ARRIVAL TRIVANDRUM AIRPORT

• Meeting/Assistance and Transfer to Kovalam beach

• Checkinto Hotel /Rest of the day leisure at beach

• Evening Breafing

• Overnight at hotel

• Hotel : Soma Palmshore

• Room+Breakfast Inclusive tax

Arrival Trivandrum. You will be met on arrival by our representative and transfer to Kovalam Beach -One of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look.

The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. On arrival check in and overnight at one of the best beach resort.

TODAY KOVALAM | VELI VILLAGE | ANJENGO FORT AND CYCLE TO VARKALA BEACH

• Morning Breakfast

• Aprox 32 Kilometers Cycling

• Upon Arrival Check in to Hotel

• The Day Leisure at Beach

• Overnight at hotel

• Hotel : Hindustan Beach Resort

• Room+Breakfast Inclusive tax

Morning after breakfast we transfer by car to Veli village, from where we cycle (20 kilometes) to the estuary. The lagoon is a large lake separated from the ocean by the narrowest of sandbar spits, where fisherman can be seen working on their boats and nets, or poling across the lake with sand-filled barges.

Transferring by boat we visit the fishing village of Anjuthengu, where we stop to visit Anjengo fort, built by the British East India Company in the 17th century and the first British trading post on the Malabar coast. After our visit we carry on by cycle (12 kilometes) towards Varkala beach , a temple town renowned throughout the region as a pilgrimage centre for the millions of Hindus who come here to worship at the ancient Janardhana Swamy Temple

On arrival in Varkala there should be time to relax and enjoy the beaches of the Arabian coast, wander amongst the palms and perhaps enjoy a stunning sunset before enjoying a well-earned dinner in one of the local restaurants.

TODAY CYCLE VARKALA | PARAVOOR VILLAGE AND CYCLE TO KOLLAM

• Morning Breakfast

• Aprox 38 Kilometers Cycling

• Upon Arrival Check in to Hotel

• The Day Leisure at Beach

• Overnight at hotel

• Hotel : Royal Orchidt

• Room+Breakfast Inclusive tax

This morning’s ride gives us the chance for some interaction with the local people of the area. Travelling through villages we see some traditional coir-making skills (the fibres from the outer husk of the coconut, which is used to make rope and mats), as well as fishing. We then continue on and hope to visit an elephant trader’s camp, where there may be the option to ride on one of the working elephants.

Situated on the edge of the Ashtamundi Lake, Kollam is surrounded by coconut palms and cashew tree plantations, indeed the town is the centre of the cashew industry here. Its old wooden houses are typical of the Keralan style and its situation at the southern end of the backwaters makes it an ideal spot from which to explore this fascinating network of canals and lagoons. we ride approximate 38 kilometer through the village area. Later we reach and checkinto a beach resort.

TODAY BOAT TRIP KOLLAM | HARIPAD VILLAGE | KAYAMKULAM AND CYCLE TO BACKWATER VILLAGE

• Morning Breakfast

• Aprox 12 Kilometers Cycling

• Backwater Cruise by Public Boat

• Arrival Alappy

• Check in to Homestay

• Lunch and Dinner withKeralite Family

• Overnight at homestay

• Homestay : Emarld Isle

• Room+Lunch+Dinner+ Breakfast Inclusive tax

Transferring to Kollam jetty , catch a public motor launch to travel through the backwaters to Haripad village. This is the ideal way to explore these waterways. The boats - their bows often carved in the shape of a dragon - are the lifeline for the villages, acting as taxis, mail delivery, even the harvest is carried in boats. You may see great pyramids of coconuts or even the odd buffalo being carried along in this time honoured fashion..

Stopping at Ayiramthengu coir village for lunch en route, we eventually reach our destination of Kayamkulam Lake. We cycle for about 12kms until we pick up a boat to take us over to cochin jetty. After visiting the temple we transfer to our accommodation, in the district of the ancient trading town of Alleppey- a cluster of little islands is the most beautiful and picturesque backwater destination of Kerala, It is an enchantingly beautiful little paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals..

You will find lots of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks is a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds is a boat trip round through the backwater areas..

