Amazing South India

Amazing South India

Duration: 7 night/ 8 days

Learn about the history of the ancient Synagogues that have stood tall for so long in Kerala. Get an opportunity to observe the village life closely. Watch the various activities that the locals carry out to earn a livelihood.

Tour Highlights
Itinerary

Day

Activity

City

Day # 1

Arrive Cochin and transfer to the hotel. Cochin was once home to another flourishing Jewish community.

Today only 26 Jews remain.

Overnight in Cochin.

Cochin

Day # 2

Visit the dramatic Chinese fishing nets and the Saint Francis Church, the burial place of Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer who discovered India. Walk along Jew Street to the exquisite 450-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry; explore the area’s antique shops and spice markets. Visit the amazing synagogue in Ernakulam, part of Cochin (it’s hidden behind an aquarium and garden shop). 

Overnight in Cochin.

Cochin
Day # 3
Visit the 17th-century Chennamangalam Synagogue and museum. Its close proximity to a Hindu temple, church and mosque highlights India’s religious tolerance. Stop at the Parur Synagogue, an architectural gem dating from 1616. Later overlooking the beach, all aboard for a lush backwater tour along Kerala’s local canals. Then enjoy a Kathakali dance drama.
Overnight in Cochin.

Cochin

Day # 4

Travel to the rural village area of Vaikom for a sojourn into “God’s own country.” En-route to the village stops will be made at the beautiful Vaikom Mahadeva Temple and a coconut oil extraction plant where you can watch the process of extracting oil from dried coconut.

 At the village, take a cruise on a country canoe, ending near the lunch venue, where you will enjoy a traditional Kerala vegetarian lunch served on a banana leaf. After lunch, acquaint yourself with the villagers and watch the various activities that they carry out to earn a livelihood: making ropes with coconut fiber; mat-weaving with leaves of wild pineapple; collecting sand from the river bed; fishing and farming; straw mat weaving, coconut processing, coir-making, handicrafts and more.
Overnight in Kumarakom.

Cochin- Kumarakom
Day # 5

Experience a Shikara ride in the morning and explore the narrow canals around Kumarakom.
Enjoy Sun set cruise around lake vembanad.
Overnight in Kumarakom

Kumarakom
Day # 6

Drive to Munnar, located in the Idukki district of Kerala, and literally means “three rivers”.
Attend cooking demonstration and enjoy dinner.

Overnight in Munnar

Kumarakom-Munnar
Day # 7

Proceed for sightseeing of Munnar including TATA tea museum and Eravikulam National park home of the endangered Niligiri Thar (Ibex). Later visit the Mattupetty dam, the Kundala Lake and other scenic spots. In the afternoon take a walk at a tea plantation. Overnight in Munnar.

Munnar
Day # 8

Drive to Cochin to fly back home or onward destination.

Munnar- Cochin
Tour Add-ons

Varanasi-
The Holi City

2 nights / 3 days

Golden Triangle

5 nights / 6 days

Mumbai – Explore the Jewish Heritage

2 nights / 3 days