Through History & Traditions , Nature & Neeleshwaram beaches

Arrival at 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. 

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.  

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 Alleppey Backwaters

Mid morning drive to Alleppey backwaters (60 km, 1. hrs) On arrival board the House boat for a two nights cruise around the backwaters. Lunch on board.
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  & dinner  board House boat.

Overnight on board House boat.

Backwaters

Cruise continues with occasional stops at Villages.

Step down into yet another backwater village - Champakulam to visit the renowned Champakulam Snake Boat and the ancient St. Mary’s Church. Let your palates to explore another rich meal of Kerala. By now you must be expert in using your fingers instead of fork and knife. In the afternoon session visit Alleppy (Allapuzha), popularly known as the “Venice of the East”. The move towards the Vembanad Lake, the largest Lake in Kerala for one more memorable evening and 

Overnight on board House boat.

From Alleppey to Pandikkad via Guruvayur

At 0900 hrs, disembark from House boat and drive to Pandikkad (210 km, 05 hrs)

Visit the elephant camp at Punnathoorkotta, near the Sree Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor, houses probably the largest single group of captive elephants in the world. 

Maranat Mana at Pandikkad of Malappauram district ,  is a traditional Namboothiri Illam (Kerala Brahmin House-hold)which at the foothills of the Western Ghats. Maranat  Mana is one of the last imposing structures with “pathinaru kettu”(4 courtyards )built in the traditional Kerala architecture and vasthushastra, occupying a plinth area of 1 acre. Sitting pretty on an 8 acre plot filled with coconut, cashew, mango, jack fruit, nutmeg, vanilla and medicinal plants, it is home to a family of more than 30 members. 

Evening witness a traditional dance form performed exclusively for you.

Overnight at Maranat Mana. 

At Pandikkad - Experiences

Get up with the sound of chants and witness the morning rituals at the Mana (house) and also watch the visitors with their offering.

Your host will talk about the rich namboothiri culture and tradition which is perhaps the only continuous linage of the age old Vedic traditions. 

Pandikkad , where the mana is situated still hold the charm of a typical Keralan village. A walk around the village is experiential and will give a glimpse on the still maintained culture and tradition of central Kerala.

Overnight at Pandikkad

Pandikkad/Ooty

Morning drive to Ooty (120 km, 4 hrs) 

OOTY
Ooty or Udhagamandalam known as the Queen of the Blue Mountains, along with Kotagiri and coonar nearby, Ooty is famous for its rolling hills, covered in pine and eucalyptus forests and its coffee and the tea plantations.  Developed, as a hill station by the British, had been inhabited by the Toda tribal people who lived in villages or munds consisting of a handful of huts

Over night at Ooty.

At Ooty – Toy Train Experience

After  breakfast , transfer to  Ooty railway station and catch the toy train to Coonoor at 0900 hrs.  

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is located in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu. It runs from Metupalaiyam to Udagamandalam (Ooty), via Coonoor, in the Nilgiri Hills. The construction of this line was a big challenge as the terrain is rather tricky. It was in 1854 that the first plans were drawn to build a mountain railway from Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills. But it was a good 45 years later in 1899 that the first train chugged up this track.The track is 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) long, and passes over 26 viaducts, and through 16 tunnels and tall girder bridges. This railway is particularly picturesque because of the surrounding rocky terrain, tea plantations, and forested hills.

Arrive Coonoor railway station at 1025 hrs. Stroll  through Coonoor.  Later drive back to Ooty  (15 km , 45 mts)

Over night at Ooty.

From Ooty to Sulthan Bathery

Morning, drive to Sulthan Bathery (110 km, 3.5 hrs)

Situated at an altitude of about 3750-4500 ft above sea level it spreads over an area of about 150 sq km, eco-friendly and designed in the traditional Kerala architectural style. Wayand is world famous for its evergreen rain forests and plantations of coffee, tea, rubber, cardamom and pepper.  

Tucked away deep in the coffee plantation, set in a gardenall its own, is a charming 140 year-old colonial bungalow. Lovingly restored, the bungalow has been furnished with antiques, family heirlooms and hand-picked colonial furniture. The perfect place to sit back and enjoy the plantation life
    
Overnight at Sulthan Bathery

At Sulthan Bathery – Jungle Safari

Early morning , Jeep Safari at Muthanga wildlife sanctuary , situated about 16km east of Sultan Bathery.  An ideal destination to watch herds of wild elephants, the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous with the protected area network of the Nagarhole National Park and the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in the neighbouring State of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu. This sanctuary spread over 345 sq km is rich with fauna and flora, and comes under Project Elephant.

Afternoon at leisure or you can chose one of the walking tails of the resort .

Overnight at Sulthan Bathery

Sulthan Bathery/Neeleshwaram

Morning drive to Neeleshwaram (210 km, 5 hrs)

A hidden tropical destination set in a secluded palm grove beside the Arabian Sea in Northern Kerala, Neeleshwar Hermitage is one of India's finest gems.
At this rejuvenating beach hotel you enter a utopia far removed from the pressures of everyday living. Authentic ayurveda and spa treatments, a huge infinity pool and a deliciously varied cuisine - everything combines to induce a sense of complete relaxation and harmonious wellbeing. 

Overnight at Neeleshwaram

At Neeleshwaram

Full day relax at the beach resort.

Overnight at Neeleshwaram

At Neeleshwaram

Full day relax at the beach resort.

Overnight at Neeleshwaram

Departure from Mangalore Airport

In time transfer to Mangalore airport (95 km, 2.5 hrs) to connect flight for onward destination Via Mumbai or Bangalore