Your personal driver will escort you to Athirappilly, Kerala’s most famous and largest waterfall stands at over 80ft high. Part of the Chalakudy River, it is located around two hours’ drive from Cochin and its surrounding greenery is perfect for walks and picnics. Approximately 5 km away are the Vazhachal Waterfalls. These waterfalls became famous for not just their view but the endemic species found in the surrounding dense forests.
Whilst your private driver brings you sightseeing in the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, there are many places of interest to consider including:
Cochin – The Harbour City – Half Day
You can visit The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Paradesi Jewish Synagogue, the Santa Cruz Basilica, which was originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. Another popular sight is the Chinese fishing nets; huge cantilevered fishing nets that are believed to have been brought to Kochi by Chinese trade.
Cochin – The Harbour City – Full Day
Your tour will be as above with the addition of attending the Kerala Kathakali Centre where you will see the tradional Kathakali Dancers in action. You will arrive early for the show to allow you to observe the dancers applying the traditional make up that they wear for the performance.
Your personal driver will transfer you to your Kettuvallam (Houseboat) for an unforgettable cruise exploring the backwaters, it is a 2 hour drive from Cochin. The tour begins at 12.30pm and ends by 4pm. Your luxury houseboat slowly cruises the scenic backwaters.
Kerala waterways play an important role in the economy as they link remote villages to the mainland. Today they are generally used to help tourists in Kerala explore this beautiful area, however, originally these boats were used to carry rice bags. The Kettuvallam are uniquely designed using local materials including bamboo poles, coconut fibre ropes, bamboo matts, carpets.
Lunch and evening tea with light snacks will be served to you on board.
Your private chauffeur will collect you from your hotel and drive you in comfort to visit a fishing hamlet, this tiny village facing the Kochi backwaters in the western part of the city is India’s first designated ecotourism village and the first rural tourism village of the state. Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village project is a unique initiative to transform the tiny island as a model fishing village and tourism spot.
Here at the Kumbalangi Tourism Village one can fully savour a variety of natural splendours, and ecological balance of the location. The model village, the first of its kind in the country is located near the port city of Kochi in Ernakulam District. It is a veritable treat to its visitors with the famous Chinese fishing nets and many other sights to savour.
Your driver will meet you at your hotel at your convenience to take a two hour boat ride at Periyar Wildlife Reserve and watch the wildlife close up. The huge lake was formed when the Mullaperiyar dam was constructed and is a popular tourist location. Early morning or evening guided nature walks are the best time to see the wildlife in the reserve, and this could include elephants, tigers, wild boar and samabar deer. The abundant bird life in this area is diverse and a bird watchers paradise.
Head off with your private driver on a tour of the city starting with the French Quarter. This area is also known as Ville Blanche or ‘White Town’ and showcases some perfectly preserved colonial architecture. Next you will move on to Pondicherry Beach and enjoy sweeping views over the long, rocky shoreline to the promenade. You will have the opportunity to stroll across the sand and look out to the famous statue of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Next stop on the tour is the Manakula Vinayagar Temple. This is a fantastic way to learn more about pre-colonial Pondicherry and to immerse yourself in the local culture. Later you can visit the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which is right next to the temple. The Ashram (a hermitage or monastery) was founded by Sri Aurobindo on the 24 November 1926.
This city tour is a half day excursion to Tanjore including:
Brihadeeswara Temple – This temple, the main attraction of Tanjore, was built by Rajaraja Chola and is listed as a World Heritage Site. It is characterised by its unique structure. It was constructed out of a single piece of granite weighing around 80 tonnes! The temple is endowed with spacious grounds, a number of pillared halls, shrines and around 250 lingams.
The Palace – The Palace of Tanjore is characterised by its vast corridoors, large halls, shady courtyards and observation towers. It started being built by the Nayaks in the mid-16th century but was completed by the Marathas. The palace now functions as the Royal Museum, housing a collection of royal artefacts.
Visit the Western Ghats Mountain Hill Ranges, the upper hill region of Munnar was formally a resort for the British Raj and benefitting of cooler clean air. The hill sides are covered with working tea plantations, many that you can visit and learn about the tea making processes. Explore Eravikulam National Park the home to the beautiful Lakkam Waterfalls. The many hiking trails have walks suitable for both novice and experienced walkers, you can join a Jeep Safari or hire a cycle to explore the region.
The ancient capital of Kerala and known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, with its large natural harbour it was the hub of the Eastern spice trade. The folk-law museum covers the fascinating history of Kerala, go and see the Chinese fishing nets at Port Kochi or Mattancherry Dutch Palace in Ernakulam built c1545. The options are many dependant on your time in Kochi. Go and watch the traditional Kathakali dancers, arrive early to see them prepare and put on their exotic make up. It is a vibrant and historic part of Kerala’s past and a perfect start to your holiday in Kerala.
Kumarakom in Kerala is reputedly one of the most beautiful villages in the world. Located on the shores of Lake Vembanand, this watery paradise is ideal for real relaxation.
Is on the Keralan backwaters, plenty to explore and do at this cultural village, visit the local bird sanctuary, kayaking and boating on the lake, see the Chinese fishing nets, visit Alleppey or the coastal waterways. There will also be the opportunity to visit an Ayurveda centre for a relaxing and therapeutic body massage.
Discover Thekkady, tucked between the towering Western Ghats and the Savannah grasslands, there are many activities to be explore. Visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, take a boat ride on the Periyar lake and watch the wild life on the shore line, you may be lucky to catch sight of heard of elephant taking a drink at the waters edge. Visit one of spice plantations of the area or you can take a jeep safari or join a walking tour taking in the wildlife, lush scenery, and revitalising clean air of the region.
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