9N 10 Munnar, Thekkady, Madurai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Kovalam, Alleppey
Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 10-day journey through the heart of South India’s most diverse landscapes. This meticulously crafted odyssey begins in the misty hills of Munnar, where sprawling tea plantations and cool mountain air set the stage. From there, you'll track wildlife in Periyar, marvel at the architectural grandeur of Madurai's ancient temples, and walk along the mythological shores of Rameswaram. Witness the confluence of three oceans at Kanyakumari, relax on the golden sands of Kovalam, and drift into tranquility on a traditional houseboat in the Alleppey backwaters. This journey is a perfect blend of adventure, spirituality, culture, and serene relaxation.
Itinerary
Arrive at Cochin airport or railway station. After assisting with arrival formalities, enjoy a scenic 4-hour drive through winding roads to the hill station of Munnar. En route, stop to visit spice plantations and the cascading Valara and Cheeyappara Falls. You also have the option to visit Dream Land or Wonder Valley amusement parks. Check in to your hotel for an overnight stay in Munnar.
After breakfast, embark on a full day of sightseeing in Munnar. Visit the Rose Garden, Elephant Park, and Madupetty Dam. Capture photos at Echo Point and Photo Point, and see the Jungle Honeybee Nest, Elephant Arrival Spot, and Cinema Shooting Point. Explore the Tea Museum (closed on Mondays) and Eravikulam National Park (Rajamalai). Overnight stay at Munnar.
After breakfast, transfer to Thekkady (Periyar), a 4-hour drive through scenic spice plantations. Check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, enjoy a motor boat cruise on the lake, and take a tour of a spice plantation. Overnight stay in Thekkady. (Optional activities: Ayurvedic massage, Kathakali show, or elephant safari).
After breakfast, check out and proceed to Madurai. Check in at your hotel, then visit the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple, Alazhar Temple, Palamudhircholai, Tiruparankundram, the Mariamman Water Tank, Gandhi Museum, and Tirumalai Naickar Mahal. Overnight stay in Madurai.
After breakfast, check out and transfer to the island town of Rameswaram. Check in at your hotel and visit the famous Pamban Bridge. Overnight stay in Rameswaram.
After breakfast, explore the holy sites of Rameswaram. Visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple, Ramar Patham, Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Agni Theertham, and Dhanushkodi (up to the checkpoint). Also, see the Hanuman Temple and the famous Floating Stones. Overnight stay in Rameswaram.
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Kanyakumari. Check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Kanyakumari Temple, Gandhi Memorial, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. Enjoy a spectacular sunset view from the View Point, and visit Suchindram and the Wax Museum. Overnight stay in Kanyakumari.
Wake up early to witness the stunning sunrise. After breakfast, check out and transfer to Kovalam. On the way, enjoy sightseeing in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), including the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Sree Chithra Art Gallery, Napier Museum, and the Zoological Park. Check in to your hotel in Kovalam and spend the afternoon relaxing on the beaches. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
After breakfast, transfer to Alleppey. Check in to a traditional houseboat. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board as you cruise through the scenic backwaters of Vembanad Lake. Witness the lush paddy fields of Kuttanad and the narrow, serene canals. Overnight stay on the houseboat.
Enjoy breakfast on the houseboat before checking out. You will then be transferred to Cochin airport or railway station for your departure, marking the end of a memorable journey.
Highlights
- Misty Munnar: Explore vast tea gardens, visit a tea museum, and spot Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam National Park.
- Periyar Wildlife Safari: Enjoy a motor boat cruise on Periyar Lake to spot elephants, wild boar, and diverse birdlife in their natural habitat.
- Spiritual & Architectural Marvels: Witness the grandeur of Madurai's Meenakshi Temple and the sacred corridors of Rameswaram's Ramanathaswamy Temple.
- Kanyakumari Sunrise: Experience the breathtaking sunrise at the southernmost tip of India, where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean meet.
- Alleppey Houseboat: Cruise through the serene Vembanad Lake and lush green paddy fields on a traditional Kerala houseboat, enjoying a freshly prepared lunch.
Inclusions
- Transportation by private cab for the entire tour.
- Pickup from Cochin Airport / Railway Station.
- Drop at Cochin Airport / Railway Station.
- All sightseeing, land transfers, and inter-hotel transfers.
- Multilingual driver with professional sightseeing assistance.
- All major sightseeing spots in all destinations will be covered as per itinerary.
- Driver Bata (allowance), tolls, parking, road tax, and fuel charges.
Exclusions
- All entrance fees at sightseeing spots (monuments, parks, sanctuaries) are to be paid directly by the guest.
- Optional activities mentioned in the itinerary (e.g., amusement parks, Ayurvedic massage, Kathakali, elephant safari).
- Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, tips, telephone calls, and beverages.
- Anything not explicitly included in the above itinerary.
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
