Kerala packed with 26 million people in 38,900 sq km in a narrow strip of land between the Western Ghats and the beaches of the Arabian Sea, clings like a banana leaf to the southwestern coast of the Indian peninsula. The strip of land found a natural defence in the hills that sealed off one longitudinal section, leaving it open to access from the sea alone.
Sea trade started with the Phoenicians, and in 1000 BC Kerala was visited by King Solomon's ship that travelled to 'Ophir', in all probability the modern Puvar, south of Trivandrum. Then followed the traders from Greece, Rome, Arabia, China, Portuguese who gained right in 1516; the Dutch merchants a stronghold in 1602, and by 1663 the Portuguese were forced out of the area. By 1795, however, the Dutch too had to move out, for the British traders had become the strongest power in India by that time. Much earlier, the Jews came to Kerala when they fled the rule of Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BC; St. Thomas the Apostle came here in the first century AD; Kathakkali Dancerthe Syrian Christian were in existence here in the 2nd century AD. When the Portuguese came to Kerala, they found a thriving Christian community here, but one that had never heard of Pope.
Day 01 : Chennai Arrive Chennai. Transfer to Hotel. Afternoon City tours. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 : Chennai After breakfast full day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 : Trichy After breakfast leave by car for Trichy. On arrival transfer to Hotel. Afternoon city tour of Trichy. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : Tanjore After breakfast full day excursion to Tanjore. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 : Madurai After breakfast drive for Madurai. On arrival transfer to Hotel. Afternoon city tour of Madurai. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 : Periyar After breakfast drive for Periyar. On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon boat rides on Lake Periyar for the game viewing. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 : Kumarakom Breakfast at the hotel. Later leave by car for Kumarakom. On arrival transfer to Ayurvedic Resort. Evening boat ride on the back waters. Overnight at the hotel. Day 08 : Kumarakom Full day at the ayurvedic center. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : Kumarakom After breakfast transfer to the rice boats for the cruise on the lake and backwaters. Overnight on the boat.
Day 10 : Cochin Morning after breakfast arrive at the New Jetty, transfer by road for Cochin. On arrival transfer to Hotel. Afternoon city tour of Cochin. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 : Marari Beach After breakfast transfer to Marari Beach. Rest of the day free overnight at the marari beach resort.
Day 12 : Marari Beach Full day at the beach and Ayurvedic health center. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 : Marari Beach Full day at the beach and Ayurvedic health center. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Cochin After breakfast transfer to Cochin airport in time to connect flight for onward destination.
