Rich in culture and vibrant in colors, Kerala is unlike most places seen before. Embark on this two week journey of sights, culture, nature and wellness…
Kerala is a true tropical paradise with an idyllic coastline, lush mountains & Tea plantations. This multi-activity trip to Southern India offers highlights of the magnificent hill country of the Western Ghats.
Explore ancient monuments and discover architectural delights during a city tour of Kochi, the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. We travel from old spice town of Kochi to the beautiful hill station of Munnar, where we’ll trek in the dense tropical forest & spend an afternoon at a tea Plantation estate. Explore spice plantations and hike in Periyar Jungles, sighting an array of animals & birds. Have Lunch with a local family that will provide a unique insight into Keralan life. Spend overnight on a traditional houseboat, cruising through the enchanting backwaters, before we relax on the sweeping beaches of Kovalam, for a weeklong Ayurveda retreat on the shores of the Arabian Sea.
Highlights
- Cycle ride through remote villages, crossing ferries to explore the secluded Kadamakkudy islands.
- Cooking demonstration in a traditional Kerala kitchen followed by a meal with the local family.
- Hike through Tea plantation, pluck the tea leaves with the workers, visit the Tea facotory.
- Visit a welfare centre focused on enhancing the hidden talents of differently abled children.
- Fishermen village close to Kochi. Experience the village life and the activities they undertake, like - toddy tapping, coir making, crab farming etc.
- A traditional overnight houseboat cruise on the beautiful backwaters of Kerala.
- Kathakali dance performance.
- Day hike in Munnar through a Tribal village.
- Meet a woman entrepreneur for Dinner during the tour.
- 07 Nights Ayurveda retreat with massage therapies, Yoga & Meditation.
- Nature trek & bamboo rafting with tribal trackers in Periyar NP
Itinerary
Arrive Kochi airport early morning. You will be met on arrival by the representative and transferred to your hotel at Fort Kochi.
Later in the afternoon enjoy a Heritage Walking tour through Fort Kochi.
In the evening witness Kathakali Dance performance. Accompanied by a gong, drums and cymbals; Kathakali performers combine dance and theatre in a ritualistic portrayal of gods and demons.
Overnight at the hotel.
Today morning we will take a cycle ride to remote islands of Kadamakkudy in Kochi. You will be cycling through remote villages, crossing ferries and using narrow village roads. This is a unique experience to explore the secluded Kadamakkudy islands.
Afternoon at leisure and later in the evening meet a woman entrepreneur during your dinner, interact and listen to her story.
Overnight at the hotel.
CYCLING: 03 hours
After an early breakfast, you’ll leave Kochi behind and drive through the countryside to reach Kumbalangy Village – a Model Tourism Village, to experience the fishermen village activities like live fish catching, Crab farming, Coir making etc. Enjoy a home cooked lunch by the side of the backwaters.
Later drive to Munnar, a picturesque hill station at 1500m, covered with unending expanses of tea plantations. Enjoy the hilly drive through tranquil countryside.
Arrive and check into your hotel and relax.
O/n Hotel.
DRIVE: 145 km / 05 hours
After an early breakfast you’ll drive for an hour to Mathikettan Shola for a hike into the rain forest, visiting the tribal village and to experience nature at its best. There are chances to spot native and migratory birds, langurs and giant squirrels. Snacks and refreshments will be provided during the hike.
Later in the afternoon you’ll visit a welfare centre that focuses on enhancing the hidden talents of differently abled children, most of whom are from the families of local tea pluckers of Munnar.
HIKE: 4-5 km
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive to a nearby tea plantation. We spend time picking tea leaves with the ladies, while interacting with them to understand their day to day life. During the trail, you will also visit one of the tea factories to understand the process of tea making followed by tea tasting session.
Lunch will be served at the Tea Bungalow and later drive to Thekkady and check in at the hotel.
DRIVE: 110 km / 03-04 hrs
In the morning explore Periyar wildlife sanctuary on a range hiking and bamboo rafting through some of the richest forest tracks of Periyar Tiger Reserve.
The forest is rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. While rafting, one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills surrounding the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.
You will be accompanied by an armed guard and forest guides through the hike. Tea, snacks and packed lunch will be served during the hike.
Return to your hotel after a tiring yet satisfying day in the forest.
HIKE: 6-7 km
Enjoy a short walk to nearby spice plantation to learn more about the spices grown in this region.
