Highlights of Kerala (IE – 18)

(From/To Trivandrum)

The coast of the South Indian Union State Kerala picturesquely bordered by lush green coconut alms. This land of bounty is home to the largest christian community in India and also the largest number of coconuts. Periyar is situated in the highland of the Western Ghats, the spice growing area of India. A perfect dream is a journey in a Rice Boat through the magnificent Backwaters, a network of water channels, lakes and lagoons directly behind the coastline.

The ancient seaports of Cochin and Quilon already attracted hundreds of years ago Chinese, Arabian and European merchants. This very day the legendary city of Cochin is stronghold of the India’s spice trade (pepper, cardamom, cloves).

Day 1: Trivandrum: Flight to Trivandrum.   Day 2: Trivandrum – Kovalam: AM: Arrival at Trivandrum airport. Transfer to Kovalam to your beach hotel.

Day 3: Kovalam – Periyar: After breakfast leave the lush green coast of Kerala and follow the road up to the mountains of the Western Ghats (900-2000 m), passing rubber and tea plantations on the way to Thekkady and Periyar, centre of the spice growing area of India (cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, Vanilla). Overnight in Hotel.

Day 4: Periyar: Early morning boat ride on Periyar Lake. The protected area covers 777 km, bounded by mountain ridges of over 1,700 m altitude. The sanctuary surrounds the picturesque Periyar Lake. Elephants and a variety of water birds are domiciled here. Rest of the day free. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 5: Periyar – Backwaters: The way down to the plains of Kerala is most scenic with tea and rubber plantations on both sides of the road. Overnight in a Hotel in the picturesque backwaters of Kerala.

Day 6: Kumarakom – Rice Boat: At lunch time you go on board of your Rice Boat and navigate through the picturesque Backwaters, a huge system of water channels behind the coast. The vegetation left and right is lush green with paddy fields an coconut groves. The so-called Kettuvalams are the same ones that were used to carry loads of rice through Kerala and therefore called Riceboats. These boats have now been modified and constructed for the tourists with sun deck, bedroom, dining area and a small kitchen. Overnight on the rice boat on full board basis.

Day 7: Rice Boat - Cochin: After breakfast end of the rice boat tour. Drive by car to Cochin, second largest seaport of India on the legendary Malabar coast and the so-called "Queen of the Arabian Sea" on the on the Pepper Coast. Sightseeing with St. Francis Church, where 1524 the Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama was entombed. See the Mattancherri Palace or Dutch Palace with excellent preserved mural paintings and the Jew Town with Synagogue (1567). A distinctive feature are the "Chinese Fishing Nets", a catch method, passed over 700 years ago by traders from the court of Kublai Khan. In the evening experience a Kathakali dance performance, typical, 400 years old dance drama, based on old legends and tales from hindu mythology. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 8: Cochin – Kovalam: Drive back to Kovalam. Overnight in a Hotel on the beach.

Day 9: Kovalam – Trivandrum: Transfer to Trivandrum airport. End of programme. Flight back home or continuation of programme (e.g. Ayurveda therapy).

Highlights of Kerala   8 days from/to Trivandrum Tourcode: IE 18 Category Superior Deluxe   Price per person in INR sharing a double room DZ DZ                   01.10.08 - 14.12.08 45,197  61,540    15.12.08 - 05.01.09     Prices on request as peak season 06.01.09 - 30.04.09       01.05.09 - 30.09.09   37,202   41,158

Category Place Superior Deluxe   Kovalam Travancore Heritage Taj Green Cove   Periyar Cardamom County Spice Village   Backwaters Resort Lake Palace Coconut Lagoon   Backwaters A/c Riceboat A/c Riceboat   Cochin Taj residency Taj Malabar/Brunton Boatyard   Kovalam The Travancore Heritage  Taj Green Cove

Mindestteilnehmer: 02, Programmänderungswünsche und Gruppenpreise auf Anfrage, Eingeschlossene Leistungen: 15 Übernachtungen inkl. Frühstück in den genannten Deluxe-Hotels o.ä., Transfers, Rundreise im PKW mit Aircondition, Zugfahrt Delhi - Agra, deutsch/englisch sprechende lokale Fremdenführer, Besichtigungen, Ausflüge sowie Eintrittsgelder gemäß Programm, Sicherungsschein des Veranstalters Nicht eingeschlossene Leistungen: Flüge nach Indien und zurück, innerindische Flüge, Flughafensteuern, Lande- und Sicherheitsgebühren sowie Ausreisesteuern, Visum für Indien, Reiserücktritts-/Krankenversicherungen usw., Mittag- und Abendessen, Getränke, Fotografier-/Kameragebühren, Trinkgelder, persönliche Ausgaben, evtl. obligatorische Weihnachts- und Silvester-Dinners Reisedokumente: Visum sowie Reisepass, der noch 6 Monate nach dem Rückreisetermin gültig sein muss. Wir raten zum Abschluss einer Reiserücktrittskosten- sowie Krankenversicherung (Formular bei uns erhältlich).