Arrive at Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala and proceed to Kovalam - an internationally renowned tourist destination. Watch the sunset on the Kovalam beach. The Kovalam beach is one of the best beaches in India. A rocky promontory jutting into the sea renders the beach safe for sea bathing even in the roughest weather.

After breakfast sight seeing at Trivandrum (15 kms) - an ancient city that had trading links with the other parts of the world. The 2000 year old Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple, the landmark of Thiruvananthapuram , the Kuthiramalika Palace Museum built in the 19th century, the Napier Museum (this 19th century Indo Saracenic structure houses a rare collection of archeological and historic artifacts and bronze idols) Sree Chitra Art gallery (which has a select collection of paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich, Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art) are a must see. Evening return back to hotel.

Sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the Punnamada backwaters, this ancient town of Alappuzha was once the entry town to Kerala. Everything about this town reinforces that old world feeling-the colonial era government houses, grand and graceful despite the years, the canals filled with boats carrying hay or bananas and then the sea-the town’s enduring motif,

quietly lapping against the pure white sands, its waters bountiful with catch for the fisher folk with the white lighthouse standing tall against the clear blue skies. See the process of coir making at a coir factory.

Take the country roads through Southern Alappuzha. Here the river is your constant companion, deep, green, serene and reassuringly at hand. Around here, there is seriousness about religion, in the best sense of the term with an all pervading religious harmony. Beautiful churches and temples are steeped in legend. The 16th century Sree Krishna temple and the delicious pal payasam offering, the church of St. George, built in 1810, the snake temple of Mannarsala presided over by a priestess, the lovely 13th century St. George orthodox Syrian Church in Cheppaud –the list is endless. The term God’s own country is a historical fact here.

After breakfast embark on an exciting houseboat cruise from this capital of backwater country. Board the traditional houseboat, in the afternoon and start the long and meandering ride through this unique fresh and salt water eco system. The houseboat is an improvisation of the large country barges, which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by. The kettuvalloms

(houseboats) are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly. Every houseboat is manned by a crew - chef, guide and oarsman. Winding through the vast expanse of the paddy fields and tiny hamlets and palm fringed narrow canals, viewing the life of the people that live along these waters, is an unforgettable experience. Night at the houseboat.

After breakfast disembark, proceed to Cochin and check in at hotel. Afternoon take a guided tour through the historical bye lanes of Fort Kochi a town, which was ruled by three European powers in succession – the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally the British. You will see the St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Chinese Fishing nets, Dutch Cemetery, Dutch Palace, Jewish

Synagogue and the Fort Cochin beach. Evening see the ancient dance form of Kathakali.

After breakfast visit the Hill palace at the old royal town of Tripunithura – the home of the erstwhile rulers of Kochi. Displayed inside are the thirteen galleries of oil paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to the royal family. Afternoon visit the Museum of Kerala History and its Makers at Edappally (13 kms). The Museum showcases historical episodes from the neolithic to the modern era through life-sized figures with the help of light and sound shows. Evening shopping for garments, silks, jewellery, antiques, etc on the M.G. Road.