9N 10D Munnar,Thekkady, Alleppey, Kovalam, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Madurai
Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 10-day journey through the soul of South India, a land of breathtaking contrasts. This meticulously crafted odyssey begins in the misty hills of Munnar, where you'll traverse sprawling tea plantations and encounter exotic wildlife. Drift through the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey, unwind on the golden sands of Kovalam, and stand at the southernmost tip of India in Kanyakumari, where three oceans meet. The journey culminates with a spiritual deep-dive into the temple towns of Rameswaram and Madurai, exploring ancient Dravidian architecture and timeless traditions. This is more than a tour; it's a cultural and scenic tapestry woven with adventure, relaxation, and profound spirituality.
Itinerary
Arrive at Cochin airport or railway station, where our representative will assist with your arrival formalities. From there, you’ll embark on a scenic 4-hour drive to the hill station of Munnar. En route, enjoy the beauty of the Spice Plantations, Valara Falls, and Cheeyappara Falls. You also have the option to visit Dream Land or Wonder Valley adventure parks or go for an off-road Jeep safari. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for an overnight stay in Munnar.
After a hearty breakfast, set out to explore the breathtaking sights of Munnar. Your day includes visits to Pothamedu View Point, Kundala Lake, Echo Point, Mattupetty Dam, Photo Point, the Elephant Arrival Spot, and Cinema Shooting Point. Delve into the history of the region at the Tea Museum (closed on Mondays) and, if time permits, visit the Eravikulam National Park (Rajamalai) to spot the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Munnar.
After breakfast, check out and proceed to Thekkady. On the way, stop for a fascinating tour of a Spice Plantation. In the afternoon, experience the heart of Thekkady with a motorboat cruise on Periyar Lake within the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Later, you can explore more with a Spice Plantation Tour. In the evening, you have the option to enjoy an Ayurvedic massage, a traditional Kathakali dance performance, or an elephant safari. Check in to your hotel for an overnight stay in Thekkady.
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the backwater paradise of Alleppey. Your day is centered around a Shikara cruise on the famous Vembanad Lake, allowing you to glide through narrow canals and witness the unique landscape of Kuttanad, known for its paddy fields below sea level. Later, you can visit the Alleppey Beach. Check into your hotel for an overnight stay in Alleppey.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and travel to the coastal town of Kovalam. Upon check-in, spend the afternoon exploring the iconic beaches. Visit the Jatayu Earth Center, followed by the serene Hawah Beach, the iconic Light House Beach, and Samudra Beach. Enjoy the sunset views before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay in Kovalam.
Start your day with breakfast and a visit to Trivandrum's highlights: the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Napier Museum, and the Zoological Park. After sightseeing, proceed to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India. Upon arrival, visit the Suchindram Temple, Gandhi Museum, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. End your day with a mesmerizing sunset view from the Sunset View Point. Overnight stay in Kanyakumari.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then check out and drive to the holy island town of Rameswaram. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. You can then visit the famous Pamban Bridge, an engineering marvel. Overnight stay in Rameswaram.
After breakfast, spend the day exploring the sacred sites of Rameswaram. Your tour includes visits to the Ramanathaswamy Temple, known for its long corridors, Ramar Patham, Kothandaramaswamy Temple, and Agni Theertham. You will also visit Dhanushkodi (up to the checkpoint), the Hanuman Temple, and see the famous floating stones. Overnight stay in Rameswaram.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Madurai. Upon arrival and check-in at your hotel, begin your exploration of this historic city. Visit the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, Alazhar Temple, Palamudhircholai, Tiruparankundram, the Mariamman Water Tank, Gandhi Museum, and the Tirumalai Naickar Mahal palace. Overnight stay in Madurai.
Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel before checking out. You will then be transferred to the Madurai airport or railway station for your onward journey, marking the end of your enriching Southern Sojourn.
Highlights
- Misty Munnar: Explore the rolling hills of a colonial-era hill station, visiting a Tea Museum, Eravikulam National Park, and scenic spots like Echo Point and Mattupetty Dam.
- Periyar Wildlife Safari: Glide on a motorboat cruise through the Periyar Tiger Reserve, spotting wild elephants, bison, and a variety of birds in their natural habitat.
- Alleppey Backwaters: Experience the serene life of Kerala's backwaters with a Shikara cruise through the Vembanad Lake, witnessing lush paddy fields and narrow village canals.
- Kanyakumari Spectacle: Witness the awe-inspiring sunset (and sunrise, if you choose) at the confluence of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean, with the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial in view.
- Temple Grandeur: Immerse yourself in the architectural and spiritual marvels of Tamil Nadu, including the majestic Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram and the sprawling Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai.
Inclusions
- Transportation by a private, air-conditioned cab for the entire tour.
- Pickup from Cochin Airport / Railway Station.
- Drop at Madurai Airport / Railway Station.
- All sightseeing, land transfers, and inter-hotel transfers as per the itinerary.
- Services of a multilingual driver with professional sightseeing assistance.
- All major sightseeing spots in all destinations will be covered.
- Driver bata, toll charges, parking, road tax, and fuel charges.
Exclusions
- All entrance fees at sightseeing spots (to be paid directly by the guest).
- Any optional activities mentioned in the itinerary (e.g., Jeep safari, Kathakali show, Ayurvedic massage).
- Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, tips, and beverages.
- Anything not explicitly included in the "Cost Includes" section or the itinerary above.
FAQs
The tour is a 9-night, 10-day package. It begins with your pickup from the Cochin Airport or Railway Station and concludes with your drop-off at the Madurai Airport or Railway Station.
No, the entrance fees at all sightseeing spots, such as the Eravikulam National Park, Periyar Tiger Reserve boat cruise, Tea Museum, and all temples and monuments, are not included in the package cost and must be paid directly by the guest.
The optional activities in Thekkady, such as an Ayurvedic massage, a Kathakali dance show, or an elephant safari, are not pre-arranged to provide you with flexibility. You can discuss these with your driver upon arrival in Thekkady, who can assist you in booking them at your own expense.
Your vehicle and driver will be at your disposal from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily as per the itinerary. If you require the driver's services before 8:00 AM or after 7:00 PM, you can consult with him directly. The service is available if he agrees, but it is not automatically included.
If your scheduled day for Munnar sightseeing (Day 2) falls on a Monday, the Tea Museum will be closed. Your driver will adjust the sightseeing order to ensure you still visit all other major attractions. You can still visit the Tea Museum on the morning of Day 3 (Munnar to Thekkady) if you wish, before departing.
