Kerala Backwater & Andaman Island
Package price On Request
Product Code : AGORA365
The private Kerala Backwater & Andaman Island tour will begin in Cochin a metropolitan port city in Kerala. Explore lush green natural land of Kerala visit tea estate, learn spice plantation, indulge in wildlife safari & embark on backwater cruise. Fly to Port Blair capital of Andaman & Nicobar Island which house Cellular Jail. From here head to Neil & Havelock Island offering miles long virgin beaches and water sport activities. Private transport, local guide, ferry transfers & monuments entrances are part of our package price.
Day 1: Arrive Cochin
On arrival at Cochin airport assistance & transfer hotel (Standard hotel check in time 12pm, early check in subject to room availability).
In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Cochin - Munnar (140km)
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Cochin the lovely seaside city flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. You will find here a unique mix and match of traditional as well Western architecture and lifestyle. Visit Fort Cochin a charming seaside area known for its Dutch, Portuguese & British colonial architecture and elaborate bamboo fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach. St. Francis Church was the original burial site of explorer Vasco da Gama. Upscale eateries and chic cafes serve Keralan specialties, and quaint shops sell cotton clothing and handmade souvenirs. Heritage buildings house contemporary art galleries. Also visit Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry Dutch`s Palace. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc.
Drive to Munnar, check in at hotel. During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it the favorite tourist places. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range expose its beauty. Later tea estate visit and tea testing. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Munnar
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. Mattupetty dam and its reservoir, a concrete gravity dam built between the hill ranges for water storage for hydroelectric projects. Rajamala a hill station in Eravikulam National Park a natural habitat of the Niligiri tahr 2695 Mts above sea level. Half the world`s population of the rare mountain goat or tahr which is fast becoming extinct, is now found here. Mattupedi Dairy Farm, famous for the Indo-Swiss Farm, a highly specialized dairy farm which comes under Indo-Swiss Livestock Project. Echo Point, go there and scream as loud as you can and wait for a minute to hear your echo back! Also visit Tea Museum to know more about the century old culture a lively glimpse of how the tea culture flourished across South India. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Munnar - Thekkady (110km)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Thekkady via Ramakkalmedu one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can find here a wind farm generating electricity. Visit Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala called Kuravan & Kurathi.
Evening watch Kalaripayattu (Martial Arts for self-defense) & Kathakali Dance show performance.
Day 5: Thekkady - Kumarakom (140km)
Breakfast at hotel, Visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. The tropical evergreen and deciduous forests teeming with elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger and wild boar along with various species of snake including cobras, vipers, kraits and many non-poisonous snakes is a wildlife lover`s dream. A variety of birds such as grey jungle fowl, Malabar grey hornbill, woodpeckers and bulbuls also have found a home in this sanctuary. Afterwards take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. You could stop at the local market and pick some fragrant spices.
Drive to Kumarakom check in & Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Kumarakom - Alleppey
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. While sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals, the panoramic sights one can never forget. Pass through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. Alleppey is referred as the Venice of the East, due to canals, backwaters, and lagoons. Boats are the main mode of transportation here, you can see Shikara boats, small motor boats, passenger boats, cargo boat, and houseboats. Evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver. Lunch, dinner & overnight in houseboat.
Day 7: Alleppey - Cochin (75km)/ Port Blair
Breakfast at hotel, Disembark from the houseboat and drive to Cochin airport to board flight for Port Blair.
On arrival at Port Blair airport assistance & transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Port Blair - Neil Island (by scheduled ferry)
Breakfast at hotel, Transfer to the jetty to board ferry to Neil Island.
