Plantation Tours India

COMPASS presents yet another wonderful way to see Kerala in its entire splendor - Hill Station and Spice Coast Cruise in Kerala. The traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the most enduring images of the backwaters - its natural, cocoon-like profile complementing the surrounding countryside. One couple has the exclusive run of the entire boat - ensuring privacy for honeymooners and exclusivity for the discerning travelers


Duration: 07 Nights/08 Days
Destinations: Cochin - Munnar - Aleppey - Kumarokom - Cochin

Day 01: Cochin Arrival

Compass Cochin Tour Manager will receive you at the station or airport.

The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European town-ship in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.

The Dutch wrested Fort Kochi from the Portuguese in AD 1663 and later in the last phase of the colonial saga, the British took over, the town in 1795. During 1660's, Fort Kochi peaked in stature as a prime commercial centre and its fame spread far and wide - variously as a rich trade centre, a major military base, a vibrant cultural hub, a great ship building centre, a centre for Christianity and so on. Today, centuries later, the city is home to nearly thirteen communities.

Check in at hotel and have lunch. Freshen up and proceed for half-day sight seeing by boat visiting Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St. Thomas Church, St. Mary's Cathedral, Chinese Fishing Nets and Bolghaty Palace.

A few other interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. Apart from these architectural splendors, an array of restaurants serving fresh seafood is also popular among tourists. The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.

Over night stay at hotel.


Day 02: Cochin - Munnar
By Road 130 km in 4 hr

Proceed to Munnar enjoying the scenic beauty & the marvelous waterfalls, high mountains with the low flying clouds passing by.

In the evening you can go for sight seeing of Munnar which includes the Raja Malai - a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats). Other important places are Muttupetty dam and Indo Swiss project (you can also enjoy boating in the Lake) and witness tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers.

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. 1600 meter above sea level this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in the blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2007 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.

Enjoy boating in the afternoon. Overnight stay will be at hotel.


Day 03: Munnar - Anamudi - Munnar

Breakfast will be at leisure in the hotel.

Proceed to visit tea plantations, Anamudi, Eravikulam National Park, Devikulam, Mattupetty, Pallivasal, Pothamedu, Attukal etc. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

Overnight will be at Munnar.


Day 04: Munnar

Relax in Munnar. Overnight will be in Munnar.


Day 05: Munnar - Alleppey
By Road 200 km in 4 hr

Proceed to Alleppy after breakfast.

Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala as one of the major centres for backwater boat trips. "Kuttanad" in Alappuzha is one of few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and is called the 'Rice Bowl' of Kerala. Kuttanad stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills.

Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.

The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting Eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable.

Cruise through the backwaters. Overnight will be on board the houseboat. (Lunch and dinner on board)


Day 06: Alleppey - Kumarokom
Backwater cruise

Today also you will be cruising through the backwaters of Kerala and stay overnight in the Houseboat. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board)


Day 07: Kumarakom

Reach Kumarakom. (Breakfast on board)

The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarokom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarokom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Kumarokom. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms, are an out-of-this-world experience at Kumarokom.

An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lilies - this is Kumarokom.

Reach and visit the Bird Sanctuary. Overnight stay will be at Kumarokom.


Day 08: Kumarokom - Cochin - Home
By Road 65 km in 2 hr

After breakfast proceed to Cochin. Reach and transfer to station or airport according to the timings of flight.


Tour Ends.



|| Book Now - This Tour || Customize - This Tour ||