Kerala Backwater Bliss

DAY 1: ARRIVAL COCHIN

On arrival, transfer and check into the hotel. In the afternoon, go for a city tour of Cochin . Visit St. Francis Church where Vasco Da Gama was originally buried and the historic Jewish Synagogue built in 1568 AD where one can admire the great scrolls of the Old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded, and the exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles. Also visit the Dutch Palace , Chinese Fishing Nets and the Spice Market. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular Kathakali dance show. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals:

DAY 2: COCHIN - MUNNAR: 145 KMS | 4 HRS BY ROAD

In the morning, drive to Munnar, a hill station and tea city where panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys make it a pretty little heaven with a cool bracing climate. On arrival, check into the hotel. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3: MUNNAR

In the morning, visit tea plantations. Watch tea being picked, learn how tea is processed, smell the sweet scent of tea wafting through the air and buy the tea directly from the gardens. In the afternoon, take an excursion to Mattuppetty, to visit its beautiful lake. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4: MUNNAR - PERIYAR: 140 KMS | 4 HRS BY ROAD

In the morning, drive to Periyar. On arrival, check into the hotel. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake in the afternoon, and see the wild animals in their natural habitat. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5: PERIYAR

Early in the morning, set off for game viewing in the National Park. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Thereafter, visit tea and spice plantations or go on a short trek through the forest with an escort. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6: PERIYAR - ALLEPEY: 130 KMS | 3 HRS BY ROAD

After breakfast, drive to Periyar. On arrival, check into the house boat. Enjoy rest of the day on board the house boat. Stay overnight at the house boat.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

DAY 11: PERIYAR - COCHIN : 80 KMS | 2 HR BY ROAD

After breakfast drive to Cochin to connect flight for onward journey.

Meals: Breakfast

THEKKADY WILD CORRIDOR

City: Thekkady

This luxury resort nestles by the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary amidst lush greenery and the natural habitat of wild animals.

Room Amenities
The resort has 35 rooms in the categories of Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Royal Villa, Romantic Villa, Executive Villa, Super Deluxe Villa and Deluxe Villa. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, appointed with television and en suite washrooms.

Dining
The resort has a multi cuisine restaurant.

Hotel Facilities
The resort houses an Ayurvedic centre and a lovely open Jacuzzi. There is a conference hall on the premises with a capacity of 120 guests. A children's park, recreation centre, a library and other indoor games add to the appeal. The resort also conducts outside activities such as treks and camps in the jungle, bird watching, tiger trails, boat rides, rafting and elephant rides.

Location
The resort is situated at Murikkady, on the fringes of the Periyar wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki district.

SOUTH TOURISM HOUSE BOAT

City: Allepey

HOTEL ARCHES

City: Cochin

EDASSERY EASTEND

City: Munnar

With a green and white exterior, this hotel stands in the hub of the main Munnar town, just around a corner. It is a 3 star property which was started in 1992 - 1993.

Lobby
Upbeat English music plays in the lobby. It is a spacious lobby with white marble flooring, wood paneling on the pillars and walls, floral patterned sofas and various murals on the walls. A carved wooden bracket divides the lobby space and a white marbled reception counter stands on the left of the entrance. Separate ladies and gents washrooms are connected to the lobby.

In front of the main building, there is a large lawn with flowers, trees, manicured shrubs and a murky pond. Beside the pond there is a hut on stilts which looks quaint from the distance.

Rooms
The hotel is home to a total of 43 rooms of which there are 20 Super Deluxe rooms which are the cottages in the garden, away from the main building, 18 Galaxy rooms which are in the main building and 5 Honeymoon Villas which are behind the Super Deluxe rooms. The Galaxy rooms are carpeted, Super Deluxe rooms have tiled flooring & the Honeymoon Villas have tiled flooring and bathtubs in the washrooms. The facilities common to all the rooms are cable television, STD/ISD telephones which can be connected through the reception, hot & cold running water, room service from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm and basic toiletries in the washrooms. The Galaxy rooms are very tastefully furnished with green satin curtains, 2 green cushioned bay windows, beige carpeting, a study table and a dressing table. The Super Deluxe rooms are larger with a dining table on entering. The rooms cater to families, couples and people traveling in large groups with economical rates and at just a little more for the higher end rooms.

