Central Kerala - Kochi | Kumarakom | Kuttampuzha | Mankulam | Munnar | Periyar

• Wake up early and enjoy a wholesome breakfast at the hotel/heritage homestay to kick start the day for a heritage trail.

HERITAGE

• Take a guided walk through the historical lanes, streets, and lives of Kochi’s rich heritage awaits you to unfold the heritage trail. The centuries-old Jewish legacy, synagogue, and Jew Street are explored in the morning.
• Taking a break from the heritage trail we reach a very famous heritage homestay where our lunch is organised for the day. Each dish served here carries tales of excitement and turns out to be a good friend of your taste buds. After taking a short break we resume our heritage trail. The historical monuments, the diverse cultures of different communities, and their stories are chapters that linger with you for a lifetime.
• Towards evening we gather at a local tea shop for a hot brewing coffee | tea with Kerala special banana fritters or spicy bonda.
• To sum up, we have a Kathakali workshop organized at the Kerala Kathakali Centre. Kathakali, the most famous classical art of Kerala, is an amalgamation of devotion, drama, dance, music, elaborate costumes, and loud makeup. An elaborate workshop starts with facial painting and descriptions of every character in the evening performance. This is a two-hour Kathakali workshop.
• We reach back at the hotel for dinner. Continental spread for dinner.
• Overnight stay at the hotel in Kochi.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• CGH , Hotel Casino – 5 star
• Neemranas- Heritage Hotel
• Sugar Business- 4 star
• Heritage Homestay-Fort Kochi
• Mai House Heritage, Fort Kochi
• Chiramel Residency, Heritage Homestay

• After breakfast, leave for Kumarakom, is a part of the Kuttanad region which is called the rice bowl of Kerala. This lush green village is on the Vembanad Lake in the backwaters of Kerala and lies a few feet below the sea level. The alluring emerald green waters of Vembanad Lake polka-dotted by green lands, Kumarakom in Kottayam is a paradise indeed.
• After relishing the traditional Kerala breakfast, we start our travel to Kumarakom. It is a two-hour drive to reach this mesmerising cluster of little islands filled with coconut groves and surrounded by crisscrossed canals, and backwaters.
• We check in at a cozy homestay by the backwaters and enjoy the true shades of a village on this spectacular island.

PREMIUM HOUSEBOAT DAY CRUISE EXPERIENCE

• A Premium houseboat day cruise to explore the backwater lives & livelihood and local cuisine is organized today. In the comfort of a houseboat, we are on an expedition to cover the tales of backwater and its never-ending enchantment. A perfect time to rejuvenate our senses in the calm backwaters!
• Kumarakom fame traditional lunch with Pearl spot fish fry and evening snacks served unfolds the secrets of its finest local recipes.
• Towards the evening, we return to the homestay, and an Ayurveda session is provided near to the homestay for those interested in the age-old practice of Ayurveda massage for body rejuvenation.
• We gather at the dining table for a special dinner.
• Overnight stay at the hotel in Kumarakom.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Backwater Ripples- 5 star
• Coco Lagoon CGH-5 star
• Mango Homestay-
• Pamba Heritage Homestay- Alappuzha
• Palm Dale Resort
• Baiju’s Homestay

• After a wholesome breakfast, we get ready for a shikhara-guided program. This starts at 9 am till 3 pm. A backwater village programme that includes a village walk, temple visit, weaving communities, toddy tapping, fishing, cooking workshop with local recipes, and local cuisine for lunch and evening snacks.
• We reach the homestay for the Ayurveda programme.
• Dinner at the homestay with barbeque.
• Overnight stay at the homestay in Kumarakom.

• We travel to Thattekkad which is blessed by nature with all its abundance. A stunning rural village with wilderness and rich flora and fauna.

WILDERNESS

• We are all set to experience a luxury camp stay by the Kuttampuzha Riverside today. The dense forest welcomes you from the other side of the river. The rich biodiversity of the land is a treat to the eyes.
• All meals are served at the campsite and kayaking, cycling, and birdwatching programs are scheduled at the campsite in fixed intervals.
• In the evening, we go for a three hour immersive nature walk to enjoy the bliss of the surroundings, experience a bird-watching programme with a famous bird watcher and visit famous destinations such as Anakkayam, Vellaramkuthu village, Pooyamkutty, and Blavana.
• The challenging raw village life, with dense forests on one side and inhabited on the other, is a delight watching and listening to their local tales.
• Overnight stay at the campsite in Kuttampuzha.

