Kerala Cultural Tour (10 Nights / 11 Days)

Tour Highlights

• Walking tour of Fort Cochin
• Cooking and Dinner with local family
• Visit to women empowerment centre
• Auto riksha ride (a common form of public transportation in India)
• Yoga, Nature walk
• Jungle trek
• Stay in Houseboat
• Unwind at beach

XANDARI HORBOUR

Day 01 - Arrive Kochi (Cochin)

Depart for Kerala, India our exciting journey to Kerala begins as we board our overnight to Cochin. Upon arrival at Cochin and after clearing customs and immigration procedures and collecting our bags we are met and warmly welcomed by The Travel Planners ground staff and transferred to our hotel for immediate check in. As we drive to our hotel European influences in the architecture of this charming town picturesquely located on a number of islands squeezed between the Arabian Sea and the Kerala backwaters are instantly apparent. Reflecting the maritime history of Kochi, the old buildings are a blend of Dutch, Portuguese and British architecture. Overnight at Hotel.

XANDARI HORBOUR

Day 02 - Cochin

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the Restaurant. Later in the noon, we take a short walking tour of Fort Kochi visiting St. Francis Church the oldest European church in India, the highly decorated Santa Cruz Basilica followed by visit to the harbour where we see the famous Chinese fishing nets in action... In the evening, we are welcomed at the home where the housewife will demonstrate and talk about nuances of traditional Kerala recipes as she prepares dishes in front of you and will serve the food prepared. After the dinner back to your Hotel.

CHINESE FISHING NETS - COCHIN

Day 03 - Cochin

Morning take Auto Riksha (Tuk Tuk) drive to visit the Kudumbashree - one of the largest women empowering projects - an initiative that has had good success in addressing the basic needs of the less privileged women, providing them with dignified life and a better future. Later, we wander through the old districts of Mattancherry and Fort Kochi where we see various European influences, merchant houses and old warehouses, the beautiful waterfront and narrow streets. Allow time to admire the colourful murals, including depictions of the Ramayana, in the 16th century Dutch Palace, visit the Pardesi Synagogue in Jew Town. Later in the evening we cruise on a chartered boat to enjoy the sunset and visit Bolghatty Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action, a sight most coveted by photographers internationally. After enjoying the boat cruise, we attend a Kathakali show where the epic Ramayana comes to life. Classical dancers use larger than life gestures, wear outstanding and unique costumes and elaborate make up. The day ends with a memorable mouth-watering welcome dinner put together jointly by the hotel chef.

MUNNAR

Day 04 - Cochin - Munnar

After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel we take a scenic drive to Munnar, a hill station located 1600 meters above sea level. Once the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in South India, it retains its colonial charm and is famous for its tea plantations once owned by the British they are now mostly privately owned. Sprawling estates, rolling hills, sparkling waterfalls, picture postcard hamlets and undulating valleys, Munnar is an ideal holiday destination. Balance of the day is at leisure, to enjoy the ambience of Munnar. Overnight at Hotel.

SPICE TREE RESORT, MUNNAR

Day 05 - Munnar

Full day engaged with special activities..
07:30 - 08:30 hrs - Yoga
08:30 - 10:30 hrs - Bison Valley Plantation
Village Walks and guided Trekking
11:30 - 12:30 hrs - Ethnic Cooking Class
16:00 - 17:00 - Tea Tasting Session & High Tea with Snacks
Aware Different tea varieties
17:00 - 18:00hrs - Walk to Dolmens
Stone Age Remnant Found Near the Resort
17:00 - 18:00 hrs - Nature Walk Through the Plantation Any Time in the Afternoon
Duration: 1 hour (Towel Art)
Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the tranquil & serene surroundings. Overnight at Hotel.

SPICE VILLAGE, THEKKADY

Day 06 - Munnar - Periyar (138km/4h)

Day begins with another scenic drive - this time to Periyar (also known as Thekkady). The name Periyar comes from the Dam constructed by the British in 1895. A wild life reserve, it is an ideal place to track wild Elephants, Bison, Deer and numerous varieties of birds. The landscape here is very tropical and you will be surrounded by tea, coffee & other spices. Evening we enjoy we visit a native family home and spice plantation growing common as well as unusual spices and herbs, used both for culinary and medicinal purposes. This plantation is totally organic and uses only natural forms of pest control. The owner and his family are very knowledgeable about their produce, and are keen to show us the various spices and herbs, encouraging us to smell and taste various clipping. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. (2 Nights)

THEKKADY

Day 07 - Periyar

Early morning we take a guided Jungle walk through the Periyar Tiger Reserve/National Park. A three hour relatively easy to moderate walk is very interesting and will give us a chance to see wildlife life from a very close distance. If we are lucky we may even spot the rarely sighted leopards & tigers. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later in the afternoon we board a small boat and cruise the lake at the heart of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. From the tranquility of the lake, we enjoy the lush scenery all around us as we look out for animals that come down to the water's edge for a drink - often it is a herd of elephants or scurrying wild boars or the magnificent Sambar Deer. In the evening we attend a KALARIPAYATTU SHOW which is the oldest form of martial arts and is celebrated as the mother of all martial arts. Legend traces the 3000-year old art form to sage Parasurama-the master and guru of all martial art forms who is credited to be the re-claimer of Kerala from the Arabian Sea. Kung-Fu, popularized by the monks of the Shaolin Temple traces its ancestry to Bodhi Dharma-an Indian Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu master.

HOUSEBOAT

Day 08 - Periyar/Kumarakom/Alleppey - House Boat (138km/4h)

Yet another highlight of our personalized itinerary is a cruise along the famous Backwaters of Kerala - a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves on our private houseboat. The houseboats or ‘Kettuvalloms’ are luxurious boats with well-appointed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. One can sunbathe on the deck or observe the palm fringed landscape from our cabins. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings it’s the life along the coast that adds a touch of exotica to this experience. The locals go about their daily business in canoes and we find vegetable sellers, fishermen and other traders bringing household goods, door to door in their wooden canoes. As we cruise along the backwaters we can ask our captain to stop at villages, paddy fields and other places, en-route. At the end of the cruise we visit a local fish market where we can buy fresh catch of the day and later ask our chef on board to cook us our selections for dinner. Overnight: Houseboat.

MARARI BEACH RESORT

Day 09 - Kumarakom/Marari

Morning at leisure till we depart for Marari & check-in at our beautiful resort hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy the beach or try the many Ayurvedic treatment offered at extra cost by the spas (available on optional basis). Overnight at Hotel. (2 Nights)

MARARI BEACH RESORT

Day 10 - Marari

After an interesting and unforgettable culinary tour of the land of spice and Marari Another day to enjoy the beach and the optional Ayurvedic treatments. Evening, we are presented with traditional Kerala outfit to be worn for the farewell dinner.

Day 11 - Marari - Cochin Departure

We are transferred to the Cochin International Airport for our early morning flight back home

* * Tour Ends * *

Tour Cost for two persons (USD)

Accommodation

Cost Includes & Excludes