Quilon Gajamela Festival Tour

Day 01 : Arrive Trivandrum-Kovalam

Upon arrival in Trivandrum meeting and assistance followed by transfer to Kovalam. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02 : Kovalam

Breakfast at the hotel. Rest of the day free for relax on Kovalam beach. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03 : Kovalam - Quilon

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Quilon. On arrival in Quilon check-in at hotel. Rest of the day free for self activities. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04 : Quilon

Breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed to Adoor to witness the spectacular Elephant pageant (Gajamela) and other cultural activities of the event. Overnight stay at hotel.

Adoor Gajamela or elephant pageant is organized in Jan/Feb as part of the ten-day festival at the Parthasarathy temple at Adoor, which is not too far from the seren backwaters of Alleppey. The best and healthiest of elephants from across the state vie against each other for the gajarajappattam (a title which literally means 'the king of elephants'). Elephants adorned in glittering ornaments and accompanied by traditional art forms like panchavadyam are a sight to behold. The gajamela is a fitting conclusion to the festival which showcases the choicest of ethnic art forms.

Day 05 : Quilon - Alleppey

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Alleppey. On arrival in Alleppey check-in at House boat to Kumarakom cruise on the enchanting backwaters, engulfed by a lush-green landmass lying below sea level, known as kuttanad. Kuttanad is known as the rice-bowl of Kerala for its paddy fields. Lunch, Dinner & Overnight stay at Houseboat.

Day 06 : Alleppey Houoseboat - Kumarakom

Breakfast at the houseboat and drop you at Kumarakom. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel. Kumarakom is an idyllic floating Island situated on Vembanad Lake . The island provides a spectacular view of the adjoining bird sanctuary with a large collection of resident and migratory birds. Backwater boat cruises, Ayurvedic massages in traditional form (practiced since ancient times in Kerala) and swimming are the attractions of this heavenly place.

Day 07 : Kumarakom

Breakfast at the hotel. Rest of the day free for self activities. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 08 : Kumarakom - Periyar

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Periyar. On arrival check-in at hotel. Late afternoon boat ride on lake Periyar to watch the wild life. Evening: visit to Kumaly spice plantations and spice market. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09 : Periyar - Cochin

Breakfast at the hhotel and drive to Cochin. On arrival in Cochin check-In at hotel. Afternoon city tour of Cochin. Cochin is a city with an eventful history. The Portuguese, the Dutch, the English all had established themselves here at one time or the other. Prominent attractions are the Jewish synagogue, santa cruz church( built in 16 th century by the Dutch ), cochin fort (built-1503 by Dutch ), Bolgatty Palace built by Dutch in 1744 and the St. Francis church ( built-1510 AD by the Dutch ) where Vasco de Gamma was buried ( later his remains were taken to Portugal, but his tombstone is still there at the St. Francis church which is the oldest church in India built by Europeans ). Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10 : Depart Cochin

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport or railway station to catch flight/train for onward destination.