Kerala: Gods Own Country
Kerala: Gods Own Country
“God’s own country” – this is what Kerla is called. Kerla is a beautiful place that is blessed by nature itself. It is like a complete package for the nature lovers. One can find here lush green forests, backwater hill stations, amazing beaches, a pleasant climate and a tinge of colorful culture of the city. Kerla offers exotic Ayurvedic heath holidays, enchanting art forms, many great wildlife sanctuaries and the multi-colored festivals to its tourists.
History
According to the Hindu mythology, Kerla was a part of the Asura Kingdom. Vamana, one of the avatars of Vishnu, killed the last of the Asura kings called Maveli. The folk songs of Kerla relate these stories and talk about the culture of the city in that era. The famous festival of Kerla, Onam, which is still celebrated with great excitement, is celebrated in the memory of the Maveli only who is known as the Mahabali in the Sanskrit literature. Another legend in the Hindu Mythology says that it was Parasurama who created Kerla by dropping his battle-axe in the sea. However, it was the 14th century, when Kerla was separated from Tamil Nadu and made a linguistically separate region.
Culture
Kerla’s culture has influences from the southern coastal Karnataka and the old region Tamilakam. Additionally, other neighboring cultures that came in contact over a period of time also influenced this city. The age olf Sanskrit theatre tradition is called the “koodiyattom”, which forms the Native performing arts. Other performing arts are the “kathakali”, “koothu”, “Thullal”, “mohiniaattam”, “Kerala natanam”, “theyyam” and “padayani”. Besides that, Kerla also has some religious and tribal forms of art that include oppana and chvaittu nadakom. All these are famous amongst the tourists rather than the people living over here. The citizens of Kerla prefer the contemporary art that constitutes parody and mimicry etc.
Kerla’s music is also an exciting experience as it is mainly dominated by the Carnatic music. Such an amazing music and dance performances can be enjoyed in the various festivals of the city. People also indulge in creating floral pookkalam designs in the front of the houses during Onam. Additionally, the malayam literature is a vast one that Indigotes people’s interest in this field.
People here prefer to wear flowing and unstitched garments, including mundu for men and sari for women. The cuisine of Kerla is basically South Indian, served on green banana leaves. The typical food is payasam, rasam, idli, sambhar and pulisherry.
Tourist Places
If you want to enjoy the beautiful scenic view of the backwaters in Kerla then Aleppey is the best place to visit. It is a small town from where you can see the beautiful backwaters. Another place to visit is Cochi, which is famous for Chinese fishing nets and is basically a business port. You should also visit Kovalam, which is the best beach in Kerla. Here you can enjoy sunbathing or even a dip in the Arabian Sea. Trivandrum is also a tourist place that is also the capital of Kerla. It famously visited for its mild climate. Kumarakon is a group of islands, idle for vacations situated amidst the Vembanad Lake. The beauty of the swaying green palm trees, waterways and the green paddy fields can make you love this place.
One should also visit Munnar, Wayanad, Thekkady, Varkala and the silent valley. Kerla has a lot to offer to the tourists so better be prepared for the huge treat when you plan to have vacations here.
| Tour Days | Tour Program |
| Tour Day 01 | Arrive Delhi On arrival at Delhi airport or railway station, our representative will be waiting for you with a sign board bearing your name and you will be transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day is at your leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel in Delhi. ( In case of any difficulty call us on our 24 x 7 No. +91 9810383473 ). |
| Tour Day 02 | City Tour of Delhi This morning after breakfast first you will visit old Delhi. The Raj Ghat, Red fort & Jama Masjid are important places to visit, you may also visit Chandni Chowk, spice market etc. Later on proceed to visit the New Delhi. The Qutub Minar, tallest stone tower in India, imposing India Gate and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Lotus Temple and, newly built Akshardham temple are of much significance. By evening return to your hotel for overnight stay. |
| Tour Day 03 | Delhi to Agra This morning after breakfast you will drive to Mughal city Agra and check into your hotel. Enroot you may also visit Mathura-the birth place of Lord Krishana. This afternoon visit the Agra fort, built by the great Emperor Akbar, and the famous Taj Mahal-the symbol of love, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. You may also visit Dayal Bagh. By evening return to your hotel for overnight stay. |
| Tour Day 04 | Agra to Jaipur This morning after breakfast you will drive to the pink city of Jaipur, enroute you will visit the Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. On arrival check into your hotel and rest of the day is at leisure. Stay overnight at hotel in Jaipur. |
| Tour Day 05 | Jaipur City Tour This morning after breakfast visit the Amber fort, built in 16th century, enjoy an elephant ride at Amber. Drive past the Hawa Mahal-a Palace of winds. In the afternoon you will visit the city palace and museum, walk to adjacent Jantar Mantar an astronomical observatory. Rest of the evening is at leisure. Stay overnight at hotel in Jaipur. |
