Proceed with sightseeing tour of the satellite towns of Kochi and Ernakulam. Visit the Dutch Palace (closed on Saturdays), the Jewish Synagogue (which remains closed on Fridays & Saturdays), St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastline, at the Harbor’s mouth, one can also view the unique and still-in-use “Chinese fishing nets” which were 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. Lunch at the hotel. 

Enjoy a Kathakali Show in the evening. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kochi.

Drive along the tranquil countryside to Periyar – one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India. The sanctuary is centered on a large artificial lake, formed by the dam across the Periyar River. Periyar Tiger Reserve is the best elephant sanctuary in India despite its name, although it does have tigers, as well as monkeys, wild boars and sambals. Afternoon, enjoy boat cruise around the lake and you can see herds of wild animals on the banks taking their bath or quenching their thirst. Take a stroll through the spice plantations, with the fragrance of cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon etc. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Periyar.

Proceed to Munnar, on arrival visit Mattupetty Lake and dam, a beautiful picnic spot to enjoy the soul soothing, tranquil atmosphere. You can enjoy boating in the lake (optional) and view the mountain and landscapes from afar. Also visit Eravikulam National Park, a natural habitat for a rare mountain goat – Nilgiri Tahr and home of Anaimundi (2695m), the highest peak of South India. Also visit Tea Museum and learn about different stages of tea processing, and the production of black tea. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Munnar.

Depart for Alleppey and board the Houseboat, located on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake. Have a close look into an engaging rustic life. As we travel through the backwaters, we pass through rural settlements sited on narrow strips of land between waterways. The backwaters are a hive of activity with village life all along the banks, boatmen taking goods and materials from one village to the next, children swimming, women washing clothes, and fishermen in traditional wooden boats. Lunch, dinner and overnight at the houseboat. 

Disembark and transfer by surface to Kovalam and check-in to the beach resort. The best and the most popular beach in the area— Kovalam lies a few miles southeast of Thiruvananthapuram. The sand, lined with palm trees, seems to stretch forever. Almost all the hotels here offer excellent Ayurvedic spa treatments and massages. Kerala’s beaches are excellent for watching the local fishing technique: low-slung dugout canoes are controlled by tug-o-war teams holding ropes on the beach. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kovalam. 

Morning at leisure. Afternoon, check-out of the hotel and proceed with Trivandrum city sightseeing visiting Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Museum, Chitralayan Arts Gallery (both closed on Monday/Wednesday mornings), Zoological Gardens, Reptile House, Observatory, Kanakakunnu Palace and Sree Moolamthirunal Shastri Purthi Memorial (State Handicraft Institute). After dinner transfer to the airport for the return flight.