Rhodo valley Camp & Meghamalai

Arrival at Cochin

Arrive Cochin Airport. You will be met on arrival and will escort you to the hotel at Fort Cochin (01 hr)

This evening witness a cultural performance at a local theatre in Cochin. 

Overnight at Cochin

Walking tour of Cochin

In the morning you will meet up with your local guide and you will set on foot to explore Fort Cochin.  The St Francis  Church,  the oldest European Church in India ,where Vasco de Gama the first European traveller to India was originally buried rnihere.  Also visit the Chinese fishing nets believed to be brought to Kochi by the Chinese Traders.

After Fort cochin , you will take a TUK TUK  for a short ride to  Mattancherry Dutch Palace (Friday closed) at Mattancherry 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.  A walk through the jew street is a pleasing experience. 

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. 

Over night at Cochin

From Cochin to Munnar

Morning, drive to Munnar (140 km, 04 hrs)

Munnar is a beautiful hill station on the Western Ghats at about 1600 metres above sea level. Munnar is essentially a tea-town with its sprawling tea plantations. Munnar  has a legacy of its own when it comes to the origins and evolution of tea plantations. It offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mists. 

Later in the afternoon, your will visit the Tea Museum.

The Tata Tea Museum diligently portrays the growth of Munnar tea estates, veritably conveyed through some of the displays like the rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory. Visitors to the museum can satiate their curiosity on various stages of tea processing, and also learn a thing or two about the production of black tea.

Overnight at Munnar

From Munnar to Camp

You will be picked up from your resort by a Jeep in the morning. After a drive of 1.5 hours, you will reach the base camp. You will meet with the team and the naturalist cum guide will explain you the two days camping program.

A gradual ascent trek of 4 hours through tea plantations and micro carps. Delicious packed lunch enroute. You will spend your night at Silent Valley camp at an altitude of 2000 m. 

Camp fire dinner and sleep in comfortable tents.

Camp – Ascent Meeshapulimala

Trek starts by 8.30 am after breakfast, and passes through the valley of rhododendrons and pines. The trek then winds through streams and shola forests of tropical grasslands. The views are spectacular, and you will reach the 2nd highest peak of South India, Meeshapulimala, at an altitude of 2635 m. Delicious packed lunch served en-route. Descending trek will reach the camp at Rhodovalley, at an altitude of 2300 m. 

Camp fire dinner and sleep in tents.

From Camp to Meghamalai

After breakfast, a 30 minutes jeep ride will take you to your waiting transport and you will proceed to proceed to Meghamalai (160 kms, 6.5 hrs) 

Meghamalai is the kingdom where the clouds meet the mountains. The word means cloud clad mountain. The British planters named it the Highwavys because of the wave like patterns these mountains create. Early mornings provide magical moments as snow white ribbons of cloud wrap around these majestic mountains with just their peaks towering above those clouds. The serene lake and the beckoning mountains ranges are perhaps the best `real' description of paradise.   

You will cover the last 40 km to Meghamalai in a jeep.
 
This Bungalow is strategically placed within the Woodbriar plantation in such a way to extract the essence of the location. The view is splendid from any part of the Bungalow’s compound. The entire plantation around here is spontaneously formed like a bowl shape, engulfed on all sides by tall mountains. The scenic lake system adds magic to the landscape in the foreground. 

Overnight at Meghamalai.

At Meghamalai

Morning proceed for Bird watching with a naturalist. Meghamalai is home to numerous native and migratory birds. Over 100 species of birds have been identified.

Afternoon visit the tea factory and participate in tea tasting.

Overnight at Meghamalai.

From Meghamalai to Periyar

Morning drive to Periyar (85 kms, 3.5 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. 

In the evening you will witness Kalaripyattu (martial arts) performance at a local theatre 

Overnight at Periyar

Border Hiking

Full day Border Hiking

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 Backwaters

After early breakfast, leave Periyar at 0800 hrs to Pallathuruthy jetty in the backwaters. On arrival, you will board a House boat for an overnight cruise around  the backwaters.

HOUSEBOATS, popularly known as “Kettuvalam” is converted from a traditional rice barge.  While cruising to Alleppey you will see the glimpses of village life of the people living around the backwater area.  You may watch palm-lined bank and narrow stips of land that separate the waterways and the constant quiet traffic of vallom (small boats) are typical.  Lunch on board House boat.

Dinner and overnight on board House boat.

From Backwaters to Marari

At 0930 hrs , disembark from House boat and drive to Marari Beach (45 minutes)

The little-known Marari Beach is the perfect beach destination not too far from Cochin , where you arrive and depart.  The beach is quiet and not crowded, and thus maintain its beauty and charm. The name Marari is shortened from from Mararikulam, a small and sleepy fisherman's village.
 
Overnight at Marari

At Marari Beach

Full day relax at the beach.
Overnight at Marari

Departure Cochin

In time transfer to Cochin Airport (90 km, 2.5 hrs) to connect flight back home