Kerala – God’s Own Country

Day 1: Arrive Mangalore – Bekal (70 Kms / 1.5 hrs) 

Traditional welcome - Atithi Devo Bhava (Guest is god) by garlanding on arrival at Mangalore airport by Travel Pals representative then a short drive to Bekal town in Kerala state on the coast. Check in your resort and relax.

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Bekal: A beautiful place wrapped with tranquility and located at the tip of south western India. It is regarded as the first planned beach destination of India nestled on the shore of Pallikkara village in Kasaragod district, of Kerala state. It has best preserved fort in the whole of Kerala, bordered by beach. 

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Day 2 : Bekal

Enjoy a guided tour of  Bekal town and visit Bekal Fort, built by Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi in 1650 AD. It is largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala.

Also visit Chandragiri Fort - built in the 17th century which is 46 m above sea level and occupies an area of about seven acres by the side of the river Payaswini. The fort is now left in ruins.

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Day 3 : Bekal

Day at leisure to enjoy the beach side town and the spa therapies in your resort.

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Day 4 : Bekal - Wayanad (195 kms / 5 hrs)

Driven southward to the town of paddy field - Wayanad. Evening at leisure.

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Wayanad: A land of paddy fields and shelters endangered species as it has an amazing range of flora and fauna. It has an influential history too, numerous evidences depicting new Stone Age civilization is seen on the Wayanad hills. Relicts and edicts are found in this place emphasizing the prehistoric epoch.

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Day 5: Wayanad 

This morning ready for jungle safari to The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary was formed in 1973 and was brought under the Project Elephant in 1991–92. This sanctuary occupies an area of 345 km2. A variety of large wild animals such as Elephants, tigers, panthers, jungle cats, civet cats, monkeys, wild dogs, bisons, deer, bears, monitor lizards and a variety of snakes are found there. Wayanad is home to 350 species of resident and migratory birds including some endangered species of birds.

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Later visit Edakkal Caves are famous for its pictorial paintings (cave paintings), which are considered to be of 6000 B C. To reach the caves, one has to trek through the Ambukutty Mala. It will take around 45 minutes to climb the hill.

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Day 6 : Wayanad - Calicut (75 kms / 1.5 hrs)

Driven to Calicut (Kozhikhode). This is where the Eurpoean explorer Vasco Da Gama landed in 1498 and made it famous as the 'City of Spice' as it played a majot role in spice trading and the route.

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One can explore Beypore Beach where you get opportunity of different water activities.

Sunset views from the Lighthouse and the Mananchira Square.

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Day 7 : Calicut - Cochin (225 kms / 5 hrs)

Early morning visit Dolphin's point, a good place to watch dolphins playing in the sea.

Breakfast at hotel followed by a drive to Cochin (Kochi) - set along the spice coast of Malabar, offers a bewitching combination of gorgeous beaches, tranquil backwaters, historic monuments & Palaces. 

Evening free.

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Day 8 : Cochin 

A private guided tour of the city visiting the famous Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), St. Francis Church and the Jewish Synagogue. Also see the giant Chinese Fishing Nets being lowered on the famous Vasco Da Gama Square, offering a spectacular view.

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Evening enjoy a cultural dance performance of Kathakali, (popular and spectacular dance-drama forms of India).

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Day 9: Cochin – Munnar (130 Kms / 4 hrs) 

Drive to Munnar for a two-night stay. Remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the surroundings or take one of the many walks available in the area.

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Munnar: A hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it's surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. 

Day 10: Munnar 

Take a four-hour hike with a naturalist through tea estates and villages. Visit the tea factory which is reputed to be amongst the highest in the world that produces tea using orthodox processes from the times of the British Raj. 

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Day 11 : Munnar - Thekkady (90 kms / 3 hrs)

An interesting drive to inland Kerala following the spice trail to Thekkady town in Idukki district situated near the famous Periyar National Park and the lake. The vicinity of this town is famous for spice & coffee plantation.

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Afternoon tour of spice garden offers an interesting insight into how cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and other spices are grown, cultivated and processed.

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Evening enjoy the famous Kalaripayattu (dance show) -The Orient's treasure trove, a gift to the modern world and the mother of all martial arts.

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Day 12 : Thekkady

An early morning boat ride on the Periyar Lake where you will enjoy abundant bird watching and a chance to see the mighty elephant on the banks.

Return to your resort for breakfast. Day at leisure to choose from one of the many activities in and around the park such as Nature Walk, Jungle Patrol, Bamboo Rafting, Border Hiking etc.

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Day 13 : Thekkady - Kumarakom (125 kms / 3.5 hrs)

After breakfast driven to Kumarakom which is famous for it's backwater resorts and houseboats. Experience the serene & tranquil environment on the famous Vembanad Lake.  

Free day to enjoy the ambience.

Optional visit to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (also known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary).

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Day 14 : Kumarakom - Alleppey sailing

Today, you will embark a private backwater houseboat locally known as Kettuvalloms - a traditional rice boat of Kerala from the jetty point of your resort for an overnight on the boat with your meals cooked and served on board. You will have an air-conditioned bedroom with attached toilet and shower, upper & lower lounge deck and a pantry with a captain, chef and an attendant/server.

Day 15 : Alleppey - Cochin - onward

After breakfast on board, you will disembark your boat and head to Cochin international airport for onward flight or you have white sandy beaches (30 minutes away) calling you to spend sometime under the sun lazing on the hammock watching the sea waves and sipping cocktails and scrumptious Kerala style seafood.

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Please ask us for various extension programmes to choose from.