Services & Facilities
Other services offered by the hotel are laundry, a mini shopping kiosk, doctor on call, travel desk, children's play area, barbecue and campfire on request, Ayurvedic centre and a multi gymnasium.

Dining
The dining facility includes Greens - the multi cuisine restaurant which can accommodate 80 persons. It offers a buffet and a la carte for lunch (12:30 pm to 3:30 pm) and dinner (7:30 pm to 10:30 pm) and only a buffet breakfast (7:30 am to 10:30 am). There is also the coffee shop which serves multi cuisine snacks and non alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is not served on the property but guests are free to buy their own and consume it within the privacy of their rooms. It is functional from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Sampling a meal here would be a smart choice.

Banquets & Conferences
The hotel has two conference halls called Blues and Conference Hall which is on the 3rd floor and can accommodate 250 and 300 persons respectively. All conferencing equipment can be supplied here at an extra charge. Conference Hall is often used as a games room with a pool table, table tennis table and a carom board when not required for a meeting or function.

Recreation
The Ayurvedic massage centre is situated with the Honeymoon Villas and is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Trained therapists work here - one lady and one gent. Tea & Spice is the gift shop which sells what it speaks of and some more. It is open throughout the day for the convenience of the guests from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm.

This 2 star offers more than you'd ask for and provides all the facilities at very reasonable costs.

Location
The hotel is located in main Munnar town and is 120 kilometres from Cochin airport, 120 kilometres from Aluva railway station and walking distance from the bus station.

CASINO HOTEL

City: Cochin

Situated in the Willingdon Island of Cochin, Casino Hotel captures the essence of this city - the charm of one of the world's finest harbours, the vibrancy of a rich legacy shaped by trade contacts, the beauty of a tradition that is so well reflected in the culture and cuisine. The hotel carries tradition and modernity with elan with the richness of its simple, natural yet elegant interiors. This is a famed CGH Earth property and stays true to its name - Clean, Green & Healthy with its interiors and exteriors.

Lobby
You will be beckoned in with a heart warming reception complete with garlands and an aarti. Classical instrumental music floods the space and hues of calming, earthy colours provide a tasteful and comfortable setting. It is a spacious lobby, with a lot of open empty spaces, brown tiled and wood flooring, a false ceiling with halogen lights illuminating the area and a wood reception table with a brown marble top. Glass windows allow for natural light during the day and plants in brass pots embellish the brown floors. With two levels in the lobby, the lower level boasts of a charming seating space with patterned cane sofas, jute rugs and ethnic paintings embroidering the walls. Beside the reception is the Internet Browsing Table which can be availed only by in house guests at Rupees 100 per hour.

Rooms
The hotel provides luxurious accommodation in fine rooms, nothing short of a classy, comfortable stay. A total of 67 rooms categorise into 66 Standard rooms which come in double and twin bed categories and 1 Suite. Rooms on the ground floor provide a bathtub while the other floors have shower cubicles in the washrooms. The facilities common to all the rooms are cable television, air conditioning, direct dial STD/ISD telephones, hot and cold running water, 24 hours room service, minibar, tea/coffee maker, hair dryer on request, luxurious toiletries and two complimentary bottles of mineral water everyday. The Suites are larger spaces with a separate low rise seating space in the living room, two televisions, a kitchenette of sorts and a beautiful feature of a magnificently large study table in the bedroom. Be it the base category of rooms or the Suite, comfort and luxury are prevalent.

Services & Amenities
The hotel provides all possible services and convenience for the guests is of the utmost priority. A comprehensive list of facilities include wireless internet in the lobby, The Shop - which is the gift shop open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and provides garments, books, handicrafts and jewellery, Ayurvedic Centre, an amphitheatre for cultural shows, swimming pool, conferencing and banquet facilities, a reading room, fitness centre, laundry & dry cleaning, parking facility, valet parking, travel desk, doctor on call, currency exchange and acceptance of credit cards.

