One of the most sought after wildlife holiday destinations in India, Kaziranga National park’s 430 square kilometer area sprinkled with elephant-grass meadows, swampy lagoons, and dense forests is home to more than 2200 Indian one-horned rhinoceros, approximately 2/3rd of their total world population. Formed in 1908 on the recommendation of Mary Curzon, the park is located in the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots – Golaghat and Nagaon district.
In the year 1985, the park was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is said when Mary Curzon, the wife of the Viceroy of India – Lord Curzon of Kedleston, visited the park to see Indian one-horned rhinoceros; she wasn’t able to found even one. Then she persuaded her husband to take urgent measures to protect the dwindling species which he did by initiating planning for their protection. After a series of meetings and documentations, the Kaziranga Proposed Reserve Forest was created with an area of 232 km2 (90 sq mi) in 1905.
Along with the iconic Greater one-horned rhinoceros, the park is the breeding ground of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Over the time, the tiger population has also increased in Kaziranga, and that’s the reason why Kaziranga was declared as Tiger Reserve in 2006. Also, the park is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the conservation of avifaunal species. Birds like lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous duck, Baer’s pochard duck and lesser adjutant, greater adjutant, black-necked stork, and Asian Openbill stork specially migrate from the Central Asia during the winter season.
Undoubtedly, the park is known for its good population of animals but more than that its the wildlife conservation initiatives that take place in the park are more popular. With its amazing wildlife conservation activities, the park has successfully managed to grow the population of Greater one-horned rhinoceros, an endangered species.
The vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests undoubtedly makes the park look beautiful but it’s the presence of Brahmaputra river, which makes it look enigmatic.
Arrive in Kochi. On arrival meet and greet at the airport/railway station. Transfer to the hotel. In the evening set out for Kochi sightseeing- Set out for Kochi sightseeing- Visit St. Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace and the Chinese Fishing Nets. Overnight at Kochi.
After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Munnar. On arrival check into the hotel. Evening take a drive around the tea plantations Overnight at Munnar.
After breakfast, enjoy sightseeing of Munnar- Enjoy speed boat ride at Mattupetty Dam. View Tea Garden, visit Echo Point, Rajamalai National Park. Overnight at Munnar.
After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Thekkady. Take a boat ride in the Periyar lake to see Wild life Sanctuary. Evening at leisure.. Overnight at Thekkady.
After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Alleppey. Enroute visit spice plantations. Later check into the houseboat. Overnight on the houseboat.
After breakfast, check out of the houseboat and leave for Trivandrum. On arrival in Trivandrum, check in to the hotel. Post lunch set for the sightseeing of Trivandrum. Visit Padmanabh Swami Temple, Raja Ravi Varma Art Gallery and Napier Museum. Overnight at Trivandrum.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and take an excursion to Kanyakumari. Take a small Enroute visit the Velli garden and enjoy a boat ride at Velli Lake, Kanya kumari wax museum and later visit the Vivekananda rock memorial. At sunset enjoy the breathtaking 3 coloured watered sea. Overnight at Kanyakumari.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drop at Trivandrum airport to take your return flight back home. Tour Ends. !!
