6 Days Tour Visit Munnar Hills, Alleppey Houseboat, Kovalam Beach

Day 1: Kochi-Munnar. Travel from Kochi to Munnar by road. Travelling time 3.5hrs.

1. Valara waterfalls
   30m
   Your arrival is at Kochi airport or Ernakulam rly station. Our executive will meet, greet and receive at arrival destination. Upon arrival, you have an option to go for a free non ac fresh up room either near to the airport or nearby with a drive in time of 10 mins. On arrival, you will be travelling to Munnar, which is approx 125 kms and it may take 3.5 hrs drive. On the way to Munnar, you can have your lunch at Oonnukal, where veg and non veg restaurants which have restrooms available. Post lunch move to Munnar, on the way you can see Valera waterfalls.You can spend some time there and proceed to Munnar and check in resort. Leisure and relax in resort.
   Overnight stay in resort.
   
   Note : All Munnar waterfalls are depend upon rain and when the rain stops, the waterfall may or may not have water.
2. Cheeyappara Waterfalls
   20m
   On arrival, our driver cum guide will meet you and proceed to Munnar. It takes approximately 3.5hrs drive. On the way to Munnar, you can visit two waterfalls..
   1. Cheeyappara and Valera Waterfalls. This is located on the Kochi – Munnar highway on the left & right side of the road. This is a good place to have photos, but no bathing is allowed as rocks used to slippery. There is no entry fee or parking fee needs to be given. There are couples of small shops selling local food items.
   
   Evening options.
   Kathakali and Kalaripayattu. Kathakali is an art form and Kalaripayattu is a martial art of Kerala Punarjani which is located little bit outside is the best and performance is of an hour each which started at 1700hrs and ending at 1900hrs.
   
   Overnight stay in Hotel.
   
   Note : All Munnar water falls are depend upon rain and when the rain stops, the water fall may or may not have water
3. Kathakali Dance Show In Munnar
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Kathakali and Kalaripayattu (Kerala Art Form and Martial Arts). Munnar have one art centre where they organize Kathakali and Kalaripayttu for the tourist. It start at 5pm and each shows are of an hour.

Day 2: Munnar

1. Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Eravikulam National Park. Its located 10kms away from Munnar town.Basically it’s a mountain where one can spot rare species of mountain goat called – Nilgiri Tahr. Entry permit can be obtained through online booking.
   Note: Main attraction of Rajamali is Nilgiri Tahr and once you reach on the top of the hill, you can have a good view point. Since this involve approx 2 kms trek, those who have breathing problems should avoid this. Also those who are not interested in this Nilgiri Tahr and view point, this trip can be avoided.
2. 45m · Admission ticket included
   Once Rajamalai is over, TATA Tea Museum located near to the city, which gives an idea of how tea is processing from raw tea leaves, is an attraction.
   
   Now it's lunch time and Munnar city provide restaurants which caters veg and non veg food, jain etc.
3. Echo Point
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   This is nothing much important about this place. If you make a loud noise, your voice will return back to you as you have a big hill just opposite of you after the lake. But more than that, this is one of the best place to have a photo of the lake close by. Entry to this place is restricted with an entry fee of Rs 20 per person.
4. Mattupetty Dam
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Mattupetty dam is located 13 kms away from Munnar city towards Top station and it takes 20 mins drive by road. Mattupetty can be narrated like confluence of mountain, lake and greenery. You will get best photos and some breathtaking moments of your holiday. Unlike Kundala, Mattupetty made elaborate arrangements for tourist comfort. It has a washroom, tourist facilitation centre where coffee shop, snack bar, cowboy park, children park with swing, speed boat in the lake etc available. Best experience of Mattupetty is first go to the boating centre or tourist facilitation centre, if interested do the boating and come to the dam and take some of the best photos.
   Mattupetty Dam Travel Tips
   • Try to walk from Kundala to Mattupetty dam and you can see tallest blue gum trees, in case you have time.
   • You can skip in case you are coming from a place where there are lots of lake and mountains.
   • This place is accessible for all irrespective of handicapped or wheel chaired.
   • Very good place for family with kids outing.
   • This place is best for a small shopping of handicraft and souvenirs.
   • There are no restaurants available but hot noodles and local snacks are available. During holidays, weekend and tourist season, this place is jam packed. You may need to wait up to an hr to get boating tickets or Parking car.
   • Take beautiful photos from the Mattupetty Dam. After the boating travel to dam, came out of car from one end of the dam and walk to other end. You can take good photos from the middle as vehicles are not allowed to park on the dam.
5. Kundala Dam Lake
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   Kundala Dam was constructed for Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project in 1946 and considered to be Asia's No 1 arch dam. This place is located between Top Station and Munnar town therefore it's easy for visiting. Considered as one of the best scenic spot for photography, you can also have activities like pedal boat, speed boat or shikara kind of trip available in the lake.
   
