Central Kerala & North Kerala

• After a wholesome breakfast, we start our Kerala expedition. Today, we are exploring the heritage theme in Kochi. A guided walk through the historical lanes, streets, and lives of the rich heritage of Kochi awaits you to unfold the heritage trail. In the morning, we explore the centuries-old Jewish legacy, synagogue, and Jew Street.
• We take a short lunch break to get ready for the next session of the heritage trail which is planned in the evening. The historical monuments and their stories are chapters that linger with you for a lifetime.
• 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.
• Overnight stay at the hotel in Kochi.

• Till afternoon you may explore Mattancherry Street where your homestay is located, to enjoy the slow pace of travel and also shop if in need. You may take the navigation support from the homestay provider or else resort to the cab organized for your tour.
• After getting refreshed, around 3:30 pm we head to explore the other side of Kochi, blessed by nature with backwaters and rich biodiversity.
• The calm and pristine village on the outskirts of the city is our destination of the day, to experience one of the best evenings spent with a local fishermen community. It takes an hour’s drive to reach the village.
• On reaching the location you meet the storyteller and he guides you through the programs organized for the evening.
• Take a guided village walk to explore this backwater region with a population density of only 40,000 people scattered over the islands around is very exciting and enriching. We stop by the locals and interact with them to learn more about their lives & livelihoods. Narrow bridges made of coconut trees bring out the little child in us as we cross those with unbound enthusiasm. A fishing activity with traditional hooks can get you either a handful of fish or nothing but the pure joy of learning a local skill.
• Today tapping is the next activity which is yet another refreshing experience as the storyteller guides you through the process and you get to taste the fresh toddy tapped from the coconut tree, as we walk further, we see the Chinese fishing nets cast on the shores. The iconic Kochi fishing nets were introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He, from the court of the Kubla Khan, between the period of 1350 and 1450 AD. Our empowered village woman Suchitra shall explain the mechanisms and the role of these nets in their daily lives.
• Enjoying the fresh evening breeze, we get into a traditional boat and find our way back to the starting point.
• Exploring local cuisine is planned next, as we arrive at the spot we are introduced to another empowered village woman Pinky, who is all set to take you for a ride to the world of her outstanding flavours. A guided cooking workshop where you join the host and immerse into the local flavours of the land. After a profound interaction with this smart lady, we take a break and set out for kayaking to explore and learn more about the rich biodiversity and mangrove conservation in this backwater region.
• The beautiful sunset bids goodbye to a great evening as you sail in the calm backwaters. What a picture-perfect background that could be!!!
• By the time you head back to the community restaurant run by a group of passionate local chefs, your seafood platters are all ready for your dinner. Farm fresh Pearl spot, prawns, clams, crabs are cooked with local masala and served hot with rotis, Kerala Porotta | Appam.
• An evening to keep pinned throughout your life- Unmatchable experiences with the raw lives of the land is the true story of the other side of Kochi, the Queen of the Arabian Sea!
• We reach the homestay and wind up with Kochi and its tales.
• Overnight stay at the homestay in Kochi.

• Kumarakom is a part of Kuttanad which is titled as 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. We start our travel to Kumarakom around 9 am. It takes around two hours to reach this cluster of little islands. We check in at the community homestay by the backwaters and enjoy the true shades of a village on this spectacular island full of coconut trees.
• A 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!
• A Kerala traditional lunch with Kumarakom fame fish fry unfolds the secrets of its finest local recipes.
• After marvelling at the beautiful sunset in this backwater village we head back to the homestay.
• Overnight stay at the homestay 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

• If you are on a travel to India and if you miss travelling by public transport then you miss finding the soul of India! You find the Indian laymen only in public transport.
• Today we board an early morning train from Kottayam Railway Station to reach Kannur in North Kerala. The travel time is estimated to be around 8 hours but yet again it is India and the punctuality of Indian public transport comes as a surprise to many.
• Kannur is called the ‘Land of Looms and Lores’. Countless handloom units and one of the famous ritualistic art forms of North Kerala, ‘Theyyam’, have bestowed this title to this beautiful city.
• The cab transporter will be ready at the Kannur railway station with a placard. We travel to the community homestay which is located in Chaal Beach. This homestay is run by a great family, whose delicious food is well-known among the guests who have had the chance to stay with them.
• In the evening you may walk to the beach which is only a few meters distant from the homestay. A safe and clean beach with no other disturbances is a hideout for the guests who reach this homestay.
• Overnight stay at the homestay in Kannur.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Krishna Beach resort 3 star
• Mascot beach resort 3 star
• Magnet Hotel kannur 3 star premium
• Chera Rocks- Beach Resort
• Ivory Coaste- Beach stay
• Chaal Beach Homestay

• After breakfast, a guided visit to the Bronze Village is organised. We meet and interact with the bronze artisans and learn more about the intricacies of the making of bronze handicrafts.
• We visit Madayipara, a less explored region in Kannur but historically connected to the Jewish legacy in India. At the heart of Madayipara lies its rich historical legacy, embodied by the ancient Madayi Fort and the remnants of the Jewish settlers’ pond.
• Towards the evening, we can plan a visit to the handloom unit, Arakkal Museum, or Folklore Museum.
• Overnight stay at the homestay in Kannur.

