Best Of Kerala Tour with Taj Hotels & Resorts, Cochin, Thekkady, Kumarakon, Varkala, Varkala Holiday Package

The angelic beauty of Kerala and the opulence of Taj properties when coupled together create an experience par one's expectations. The stay amidst nature's bounty is further enhanced when one chooses to stay at an affluent Taj property. Taj Best of Kerala with Varkala tour is one which features all the above give aspects and is further laced with romantic experiences and exquisite locales forming a memory worth cherishing. The destinations hand-picked, services personalized, beauteous locales and numerous exclusive creature comforts the itinerary is crafted for offering a revitalizing time in Kerala.

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Cochin
Arrival at Cochin airport and transfer to Taj Malabar Hotel. Head for city tour and visit Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, and Chinese Fishing Nets etc.

Day 2: Cochin- Periyar
Proceed to Thekkady and check in at Taj Garden Retreat hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 3: Periyar (Thekkady)
Morning boat ride in Periyar Lake and explore Periyar National Park.

Day 4: Periyar- Kumarakom
Proceed to Kumarakom. Explore the surroundings and stay overnight at Taj Garden Retreat Kumarakom.

Day 5: Kumarakom- Varkala
Proceed to Varkala and stay overnight at Taj Garden Retreat Varkala. Rest of the day free for sightseeing tour.

Day 6: Varkala
The whole day for your leisure, enjoy the golden sandy beach or experience an ayurvedic massage (optional).

Day 7: Varkala- Departure
Morning transfer to the airport for departure flight/train.

Tour Highlights:

Breathtaking panoramas, stunning seashores and exhilarating jungles
Enjoy boat cruise on Lake Periyar and spot the wild creatures wandering around in Periyar National Park
Visit verdant spice plantation in Periyar
Assistance of naturalists at the wildlife sanctuary
One A/c car from Day 01 to Day 09 for all sightseeing and inter-destination transfers as per the itinerary
Explore plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes at Kumarakom
Enjoy lazy afternoon at the golden beaches of Varkala or head for a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage.

Day 1: Arrival at Cochin

Welcome to God�s Own Country, upon arrival our ever smiling representative will greet you there at the airport lounge, later proceed to the hotel. Check in and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Later, move for a half day city sightseeing tour of Cochin. Cochin which is having the best preserved history of colonial times and the ideal way to bring it alive is to take a walk down memory lane. The major tourist attractions are Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue, and Mattancherry Palace. At Cochin you will be accommodated at Taj Malabar for overnight stay.

Day 2: Cochin- Periyar

Post breakfast check out and drive to Thekkady following a journey through spectacular countryside. Arrive in the hill-station of Periyar and check into a chic guestroom at Taj Garden Retreat hotel. Set on a jeep safari inside Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake. Rest of the day will be free for leisure.

Day 3: Periyar (Thekkady)

Post breakfast set on a jeep safari inside Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake. The sanctuary is one of the biggest natural reserves in India which covers about 777 km squares. Home to myriad wild creatures this protected area lies in the middle of mountainous region of Cardamom Hills and is cradled with picturesque Periyar Lake. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Animals such as elephant, sambar, gaur and wild boars and beauteous bird populations such as darters, cormorants, kingfishers and racket tailed Drongos have made the park their home. Spot these animals coming to the banks of Periyar Lake to quench their thirst while you sail on a boat in the pristine lake. Also, visit a spice plantation in the vicinity later and return to the hotel for night stay.

Day 4: Periyar- Kumarakom

On this day you will proceed to Kumarakom, the charming emerald peninsula sticking out into the ever-sparkling Vembanad Lake which will take you into the heart of the scenic land where you'll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise for it is a favourite haunt of beauteous migratory birds such as Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Avid bird watchers should make plans for a visit to the park early in the morning for that is the time birds leave their nests and fly over the lake in groups creating beauteous patterns in the sky.The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna and flora. They are rich with marine life namely the exclusive 'Kumarakom Karimeen' (pearl spotted fish), Konju (tiger prawns), Njandu (crabs), Chemeen (prawns) and many more. For overnight stay you will be booked at Taj Garden Retreat Kumarakom.

Day 5: Kumarakom- Varkala

Drive the short distance south to the delightful seaside town of Varkala. A beautiful beach town tucked on the Arabian Sea, Varkala is a short drive�s away from Trivandrum. The beauteous beaches and picturesque panorama makes the region an ideal spot to spend a relaxed day. With a backdrop of red laterite cliffs, the main beach Papanasham Beach glistens beautifully. One can witness fishermen pulling their nets from the sea in the morning and evening. Rejoice amidst natural splendor at Varkala for an entire day. Stay overnight at Taj Garden Retreat Varkala.

Day 6: Varkala

The whole day for your leisure, enjoy the golden sandy beach or experience an ayurvedic massage (optional). Varkala is also an important pilgrimage centre. The final resting place of Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer of Kerala, is near Varkala atop a hill named Sivagiri. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Varkala- Departure

Morning transfer to the airport for departure flight/train.