   Kundala Dam Travel Tips
   • Irrespective of any restrictions, tourists with all walk of life can access this place.
   • Entry to this place is totally free. In case you want to have some activities like boating in lake, horse riding etc, all these are available here which is chargeable.
   • If you are doing any boating activity in any other lake in Munnar, this can be avoided.
   • It takes hardly 15-20 mins here to experience, in case you do not need any other activities
   
   Your second day in Munnar is fully packed with sightseeing. This is the time for shopping. Main shopping items are Ayurvedic products, coffee/ tea etc. We will surely recommend to buy spices from here as you are NOT visiting Thekkady (Periyar) where all the species are cheaper. Return back and overnight stay in resort.

Day 3: Munnar-Aleppey Houseboat.

1. Munnar
   Pass by
   B/F at Hotel and proceed to Houseboat. It takes approx 5.5hrs to cover 200kms and there is no sightseeing planned enroute to Houseboat. Today you are going to experience stay in a Houseboat. Arrival and check in houseboat
2. Alleppey Backwaters
   18h
   Check in Houseboat at 1200 hrs and houseboat make a trip through the best possible canals in Aleppey.
   
   • Punnamada kayal – river famous for Nehru trophy boat race.
   • SNDP canal – one of the small canal in this trip.
   • Pamba river – almost 150 ft width river.
   • Irumpanam Thod – best narrow canal.
   • Munnottu Mugam – Where three canals joints together making very attractive and beautiful place.
   
   1330 hrs Lunch at Meenappalli Kayal – small lake in the middle of Alleppey backwaters.
   1430- 1730hrs - Post lunch trip start at 1430 hrs and continue till 1730 hrs visit some of the beautiful villages in Alleppey called Kainakary Village Venattukadu etc.
   
   1hr narrow canal cruise included in an open country boat.
   1730hrs - halt for overnight stay. Once the houseboat halted, guest can walk around till the sun set.
   
   Evening Options and Activities
   - Fishing in the lake and backwaters. (most of the houseboats is always having a fishing roads and you will surely get small fishes).

Day 4: Houseboat to Kovalam Beach via Jatayu Earth Centre.

1. Alleppey Backwaters
   Pass by
   After overnight stay, boat start at 0730hrs and proceed to check out place. On the way you can see the beautiful Vembanadu lake. During the morning cruise, traditional B/F will be provided. Check out at 0900hrs from houseboat and proceed to Kovalam Beach.
2. Jatayu Earth's Center
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Visit Jatayu Earth Centre. We strongly recommend to visit this place as one of the beautiful place along with a cable car drive to the 1000 ft above sea level. This earth centre is located on the way from Alleppey to Kovalam, but you need to go via MC Road. If you are going via Alleppey Quilon – Kovalam route, you may not be able to visit. It takes approximately INR 450 per person including the cable car and children are also charged. Approximately 2 hrs to visit this man maid bird sculpture and a museum inside the sculpture.
   
   If you are NOT interested to visit, you can go directly to Kovalam and you may reach by 2-3pm. Just relax some time at the hotel. Proceed to Lighthouse and howa beach by around 4pm. You can also visit the lighthouse located at the beach. Lighthouse entry is closed at 5pm. Overnight stay in hotel.
3. Lighthouse Beach
   1h
   The entire Kovalam is on the Arabian sea side so you go anywhere, you can experience the beach. But there are only two beaches called light house beach and hawa beach (also called as eve beach) where you can have activities like scuba diving, swimming, jet sky etc. Hawa beach is used by local fisherman and sand is black.
   Important Beach Tips.
   • Swimming in beach is not allowed after 1830 hrs.
   • During season or rush time, all the activities needs to be booked in advance in case interested.
   • Monsoon in Kerala start during the 1st week of Jun till Aug end and beach are not idle for swimming.
   • Beach shakers and umbrellas available from Rs 200 onwards.
   • Life guards and tourist police help available on the beach.
   • Wash room available but NO bathing arrangement available.
   • It will be crowded with local tourist during holidays and weekends.
   • In case you hotel is not nearby, carry your extra towel, changing cloths etc.
4. Hawa Beach
   1h
   Howa beach – locally called as Eves beach, is located just opposite north side of lighthouse beach. Compare to lighthouse beach, this is a small black sand beach and not idle for swimming. This beach is overcrowded during weekend days by local tourists, no proper waste management by authorities therefore dirt is everywhere, fisherman keep their items for the fishing like small wooden boat, diesel barrels etc. Due to all these reasons, it’s advisable to skip this place or recommended to have just visited the beach during your holiday.
   
