Romantic Kerala With Historical Sri Lanka


Duration

15 Nights / 16 Days


Destinations

Cochin – Munnar – Thekkady – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Kovalam – Colombo – Dambulla – Kandy – Negombo

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrive Cochin
Cochin Kathakali Show

Kathakali Show, Cochin

Arrive Cochin airport and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Later, we take you around the city of cochin for a half day guided tour where you will be shown some important places such as Jewish Synagogue one of the oldest in Asia constructed in year 1568., Dutch Palace originally constructed by Portuguese and later by Dutch, ST. Francis Church, and Chinese Fishing Nets introduced by Chinese travelers in 14th century but still used in these parts of Kerala.

In the evening attend the traditional "Kathakali Dance Show". One of the famous dance forms of India where male actors tell a story by wearing facemasks and colorful costumes.
Overnight at Cochin hotel.

Day 02 : Cochin – Munnar (135 kms. / 4 hours drive)

After breakfast drive to Munnar, a pleasing journey riding through the picturesque hills jacketed in greenish tea and spice plantations. The resort town of Munnar is famous sprawling tea plantations, pristine valleys, mountains and aroma of spice.

On arrival check in at hotel and rest of times relax and remove your hang over of the long trip.
Overnight at Munnar hotel.

Day 03 : Munnar

Today morning post breakfast, proceed to sightseeing at Munnar. Visit Eravikulam National Park at Rajamala famous for Nilgiri Thar, Echo Point, Tea Plantations and TATA Tea processing Factory, Kundale Lake, Anayirankal Dam, Lockhart Gap Point etc.
Overnight at Munnar hotel.

Day 04 : Munnar – Thekkady (110 kms. / 03 hours drive)

After breakfast, drive to Thekkady. The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spices scented plantations. In the Periyar Forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wild life reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. On arrival check in to the hotel and later visit spice market and spice plantations. Here you can see the Pepper, Cardamom, Vanilla, Cinnamon and other spices are grown.
Overnight at Thekkady hotel.

Day 05 : Thekkady – Kumarakom (135 kms. / 04 hours drive)

Early in the morning before breakfast; leave for a wildlife viewing to the sanctuary on lake Periyar by boat cruise. Later return back to the hotel and have breakfast. Afternoon; drive down to Kumarakom. Another scenic 4 hours drive. An unbelievable beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Kumarakom a beautiful small water world situated on banks of the Vembanad Lake. On arrival, check in at the backwater side resort and rest of the time leisure at hotel.Overnight at Kumarakom hotel.

Keraka Houseboat

Keraka Houseboat

Day 06 : Kumarakom – Alleppey (Houseboat)

Today morning post breakfast; transfer to Alleppey; caressed by the Arabian Sea in the west and a vast network of Lakes, Lagoons and freshwater rivers criss-crossing the backwater county. On arrival check-in at Houseboat cruise Alleppey round (a luxury boat made in ethnic Kerala style having well appointed sitting room, bedrooms, toilet and kitchen) enjoy the tranquil beauty of the inland waters and the countryside for one day.
Overnight at Houseboat.

Day 07 : Alleppey – Kovalam (175 Kms/ 4.5 hrs drive)

Post breakfast; disembark houseboat at Alleppey and drive to Kovalam; this internationally renowned beach has been favorite haunt of tourists since 1930's. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known as the - Light House beach- is the most popular. On arrival check in at beach side hotel and rest of the time enjoy the beach and relax.
Overnight at Kovalam hotel.

Day 08 : Kovalam

Today morning post breakfast, stroll on the beach enjoying the bay of calm water ideal for sea bathing. Afternoon; proceed to Trivandrum city sightseeing. Visit Padmanabha Swamy Temple: This temple is located inside the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. In the evening enjoy the beach and watch sunset.
Overnight at Kovalam hotel.

Day 09 : Kovalam – Trivandrum Airport (25 Kms) Trivandrum – Colombo (By Flight)

After breakfast, transfer to Trivandrum airport to board the flight to Colombo. Upon arrival, meet & assist by our company representative and transfer to the hotel for check-in and rest of the day free at leisure.
Overnight at Colombo hotel.

Day 10 : Colombo – Sight Seeing

After breakfast, proceed for a guided tour to the historical city Colombo visiting Gangaramaya Temple, a Hindu temple, the Wolvendaal Dutch Church, Hultsdorf Law Courts and Independence Square. Drive pass through bazaar district of Pettah, the commercial 'Fort' area and the wealthy residential area of Cinnamon Gardens.
Overnight at Colombo hotel.

Day 11 : Colombo – Dambulla (160 kms. / 04 hours drive)

After breakfast, drive to Dambulla. En-route visit to the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel and later in the afternoon visit the very impressive 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress; the world heritage site, consisting the remains of a palace on the top of the rock, a mid level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens', the lower palace on the slopes below the rock, and the moats, walls and water gardens that extend for some hundreds of metres out from the base.
Overnight at Dambulla hotel.

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura

Day 12 : Dambulla – Excursion to Anuradhapura

After breakfast leave for an excursion to Anuradhapura; a World Heritage Site founded in 437 B.C. is one of the 10 largest cities on the subcontinent with vast monastery complexes and great stupas. During the tour you will visit the sacred bo tree (Sri Maha Bodhi) grown from a cutting of the original fig tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Planted in 288 B.C. it is the oldest documented tree in the world. Other places of interest include the Brazen Palace, Isurumuniya rock temple, the Twin Ponds, used by Buddhist monks as a bathing pool and Thuparama Dagoba, the oldest Dagoba on the island. Evening return back to Dambulla.
Overnight at Dambulla hotel.

Day 13 : Dambulla – Excursion to Polonnaruwa

After breakfast leave for an excursion to Polonnaruwa; built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, Polonnaruwa is another World Heritage Site, comprises the Brahmanic monuments built by the South Indian Cholas and the ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I during the golden age of Polonnaruwa in the 12th century. Irrigation systems far superior to those of the Anuradhapura age were constructed, systems which to this day supply the water necessary for paddy cultivation during the dry season. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya (4 huge statues of Buddha carved out of rock), the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, King Parakramabahu's statue, and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. Evening return back to Dambulla.
Overnight at Dambulla hotel.

Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla

Golden Cave Temple, Dambulla

Day 14 : Dambulla – Kandy (80 Kms. / 2 hours drive)

After breakfast, drive to Kandy. En route visit Dambulla Rock Temple. Dating from the 1st century B.C., this World Heritage Site has been a place of pilgrimage for 22 centuries. The cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest and best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Also on the way, visit a spice garden in Matale to see the different spices which Sri Lanka is famous for.

Upon arrival in Kandy, check-in to the hotel and later proceed for a sightseeing of Kandy; once capital of the Sinhalese Kandyan kingdom. The Temple of the Tooth houses Sri Lanka's most important religious relic, the sacred tooth of Buddha. Visit Kandy town; the market, the arts & crafts centre and a gem museum and lapidary. In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and see a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing.
Overnight at Kandy hotel.

Day 15 : Kandy – Negombo (100 kms. / 03 hours drive)

After breakfast, drive to Negombo. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel and rest of the day enjoy the beautiful beach and have relax in the hotel. Overnight at Negombo hotel.

Day 16 : Negombo – Departure

Today on time, transfer to Colombo international airport to board the flight to onward journey.