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Kerala Kaleidoscope offers the unique opportunity to experience the very best of Kerala. Starting with 3 nights at Marari, Kerala's best- kept secret and exclusive beach resort. Followed by 2 nights on a fabulous houseboat, cruising the backwaters with it's amazing countryside before travelling up country to Periyar a nature reserve and the heart of the spice growing region. The last 7 nights are spent in Kovalam at your chosen beach hotel. SATURDAY Arrive in Trivandrum from the U.K. Transfer to Marari for 3 nights at the Marari beach resort on bed and breakfast basis. SUNDAY Day at leisure. MONDAY After breakfast depart for a city tour of Cochin, the heart of the Malabar Coast including St Francis' Church, the oldest European church in India, the Chinese fishing nets, the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557 and renovated by the Dutch from 1663 and Jew Town including the antique warehouses, shops and spice trading houses. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the facilities at Marari Beach. TUESDAY Transfer to spice coast cruise jetty (approximately 1.5 hours) to meet your very own floating hotel in the famous backwaters. Made completely of wood and natural materials your houseboat has a private balcony area, comfortable seating, panoramic views, small sundeck, plus bathroom with shower & WC. Houseboats have 1 bedroom sleeping two people. Accompanied by two oarsmen and a chef, you will spend 2 nights on the houseboat on full board basis. The crew provide wonderful hospitality and are on hand if needed at the rear of the boat, where their separate facilities are located. The waterways are vast and can offer complete peace and relaxation as you travel between the waterside village settlements, rice fields, and coconut finged banks getting a wonderful look at daily village life. As sunset approaches, the anchor is dropped and traditional lanterns lit, the perfect end to the day. WEDNESDAY Cruising the Backwaters. Overnight on the houseboat. THURSDAY Disembark the houseboat and transfer to Periyar through the Western Ghats, a sharp contrast to the coastal areas with an abundance of rubber and spice plantations including coffee, cocoa, cinnamon, pepper, cashew and clove. Check-in at Spice Village Hotel in time for lunch (optional at extra charge), with rest of the afternoon at leisure to take a swim or just relax and enjoy this superb setting. Two nights at the hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis.
FRIDAY A guided tour of Periyar which will include a visit to the local spice plantation full of heavenly aromas and vibrant colour and a motorboat cruise on the tranquil Lake Periyar, the watering hole within the Wildlife Sanctuary to spot the wildlife in their natural environment. Otters playfully cavort in the lake and 314 species of bird are check-listed here, an ornithologist's dream. Elephants are a common sighting as well as wild boar, sambar, monkeys, wild cats and very occasionally tigers (we admit it, we've never seen one!). SATURDAY After an early breakfast depart for Marari stopping at Kumarakom on the shores of the Vembanand Lake en-route, for a delicious lunch (included) at the fabulous Coconut Lagoon backwater retreat hotel. After a relaxing lunch continue on to Kovalam to your chosen beach hotel for the next 7 nights.
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