Offering enchanting journey's of a lifetime!
The elephant festivals in the south of India are some of the most exotic in Asia with hundreds of elephants taking part in religious rituals. The elephants take part in this spectacular pageantry accompanied by temple percussions. The religious aspect of the festivals pay homage to the various deities at the temples. This tour provides an experience of enjoying two such festivals.
Tour Itinerary
1
Day
Arrival: Bombay
Meet on arrival & transfer to hotel. Room from 12 noon.
OVERNIGHT WITH BREAKFAST & DINNER
2
Day
Bombay / Calicut (Kozikode) / Thalessery
Meet on arrival and transfer to hotel and drive to Thalessary (3 hrs drive). On arrival check in at hotel. Evening free time to walk around local markets and temple.
OVERNIGHT WITH BREAKFAST & DINNER
3
Day
Thalessary
Enjoy the Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy Elephant Festival in Kanur
4
Day
Thalessary / Cochin via Guruvayur
After breakfast drive to Cochin. On arrival check in at hotel. Your journey today takes you along the coast of the Arabian Sea, past small Kerala villages with their neat and clean gardens. Enroute visit Guruvayur Temple. (Non Hindus not allowed inside). Here you see the locals dressed in white Dhotis getting ready to go to the centre sanctum of temple with blind faith.
Evening witness Kathakali dance performance – The art of Kathakali is believed to have been gradually developed in Kerala from early as the 2nd century until the end of the 16th century. Kathakali as an individual style of dance-drama emerged as a ‘people’s theatre’ from the traditional dances of the past. Kathakali as we now see it therefore dates back to about the time that Shakespeare when he was writing his plays.
The performances given in Malabar at that time by troupes of actors were formed by and enjoyed the patronage of the local Rajahs and other noblemen (especially the Namboodiris or Brahmins of Malabar). This must in many ways have been similar to the Masques which were in vogue in England in the 16th and 17th centuries. The masked performers acted and danced, developing into a form of drama with music, then Kathakali has passed through many stages of improvement in make-up and costume, dance forms and acting techniques.
5
Day
Cochin
Enjoy the Vaikam Arratu Elephant in Vaikam.
PM: Cochin (Kochi) is palm-green commercial town of Kerala and the city consists of the mainland Ernakulam, Willington Island, Mattancherry, Fort Cochin, Vypeen Island and Bolghatty Island. Ernakulam is the modern city where shopping market, bazaar etc are located. From time immemorial, Arab, Chinese, Dutch and British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi and left their impression on the town. The Chinese fishing nets swaying in the breeze over backwaters, the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, Portuguese architecture, Bolghatty Palace in Kochi enrich the heritage of Kerala.
6
Day
Cochin / Periyar
After breakfast drive to Periyar (195 Kms/05 hrs), on arrival check in at hotel.
Periyar: Spice capital of India which boasts of the best organically produced spices. Enjoy the plantation tour and in the evening walk thru a mile long area with small shops and bazaars selling all kind of spices and herbs. You can handpick some the best of spices and herbs, probably among the cheapest in the world.
PM: Spice plantation tour Visit is a 1½ hrs program. Kerala history is closely linked with its commerce, which in turn was wholly dependent until recent times on its spice trade. Pepper still remains the king of Kerala spices. Over 12 varieties of spices including ginger, garlic, cardamom, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, and clove etc is cultivated. Visit of spice plantations definitely be an exciting program for everyone.
7
Day
Periyar / Kettuvallam
After breakfast drive to Kettuvalam (150 KMS/04 HRS). On arrival check in at House boat.
Kettuvallam (house boat), the old rice boats now converted for tourists to travel up to Kottyam through the night.
Kettuvallam: Kerala’s one of the best Kettuvallam. Adapted and modernized from the traditional Kettuvallam of kerala, the Vambanad kettuvallam is an experience in itself. Large and comfortable amenities you could ask for. A sundeck where you can laze on wicker chairs as you watch the world go by.
Your houseboat carries you slowly down palm-hung waterways, past backwater settlements of thatched and tiled cottages, bright with crotons and hibiscus. You set your own pace: stopping where you like, resting when you like, and indulging yourself with the freshest of foods bought from the farmers & fishermen on the banks of the backwaters. You are always within the reach of other people & yet no one can intrude into your lives if you don’t want them to.
Lunch and Dinner at houseboat.
8
Day
Kettuvallam / Cochin
Early in the morning enjoy the panoramic sunrise from the deck before indulging in a delicious breakfast. Check out from your house boat at 10.00 AM and drive to Cochin (75 KMS/02 HRS) & connect flight for further destination.
*Itinerary is subject to change due to changes in local conditions or for circumstances beyond our control.
Quotation Per Itenerary
| Night | City | Hotel – 4* |
| 01 | Bombay | Penninsula Grand – Superior Room |
| 02 | Thalessary | Ayesha Manzil – Best Available |
| 02 | Cochin | Tower House – Standard Room |
| 01 | Periyar | Cardomom Country / Elephant Court – Patio Room |
| 01 | Kettuvalam | House Boat – Deluxe Air Con House Boat |
Price Includes
- 7 nights – sharing twin / double with b’fast, full board at house boat (one night)
- All transfers / tours by private aircon vehicle
- All entrance fees as per the program
- Local guides for sightseeing
- Spice plantation tour in Periyar
- Temple visit for elephant festivals
- Kathakali dance show in Cochin
- 3.1% govt. state tax & 5.15% govt. service tax on hotels
Price Excludes
- Personal expenses, tipping, camera / video fees / visa fees, insurance, international airfare & items not specifically mentioned.
Low cost add-on airfares available from your home city.
Completed booking forms & a deposit of $500 per person are required to reserve a space on this tour.
Click here to download our Booking Form / Credit Card Authorization Form / Terms & Conditions.