Cure Monastery

8 Days / 7 Nights

Cochin, Marari, Houseboat, Alleppey, Periyar, Madurai and Munnar

Day 1: Arrive Cochin

Arrive Cochin . After clearing Immigration and Customs, you will be welcomed at the airport and whisked away to your waiting transport to your Hotel  (30kms)
( Hotel Check in time : 1200 hrs)

Cochin (Kochi) is spread across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and the Backwaters. The city was founded in 1341 when a flood created a natural safe port, which became the principal harbour for Malabar Coast’s spice trade. Cochin was on the main trade route between Europe and China. The rulers invited people of various religions to settle here, attracting the  Jews and the Christians who built places of worship and their own communities.

Afternoon  sightseeing  of Cochin including the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry (Friday closed)is renowned  for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana.  The Jewish Synagogue (Saturday closed) at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town.  The St  Francis  Church,  the oldest European Church in India.  The Santa Cruz Basilica, originally built in 1557  by the Portuguese.  The Chinese fishing nets believed to brought to Kochi by the Chinese Traders..

Later evening visit to a Kathakali dance show.                   .

Overnight at Cochin..

Day 2: Cochin

Morning at leisure. Mid morning drive to Marari (55 kms , 01 hr 15 mts)

On arrival check in at the beach resort.

Everyone loves endless golden beaches. So much so, they've become something of a tourism clich, often indistinguishable from one another. But the allure of a beach is not just in the sand and the sea. It's in the living environment that surrounds it.  In the trees and plants, the birds and fishes that call it home. And most of all, in the culture, life and colour of the people who belong there. Because it is only this that makes it special, different from other interchangeably pretty stretches of sand around the world. A beach is just a beach, until you find its living heart. For us, the search ended in the little village of Mararikulam.

Over night at Marari .

Day 3: Marari

Full day relax at the beach resort .

Over night at Marari.

Day 4: Marari/ House boat

At 1130 hrs , drive to Alleppey  (10 km, 20 mts). On arrival board a house boat for an over night cruise around the backwaters of kerala.

Lunch at Houseboat.

HOUSEBOATS, popularly known as “Kettuvalam” is converted from a traditional rice barge.  While cruising to Alleppey you will see the glimpses of village life of the people living around the backwater area.  You may watch palm-lined bank and narrow stips of land that separate the waterways and the constant quiet traffic of valam (small boats) are typical.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 5: Alleppey / Periyar

Disembark House boat at 0930 hrs and  drive to Periyar – 165 kms , 04 hrs 
Thekkady.

Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq km. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake; it attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants.

Afternoon Boat ride in Lake Periyar, and see the wildlife around the lake as you cruise along its banks. Apart from elephants, bison, sambar, wild boar, langur, otter and flying squirrel are common. There are also 246 species of birds and 112 species of butterfly.

Over night at Periyar

Day 6  :    Periyar/Madurai

After breakfast , drive to  Madurai (150 km , 04 hrs).

Madurai , Over 2500 years old, Madurai is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu. It is an important cultural and commercial centre. It was once the seat of Tamil learning and still the place where the Tamil language is spoken in its purest form. The city is planned in the shape of a lotus. Modern Madurai is a burgeoning industrial centre, even though the vast stretches of paddy fields, dusty roads and crowded bazaars make it seems like an overgrown village. Modernity has reached the city of Madurai, but not at the cost of its rich tradition and culture.

After noon visit Tirumalanayak palace , Tiruppurakundam temple .

Witness the “Palli Arai” ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple at night.The great Meenakshi temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams.

Overnight at   Madurai.

Day 7   :   Madurai/Munnar

After breakfast drive to Munnar (165 kms , 04 hrs).

Munnar is a beautiful hill station on the Western Ghats at about 1600 metres above  sea level.There are lakes, reservoirs, forests and several tea estates in Munnar. Famous Tata Tea estate and factory is in M unnar. There is a wildlife sanctuary in the Eravikulam –Rajamala area in the Munnar forest division.Munnar was the summer resort of the British Government in the South.Rajamala is the right place to spot Nilgiri Thar (a rare breed  of Mountain Goats in the world).

Afternoon proceed for a sightseeing of Munnar. Places of Visits :  Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Mattupety Dam, Echo Point &  Tea Factory.

Over night at Munnar

Day 8: Munnar/Marayoor

After breakfast drive to Marayoor (55 kms , 01 hr 30 mts) Tour ends after dropping at the monastery.

END OF TOUR