Our tour takes us to one of India's hidden jewels, the state of Kerala. The networks of rivers, streams, lagoons, and canals are lined with tropical palms and there is an easy going relaxed atmosphere – unlike the hectic pace found in other parts of India. Travelling along shaded back roads, across a timeless landscape that leads us through villages and plantations.
Day 1: Arrive KochiArrive at Kochi at any time. We will meet you at the airport and drive you down to the historical Fort Kochi. Check into our hotel and enjoy the city. Today we tour Fort Kochi, taking in the highlights of Jew Town, the Synagogue, Dutch palace, St Francis church. In the afternoon head down to the harbor mouth to watch the Chinese fishing nets before enjoying a performance of Kathakali – the Keralan dance drama. Considered one of the oldest dance forms in India, Kathakali is a combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics, Mahabharatha and Ramayana.
Day 2: Backwater Villa at AlleppeyTravelling by car, then boat, we arrive at a villa near the backwaters town of Alleppey. The home lies on the banks of the river, set amidst paddy fields. Here we'll spend the next two days, freely exploring the tranquillity of the Keralan backwaters – a chain of lagoons, rivers, lakes & canals, exclusive to Kerala. The island is home to its own village – around 400 homes – connected to Alleppey by a scurrying of wooden canoes that regularly arrive and depart. You can take it easy, relaxing, swimming, exploring the island and sampling the fresh toddy from the coconuts.
Day 3: Backwater visits.We will go visiting the local bazaars, the ancient Bhagawati temple or the 1000 year-old Saint Mary's Church. There's a local pottery factory you could visit, or join in the making of ‘coir’ rope out of coconut husks, get an ayurvedic massage or go cycling through the necklace of villages of Kuttanad.
Day 4: Wilderness at PeriyarOne of the few habitats remaining for wild tigers in India (and indeed, the world) Periyar is part of Project Tiger, a wildlife conservation project designed to protect Royal Bengal Tigers from extinction. Famous for its picturesque (though artificial) lake and of course the tiger (which number about 40), the park is also home to 62 different kinds of mammals. The most well known of these are the park’s famous herds of wild Asiatic Elephants, which often come to bathe in Periyar lake. Other mammals found here include gaur, Sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, wild dogs, mongoose and leopards and Indian Bison.
Day 5: Into the rainforest at PeriyarWe join a naturalist-led walks & safaris in search of wildlife and to get a better understanding of the surroundings.
Day 6: At Periyar.We will also visit the spice plantations that have made this region famous all over the world as the ‘cradle’ of spices. Also, on offer are various forest-based programmes in the company of guides from the local community. Programmes included are the Night Patrol, Bamboo Rafting and 3-hour Rain Forest Trek
Day 7: Tea Estates at Munnar.We will go towards the picturesque little town of Munnar, which lies at a height of 1,800m (5,906ft). The name Munnar, which means "Three Rivers" in Tamil, is derived from its location at the confluence of 3 mountain streams - Kundala, Mudrapuzha and Nallathanni. Munnar was once a summer resort for the British government in South India. The British resident, JD Munro, recognized the agricultural potential of the region and on a hunting trip in 1877 acquired a large tract of land. We will visit India's only tea museum, housed in a century-old tea estate. Besides a number of memorabilia and old photographs we will also watch the processing and picking (and maybe even join in).
Day 8: Wildlife trip to RajamalWe will go on treks into the hills and go on a wildlife trip to Rajamala for the endangered endemic Nilgiri Tahr & other endemic birds.
Day 9: Departure. After breakfast, depart for next destination.
Meals
- Allow approximately USD $ 90 for meals not included.
- Local payment: approximately Rupees 3000
- Meal Inclusions- 8 Breakfasts
INCLUSIONS
- Accommodation for 8 nights
- All transfers in a/c vehicle
- All sightseeing, local visits with guides
- Local guide fees, entry into monuments
EXCLUSIONS
