Meeting and assistance on arrival at Cochin airport/railway station and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. An option to go for a sunset cruise at the harbor or roam around the market place. Overnight stay at Cochin.

Cochin ( Kochi ) is the commercial capital and most cosmopolitan city of Kerala . It is one of the finest natural harbours of the world, this was once a major center of commerce and trade with British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch etc.

Morning after breakfast a sightseeing of Cochin to see the major attractions like the Dutch Palace , Jewish Synagogue and St Francis Church. Later, drive along the coast and at the harbor's mouth see the fixed, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th Century. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. In the evening, an option to watch Kathakali, a cultural dance performance.

Dutch Palace the palace, though originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin raja in 1555, acquired its present name after the Dutch carried out some extensive repairs on it. Some rooms contain breathtaking 17th-century murals depicting scenes from the Indian scriptures.

Jewish Synagogue built in 1568, is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament, copper plates bearing records of the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers, gifted gold and silver crowns, and exquisite Chinese hand-painted willow patterned floor tiles are of interest.

The other interesting places to visit are the Dutch cemetery and St. Francis church, where Vasco da Gama was buried in 1524 and after 14 years his remains were transferred to Lisbon .

Kathakali - Kathakali is a combination of two Malayalam words "Katha" which means "story" and "kali", which means "play". It is a story acted out and contains mime, drama, music, acting, etc.The stories are mainly taken from Hindu mythology. The most interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate make-up code. The dance-drama is arresting because of its elaborate get-up. The artistes wear flamboyant costumes and use a highly developed language of gestures to convey entire sentences and stories. The body movements and footwork are very rigorous.

Morning drive to Alleppey. The drive itself is fascinating, you get to drive through hilly terrain having spice and rubber plantations on both sides. Check into the resort upon arrival at Alleppey. Rest of the day at leisure or there is an option to enjoy an Ayurvedic massage at the resort. Overnight stay at Alleppey.

Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty with the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it. It is referred to as the Venice of the east by tourists across the world. Here one can watch rural life at close quarters - the many activities like; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, coir-making, prawn farming, and scores of other sights by a boat trip in a country craft.

Ayurveda practices, believe in cleansing the human body of toxins through ancient proven practices of energy channelizing and usage of natural elements.

Ayurvedic packages range from 3,7,14 and 21 days and are completely customizable. The packages start with a consultation session followed by recommendations which are designed to suit the individual. Some of the more common techniques used include Abhyangam which employs two masseurs snchronizingly kneading the body with herbal oils; Pizhichil, a rejuvenation treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and spastic muscle disorders; Sirodhara, a special Ayurvedic treatment in which medicated oil is poured on the forehead and head continuously which improves memory and pacifies and revitalizes the mind and body. These treatments are combined with Ayurveda facials, medicated steam baths, yoga and meditation to promote an all round sense of wellbeing and peace.

Morning at leisure. In the afternoon proceed to check into the houseboat. The houseboat will be your home today. Lunch is on board the houseboat. Overnight aboard the houseboat.

A Houseboat accommodates two people plus a crew of three, including a captain and a cook. The bedroom is private and the bathroom modern, with showers, flush toilets and hot water. Check in is at noon and you are welcomed with fresh tender coconut water and the cruise starts. Lunch is aboard the houseboat, with lavish menu of traditional Kerala cuisine. If you require any special meals (like main food in north Indian or food without spice etc) it has to be informed in advance. The cruise covers the beautiful rivers and canals with palm trees and small houses near to it, village paddy fields, churches, etc. You can get out and get an experience of Toddy (soft liquor made from Coconut it is safe and pure). You can also buy fresh prawns or crab or karimeen from local fishermen and give to the chef, who will prepare it for your dinner. While cruising, you can observe the rural life of the villages on the banks of the canals.

At 1800 hrs the houseboat will anchor till next morning at 06.00am (so as not to disturb the local fishing industry). Evening dinner and retire for the night in your floating paradise. AC is switched on only during sleep time. Next morning enjoy the fresh air with a cup of bed tea/coffee. Check out after breakfast by 09.00 am.

Morning after an early breakfast, check out from the houseboat and proceed to Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary (Thekkady). Upon arrival at Thekkady, check into the hotel. After freshening up, proceed to the Periyar Lake for boat cruise to view wildlife. Overnight stay at Thekkady.

Periyar also known as Thekkady is located in the Idukki district in Kerala. This is one of the most fascinating wildlife sanctuaries of India . The drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles. The sanctuary, declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under the Project Tiger scheme, attracts travelers from all over the world.

A boat cruise on the Periyar lake is perhaps the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve, which come to drink water on the banks of the lake. The wildlife includes - the wild elephant, tiger, panther, sloth bear, leopard and other wild animals. Avifauna includes 265 species including migrants. The Periyar Lake and streams have several species of fish including the Mahseer, the famous endangered game fish of India . The otter, the only mammal of the lake, can be spotted from the boat.

Today there is an option to laze around at the resort or go for a trek in the jungle or float down the river in a bamboo raft or spend a night in a primitive hut in the jungle probably these options are the best you can get to watch wildlife at its closest. Overnight at Thekkady

Options for activities

A nature day walk/trek for about 3 hours (generally 4-5 km) with a trained tribal guide either in the morning or in the afternoon. This offers an excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands.

Spend a night in a forest cottage, where you can share the quietness of the jungle night and just relax listening to the cicada or simply watch the forests outside. The high point is walking through different forest types at prime time when animals tend to be more active. One can watch troops of langurs, giant squirrels, etc., besides many birds along this stretch. Who knows, if the goddess of fortune blesses you, a tiger could come out of the bushes chasing a herd of sambar or deer!

iking and Bamboo Rafting - It's from dawn to dusk, hiking through some of the richest forest tracts. You will hike for a few hours before getting on to the rafts made of bamboos. The rafting is for about three hours, where one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Then you head back towards the starting place.

Morning after breakfast, check out from the houseboat and drive to Madurai . Upon arrival at Madurai , check into the hotel. Later a half day city tour of Madurai visiting the Thirumalai Nayak Mahal and Meenakshi Temple . Evening an option to witness a night ceremony at Meenakshi Temple . This is a ceremony that takes place every evening when the bronze statue of Lord Shiva is carried to the bed chamber of Parvati. The procession is accompanied by religious prayer and temple music. Overnight stay at Madurai .

Madurai , probably over 2500 years old, is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu and lies on the banks of the River Vaigai. Its origin and name emerge from a misty and lovely legend. In a forest near a lotus pond, Indra, King of Gods, worshipped Lord Siva as a Swayambu Lingam. At this hallowed spot, the Pandyan monarch Kulasekhara built a great temple and clearing the forest, he created a lotus-shaped city around the temple. On the day the city was to be named, Lord Siva appeared at the ceremony and blessed the land and its people with divine nectar (Mathuram) showered on the city from his matted locks. The city was henceforth known as Madhurapuri.

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple The temple dominates the old city which evolved around it. The temple is dedicated to both, Meenakshi, the lovely consort of Lord Siva and to Lord Siva as Sundareswarar. It is one of the holiest places of worship in South India . The temple is dominated by four enormous towers (gopurams) over the entrance gates. From the top of the tower one can get a panoramic view of Madurai and the 11 other gopurams of the temple. The Thousand-Pillared Mandapam (hall) of the temple has actually 985 beautifully sculpted pillars. Thirumalai Nayak Mahal , the most imposing remnant is a huge Audience Hall opening into a courtyard with elaborately ornamented arches. A sound and light show depicting the story of Thirumalai Nayak and Silappathikaram (a Tamil Epic) can be seen here daily.