TOUR OVERVIEW
Kerala is among the most popular tourist destinations in India. How do we give a slightly offbeat spin to a place that is one of the most visited? In this trip to South Kerala, we wish to show you all that is authentic about the region and the locals. From experiencing stay at a private island called Munroe Islands and doing it as the islanders do, to sitting at one of the quieter beaches of Varkala and staring at the ocean, we will try and make your South Kerala experience, a unique and memorable one. Not to mention, the gorgeous sunset at Kanyakumari is still as mesmerizing, even if a million eyes had savored it over the years!
Price: INR 23500 + 5% GST
Single Occupancy Supplement – INR 8500 + 5% GST
Discount
INR 1000 off if paid in one go
Day 1 - 08 Nov 2019
Arrive in Trivandrum by noon. Trivandrum, also known as Thiruvananthapuram, is the busy capital city of Kerala state. Did you know that it is not just the city’s history that’s rich but the deity, Anantha Padmanabhaswamy too? Learn more about the city this evening. Overnight at Trivandrum.
Day 2 - 09 Nov 2019
After breakfast, set out to Kanyakumari (100 kms, 3 hours). On the way, we will visit Kovalam beach and learn about the life lived by the Travancore Maharajas. If you thought Kuthira Maalika palace at Trivandrum was stunning, wait till you take a tour of the lavish Padamanabhapuram Palace at Thuckalay. Reach Kanyakumari by lunch. This evening, enjoy a ferry ride on the ocean to Vivekananda rock memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue. Watch one of the most spectacular sunsets in the country.
Overnight at Kanyakumari.
Day 3 - 10 Nov 2019
Wake up to a glorious sunrise at the tip of India. Legend has it that the diamond nose stud of Kanyakumari Bhagawathy deity is so shiny that it got mistaken for a lighthouse once! Visit the Kanyakumari (translates to ‘Virgin Goddess’) temple this morning. Set out to Kollam (165 kms, 4.5 hours). Fancy your own little private island amidst the vast Lake Ashtamudi and its backwaters? Transfer to the island by ferry. Relaxed kayaking on the cards. Overnight at the eco camp in comfortable tents.
Day 4 - 11 Nov 2019
Today, you will be cruising through the backwater channels of a village where boat is the primary transport. Post a sumptuous breakfast, set out to Varkala (50 kms, 2 hours). Varkala is the quintessential picture postcard destination – with imposing cliffs rising right from the sea, it is a beach lover’s heaven. Settle in a beautiful sea view resort on the cliff. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Varkala.
Day 5 - 12 Nov 2019
After breakfast, transfer to Trivandrum (34 kms, 1 hour) for your flight back. Tour ends.
Inclusions
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 6 and two tea/coffee every day.
- Transport in an AC vehicle throughout the trip and transfer to islands by ferries
- 4 nights / 5 days stay on twin/double sharing basis in well-appointed A/c rooms and one night stay in sturdy tents.
- All entry, parking and permit charges.
- Ferry tickets at Kanyakumari
- Village boat tour, Kayaking at Munroe Island
- All sight-seeing and activities listed on the itinerary
- Guidance of an F5 tour lead all through the trip.
Exclusions
- Tips
- Flights to Trivandrum and back
- Shopping
- Camera fees
- Food other than inclusions. Personal expenses
- Paragliding and other watersports at Varkala
- Anything not included in inclusions.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities, personal flight delays and aspect beyond our control. We will definitely facilitate an alternative and handle the contingency, the cost being yours.
- 5% GST
Terms & Conditions
If cancelled 90 days or more in advance, cancellation fee is 12% of the trip amount. You may park the token money with us for future trip within next 6 months, without any charges.
- 25% of the trip cost if cancelled 60 days in advance.
- 50% of the trip cost if cancelled 59 to 16 days in advance.
- Last 15 days – no show – entire amount will be forfeited.
- If you use our services to book flights, cancellation charges of the flights will apply.
Option of Deferred trip:
You have an option of parking the paid amount with us for a future trip, if you wish to cancel joining this trip 60 days or more in advance.
Following conditions apply:
- You need to choose the trip you would like to go with instead (the deferred trip) within 2 months of deciding to cancel.
- The travel start date of the deferred trip should be within 6 months from the day you decide to cancel.
- There can be only one such change and once you decide the deferred trip, the cancellation policy of that trip applies.
- You cannot choose a short trip (less than 5 days) as a deferred trip.
Disclaimer
- This is a non-smoking and a non-alcoholic trip for all practical reasons.
- 50% of the trip cost is required to confirm the booking.
- The booking does not include flights as the flight rates are extremely unpredictable. However, we can help you book your flights for the trip
- All our trips are well-researched, including identifying access to medical facilities. In case of a medical emergency, F5 will assist the traveler in getting medical attention.
- F5 Escapes is in no way responsible for any untoward incident happening due to the ignorance/negligence of the guests, natural/man-made calamities, accidents or any other events that are out of human control during the trip.
- F5 reserves the right to cancel the trip under certain conditions – in such a case, the amount will be refunded in full.
Arrival/Departure timings
- Arrive by 12 noon on 8th Nov 2019 and leave after 12 noon on 12th Nov 2019
Weather
- November is the season of mild weather (About 25 – 30 degree Celsius) in Trivandrum. Expect pleasant weather
Stay
- Trivandrum – Family run, well-appointed suites in the city.
- Kanyakumari – Sea facing, well-appointed hotel
- Munroe Island (Kollam) – Eco camp in sturdy Quechua tents
- Varkala – Sea facing, cliff edge resort.
Fooooood!
- We will arrange for authentic Keralan food, which will include non-vegetarian options. Kanyakumari will have coastal seafood options too. However, we cannot guarantee availability of non-vegetarian food for every single meal. If you have any specific meal preferences / dietary requirements, please let us know beforehand.
Note > Prepare > Accept > Embrace:
- This trip has both culture and nature appreciation at the heart of it. As much as we explore temples, palaces and museums, we will enjoy the backwaters and beaches too. Please come with the right expectations to enjoy it all!
- Expect quite a bit of walking in Kanyakumari and Trivandrum. For the adventurous, there is kayaking, swimming in backwaters and paragliding at Varkala on offer.
- This trip will have a couple of temple visits. We will try keeping it as non-religious and as story-oriented and culture oriented as possible. However, if temples don’t appeal to you, you may choose to stay back at the hotel. We request you to come with an open mind to appreciate a culture that’s different from one’s own.
- Kanyakumari is a very touristy place. Expect holiday crowds.
- You can arrive by bus/train too. We will arrange for pickup/drops accordingly.
‘F5 Escapes’ is a Bangalore-based, experiential travel company, with a focus on redefining the way women travel in India. The premise of F5 is an ambitious dream – to put India on the global travel map as a preferred destination for women from across the globe.
F5 Escapes offers fixed departure all-women group tours, customized itineraries for families, groups and solo travellers. We also do in-city engagements which include #JustGo travel meetups, workshops to educate women on travel safety, sustainable menstruation, motorbiking etc.