Kerala – Every day is different

Arrive Cochin

Arrive Cochin. You will be transferred to your hotel in the heritage town of Fort Cochin (01 hour)

The spice trade first bought Chinese and Arabian traders to Kerala’ shores and later the Portuguese  , Dutch and British thus making Fort Cochin a cultural melting point. Wander through its old streets, the synagogue, the ancient churches, colonial houses and the picturesque Chinese fishing nets. 

At 1700 hrs , proceed to a local theatre  to witness live performance Kathakaly dance and other performing Arts of Kerala. 

Overnight at Cochin.

At Cochin – Being local

Today is a different day , this morning you will explore Cochin with your guide by being a localite. There is no car today. You will walk , take the TUK TUK through the narrow streets of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry , climb on a local bus in the busy hours to the city  , walk along thousands of people exploring the local market , know the spices , visit the railway station when thousands of people return to their nearby village after the day’s work , take the local ferry from the mainland to return to the island of Fort Cochin. By evening you will experience everything what is happening in a day at Cochin. 

During the course, you will also visit the monuments at Fort Cochin and Mattancherry  - The St  Francis  Church,  the oldest European Church in India ,where Vasco de Gama the first European traveller to India was originally buried here.  Dutch Palace at Mattancherry (Friday closed) is renowned  for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana.  The Jewish Synagogue ( Saturday closed) at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town.  

Overnight at Fort Cochin

At Cochin – Explore Muziris

This morning you will travel to the ancient city of Muziris (01 hr) to witness the ruins and the  monuments dating back to centuries 

Around 2,000 years ago, Muziris was one of India’s most important trading ports , on the Periyar river close to the Arabian Sea. From the time of King Solomon of the Bible, traders from Rome, Greece, Egypt and Persia made their way to this one time bustling port city Cochin on the south-west coast of present day India, seeking the exquisite spices that the region was famous for.  As the quality of the spices from Muziris spread far and beyond the Indian Ocean, a stream of merchants kept flowing into Kerala and the port gradually became an unavoidable juncture in the ‘Spice Route.’ 

Now tourists will have the opportunity to explore the ruins and remnants of a bygone period that was amazingly opulent according to several historical accounts. Muziris welcomes you to the cape of trade culture, left behind by its ancestors from around the world, to the waves of Azhikode where Christianity first entered India, to the Cheraman mosque, which gave out the first Muslim call for prayers, to the Bharani festival at the Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple, to the original culture of the Jewish synagogue, to the village where handlooms spin thinks of heritage, to the Palium palace and to the old waterways that led one to Muziris. 

Late afternoon return back to Fort Cochin

This evening you will have Sea food dining experience with Mr Francis and his wife Mrs Rosy at their residence and experience the traditional flavours and preparations of Kerala Cuisine.  They serve closely guarded secret recipes sourced from the old families of Cochin flavourful dishes generously spiced with fresh cinnamon, pepper, red chilli, coriander, green chilly, curry leaves, vanilla, ginger. Freshly caught fish and crustaceans grilled or cooked the way you fancy with a fusion of Indian condiments. Mrs Rosy will also teach you a favourite sea food dish of Fort Cochin. 

Overnight at Cochin 

From Cochin to Cherthala Backwaters via Fishermen Village

Visit to a fishermen village to witness the auction of fresh catch of fishes. 

You will rise up early morning and after a cup of tea from the hotel, You will check out and your guide will drive you to the nearby village of Chellanam, where you witness the live action of boatmen bringing in their fresh catch of fishes for auction.  You will mix with hundreds of people gathered in the beach to auction the fresh catch. You will come across local fishermen folks, traders, auctioneers, mobile shopkeepers selling tea and snacks, kids picking up the spill over, Canoe , boats , nets. Everything works on a system of distribution.

Later you will visit a family at their home. You will have breakfast together. Interact with the family and exchange experiences with brief introduction to some of the heritage relics available in the house. You will further continue for a village walk through the paddy fields, fish farms, you will cross the river in the panchayat ferry to visit the local market.

