This one is for the explorer. Our offbeat Kerala tour out and out experiential journey through the length and breath of the state covering places where tourism is still at its nascent stage. Experience real Kerala in its villages, where age old traditions and art forms still prevail, explore the hills and jungles where few tourists have ventured and interact with friendly locals to get a better insight into each region.
From beach and waterfall excursions, staying at village mansion and houseboat, backwater tours and art form experiences, culture trails and jungle trails, this is a journey of many adventures and experiences for the inquisitive traveller.
ITINERARY
Fort Cochin, Mararikulam, Ashtamudi, Varakal, Gavi, Nattika, Attapady, Palakad & River Nila (14n / 15d)
Day 1 : Fort Cochin : Arrive in Cochin and transfer to stay in Fort Cochin. Later explore the views of Fort Cochin including the Jew Street, Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Museum and Chinese fishing nets. If interested one can see the Kathakali ( traditional dance form of Kerala ) performance in the evening. Overnight in Fort Cochin.
Day 2 : Mararikulam Beach : Day to relax and enjoy in the secluded and pristine long stretch of sandy beach at Mararikulam. Overnight in Mararikulam.
Day 3 : Mararikulam Beach – Ashtamudi Backwaters : After breakfast leave for Kollam and enjoy the stay at the Ashtamudi backwaters. Astamudi lake and backwaters is off the tourist trail and staying at a cottage along the lake is a beautiful experience if you want the backwater experience without the crowds of the Alleppey backwaters. Overnight at Ashtamudi Lake Houseboat.
Day 4 : Ashtamudi Backwaters : Day for an excursion to Thenmala Dam and Paluravi Waterfalls . Overnight at Ashtamudi home stay.
Day 5 : Ashtamudi Backwaters – Varkela Beach : After breakfast leave for Varkela Beach. Explore the beach. Overnight at Varkela.
Day 6 : Varkela Beach – Gavi Wildlife Sanctuary : After breakfast leave for Gavi. Pass by scenic hills, plantations and jungle trails on the way to Gavi. Check into the Forest Department’s Forest Lodge or The Swiss Tented Cottage. Overnight in Gavi.
Day 7 : Gavi Wildlife Sanctuary : Day at Gavi trekking, boating in the Gavi lake and taking a spice plantation tour. Overnight in Gavi Forest Lodge.
Day 8 : Gavi – Nattika Beach : After breakfast we leave for nattika beach. Stay at cottages by this secluded and less popular beach. Relax and enjoy the evening at the beach. Overnight at Nattika Beach Cottages.
Day 9 : Nattika Beach – Athirapally Waterfalls : After breakfast leave for Athirapally waterfalls. Athirapally is the largest waterfall in Kerala and the views are wonderful with the water falling in a large cascade from above 80 feet. Visit Athirapally waterfalls. Evening back to Nattika Beach Cottages
Day 10 : Nattika Beach – Silent Valley National Park : After breakfast we leave for an excursion to the Silent Valley National Park. The park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats mountain rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. Overnight at Attapady.
Day 11 : Attapady – Attapady Reserve Forest & Silent Valley National Park is a hilly and forested area adjoining the Nilgiri Hills. Attapady also has a large population of indigenous tribes. Day to explore Attapady. Overnight in Attapady.
Day 12 : Attapady – Palakkad Village Mansion : After breakfast drive to one of the centuries old feudal house, converted into a heritage home stay. The place located in the middle of paddy fields and have a glittering cultural heritage in the field of Kathakali (classical dance form) , Carnatic Music, Melam and Thayampaka (classical percussion, it is a great place to spend a day. Overnight in Palakad heritage home stay.
Day 13 : Palakkad Village Mansion – Meenvallam – Neliampathy : After breakfast leave for Neliyampathy and on way visit Meenvallm waterfalls and take a shower under the falls. By evening we reach Neliyampathy. Overnight in Neliyampathy.
Day 14 : Neliyampathy : The Neliyampathy hill ranges lies in the Palakkad district of Kerala and adjoins the Parambikulam National Park. There are about 10 hairpin bends that have to be negotiated on the way to Nelliyampathy. Tea estates, hills and jungles make up the landscape with the altitude ranging from 467 m to 1572 m . Today we explore Neliyampathy. Overnight at Neliyampathy.
Day 15 : Neliyampathy – River Nila : After breakfast leave for River Nila. Check into hotel / home stay. After lunch we see the handi crafts and pottery made by local artisans from terracotta, coconut shells and jute. Later we explore the river and the villages around it. Overnight at River Nila hotel / home stay.
Day 15 : River Nila – Cochin : After breakfast drive back to Cochin.
THEMESCulture
Nature
Offbeat
DESTINATIONSFort Cochin
Mararikulam
Ashtamudi
Varakal
Gavi
Nattika
Attapady
Palakad
River Nila
HIGHLIGHTS
– Offbeat journey through Kerala
– Culture trails in Palakkad, River Nila and Fort Cochin
– Explore Astamudi Backwaters
– Beach visits in Varkela and Mararikulam
– Visit hills and tribes of Attapady and Neliyampathy
– Stay at centuries old village mansion in Palakkad
– Boating, light trekking and jungle lodge stay in Gavi
– Experience life around River Nila
COST Spoiler content INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
INCLUSIONS :
10 Nights stay at home stay / resort with breakfast, 1 night stay at houseboat with all meals, 1 Night stay at village mansion home stay with all meals, 2 Nights stay at Jungle Lodge with all meals, All transfers and excursions in private vehicle including all vehicle charges – driver cost, toll, parking etc. , service charges and taxes.
EXCLUSIONS :
Other than mentioned, Entry tickets and camera charges at sightseeing places ( if applicable )
STAY & TRANSPORT
As this is a customised tour, you can choose the accommodation and transport as per your preference . Accommodation types available – Resorts, Cottages, Home stay, Houseboat, Jungle Lodge. Transport – Private Vehicle ( SUV or Car )
NOTE :
COST MENTIONED IS INDICATIVE. This is a customized trip. Cost will depend on group size and type of accommodation required. Please mail us for details
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