Yoga literally means union. Yoga is an attempt to unite the individual soul with the Universal Soul or God, through rigorous mental and physical efforts. It is an integrated system of body, mind and spirit, and is fastened to ideas, values and attitudes. Yoga is capable of ensuring physical well-being, mental harmony and moral elevation.

Day 1
ARRIVE MUMBAI - KOCHI (COCHIN)

Arrive Mumbai. Assistance on arrival at the airport and transfer to the domestic airport to board your flight to Cochin, Kerala. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the Hotel.

Afternoon city sightseeing - Dutch palace, Synagogue, Old fort Cochin area, St. Francis Church, Chinese Fishing Nets. Evening witness a Kathakali Dance performance at one of the auditorium. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2
KOCHI (COCHIN) – PERIYAR

Morning drive to Alleppey and take a boat cruise on the Vembanad Lake (approx 3 hrs) to Kottayam passing through the small canals and enjoying the serene and beautiful backwaters of Kerala. On arrival at the Kottayam Boat Jetty, drive on to Periyar and upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3
PERIYAR

Periyar Sanctuary was the earliest sanctuary to be set up in 1934. Amongst the animals spotted here are wild elephants, which can be seen and photographed at close quarters, wild boar, sambar, tier, leopard, wild dog and langur monkeys. Morning take a game viewing boat ride on the artificial Periyar Lake. Afternoon a spice plantation tour of Thekkady. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4
PERIYAR - KUMARAKOM

Morning, after breakfast, depart by surface to Kumarakom and upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Kumarakom is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields, and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in this small water world, you will come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes. Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary – an ornithologist’s paradise. It is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Other common varieties like woodpecker, skylark, crane, water hen and parrots can also be spotted here.

Evening Optional Sunset Cruise – there can be few better ways to experience the pace of backwater life than to spend the waning hours of the afternoon just watching the sun go down. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5
KUMARAKOM

Day free to explore the backwater island and relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6
KUMARAKOM - KOVALAM

Morning drive to Trivandrum. On arrival check into the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7
KOVALAM

Day free for Yoga & Meditation and relaxation at the Golden Sandy Beach of Kovalam. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8
KOVALAM
Day free for Yoga & Meditation and relaxation at the Golden Sandy Beach of Kovalam. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9
KOVALAM

Day free for Yoga & Meditation and relaxation at the Golden Sandy Beach of Kovalam.

Optional Trivandrum City Tour - visit the famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Rebuilt in 1733, it is an excellent example of South Indian architecture. Visit the Zoological Park, Napier Museum with its bronze collection, Sri Chitra Art Gallery with paintings from various schools; from countries like China, Japan, Java and Bali. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10
KOVALAM

Optional excursion to Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. The sunrise and sunsets are a great attraction especially on a full moon day in April as it is possible to see the sunset and moonrise on the same horizon.

Also visit the Gandhi Mandapam, a modern version of an Orian Temple designed in such a way that the rays of the sun strike the spot where the ashes of the Mahatma were kept (prior to immersion in the sea) at noon on 2nd October every year. Vivekananda, the great thinker and reformer mediated here and a memorial was erected known as the Vivekananda Memorial.

Day 11
TRIVANDRUM - MUMBAI

In time departure transfer to the airport to board flight to Mumbai. Assistance on arrival at the airport and transfer for a short orientation tour of Mumbai city. Later Dinner at a hotel near the International airport, followed by departure transfer to airport to board your flight back home.

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Have a great trip! This itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and AirCruise.

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