Dining
The dining facilities at the hotel include one of the most renowned seafood restaurants in India as quoted in the Good Housekeeping magazine. There is Tharavadu Restaurant which offers multi cuisine fare with the choice of a buffet or a la carte and is open for breakfast (7:00 am to 11:00 pm), lunch (12:00 noon to 3:00 pm) and dinner (7:00 pm to 11:00 pm). The staff is a delight as they serve you in sparkling white lungis and kurtas. A live band or live gazals are sung every evening to entertain the guests. The interiors are fresh and new with earthy colours and white and the walls are lined with ink on canvas paintings. Fort Cochin is the famed seafood specialty restaurant which is only open for an a la carte dinner from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. It offers a variety of succulent dishes - so good it's almost a sin. It is an outdoor sheltered space with hand woven pots decorating the space and a large fish tank in the middle of the restaurant. There is also Vasco Da Gama which is the hotel's bar, open from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm. It is fully carpeted and offers a perfect setting for an evening with friends and family. The windows are sheltered with layered and very pretty, white lace curtains. You can get light meals and a large variety of domestic and international alcohol. This hotel offers dining areas which are hard to resist and you shouldn't be resisting them in the first place. Kicking back and enjoying a meal here is ideal.

Banquets & Conferences
The hotel offers a banquet hall - Durbar Hall which can accommodate 350 persons and is a fully carpeted, soundproofed space located on the first floor. Harbour Lounge is the board room which has beige carpeting and padded walls. All audio visual and conferencing equipment is supplied by the hotel at an extra charge.

Health & Fitness
The hotel's fitness centre is open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and is located on the second floor. It can be availed complimentary by in house guests. The Cascade Swimming Pool is open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm and has a maximum depth of 7 feet. Snacks and alcohol can be served by the pool side. The Tulsi Ayurvedic Centre and Beauty Parlour is a calm and soothing place with exudes elegance and a comfortable, refreshing charm. It is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and has professional masseurs and therapists, separate for ladies and gents.

The hotel offers everything under the sun and on no day would you have a complaint. Enjoy this property while on a business travel or on leisure with family and friends - it caters to all.

Location
The hotel is located on Willingdon Island around 42 kilometres from the airport, 15 minutes from Fort Cochin, MG Road and the South Railway Station. It is situated amidst scores and scores of greenery offering beautiful views of the land of Kerala.

Don't Miss
Savour a meal at Fort Cochin - the seafood specialty restaurant where you can pick your choice of fish. This sheltered top space has open sides and offers a relaxed evening.

BLACKBERRY HILLS

City: Munnar

Located on the down slope of the hills in Munnar, the Blackberry Hills, as the name suggests, is encircled in a maze of blackberry tress and extensive tea gardens. The beautiful place is divided into cottage blocks with a splendid view of the hills ahead. The main block houses the reception, lobby and the restaurant, while a cute stone pathway leads to the cottages located downhill. The lobby area is cute, with comfortable sofas, mural paintings, a bookshelf and some traditional artifacts on display.

Rooms
With a total of 18 rooms divided into 6 Standard, 6 Deluxe and 6 Luxury rooms, the hotel provides the ultimate comfort in its rooms. All the rooms here face the valley. The Luxury room is rectangle in shape with a separate bedroom. The living room houses the sofa unit, dining table, and amenities like the satellite television, locker, cupboard, luggage rack, tea coffee maker, mini bar etc. The bedroom houses the bed and bedside lamps and a study table only. The bathroom is clean with a shower area and amenities like hair dryer, geyser, soap, shampoo, shower cap etc. The Standard room is one big room with the usual double bed and one extra as well. The services and facilities in the room are the same as the Luxury rooms. In addition, this room has an additional dressing table. The bathroom is similar to the Luxury bathroom as well. The Deluxe room has a small separate dining area with the mini bar, tea coffee maker and drinking water etc. Next follows the living area, small and cute, with 2 sofa chairs, television, cupboard, luggage rack and locker. The bedroom is small and in the same league as the Luxury room. All the rooms have balconies facing the valley.

Dining
The Hornbill multi cuisine restaurant here has a seating capacity of 32 persons and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The wide windows provide an excellent view to the guests while they enjoy their meals.

Facilities
The USP of the hotel is its surroundings rich with blackberries, passion fruits, oranges and a variety of sweet smelling flowers. Besides this, the hotel provides laundry services, housekeeping services, room service till 10:00 pm, travel desk, internet at a charge, indoor activities like carom, chess and the local game 'pagada'. Besides this, the hotel provides accommodation for drivers as well.

Don't Miss
The beautiful property - the view from the hotel and its proximity to nature is worth an experience.

Location
The Blackberry Hills is located in Munnar about 133 kilometres from the Cochin airport and south Ernakulam railway station and 5 kilometres away from the Munnar town and nearest bus stand.

ABAD GREEN FOREST

City: Thekkady

An aerial view of the lush green coast of Cochin