• After an early breakfast at the homestay, leave for Wayanad is a picturesque plateau situated at a height between 700 meters and 2100 meters above sea level nested among the mountains of the Western Ghats.
• We reach the community homestay located in one of the most serene villages in Wayanad, under the foothills of mighty Banasura. It is a three-hour drive from Kannur to reach the location.
• Check in to this wonderful homestay with warm and hospitable guests.
• After a short break, we begin with our guided day program’ Village Tales’, an exclusive package to explore the Indigenous communities, their culture, rituals, traditional farming, paddy fields, skills, livelihood, family system, and interesting cuisine. We have an archery workshop and also an indigenous cooking workshop in this package.
• After fixed stopovers and experiencing the raw interactions with diverse communities of this village, we head for a moderate trek to the hill beside. The astonishing Mountain View at the top rewards you for the trek you made to the end. We enjoy the slow travel appreciating the beautiful nature around us. The evening scintillates your mind with a mountain fresh chilled breeze and you return to the homestay.
• Overnight stay at the homestay in Wayanad.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Mountain Shadows – 5 star
• Arayal Resort -5 star
• Mount xandu – 4 star
• Dhanagiri Homestay- Bungalow, cottage rooms – Plantation Homestay
• Aranyakam Heritage Homestay- Tree huts, heritage rooms
• Uravu Bamboo Resort
• Community Homestays in villages

• After an early breakfast at the homestay.
• Today we travel to another village near Manikkunnu Mountain.
• On the way, a visit to the Meenmutty Waterfalls is planned. If time permits a visit to the Banasura earthen dam can also be included before reaching the homestay. After checking in we allow ourselves to appreciate some quality time with the host, who is a very loving empowered village woman.
• Post lunch break the guide of the day joins for the much- awaited village walk to learn more about the nerves and veins of this farmers ‘land.
• We walk through the harvested paddy fields listening to the tales and visit Mr. Krishnan, a very renowned organic farmer, self-made bird watcher, and highly skilled photographer to share our interest in ecology, biodiversity, organic farming, and its challenges.
• Next, a short visit to the Bamboo village to interact with the Bamboo artisans there. An outlet that displays its bamboo handicrafts catches your attention and amazes you as you listen to the sustainability of bamboo products in daily life.
• Around 4:30 pm we go on a drive to visit the famous Thirunelli Temple and explore the possibilities of wildlife sightings on the way.
• (Please note that there are many other highlights in Wayanad such as Edakkal Caves, Karapuzha Dam, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, etc. Among these Edakkal Caves are very famous as it is India’s only site where Stone Age carvings have been found. Carvings from the Neolithic and Mesolithic periods can be found here. It is totally up to you if you want to omit any activity planned for the day and include a visit to Edakkal Caves if you are interested more in exploring these caves)
• We reach back at the homestay for the dinner.

• After an early breakfast, we start our travel to the City of Calicut which is known for its historical significance, beautiful beaches, and delectable cuisine.
• We check in at a hotel in the heart of the city so that we can access easily the different trails of culture, heritage, food, and diverse communities of this pure-hearted City.
• We explore the ‘Malabar Tales’- a community-based guided experiential program to learn more about the Hindu and Muslim communities, their lives, culture, art forms, and food. The spice trail is also clubbed with this program as it is the most relevant part of the Malabar Tales.
• Depending on the logistics we organise the first half on the first day and the second half on the second day. The content that is included in this program is huge and deep and to experience them well, we don’t rush but slow down to miss on nothing.
• Here we explore the centuries-old spice trail, Uru making unit, the old Spice market, Mishkal Masjid – an icon of brotherhood, a 150-year-old ancestral house, attend a Malabari biryani workshop with a family that tells us about the tales of spices and its relevance in Malabari cuisine.
• Overnight stay at the homestay in Calicut.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Kadavu Raviz Resort-5 star
• Tiara – 5 star
• Metro Empires
• Beach Hotel
• Sea Queen Beach Hotel

• We continue with the next half of the Malabar Tales guided program today.
• We visit a village on the outskirts of the city to meet and interact with local Hindu communities, a guided village walk with fixed stopovers to explore the local skills such as a mat weaving workshop with a village woman, a sacred grove visit, a temple visit, much acclaimed Shinkari melam- the women drumming workshop at a village household with hot brewing coffee and local healthy snacks depict the tales of this community easily. Women’s empowerment, culture, beliefs, rituals, and livelihood are very closely experienced in Malabar Tales. If time permits, we organise lunch here at this same household to experience the local cuisine with yummy local dessert.
• We reach back at the hotel for a short break after lunch.
• In the evening, we attend the famous Kalaripayattu Workshop -one of the oldest and the most scientific martial art forms in the world which is developed in Kerala. The bonding between the teacher and the student and how this art form is only practiced in the Kalari- a special ground prepared for this martial art with lighted lamps in the four corners and an altar with lighted lamps to salute the Kalari Gods. This is a breathtaking workshop as the skilled students start displaying their efficiency in weapons like swords and daggers. Eventually, an interaction with this group conveys more about the humbleness and discipline of these martial artists.
• If time permits, we visit the famous family beach of Calicut and after enjoying a delicious dinner we reach the hotel.

• Finally, we come to the last day of our Kerala expedition.
• You fly back with exemplary experiences of lives and tales of a narrow strip of land on the South-western coast of India -Kerala!
• Travel Design X TALES Central North Kerala Tour Ends.