Thrissur Festival Tour

After breakfast drive to Guruvayur. On arrival at Guruvayur, transfer to the Hotel and check in.

After some rest visit the Guruvayur Temple (From Outside as Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple) which is unique, as it is not built in the typical South Indian style of temple architecture. For example, its architecture is not massive or grand but simple in keeping with the style of Kerala houses. Its four gateways lead to the main gopuram (where the idol is installed), protected by a slopping terracotta roof made of Mangalore tiles.

Later visit the Elephant Sanctuary, which is only one of its kinds in the World. It has 51 elephants now. These jumbos are the offerings of the devotees to the Lord. A large number of pilgrims and tourists visit this fascinating spot every day. All these elephants were offered by devotees of Lord Guruvayurappa.

In the afternoon visit Kalamandalam Dance School, that is undoubtedly the best institution in India imparting training and conducting performance of Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Panchavadyam and Thullal. Beside the regular courses, Kalamandalam also offers crash courses in different art disciplines. Here the guests will enjoy the Dance Performance perform by the students.

IMP: Kalamandalam remains closed on Saturday and Sunday. Timings: 1000 hrs to 1600 hrs.

Overnight in the Hotel

Drive to Thrissur.

Thrissur literally means "town with the name of Lord Shiva ("Tiru - Shiva - Perur") and befittingly the town's most prominent feature is the Vadakkumnathan temple with Shiva as the presiding deity. The city (two hours away from Cochin) had a chequered history and was developed first by the Zamorins of Calicut then Tippu Sultan of Mysore followed by the Dutch and the British.

On arrival transfer to the Hotel. Overnight in the Hotel

After breakfast.

Today enjoy the Festival activities. Thrissur is famous the world over for its mesmerizing colorful Pooram Festival. This two-century-old festival is a festival of temple elephants decked out in their finest livery and percussion instruments - a 36-hour marathon event, One of the oldest temples in the state of Kerala is the Vadakkumnathan temple with decorative murals and works of art. It is where the Pooram festival, the biggest festival of the region There are several legends and myths behind the festival of Pooram, which literally means a meeting. It was believed that every year the gods and goddesses of the area met together for a day of celebration on Pooram. In the evening of Pooram two lines of 15 elephants from opposing temples face each other. Each elephant apart from being decked up has an umbrella holding priest, a peacock fan carrier and a yak-tail flywhisk wielder. Between the two lines of elephants stand percussionists and a traditional wind orchestra playing the panchvadyam. As they reach a crescendo a new display of brilliant ceremonial umbrellas blossoms over the elephants. This competition of the swift and rhythmic changing of the parasols goes on till the sunsets and the elephants return home. A magnificent fireworks display then lights up the night sky. Devotees and visitors come to Thrissur in thousands for the Pooram. It is a spectacular event and one that lives on in one's memory forever.

Overnight in the Hotel

Today in the morning also enjoy the festival activities as attended the previous day, since the activities go on till afternoon. Later drive to Munnar. On arrival transfer to the hotel Munnar, the Kashmir of South India is a part of Kerala. A misty, lush green hill station up in the Annamalai range of Kerala, Munnar is a tea plantation centre.

Tea gardens, some of the highest in the world stretch up the sides of the hills and are interspersed with pockets of forest rich in wildlife. Later visit the Tea gardens.

Overnight in the hotel

After breakfast drive to Periyar. Periyar National Park is a unique wildlife sanctuary and is about 780 sq. km centered on an artificial lake fed by the Periyar River.

On arrival check in at the hotel Evening free to explore the market Overnight in the hotel

After breakfast visit the Elephant Camp and Spice Plantation at the Periyar.

Overnight in the hotel

After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom. Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala, God's own country. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration for your vocation and life.

That is the pristine beauty of Kumarakom. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways. The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna and flora. They are rich with marine life namely the exclusive 'Kumarakom Karimeen' (pearl spotted fish), Konju (tiger prawns), Njandu (crabs), Chemeen (prawns) and many more.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark the houseboat at around 1200 Noon for overnight cruise on the backwaters. BACKWATERS - Kerala is undoubtedly blessed with a unique feature called the backwaters. Backwaters are formed by the accumulation of sea water at the beach. As the waves moved to and fro, they made their way tearing the ground and forming backwaters.

The backwaters are essentially inland lakes connected by a network of canals. The best way to enjoy the Kerala backwaters is to take a cruise on a Kettuvallam.

Overnight at the hotel.

After leisurely breakfast drive to Cochin. On arrival, visit St. Francis Church built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars where Vasco da Gama was buried for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon. Nearby is the Mattancherry Palace or "Dutch Palace".

The central hall on the first floor was the coronation hall of the rajas of Kochi. Evening enthrall yourself with a special presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali Dance Drama. This mask dance form is originally from Kerala and 1500 years old. This classical dance has 24 mudras expressing the nine emotions of serenity, wonder, kindness, love, valour, fear, contempt, loathing and anger.

Usually performed by males Overnight in the hotel

On time transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onwards journey