| Tour Day 06 | Jaipur to Delhi This morning you will be transferred back to Delhi. Rest of the day is free at your leisure. Overnight at hotel. |
| Tour Day 07 | Delhi to Cochin by flight Today you will be transferred to airport to take a flight to Cochin. On arrival at Cochin Pickup & Transfer to hotel. Rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at hotel. |
| Tour Day 08 | Cochin City Tour On arrival at Cochin pick up and transfer to Hotel. This morning after breakfast sightseeing of Cochin, a city till today influenced by medieval Portugal, Holland and England. Your sightseeing will include visit to Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Kochi beach, Hill Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace or “Dutch Palace”. Chinese Fishing Nets: The Chinese fishing nets found here are the only ones of its kind in India. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Click here to view a picture of the Chinese fishing nets found here Dutch Palace The Dutch Palace was originally built by the Portuguese. Later, in 17th century, the Dutch modified it and presented to the Raja of Kochi. Coronation of many Rajas of Kochi was held here. The place has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting the scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. Fort Kochi beach A stroll along the beach, particularly at sunset with the Chinese fishing nets and sailing ships in the background, is a fine experience. Many European style bungalows can be seen along the shoreline. Jewish Synagogue The synagogue, magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers, was built in 1568. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. It is located near the Dutch Palace. This evening enjoy Motor Boat Ride at Cochin Harbour and walk around the beach. Overnight at the hotel. |
| Tour Day 09 | Cochin To Munnar After breakfast Cochin sightseeing – St. Francis Church, Chinese Fishing Nets, Beach, Indi-Portuguese Museum, Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue/transfer to Munnar(04 hours)/check-in at hotel/rest of the day at leisure or shopping/overnight at hotel. |
| Tour Day 10 | Munnar Full day sight seeing at Munnar – Rajamalai, Mattupetty, Eco point, Devikulam, Tea plantations/overnight at hotel. |
| Tour Day 11 | Munnar to Kumarkom Breakfast at the hotel & later drive to Kumarakom located on the Southern coast of India enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate, upon arrival check-in at Hotel Abad Whispering palms. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake , sanctuary. Rest of the day is free. Overnight at hotel. |
| Tour Day 12 | Kumarkom City Tour After breakfast at the Hotel visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, the best time for this is between November and March, when a range of migratory birds from Siberia make it their winter home. Some of the species include the Snake bird Little Cormorant, Crow Pleasant, White-branded water Hen and Tree pie. Occasionally you can catch the native kingfishers setting the waters ablaze in a psychedelic flash of colours. The night herons, the Golden-backed woodpeckers are added delights. At the fourteen-acre bird sanctuary one can glimpse many a rare bird – some of which, sadly, may not be around forever. Evening enjoy the sun set cruise thereafter return to hotel for overnight. |
| Tour Day 13 | Kumarkon to Alleppy-Houseboat Today morning after breakfast Proceed to Alleppey, Known as the Venice of the East. On arrival check into a traditional House Boat of Kerala Style. Cruise through the back waters is the fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters. Stay overnight in the House Boat. |
| Tour Day 14 | Appeppy to Cochin This morning pick up from the house boat and transfer to Cochin. Rest of the day is free at your leisure. Overnight at hotel. Abad Plaza. |
| Tour Day 15 | Transfer to Cochin Airport Today you will be transferred to Cochin airport for your onward journey. |
Your Tour Includes: |
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Your Tour Does Not Includes: |
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Terms & conditions: |
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Hotels to be provided: |
| Valid from 1st October 2010 to 31st March 2011, (Except 20th December 2010 to 05th January 2011). |
| City | Number of Nights | Standard Hotels | Deluxe Hotels | Luxury Hotels |
| Delhi | 3 | Hotel Karat 87 | Hotel Florence Inn | Hotel The Park |
| Agra | 1 | Hotel Royale Residency | Hotel Amar | Hotel Clarks Shiraz |
| Jaipur | 2 | Hotel Glitz | Hotel Mandawa Haveli | Hotel Park Prime |
| Cochin | 3 | Hotel Abad Plaza | Hotel Gukulam Park Inn | Hotel Taj Residency |
| Munnar | 2 | Sterling Days Inn Resort | Hotel Cooper Castle | Club Mahindra Lake View Resort |
| Kumarkom | 2 | Golden Water Resort | Hotel Abad Whispering Palms Resort | Taj Garden Retreat |
| Alleppey | 1 | Houseboat | Deluxe Houseboat | Deluxe Houseboat |
| Cost for a single Person traveling alone. | US$ 2230 | US$ 2605 | US$ 5015 | |
| Cost per person on twin sharing basis. | US$ 1330 | US$ 1535 | US$ 2770 | |
| Group Rates | On request | On request | On request | |
| Valid from 1st April 2011 to 30th September 2011 |
| Cost for a single Person traveling alone. | US$ 2045 | US$ 2375 | US$ 4605 | |
| Cost per person on twin sharing basis. | US$ 1220 | US$ 1405 | US$ 2540 | |
| Group Rates | On request | On request | On request | |
