Central Kerala – Kochi | Kumarakom | Kuttampuzha | Mankulam

• After relishing the early 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 breathtaking resort by the backwaters and enjoy the true shades of a village on this spectacular island.
• Visit 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.

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!
• Enjoy a Kumarakom fame traditional lunch with Pearl spot fish fry and evening snacks unfolds the secrets of its finest local recipes.
• Towards the evening, we return to the hotel and an Ayurveda session, ‘Salt Glow Therapy is organised.
• Take a Salt Glow Therapy with a full body massage with medicated oil and salt enhances the blood and lymphatic circulation. This massage helps to exfoliate and remove old skin cells, leaving you with hydrated smooth, and more lustrous skin.
• We enjoy a great dinner at the hotel.
• Overnight stay at the hotel in Kumarakom Resort.

• After an early breakfast in Kumarakom, we shall start our road journey to Kuttampuzha.
• We are all set to experience a luxury camp stay by the Kuttampuzha Riverside today. The dense forest welcomes you on the other side of the river and the rich biodiversity of the land is a treat to the eyes.
• All meals are served at the camp. Bird-watching program, kayaking, and nature walk along with famous destination visits are scheduled for the day depending on the weather.
• In the evening, we go for a 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 raw village life, with dense forests on one side and inhabited on the other is a delight to watch and exciting to listen to their local tales.
• Overnight stay in your luxury camp in Kuttampuzha Riverside.

• We bid goodbye to Kuttampuzha after an early exquisite breakfast at the camp stay. On the way to Mankulam, we visit the famous Injathotty suspension hanging bridge, the longest in Kerala.
• Visit 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.
• 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.
• Visit a nutmeg farm visit with a workshop that introduces us to an innovative delicacy made of nutmeg steals the show as we curiously taste the yummy nutmeg Halwa | squash and candies. (Conditions apply). NOTE: If time permits, we shall also visit an integrated farm of an empowered village woman who welcomes you with her farm fresh fruits and numerous tales of fresh veggies and other plants.
• We return to the hotel for a short lunch break. After savouring a grand buffet we resume our expedition.
• 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, with year-long mutual respect and understanding TALES have built a green channel to bridge the gap for thoughtful travellers who respect these sophisticated clans, the origin of the land.
• Visit the Mankulam Hamlet for a Bamboo-making workshop, 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 the true origin of the land.
• In the evening, we reach the residence of another empowered village woman who will serve us tasty and crispy snacks of the land with a hot cup of masala tea.
• We can visit Anakkulam Depending on the possibility of watching the wild tuskers, 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 dinner prepared exclusively with the rare recipes of the land.
• Overnight stay in the hotel in Mankulam.

• The final day of our 5 days of Kerala tour comes with a surprise breakfast of flavoursome dishes. Along with this is served usual continental breakfast to keep it open for those who opt for the usual one.
• We travel back to Kochi and it takes three hours to reach Cochin Airport.
• Travel Design X TALES Tour Ends!