   Important Beach Tips
   • Restaurants are not available on this beach.
   • Life guards monitoring system available.
   • Only few sunbed and umbrella rentals in this beach.
   • Water sports like Jet sky, speed boat and catamaran drive available in boat.
   • Best time to visit is early morning or afternoon.
   • No wash room or bathing arrangements on this beach.
   • This beach is having a paid vehicle parking area where ladies washrooms available.

Day 5: Kovalam - Trivandrum. Today we have planned Trivandrum sightseeing.

1. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
   45m
   This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu on Anandasayana.
   Padmanabha Swamy temple – Open at 4 am and darshan available till 11 am. Evening it open at 4 pm and darshan available till 8pm. Pants, Jeans, Bermuda etc are not allowed inside. Gents should wear Dhoti and ladies saree / churidar. In case of churidar, Dhoti needs to wear over the churidar. Dhoti available in front the temple shop for Rs 50 per piece onwards. Small wallet, camera, mobile phone, bags etc are not allowed inside the temple. Best time to visit temple is early morning 6am to 8am
2. Puthen Malika Palace Museum
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Built during 1840 by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, the erstwhile maharaja of Travancore, is located very close to Padmanabha swamy temple. Finest example of Kerala architecture, constructed by teak wood, took 5 yrs to complete. It contains 80 rooms and 20 are opened to visitors.Entry closed on Monday.
3. Napier Museum
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   The Napier Museum was designed by Robert Chisholm who was the architect of Govt of Madras, built and opened to public in the year 1880 by Ayilyam thirunal Maharaja of erstwhile Travancore Kingdom.The museum was named after Lord John Napier, the then Governor General of Madras. Also known as Govt Art Museum, has a fairly collection of exhibits of more than 550 numbers. These collections are of dates back to 18th Century include mainly metal sculptures of Chola, Chera, Vijayanagara and Naik style. Wood and stone sculptures from different styles of South India, ivory and musical instruments, ancient coins, old burial urns, wooden ornamental box, temple chariot, ceremonial lamps are all add to its attraction.
   Museum tips
   • Entry fee is Rs 20 for Indians and Rs 50 for foreigners.
   • Photography not allowed.
   • Open from 1000 hrs till 1645 hrs on all days. Monday closed. Wednesday entry from 1300 hrs till 1645 hrs.
   • It takes approximately 1.5 hrs to see all the displayed items in detail.
   • No guide service available.
   • Better down load Napier museum app, show this at the each item and you will get details or extra information.
4. Shri Chitra Art Gallery
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   Sri Chitra art gallery was opened to public in the year 1935. Basically this art gallery displays paintings of Royal House of Travancore and Kilimanoor Royal family. Apart from painting of Raja Ravi Varma, paintings from Bengal School, Russian artists Nicholas Roerich and his son Svetoslav Roerich, contemporary paints and murals. Tanjore paintings, Art from Bali, Tibetian , Mugal, Rajasthani paintings add feather to the cap.
   Art Gallery Tips
   • Visiting from 1000hrs till 1700hrs. Wednesday open from 1300hrs till 1500hrs.
   • Last entry available at 1625hrs.
   • Monday closed.

Day 6: Trivandrum

1. Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
   30m
   Today is your last day of the trip. In case you are going back by morning flight, we will drop you at Trivandrum airport or Rly station. In case your flight or train is in the evening, we suggest a trip to poovar.
   
   •Poovar is located 40 kms towards Kanyakumari road and its famous for is golden sand beach. To reach Poovar beach, you need to hire a small boat. It cost approximately 2000 for 4 people for a mangrove forest boating and beach visit. It takes approximately an hour to reach from Kovalam and 2 to 3 hrs to visit this place. The best time to visit this place is either in the morning or evening.
   
   This is the last day of the trip. Check out from hotel at or before 12 pm, shopping at Trivandrum city, and finally drop at Trivandrum rly station.Tour ends.

Pickup details

Our pick up available from all the hotels they stay at Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Kochi city.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels