Itinerary
NEW ZEALAND – KOCHI - MARARI BEACH - ALLEPEY - PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK - MUNNAR - KOCHI – NEW ZEALAND
Day 1 – Fly to Kochi: Fly from Auckland/Christchurch/Wellington/ Sydney/Melbourne airport.
Welcome to Kochi, the gateway to Kerala and a city filled with layers of history. When you arrive at Kochi airport, you will be received at the airport’s arrival terminal by our tour representative. Then they will drive and assist you with check in to your pre-booked luxury hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can just explore the nearby market of the hotel and enjoy the time here. Relax for the night, cast aside your jet lag and get ready for a wonderful holiday in Kerala. Day Highlights: Arrival at Kochi Airport and transfer to your luxurious hotel.
Day 2- Kochi Insights: After a delicious breakfast you can see the morning sun casts a large beam and the water brushes over the Arabian Sea. Now it's time to tour through the most famous attractions of the city to find out the rich past displayed with pageantry and pride with your tour representative in your Chauffeured vehicle. The first stop to lookout will be the Dutch Cemetery that was consecrated in the 18th century 1568 and continues to stand near Kochi Beach, the oldest Jewish synagogue in India decorated with Chinese porcelain tiles and Belgian chandeliers. The Paradesi Synagogue remains to be a true historic jewel.(closed on Fridays and Saturdays.) Next up we head to visit St. Francis Church, a paradise with hidden wonders, the very first and oldest European church of India.
After a heartwarming visit to the church, we continue to the Mattancherry Palace also known as Dutch Palace. (Closed on Fridays). We head to Visit spice markets of Mattancherry where you will be mesmerized by the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee mixes wherein you will also come in touch of cinnamon and cardamom spice in the market. You will definitely need to pack an extra bag for all the inevitable shopping done. After an amazing lunch, your tour proceeds to the Chinese fishing nets market to see the setup on teak wood and bamboo poles to attract the fishes these fishing nets have their origin from China. This is not the end of the day, save your evening for the Kathakali performance before you are served with the mouthwatering dinner. Day Highlights:
- Getting to visit the Vibrant city of Kochi
- Feeling the rich past in Paradesi Synagogue
- Looking at the finest architecture of Kerala at Mattancherry Palace
- Looking at the fishing culture by Chinese net
- Watching the traditional dance form of Kerala by Kathakali Performance
Day 3,4 – Marari Beach: Proceeding to the next day we headed towards the to Marari Beach that is located in the scenic beauty of the Alappuzha district thus complementing for your stay in a luxury resort. Marari beach the best place for photographers and sea surfers who can delve deep into the sea. The most peaceful beach which will lead you to relaxation. Relax in the beautiful haven for the night and enjoy the luxury of the private beach of the resort or you can go for the Kerala Ayurveda Massage in the evening to reclaim your peace. Day Highlights:
Day 5 – Alleppey: We start our day with Allepey a place endowed with scintillating natural beauty with vast network of waterways and backwaters that offers you picturesque vistas of nature. You board a houseboat that is luxurious and comfortable. Alleppey one of Kerala’s most mesmerisingly beautiful add even more excitement to your tour by the Houseboat Cruise Tour, you will also be served with the gourmet food prepared by the chef. You savor the meal, dining beneath the unparalleled starlight alongside backwaters as you continue to cruise alongside reaching palms. Relax in your houseboat for overnight and enjoy the backwaters. Day Highlights:
- Visit Alleppey
- Traditional Kerala Lunch
- Houseboat Cruise
- Scenes from Backwater Life
Day 6,7 – Periyar National Park:
Further we go-ahead to the most biodiverse region in the world that is counted as one of the top national parks of India, Periyar National Park covering 257 square miles covering the rivers Pamba and Periyar that flow through it. The Periyar park is the dwelling place and home to abundant significant species of flora, fauna, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds including the royal Bengal tigers and majestic elephants.
This National Park is truly an amazing coming together of adventure, nature, and beauty. A place which allows you the peace and serenity full of beautiful sights and sounds. Please select the activities that interest you most as there is a lot to choose from like Jungle Patrol, Border hiking, Bamboo Grove, Bamboo Rafting, Periyar Tiger Trail, Jungle Inn, Jungle camp and Bullock Cart discoveries. Call ‘Elephant Court Thekkady’ your home, for the night.
Day Highlights:
- Clouds Walk – Here we go for a 3 to 4-hour guided walk taking you to the vantage points of the park. Right from the vantage point, one can truly enjoy a 360-degree view of the grasslands.
- PeriyarLake Boat-Ride: A famous landmark situated near to the national park, Periyar lake is spread across an area of 26 sq. km. and is among the most charming lakes for a boat ride in Kerala. It was established post the construction of Mullaperiyar Dam, and it is also the perfect place to spot various wildlife species like deer and elephants that come here to quench their thirst.
- Abraham’s Spice Garden– Well the whole Periyar National Park has carpeted with greenery all around where you can see rubber trees grow and spices are cultivated a scenic tour through Abraham’s Spice Garden is unmissable. It is hosted by our best-experienced guides, who will certainly tell you concerning all the uses of different plants.
- Connemara Tea Factory– Tea lovers cannot resist being to this place and having enough of it. The connemara factory building was built back in the 1940s and the tour to it enlightens and educates about the history of tea plantation in Kerala and other medicinal uses of the leaves.
- Bamboo Rafting – One of the most exciting programs that take one through some of the most verdant locations of Periyar Tiger Reserve is Bamboo Rafting and hiking. The scenic tour is guided by two professional guides and panoramic views you will get to see on the way are an absolute visual treat.
- Elephant wash: Up next we head towards giving a nice scrub to an Elephant to finish your day.
Day 8 – Munnar: After the delicious South Indian breakfast, we proceed to Munnar on a scenic drive through the lush Western Ghats, in the same vehicle. Lush greens swathe the lush mountain slopes where your old-world plantation retreat is located. You will get to stroll around the estate with an expert naturalist, who identifies the local flora and fauna of Munnar, will feel the crisp air, clement weather and relaxed grain thus all are perfectly engineered to work up a restful experience for you all together in this scenic hill town. With the breath-taking views, it will be time to order a steaming cup of hot tea from a nearby plantation.
Day Highlights:
- Scenic drive to Munnar
- Your stay at a luxury resort in Munnar.
Day 9 – Munnar: Welcome to the Tea city of India. After the yummy breakfast at the hotel, you will go on for a full day sightseeing in and around Munnar by first visiting Eravikulam National Park, which is a very famous habitat and known for the rare mountain goats called the Nilgiri Tahr. You will also explore Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point spice plantations with its lustrous green tea garden. Follow the tea picker’s tail, you can shop around for exotic spices and take a guided visit to the Tea Museum. After your day excursion, and the wonderful experience you will return back to the hotel to enjoy dinner and overnight rest ahead.
Day Highlights:
- Tea Hills of Munnar
- Tea Museum

Day 10 - Kochi: Travel to Kochi and Check in at your hotel. Explore the day at your own pace.
Day Highlights:
Day 11 – Departure: You’ll be driven to your departure terminal in Kochi from your hotel after Breakfast according to your flight timings.

Day 12 – New Zealand: After spending such a wonderful time in India and experiencing exotic places in Kerala its time to head back home because there’s nothing like home. Welcome back to New Zealand and the end of your tour. Thank You!
Meals: In-flight – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch