The culture of Kerala is a synthesis of Aryan and Dravidian cultures, developed and mixed for centuries. The culture of Kerala is distinct with an admixture of innumerable facets of various cultures, which have had contact with it. Kerala holds a place of honour among the people of India who have enriched Indian Cultural Heritage and helped the cause of national integration.
Kerala's culture is in fact, an integral part of Indian culture. The culture of Kerala is also a composite and cosmopolitan culture. The cultural heritage of Kerala is also revealed in its varied dance forms, martial arts and cuisine.
Native traditions of classical performing arts include Koodiyattom, a form drama or theatre. Kathakali (from katha ("story") and kali("performance")) is a 500-year-old form of dance-drama that interprets ancient epics. Other Keralite performing arts include Mohiniyattam ("dance of the enchantress"), which is a type of graceful choreographed dance performed by women and accompanied by musical vocalizations.
The ragas and talas of lyrical and devotional carnatic music — another native product of South India — dominates Keralite classical musical genres. The wider traditional music of Kerala also includes melam(including the paandi and panchari variants), as style of percussive music performed at temple-centered festivals. Kerala also has its own indigenous form of martial art called the Kalarippayattu. After some two centuries of suppression by British colonial authorities, it is now experiencing strong comeback among Keralites while also steadily gaining worldwide attention.
The elephants are an integral part of the daily life in Kerala. These Indian elephants are given a prestigious place in the state's culture. Kerala has a large number of temples. The temples celebrate annual festivals which are not only unique to the region but sometimes have features that are unique to each temple.
Duration : 12 Nights / 13 Days
Places to see :Mumbai - Thiruvananthapuram - Kovalam - Quilon - Alleppey - Periyar - Munnar - Cochin - Mumbai - Home
Day 01 - Mumbai/Delhi
(Arrival) Arrive at Mumbai/Delhi. Overnight at hotel in Mumbai/Delhi.
Day 02 - Mumbai/Delhi - Thiruvananthapuram
(Tiruvanthapuram Arrival) Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Tiruvanthapuram. From the airport drive straight to Kovalam which has one of the most beautiful beaches of the world. The surf here is ideal for surf riding and the water invites the visitor to ride the "Catamaran" or log with the fisherman, or to take a cool swim. Nearby is the Beach centre of aquatic sports. Arrive & check in hotel. Rest of the day free to relax & exploring the beach.Overnight at hotel in Munnar.
Day 03 - Kovalam
Breakfast at hotel. After lunch excursion to Kanya Kumari to visit the stunning Padmanabhapuram palace and to enjoy the unique experience of Sunset & Moon rise over the ocean simultaneously. Return to Kovalam in the evening. Overnight at Kovalam.
Day 04 - Kovalam
Breakfast at hotel. For the half-day visit Shree Padmanabha Swami Temple, Napier Museum, Chitralayam Art Gallery, Zoological Gardens, Reptile House Observatory and Kanakakannu Palace at Trivandrum. . Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Kovalam.
Day 05 - Kovalam - Quilon : (By Road)
After breakfast, we drive to Quilon one of the oldest ports of the Malabar Coast and were once the centre of international spice trade. Quilon is famous for its delicious Cashew and Seafood. After checking in hotel we set out to see some historic remains and the temples built in ornate style. We also visit the village to know the life style and culture of locals. Overnight at Quilon.
Day 06 & 07 - Quilon - Alleppey : (By the backwaters)
Breakfast at hotel. From Quilon, we take Kerala's traditional houseboat for Alleppy, which is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters. We reach Alleppy by next day morning. Use the rest of the day in exploring and in shopping. Overnight at Houseboat.
Day 08 - Alleppey - Periyar : (By Road)
Leisurely breakfast in the morning. We reach Periyar by noon. After lunch we take safari to a nearby Coffee Plantations & villages.
Day 09 - Periyar : (By Road)
Early morning we take boat ride over the Lake Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat on the water's edge. While cruising on Lake Periyar, you are likely to see animals like Wild Boars, Sambars, Wild Dogs, Langur Monkeys and Wild Elephants. For the lunch we return back to hotel. Late After noon we again visit the park by cruise, as once is not enough to explore it fully.
Day 10 - Periyar - Munnar: (By Road)
From Periyar we continue to Munnar set amid Southern India's most dramatic mountain scenery and the combination of craggy Peaks, Manicured Tea Estates.Crisp mountain air makes Munnar a delightful alternative to the better known hill stations of Tamil Nadu. It is a perennial favorite of 'Honeymooners' and offer magnificent scenery and wonderful walks. At Munnar you are free to explore its beauty of nature.
Day 11 - Munnar
Complete day at leisure.
Day 12 - Munnar - Cochin : (By Road)
We reach Kochi by noon and keep the day for the shopping and personal activities. At the time of sunset we take Boat Cruise on the backwater which gives an opportunity to behold the great charm of this city.
Day 13 - Cochin - Mumbai - Home
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai and then connecting flight Home.