Later by 1230 hrs, you will drive to Cherthala Backwaters (25 km , 40 mts)

This 400+ year old heritage lakeside retreat with just 2 bedrooms, in traditional wood architecture, is ideal for guests to relax, unwind and soak in the surrounding natural beauty that is a treat to your every sense. It has a private pool that will make you feel pampered and rejuvenated. The building, passed into our hands from the descendants of the original chieftain, and is presented.... We have renamed it, Vismaya (translated 'a magical place').

Overnight at Cherthala Backwaters

From Cherthala Backwaters to Periyar

Morning,  drive to Periyar (135 kms, 04 hrs)

Thekkady
Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq km. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake; it attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants. 

Evening visit a spice plantation with a naturalist to obtain a first hand information on the various spices like Cardamom, Cinnamon ,Clove and Nutmeg.

Overnight at Periyar

At Periyar – Border Hiking

After early breakfast proceed for full day border hiking in Periyar National Park

The Programme
This is a conservation oriented hard trek taking up a full day. The trekking starts at 8 o’ clock in the morning and ends in the evening. The route passes through undulating terrains. Altitudinal ranges of 900 meters to 1300 meters will be covered and the trekkers could glimpse the lofty escarpments bordering the park watershed and the vast plains down below. Gaur, sloth bear, elephant, etc. are often sighted along this route apart from birds and butterflies. The trekkers will go with two guides and an armed forest guard. Vegetarian refreshments will be provided en- route. 

Overnight at Periyar

From Periyar to Pathanamthitta

After early breakfast, drive to Pathanamthitta (120 km, 3.5 hrs). You will stay in the home stay for a night. 

Mannaas veedu is located in serene ambience in between two Mountains at Prakannam Village, Pattanamthitta Dist. Kerala. Spending days in Mannaas countryside home stay is as if spending in an air- purified environs; some times better than it. So is the rejuvenating effect of the lush greenery of the Village and smell of jasmine flowers. This ecofriendly mansion is created using wood, latrite stone and manglorian tiles, central open courtyard and wondrous architecture. The interiors of the house are tastefully decorated with a wealth of antiques made from teak, and mahogany etc. 

Later afternoon , you will visit the Konni Elephant Camp where many Elephants are houses and trained. You will then travel to Adavi through a forest path for a coracle ride surrounded by lush green forest. 

Overnight at Pathanamthitta 

From Pathanamthitta to Chittar lake

After breakfast , drive to Chittar lake (135 km , 04 hrs) in the Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu. You will stay in a heritage boutique place in the midst of Vaikundam Estate , a working rubber plantation. 

Anantya is a quiet lush tropical retreat nestled within 1000 acres of rubber plantations , perched on the banks of the Chittar Lake. The peace, tranquillity and calm of water and picturesque Anantya will recharge and rejuvenate you. 

Overnight at Chittar Lake

At Chittar Lake - visits

Morning proceed for a visit of Padmanabhapuram Palace 

This erstwhile palace of the Travancore Kings was constructed around 1601 AD In the late 18th century, precisely in 1795 the capital of Travancore was shifted from here to Thiruvananthapuram, and the place lost its former glory. However, the palace complex continues to be one of the best examples of traditional Kerala architecture, and some portions of the sprawling complex are also the hallmark of traditional Kerala style architecture. The palace displays a collections of old paintings ,weapons , coins , etc. 

In the evening proceed for a nature walk around the plantations with a naturalist 

Overnight at Chittar Lake

From Chittar Lake to Kovalam Beach

Mid morning  , drive to Kovalam beach (45 km ,1.25 hrs)

Adorned with breath-taking views, serene beaches and refreshing atmosphere, Kovalam is an ideal leisure getaway. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans since long.A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. 

Overnight at Kovalam

At Kovalam Beach

Full day relax at kovalam beach

Overnight at Kovalam

Departure from Trivandrum airport

In time transfer to Trivandrum airport (16 km, 35 mts) to connect flight back home