• We bid goodbye to Kuttampuzha after an exquisite breakfast at the campstay. On the way to Mankulam, we visit the famous Injathotty suspension hanging bridge, the longest in Kerala.
• Mankulam, fondly called the ‘land of waterfalls’ is truly an offbeat and less explored natural beauty of the Idukki district in Kerala. This land is known for its diverse communities and their livelihood skills. Many Indigenous communities along with farmers, migrated communities and local communities offer a wide array of exemplary experiential programs to explore. The hilly terrain takes the lead as we reach this location. We check in at a cozy luxury hotel that vouches for its seamless view of lush green forest and foggy mountains.
• Indigenous Lives & Livelihood, Farms, Empowered village women Wildlife spotting, waterfalls
• We reach Mankulam in a two-hour drive. Jeep is the comfortable transport in this terrain and we get ready for a much-awaited Jeep off road ride to the waterfalls. We visit Perumbankuthu waterfalls and also, enjoy having a good time at 33 waterfalls where you can enjoy taking a bath and a dip in the fresh mountain water.
• The lunch is prepared at the local mess run by a group of empowered village women and we enjoy the packed lunch from a spot that is a synonym of tranquility. After a short break, we visit multiple farms run by empowered village women and learn more about their produce and the challenges they face. A workshop that introduces us to an innovative delicacy made by nutmeg steals the show as we curiously taste the by-product of their recipe.
• In the evening, we gather at a local tea shop run by another group of empowered village women who serve us yummy and crispy snacks of the land with a hot cup of masala tea.
• Next on the list is the Indigenous TALES. One important factor about the indigenous communities residing in Mankulam is they are not open to the outer world and hardly host the guests in their hamlet. TALES having a year-long mutual respect and understanding TALES have built a green channel to bridge the gap for thoughtful travellers who respect these sophisticated clans, origin of the land. We reach their hamlet for a Bamboo making workshop and get comfortable at one of the indigenous hamlets and explore their unparalleled skill of weaving Bamboo weed into products of incredible shapes and sizes. Their raw skill carrying the stories of the indigenous communities in Mankulam is taken back home as souvenirs and etch the importance of true origin of the land.
• Depending on the possibility of watching the wild tuskers we can visit Anakkulam, where they are expected to reach in herds to enjoy the carbonated water in the pond. Anakkulam which literally means the pond of Elephants is a famous spot where we can watch the wild Jumbos in herds so close. A sight never to miss if you are in Mankulam.
• We reach the hotel for a bonfire and an outdoor dinner prepared exclusively with the rare recipes of the land.
• Overnight stay at the Manukulam.

• We check out and travel to one of the most exotic hill stations of South India, Munnar. After a one-hour drive from Mankulam, we reach the boutique hotel famous for its misty Mountain View rooms.
• Today we experience the HI-TEA programme led by one of the most skilled storytellers of this beautiful hill station. The whole process of tea making along with a walk through the rich tea plantations are all well placed together with tea tasting at the highest location of the plantation. This experience stands out as you sip the famous Munnar tea with local snacks at the highest location enjoying the best soothing weather.
• We reach back at the hotel for a short lunch break.
• In the evening we are guided to the major destinations of Munnar to collect more jaw-dropping visuals of this charming land.
• Overnight stay at the hotel in Munnar.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Grand Cliff- 5 star
• Elephant Passage – 5 star
• Blanket Days- 5 star
• Abad Copper Castle- 4 star
• Shamrock – 3 star but a great property

• After breakfast, leave for Periyar is our next destination that enchants the minds of travellers with lush green forests and wildlife spotting. A three-hour drive will take us to this exquisite hotel that embodies the whole charm of this lovely land. We relax till 02:00 PM.
• The much-celebrated Elephant Junction is only 20 minutes away from your hotel. We head for a unique and exciting experience of Elephant bathing, showering, feeding and Elephant ride as part of a half day package. This thrilling session concludes with a photo session and hot brewing coffee with snacks. The Jumbos are of various sizes and nature but are tamed to be good friends of humans to enjoy a memorable time with them.
• Overnight stay at the Periyar.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Blanket Days- 5 star
• Elephant Court-
• Merry Weather-Resort Hotel
• Pepper Vine-4 star
• Cardamom County Resort- 4 star

• After breakfast, we head for a Spice tour through the fresh Cardamom plantation. A guided program detailing the dependencies, challenges, and current trade possibilities of spices is very refreshing and informative.
• Later we gather for a group trek to Paruthunmpara to enjoy one of the most beautiful hilltops of Periyar. This brings the group together in excitement and joy learning about the rich biodiversity of the land.
• After lunch, we then move towards our Wildlife Sanctuary Visit. Based on the preferences of the group we can organise boat rides for wildlife spotting, jeep off-road experiences to the hilltops, or wildlife walks.
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• We can also experience the famous Kalaripayattu workshop for three hours in Periyar. This is one of the oldest martial arts in the world developed in Kerala and is a breathtaking experience for explorers. The body flexibility of the performers and the battles with swords, daggers, and Urumi – An Indian sword with a flexible whip-like blade. The accuracy and the spirit of the Kalarippayattu warriors are a commendable and once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Overnight stay at the Periyar.

• The final day of our ten days of Kerala tour comes with a surprise breakfast of tapioca and flavoursome chutneys to give it a spicy touch which fades away with a sip of jaggery coffee. Along with this, the usual continental breakfast is served to keep it open for those who opt for the usual one.
• We travel back to Kochi and it takes four hours and thirty minutes to reach Cochin Airport.
• Travel Design X TALES- Travel Beyond Lives