Trails of Kerala -

A walking holiday in the lush & vibrant hills of Kerala, through rain forests, cardamom hills & tea plantations. Explore God’s own country on foot, the best way to discover the culture and landscape it has to offer.

Overview

Southern India delivers no end of pleasant surprises on this wonderful tour. Our carefully crafted itinerary offers hike in the land of rain forests, tea plantation, bird sanctuary & cardamom hills, along with ancient architecture of Madurai temple, interaction with local communities, experiencing traditional houseboat & end the trip with some relaxed time at Marari beach.

The tour starts at the historic coastal town of Kochi, where we explore the Old Portuguese port on cycle & on foot. From there drive to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, which offers walking trails inside the sanctuary. We then drive up to former British Raj hill-station of Munnar in the Western Ghats. Here, 4 days of hiking takes us along the Mathikettan Shola rainforest track, an exciting and challenging hiking route that begins in Munnar and traces its path to Meesapulimala (2600m), Kerala’s second highest peak, passing through rich forest and plantations of tea, coffee and spices. We then visit the Sri Meenakshi temple complex at Madurai, one of the most colourful examples of Indian religious architecture. At the Periyar Wildlife Reserve, home to wild elephant, deer, giant squirrel and the elusive tiger, we have a day-hike with a forest ranger. At Alleppey, we meet our houseboat for an unforgettable overnight cruise on the backwaters, complemented with a relaxing 02 nights stay at Marari beach, where we end the tour by the beach, experiencing Ayurveda massages.

Highlights

A traditional overnight houseboat cruise on the beautiful backwaters of Kerala.
Savour a locally sourced meal at a welcoming homestay in the heart of the Western Ghats.
Hike through Tea plantation, pluck the tea leaves with the workers, visit the Tea facotory.
Visit the colourful Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai
Interact with village women on the hike and understand their way of life.
Visit a welfare centre focused on enhancing the hidden talents of differently abled children.
Witness the art of chocolate-making by skilled village women artisans.
Hike in the lush Cardamom Hills.
Kathakali dance performance.
Experience chance encounters with endemic wildlife.
Nature trek & bamboo rafting with tribal trackers in Periyar NP

Day 1 :

ARRIVE KOCHI (Heritage walk & Kathakali dance performance)

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. This 2 hour walking tour gives you a glimpse into Cochin’s rich history and heritage, showcasing the mixed Dutch, Portuguese, British and Jewish influences that make the city unique. During the tour, we will visit the old quarter of Fort Kochi, exploring the quaint streets of this city on foot. We will also visit Fort Kochi’s seaside promenade and get a glimpse of daily life in Kochi. The walk will end with tea/coffee at a café. 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. ACCOMMODATION: Hotel WALK DURATION: 02 hrs

Day 2 :

KOCHI (Cycle ride to a remote island & Cafe crawling)

Today morning you will take a cycle ride to remote islands of Kadamakkudy in Kochi. The well-marked route takes you along winding pathways flanked by swaying coconut palms, mangrove-fringed canals, and verdant paddy fields, through remote villages. This is a unique experience to explore the secluded Kadamakkudy islands. In the evening you’ll again venture out on a meticulously curated walk, where you meander through the cobbled streets and quaint alleys of Fort Kochi, and find yourself effortlessly hopping from one iconic art cafe to another. These cafes are not just culinary havens but also repositories of history, culture, and legends. Discover hidden tales, engage with local artists and cafe owners, and gain a profound understanding of the city's vibrant soul. ACCOMMODATION: Hotel CYCLING : 03 hrs WALK DURATION: 02 hrs

Day 3 :

KOCHI / THATTEKAD (Jungle walk in the bird sanctuary & Kayaking on Periyar river)

Nestled in the lush Western Ghats of Kerala, this sanctuary is a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. It’s a lowland rainforest that boasts of an array of diverse ecosystem. You’ll walk the trails inside the sanctuary through villages, accompanied by a Naturalist. Evening is to relax by the river Periyar & there is also an opportunity to take an optional kayaking trip on the River. ACCOMMODATION: Luxury Cottage tents DRIVE DURATION: 70 km / 2.5 hrs TRAIL DURATION: 03 hrs

Day 4 :

THATTEKAD (Chocolate factory tour & Visit Mamalakandan Village)

