Mountain Gateways

Suggested: 8 Days, 7 Nights, 4 Places

KOCHI - MUNNAR – THEKKADY – via IDUKKI DAM – KUMARAKOM

Interested exploring the beautiful mountains and valleys of Western Ghats, one of the most important biodiversity hot spot in the world? Our Mountain Gateways is your best option with its finest combination of knowledge and leisure.

Day 01 – Arrival | Kochi:

On your arrival at Kochi airport or railway station, our representative will meet you to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. After check in and short relaxation, drive to the Athirappally waterfalls.  Athirappalli is a scenic combination of forests and little streams. Falling from a height of 80 feet, this is one of the largest waterfalls in the state. Many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna are found in the forests of the Athirapilly-Vazhachal area. This area is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered hornbill species are seen. You may also find a lot of wild giant squirrels in the area. Take your time to get refreshed and return to hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay is at your hotel in Kochi.

Day 02 - Kochi to Munnar:

After breakfast, visit the nearby elephant training centre and the adjacent botanical garden in Kodanad, situated on the southern banks of Periyar river. Kodanad is one of the largest elephant training centers in Kerala  and serves now as one of the premier elephant training centers in Kerala.  

Drive then to Munnar and visit the Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls on the way. The Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls are among the best trekking locations in Idukki district. Many people come across these waterfalls on the way to Munnar and it is very fast turning into a tourist hotbed. There is a dense growth of trees all around and several rare species of plants and animals can be seen in the vicinity. The Cheeyappara Waterfalls gush down in seven tiers and are a truly spectacular sight to behold. Valara Waterfalls are known for the lush greenery surrounding it and is a lovely location for nature lovers and photographers.

Check-in at hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure and enjoy the beautiful serenity of Munnar. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Munnar.

Day 03 – Munnar:

After breakfast, you may visit and the Eravikulam National Park, which is is famous for its population of Nilgiri Tahr - highly endangered species of mountain goat.

Then set out to enjoy wildlife on the Rajamala-Udumalpet road (SH 17) right through the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary - home to deer, leopards, elephants and the endangered grizzled giant squirrel. If you are lucky the legendary white bison may appear to give you a rare glimpse.

Day 04 - Munnar to Thekkady:

Today  after breakfast, drive towards south for Periyar .The Periyar sanctuary, created by the old Travancore State Government in 1934, was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under the Project Tiger scheme, attracts travellers from all over the world. The park encompasses a 26 sq. km. artificial lake, built by the British in 1895 to provide water to the temple city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

Visit Anayirangal Dam on the way. Anayirangal lake and dam attract hundreds of tourists who arrives here to catch the rare sight of elephant herds quenching their thirst from the lake. The name of the place itself is derived from this. It is a lush green carpet of tea plants. The place is surrounded by tea plantations and evergreen forests. A trip to the splendid reservoir will be an unforgettable experience.  Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Thekkady.

Day 05– Thekkady:

For the day you can choose from a list of jungle activities arranged by the forest department. You can either go for Bamboo rafting in the Wildlife sanctuary which is a whole day program or for a guided day trek, Elephant ride etc. Camping inside the reserve is also possible. Alternatively, you may enjoy a boat safari through the Periyar Reservoir making a round visit to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The reservoir has Kerala´s only tiger reserve close by.

On return, enjoy your dinner and have a good night in your hotel in Thekkady.

Day 06 – Thekkady to Kumarakom:

After breakfast, you may enjoy going for an elephant ride and bathing the elephants and also getting a shower from it. Then, you drive towards west and reach Kumarkom - a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake. On the way, you may drive through Idukki and visit the famous and enchanting Idukki dam. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Kumarakom.

Day 07 – Kumarakom | Houseboat:

Early morning around 6.00 am, proceed for Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary visit.  A 14 acres bird sanctuary- a haven for a host of migratory birds like Siberian stork and many others including Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck etc is the hall mark of Kumarkom. You can either go walking inside the sanctuary or take a canoe trip round the islands. In early morning, you have the best chances of spotting the birds.

Check in to the houseboat for an enchanting backwater cruise on the canals and rivers of the backwaters. Enjoy our complimentary lunch on the houseboat and go on for the cruise through the narrow water ways. Dinner  and overnight stay is on the houseboat in Alleppey.

Day 08 - Kumarakom – Kochi | Departue:

After breakfast check out from the houseboat and drive to Kochi for your return journey. Time permitting,  you may make a short visit to your interested attractions in Cochin, a city till today influenced by medieval Portugal, Holland and England. Your sightseeing will include visit to Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Kochi, Hill Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace or “Dutch Palace”, St. Francis Church, Tomb of Vasco da Gama etc.

Get transferred to Cochin airport or railway station for your flight or train back home.  Take with you the lifelong sweet memories of your trip in the “God´s own Country”. Hope you had an unforgettable journey with Taj and Malabar.

*For personalised packages with more or less days, please feel free to contact us directly.