Arrive and check into one of the beautifull homestay - The coastal town of ‘Alleppey’ on the Arabian sea, called as the Venice of the east for the numerous canals that meander through the town. Enjoy, exploring the beautiful surroundings or spotting an exciting range of colorful water birds,Boating and fishing facilities are also available, dinner with family and and overnight stay .

DRIVE AND CYCLE TO VAGAMON HILLS

• Morning Breakfast

• Aprox 35 Kilometers Cycling

• Check in to Homestay

• Evening visit Ashram 9 Christian Monastery )

• Lunch and Dinner with Family

• Overnight at homestay

• Homestay : Colonels Retreat

• Room+Lunch+Dinner+Breakfast Inclusive tax

Today we drive and cycle to Vagamon hill station (35 kilometers) which is a very ideal tourist spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens, beautiful meadows, deep puzzling valleys and dales and the trekking enthusiasts will enjoy climbing this 1100 metres tall hill.

We travell to Chenganacherry, we quickly see the landscape and its flora change as we gain elevation to arrive at the town of Kanjirapalli,from where we cycle up to the hill station. Grass covered hills, velvet lawns and the cool mountain air make Vagamon a perfect holiday retreat. A curious blend of religious mysticism and European legacies, this hillside village is a haven of tranquility.

In the evening we can visit in and around Vagamon - an ideal destination for a break away from the fast lanes of city life and to live a laidback life. The important tourist attractions of Vagamon are the Kurisumala hill, which is ideal for trekking. A small church over the top of the hill and the nearby Kurisumala Ashramam are worthy of a visit. Kurisumala Ashramam is actually a monastery for Christian ascetics, who have belief in the Christianity along with the Indian spiritual beliefs and the Gandhian thought.

TODAY CYCLE IN AND AROUND VAGAMON HILLS

• Morning Breakfast

• Aprox 20 Kilometers Cycling

• Visit to Kurisumalai and Ancient Palace

• Lunch and Dinner with Family

• Overnight at homestay

• Homestay : Colonels Retreat

• Room+Lunch+Dinner+Breakfast Inclusive tax

A morning stroll among the seemingly numerous fruits and medicinal plants of a local plantation brings us to the Meenachil river, the enigmatic source of life and death in Arundhati Roy’s Booker prize-winning novel ‘The God of Small Things’. Depending on the season, we may bathe in its rock pools before cycling(20 kilometes) to Poonjar Palace, a 900 year old residency of the Maharajah and his family.

After lunch, we may have a chance to track elephants at work among the surrounding forests of teak and sandalwood. Vagamon provides unlimited holidaying fantasies round the year, except with the season being slightly off during themonsoons.

TODAY DRIVE AND CYCLE TO PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK

• Morning Breakfast

• Aprox 28 Kilometers Cycling

• Check into Hotel

• Visit to Kumily Town

• Overnight at hotel

• Hotel : Hotel Grand Thekkady

• Room+Breakfast Inclusive tax

Visit plantations Taking the meandering roads through the high ranges today we will drive some of the steeper sections of road, before transferring to two wheels to continue our journey to Periyar National Park , drive up the ghats on a route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, coco, green pepper and arecanut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar -the cardamom hills on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Periyar was established in 1934 and is one of the largest sanctuaries in India. It is one of the best sanctuaries in which to observe herds of elephants.Evening the boat journeys provide unrivalled opportunities for observing mammals, particularly Elephant, at close range.

Our route to the Periyar wildlife sanctuary takes us past many rubber plantations, and through the varied spice gardens of this part of India which we plan to visit with a local botanist. Further on, we may have the opportunity to meet local tea pickers at a factory and get something of a feel for how people live in this beautiful region before arriving at ourhotel.

MORNING CAR TO KUTIKKANAM, CYCLE TO PERUMBAVOOR AND DRIVE TO COCHIN

• Morning Breakfast

• Aprox 23 Kilometers Cycling

• On arrival check into Hotel

• Later visit to Fort Cochin area

• Overnight at hotel

• Hotel : Fort Castle

• Room+Breakfast Inclusive tax

We begin our day with a visit to the Connemara Tea Factory. From here we drive by Car to Kuttikkanam. We continue by road to the bustling port of Kochi, is also known as ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ due to its natural harbour being one of the finest. Cochin is a city made of islands connected to Ernakulam on the mainland by bridges and ferries. The interesting city of Cochin perfectly reflect the eclecticism of Kerala. This quaint town has seen historic visits from sea faring traders in the past from Portugal , China etc bringing to it different cultures that make up its fabric.