Arrival transfer to hotel check in. Rest time free and easy to relax and enjoy the facility at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Neil Island
Breakfast at hotel, Day free and easy to relax on the beach. The most endearing feature of this island is its three sandy beaches, namely Bharatpur Beach, Sitapur Beach and the Lakshmanpur Beach. The forest cover has reduced considerably due to the cultivation of rice but a section in the north-west of the island is being preserved actively. The regions where the forest cover is lost has higher temperature than the region with enough flora. Due to its limited area, Neill Island can be covered with a simple walk. Tall three beaches are exquisite and extraordinarily clean and are well-connected to the mainland as well. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Neil Island - Havelock (by scheduled ferry)
Breakfast at hotel, Transfer to the jetty to board board boat for Havelock.
Arrival transfer to hotel check in. Havelock Island (Swaraj island), one of the largest and most popular islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. Havelock Island is a paradise of silky white sand beaches, crystal blue water, rich corals and verdant forests. There is no dearth of beauty on this little island as the reputed and much-loved Radhanagar and Vijaynagar Beaches are also right on its southern shores. Havelock Island is also a favourite amongst those who want to engage in scuba diving, snorkelling, and deep sea diving. The pristine shores and the aquamarine waters of the island stretch right across its expanses! Elephant beach and Kalapathar beach are the two most popular beaches on the island and are particularly for the views of the sunrise and sunsets. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Havelock
Breakfast at hotel, Sharp 7am ensure you are ready as the boat will leave at 8.30am for Elephant Beach. Embark on the most memorable trip for blue shallow waters the perfect spot for beginner snorkelers. Its also a great place to just spend the day lying on the beach and relaxing. The beach is very scenic with fallen trees and white sand giving the photographer some interesting shots. The reef here starts very close to shore at a depth of about 1 metre. The large reef is mostly made up of hard coral and has plenty of marine life. NOTE: (1) The trip may changed to light house subject to weather conditions and visibility. (2) Havelock Island Boat Owners Association is providing complimentary snorkelling activity at Elephant beach for 5 minutes. However activity will be subject to operational rules of the Havelock Island.
Day 12: Havelock
Breakfast at hotel, Day free & easy to relax on the beach.
Assistance on arrival at airport.
13 Nights' accommodation in selected price category hotels.
Daily breakfast at hotels. Any other meal (lunch/ dinner) if clearly mentioned in the itinerary).
Private air-conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
Monument entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
Bottled drinking water in car.
Government taxes.
Hotels used or similar for 14 night accommodation
Cochin x 1 night
3* - The Dune Hotel/ Abad Plaza
4* - Casino Hotel/ The Avenue Regent
5* - Xandari Harbour/ Le Meridien
Munnar x 2 nights
3* - Fort Munnar/ Abad Copper Castle
4* - Nature Zone Jungle Resort/ Fragrant Nature Munnar
5* - Chandys Windy Woods/ Tea County
Pariyar (Thekkady) x 1 night
3* - Abad Green Forest/ Hotel Treetop
4* - The Elephant Court/ Cardamom County
5* - Spice village/ Cardamom County
Kumarakom x 1 night
3* - Abad Whispering Palm/ Cocobay Resort
4* - Eastend Lake Song/ Goldfield Lake Resort
5* - Coconut Lagoon/ The Zuri
Alleppey x 1 night
3* - Deluxe Houseboat (ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats)
4* - Premium Houseboat (Abad Premium Houseboats/ Rainbow Premium Houseboats)
5* - Luxury Houseboat (Xandari Riverscapes/ Lakes & Lagoons)
Port Blair x 3 nights
3* - Hotel De Pebbles/ Sun City Resort
4* & 5* - Seashell / Fortune Resort Bay Island
Neil Island x 2 nights
3* - TSG Aura Resort/ Pearl Park Beach Resort
4* & 5* - Seashell/ Symphony Summer Sands Beach Resort
Havelock x 3 nights
3* - TSG Blue Resort/ Munjoh Ocean Resort
4* - Seashell/ Symphony Summer Sands Beach Resort
5* - Barefoot at Havelock
Cochin - Port Blair flight fare approx INR 7, 500 per person in economy class.
Camera charges at monuments.
Meals other than mentioned in day plan.
Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
Gratuities & optional activities.
Anything not mentioned in inclusions.