Check out and drive to Kumarakom, enroute visit a rubber plantation followed by cooking session and lunch with a local family.
Arrive and check into your hotel located on the banks of Vembanadu Lake. Enjoy a sunset cruise using country boat (Optional)
DRIVE: 140 km
Morning at leisure.
Afternoon you board a houseboat on the Backwaters. These waterways are the principal means of communication and trade for scores of homes and villages. Along the banks, at jetties and ferry stops, there's often a wonderful array of produce ready for market - sacks of cashews are piled high next to coconuts.
Your houseboat is a converted kettuvallam (rice barge) constructed in a traditional way from anjali (jackfruit) wood. ‘Kettu’ means knot and ‘vallom' means boat. These giant 80-foot long crafts have been adapted to provide simple but comfortable accommodation. Each boat has air conditioning, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew, usually comprising two oarsmen and a cook. Traditional lanterns are used as lights.
In the eveninig, once our boat is anchored, we'll walk through villages, on the backwater country roads.
Overnight stay in Houseboats.
DRIVE: 45 km / 01 hr
After breakfast, deboard the houseboat and drive to Kovalam to an Ayurveda resort, next to the Arabian shores. Here you'll have 07 nights wellness retreat.
You'll be given the following services during the course of the Ayurveda retreat:
- 02 Ayurveda massages /day.
- Consultation with an Ayurveda doctor.
- Language interpretor during consultation (if required).
- Daily Yoga & Meditation.
- Vegetarian Ayurveda meals.
- Ayurveda cooking demonstration.
DRIVE: 160 km/04 hr
During the retreat you will be given 02 Ayurveda massages per day with Ayurveda meals. Yoga & meditation will be offered separately for the group, every day.
During the retreat you will be given 02 Ayurveda massages per day with Ayurveda meals. Yoga & meditation will be offered separately for the group, every day.
During the retreat you will be given 02 Ayurveda massages per day with Ayurveda meals. Yoga & meditation will be offered separately for the group, every day.
During the retreat you will be given 02 Ayurveda massages per day with Ayurveda meals. Yoga & meditation will be offered separately for the group, every day.
During the retreat you will be given 02 Ayurveda massages per day with Ayurveda meals. Yoga & meditation will be offered separately for the group, every day.
During the retreat you will be given 02 Ayurveda massages per day with Ayurveda meals. Yoga & meditation will be offered separately for the group, every day.
Today is the last day of Retreat and you will be given a departure transfer to Thiruvanthapuram international airport.
Although not a demanding tour, it is a busy and active itinerary with lots to see and we explore the forests on foot. Driving time is kept to a minimum and is not normally longer than four to five hours. You should also be prepared for some early starts. The roads are generally pretty good, but traffic and/or road damage can sometimes slow us down.
The hike in Munnar requires some level of fitness, as the trail can be steep in places, although the route mostly winds gently up through the forest. Walking shoes (or trainers/sneakers) with a good grip are recommended for the hike and you may also wish to bring walking poles or get hold of a stick locally if you have problems with your knees.
We use different types of accommodation throughout the tour. It’s a mix of hotels, Plantation bungalow, Jungle resort & Keralan Houseboat.
The ideal time to visit south India is from October to March.
Days will be hot and the nights warm, the average maximum daytime temperatures are 21°C-30°C and 6°C-20°C at night. In the hills, temperatures will be considerably cooler and may near freezing point at night.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your Tour leader, who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by local guides in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
Ayurvedic Treatments: Your Ayurveda retreat will not be excorted by the Tour leader. You’ll be looked after by the resort staff & Ayurveda doctor during the retreat, but we are always there for any assistance. At the end of the retreat you’ll be given airport transfers to Thiruvananthapuram.
During the course of your trip, overland journey will be in a private Coach/ Tempo traveller, depending on the size of the group. Vehicles with seatbelts are provided throughout.
Please note that Kerala has strict laws regarding the governance of the sale of alcohol in public places including hotels and restaurants. The sale and consumption of alcohol is therefore often restricted in hotels, varying from one establishment to another.
You’ll be hiking in Munnar & Thekkady. Carry a daypack with you, in which you will need to carry a rain jacket, water bottle, packed lunch, camera gear etc.
For better or worse, tipping is an accepted part of tourism in India, and – although it is always at your discretion – you will be expected to tip to reward services . Your tour leader will give you an indication of when and how much is appropriate.
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