Today you’ll take a jeep safari through the remote trails of Western Ghats, as you travel to the hidden village of Mamalakandam. A place where nature's beauty, cultural richness, and culinary wonders will astonish us. You’ll travel in a local Jeep & take walks under the lush rainforest canopy. Visit a school & continue your journey to the Neolithic dolmens, unraveling the stories behind these ancient structures. Following this, visit a small homestay, where a local family prepares a sumptuous lunch using spices and vegetables sourced from the region. Before you head back to Thattekad, you’ll visit a local Chocolate factory, operated exclusively by skilled village women artisans. We’ll meander through rows of cocoa trees, engage with the farmers, gaining profound insights into their daily lives and the ancient techniques passed down through generations. Drive back to Thattekad. ACCOMMODATION: Luxury Cottage tents WALK DURATION: 02 hrs

Day 5 :

THATTEKAD / MUNNAR (Tea Plantation visit & Bazaar walk )

Leave the plains and head for the hills. Enjoy an interesting drive as you climb up into the Western Ghats, passing tea and spice plantations along the way. Sitting at an altitude of 1600m, Munnar was very much an idyllic haven for the British in the 19th century, with crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, forests and an unending expanses of tea plantations. Enroute we’ll visit a Tea plantation and spend few hours with Tea picker ladies. 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. Arrive Munnar by early evening. Have a restful sleep prior to the start of our first days hiking. ACCOMMODATION: Plantation Bungalow / Resort DRIVE DURATION: 80 km / 3 hrs

Day 6 :

MUNNAR (Day hike to ascend Meesapulima @ 2600m)

Today requires an early start to accommodate the days hike. Today’s hike is a bit challenging as we ascent to a height of 2640m, where the peak of Meesapulimala is located. It’s the second highest peak in the Western Ghats and today's hike involves navigating the rain forests and grasslands to reach this peak. It offers brilliant view of forests and tea estates down in the valley. After a relaxing lunch you continue up through pinewoods, with views of the tea estates below offering a welcome distraction. By late afternoon, you will be transferred by jeep back to your hotel in Munnar. ACCOMMODATION: Plantation Bungalow / Resort TRAIL LENGTH: 12 Km / 05 hrs

Day 7 :

MUNNAR / SURYANELLI (hike through Tribal village)

We will start the day with an early morning climb of a nearby peak known locally as the "Phantom’s Head". This is a memorable walk atop the tallest feature in the surrounding environment meaning you can take in the spectacular view of Papathy Shola or Butterfly Forest (so named for the mass migration of butterflies in October & November). Today you also have a chance to visit the tribal village of the Muduvans – a tribe who have for centuries colonized the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. Their peculiar habit of carrying their children on their backs has earned them their name as Muduvans or the ‘back people’. ACCOMMODATION: Fixed Camping TRAIL LENGTH: 08 Km / 4 hrs

Day 8 :

SURYANELLI / SANTHANPARA (Hike in rain forest & Cardamom hills)

Today's trek is through the Mathikettan Shola National Park. A treasure trove of biodiversity, this national park is home to endemic flora and fauna and to wildlife like the Asiatic Elephants and Nilgiri Langurs. Your destination is Santhanpara, set amidst luxuriant vegetation and cardamom spice plantations that give the surrounding area the name 'Cardamom Hills'. This is the capital of the spice cultivating areas that have made Kerala famous through the ages and attracted multitudes of traders from all parts of the world. ACCOMMODATION: Fixed Camping TRAIL LENGTH: 14.5 Km / 05 hrs

Day 9 :

SANTHANPARA / CHATURANGAPARA

You will be trekking from Santhanpara to Chaturangapara, the final part of your rainforest trek at Munnar. This route is a challenging one and goes through the ridge of the Western Ghats. There is a tough climb involved to the view-point from where you will have fantastic views over the vast plains of Tamil Nadu state. ACCOMMODATION: Fixed Camping TRAIL LENGTH: 14 Km / 05-06 hrs

Day 10 :

CHATURANGAPARA / MADURAI (Meenakshi temple & overnight at a heritage hotel)

Leaving Kerala, you drive through the plains to the colourful temple town of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in South India. The great Sri Meenakshi Temple, most of which was built during 16th to 18th centuries, is at the heart of the city and the life of the town revolves around it. It is a hive of activity and the scene of an almost continuous religious festival. Madurai is a perfect place to wander around and experience Hindu culture. ACCOMMODATION: Heritage hotel DRIVE DURATION: 150 Km / 04 hrs

Day 11 :

MADURAI / PERIYAR (evening walk in spice gardens)

Leaving Madurai in the morning, we drive to the small village of Thekkady. The drive is spectacular as the road climbs through the Western Ghats and we have fantastic views across Tamil Nadu. Thekkady is a small yet bustling village from where we visit Periyar National Park. This whole area is a centre for spice growing and, after lunch, we have a short walk around a spice garden, where we can see many different spices growing. There is plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the bazaar, where we can visit numerous shops selling cardamom, vanilla, peppercorns, chillies, turmeric and other spices. In the afternoon a local guide will join you for a short walk through the spice gardens at Kumily near Thekkady. ACCOMMODATION: Resort DRIVE DURATION: 155 Km / 04-05 hrs