We cycle to the Jewish street and visit Synagogue (of 1568) which is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. It is an interesting little place with hand painted willow pattern floor tiles brought from Canton in China in the mid 18th century. The synagogue is located in an area called Jew Town which also is one of the centers of the spice trade in the region.(Dress Code: visitors to the Synagogue - Bare shoulders and mid-riffs are not permitted and should be covered with shawls (Open from 10.00 to 12.00 hrs. & 15.00 to 17.00 hrs / Closed on all Fridays / Saturdays and Jewish holidays )*

Also visit the ancient Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557. This palace was presented to the ruler of Cochin as a gesture of goodwill. The Palace’s alternative name "Dutch Palace" resulted from substantial renovations by the Dutch after 1663.. The most important feature of the palace is the astonishing murals that adorn some of the palace rooms, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharta and Puranic legends connected with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Kumara and Durga.(Dutch Palace /Open from 10.00 to 17.30 hrs. Closed for visitors on Fridays and all government holidays )

Another stop is made at the St. Francis Church, the oldest European built church in India . Constructed in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan Friars who accompanied the expedition led by Pedro Alvarez Cabral. He famed Vasco de Gama, the first European to reach India by sailing around Africa, died in Cochin in 1524 and was buried here for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon . His tombstone can be seen inside the church (St. Francis Church Open from 09.00 to 13.00 hrs. & 14.30 to 17.30 hrs Closed for visitors on Sundays from 08.00 to 11.00 hrs)

TODAY COCHIN TO TRIVANDRUM BY TRAIN AND THEN CYCLE TO KOVALAM BEACH

• Transter to Ernakulam Rly Station by Car

• Serve packed breakfast

• Train journey to Trivandrum (Etd 0530 am Eta 1010am)

• Car and Cycle meet you on arrival at Trivandrum Central

• Aprox 12 Kilometers Cycling

• Visit to Bhramin Street

• Visit to Fishermans Village

• Check into Hotel

• Rest of the day lesure at beach

• Ayurveda tratment ( On your own )

• Overnight at hotel

• Hotel : Soma Palmshore

• Room+Breakfast Inclusive tax

Early morning train to Trivandrum; cycle to Kovalam. We catch an early morning train back to Trivandrum, from where we cycle back to Kovalam. Once a quiet hippy haven,The crescent-shaped beaches of Kovalam can be divided in three parts. The southern most beach, and the most popular, is the Lighthouse Beach. Further south on the beach one can have a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque. Photography is prohibited here.The middle beach is called Hawah. Each morning this beach acts as a base for the local fisherman. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times.It is dotted with few rudimentary wooden fishing vessels. This is the best place to end our trip.

Rest of the day leisure or Ayurveda treatment- a natural way of feeling better.A relaxing massage with herbal oils is highly rejuvenating. Ayurveda is an Indian system of medicine. Ayurveda means the science of life / health and employs naturalistic methods based on the theory of panchabhuta or five elements. Tone up the nervous system with the help of aromatic and medicinal oils used by expert masseurs.

Ayurveda believes in the treatment of not just the affected part, but the individual as a whole. Making it the natural way to refresh yourself, eliminate all toxic imbalances from the body and thus regain resistance and good health. Ayurveda removes the cause of disease and re-establishes balance to our system. According to Ayurveda, we are composed of three bodies physical, astral, causal ie. body, mind and soul. Overnight at the Hotel.

DEPARTURE KOVALAM FOR TRIVANDRUM AIRPORT

In time transfer straight to the airport (approx 14 Kms/Half an hour drive) to board flight

• Please note that, although our rates are based on the hotels used in this itinerary, these are subject to change according to availability. Should they not be available, we will book alternate accommodation at a similar hotel

• We reserve the right to adjust our prices according to any currency fluctuations, amendments in local government taxes or fuel hikes.

• Peak season suppliment INR 700 (USD 16) Per person Perday from 20 December 2010 to 10 January 2011

• The above rates are net and non commissionable.

• The above rates are valid from 01 October 2010 to 31 March 2011 .