at leisure. “Enjoy ayurvedic massage on direct payment basis” Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Periyar.

Day 05: Periyar – Kumarkom (85 Kms. / 3hrs.)

Morning after breakfast, drive to Kumarkom. On arrival check-in at the hotel. The village of Kumarkom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake and is part of the Kuttanad

region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds

and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, Darters, Herons, Teals, Waterfowls, Cuckoo, Wild Duck and

migratory birds like the Siberian Stork visit here in flocks and fascinate all visitors.

Evening enjoy sunset cruise (Subject to weather condition). Overnight in Kumarkom.

Day 06: In Kumarkom

Morning after breakfast, proceed to visit Bird sanctuary. Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the bird sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal.. A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. In addition, you can get thrilled of the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers.. Rest of the day free at leisure. “Enjoy ayurvedic massage on direct payment basis” Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Kumarkom.

Day 07: Kumarkom – Marari (30 kms. / 1hr) Morning after breakfast, drive to Marari. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Mararikulam, one of the finest tourism villages in Kerala, Marari Beach, a part of Mararikulam village, is nothing less than a paradise with a vast coastal line, fringed with coconut and palm trees. This picturesque destination is on the bucket list of every traveller, who is here to experience the natural beauty of Kerala and see its amazing villages, their culture, and their hospitality. With its stunning backwaters, scenic surroundings, and vast expanded Arabian Sea, Mararikulam or Marari continue to charm tourists. Rest of the day free at leisure. Enjoy on the beach. Overnight in Marari.

Day 08: In Marari Day to relax at the Beach. “Enjoy ayurvedic massage on direct payment basis” Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Marari.

Day 09: Marari – Cochin (50 Kms. / 2hrs.) Morning after breakfast drive to Cochin international airport to connect flight to onward destination.

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