Day 12 :

PERIYAR (Morning Nature walk & Bamboo rafting)

After an early breakfast, explore Periyar wildlife sanctuary on a range hiking and bamboo rafting through some of the richest forest tracks of Periyar Tiger Reserve. The forests are rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. While rafting, one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax or you could take an optional boat trip on the Periyar Lake, an ideal opportunity to get close to the wildlife here. ACCOMMODATION: Resort TRAIL LENGTH: 06 Km / 03 hrs

Day 13 :

PERIYAR / ALLEPEY (Overnight in a traditional Keralan houseboat)

Driving to the coastal town of Alleppey this morning we head for the myriad canals and channels that make up the Kerala Backwaters, boarding a traditional houseboat for an overnight cruise through the region. The houseboat cruise is one of the highlights of the trip – these enchanting houseboats were the traditional method of transporting goods for centuries. This is a unique way to see the backwaters of Kerala. As our boat meanders through areas of lush tropical vegetation, we can spot numerous birds and gain a different perspective on village life, before you anchor in the middle of the lake for the night and have dinner under the stars. Your houseboat is a converted kettuvallam (rice barge) constructed in a traditional way from jackfruit wood. 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 of a cook, boat driver and assistants. The food served is traditional Keralan fare using local produce. Traditonal lanterns are used as lights. ACCOMMODATION: Houseboat DRIVE DURATION : 112 KM / 02 hrs

Day 14 :

ALLEPEY / MARARI BEACH (walk in a village & meal with a family)

After a relaxing breakfast on board, we take a short drive to the village of West Chennamkary in the heart of the Backwaters for a short walk around some of the local villages, soaking up the atmosphere of a region that provided Arundhati Roy with the inspiration for her book, 'The God of Small Things'. We'll enjoy a traditional Keralan lunch with a local family before driving to Marari Beach later in the afternoon. ACCOMMODATION: Beach Resort DRIVE DURATION: 01 hr TRAIL DURATION: 2.5 hrs

Day 15 :

MARARI BEACH (Ayurveda massages & Beach time)

Marari Beach, a part of Mararikulam village, is nothing less than a paradise with a vast coastal line, fringed with coconut and palm trees. Full day at leisure. You’ll relax by the beach or indulge in Ayurveda massages. ACCOMMODATION: Beach resort

Day 16 :

MARARI / KOCHI DEPARTURE

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Kochi airport in time to board your flight for onward destination.

FAQs

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Trip Difficulty Level

Although not a demanding walking tour, it is a busy and active itinerary with lots to see & explore. Driving time is kept to a minimum and is not normally longer than four to five hours. You should be prepared for some early starts. The roads are generally pretty good, but traffic and/or road damage can sometimes slow us down.

This hike is suitable for the average walker who is prepared to put in some physical preparation. Most days are not overly taxing and most of the trails are on well-made paths and winds gently up through the forest, with some steep sections. 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.

What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

We use different types of accommodation throughout the tour. It’s a mix of hotel, Plantation bungalow, Jungle resort, Keralan Houseboat & Fixed camping.

What's the weather like in South India

The ideal time to visit south India is from October to March.

Temperatures can be very hot in the middle of the day and the sun is very strong. Nights will be cooler and three nights of the trek can be very cold, particularly during December and January, with temperatures just below freezing. The average temperatures are Max 21°C-30°C and Min 6°C-20°C at night.

Who will accompany the tour?

This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your women 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. On the hike you’ll also be accompanied by a trekking guide.

What kind of Vehicles is used during the trip?

During the course of your trip, overland journey will be in a private Coach/ Tempo traveller, depending on the size of the group. At Thattekad & Munnar, you’ll be driven in 4X4 jeeps to reach the starting point of the hike. Vehicles with seatbelts are provided throughout.

Can we have Alcoholic drinks during the tour?

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.

What you carry while hiking?

You’ll be hiking in Munnar, Thattekad & Thekkady. Carry a daypack with you, in which you will need to carry a rain jacket, water bottle, packed lunch, camera gear etc.

Is it ok to Tip during the tour

For better or worse, tipping is an accepted part of tourism in India. We follow a tipping system on all Group Tours. It involves guests contributing to a kitty which is handed over to the tour leader at the beginning of the tour. The tips are distributed for the services everyday on the guest’s behalf. This avoids the need for individual tipping daily throughout your trip.