Places to See : Mumbai - Cochin - Munnar - Periyar - Changanacherry -
Aranmula - Varkala - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai
Duration : 10 Nights / 11 Days
Day 01: Arrive Cochin
Breakfast
would be at the hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Cochin.
Arrive Cochin and transfer to our accommodation at Fort Cochin, the site of
historic palaces, churches, an ancient Jewish synagogue and architecture reflecting
the visits of Portuguese, British and Dutch traders.
Cochin is a diverse and colorful port/city, spreading over 4-5 islands and peninsulas.
The main town of Ernakulam is on the mainland. All the islands are connected
by a ferryboat network and therein lies the charm of an exploratory two days
here. Around the headland of Fort Cochin, a phalanx of cantilevered Chinese
fishing boats dip into the sea at high tide. In its back streets, there is an
aroma of ginger, cardamom and other spices, piled high in every nook and cranny.
Relax for the day.
Overnight at Cochin.
Day 02: Arrive Munnar: By road in 4 hours
Breakfast
at hotel.
Transfer to Munnar.
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha,
Nallathani & Kundala. 1600 meter above sea level this hill station was once
the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling
Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make
this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and
grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in the
blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest
peak in South India - Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal
spot for trekking.
Lunch on the way to Munnar and dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Munnar.
Day 03 and 04: Munnar
We have a choice of mountain walks depending on the weather and changing
restrictions. One option is to climb Chokran Mudi (2179m), which takes us through
forestry and tea plantations onto a high granite ridge with dramatic views of
the Western Ghats and beyond, over mountains and ridges into Tamil Nadu. This
is the toughest day on the trip, approx. 5-6 hours with some effort required,
but the views on top will be ample reward. Look out for eagles and kites and
maybe tiger or bison droppings, though we will be far too noisy for a close
encounter with either of the latter! Our other route is easier, in the Parvatti
Hills. Pleasant and varied, it starts in the tea plantations and leads through
forest inhabited by lion-tailed macaque monkeys and onto a broad grassy ridge
which is often shaded by trees. From the top, Ainimudi (Elephant Mountain, 2694m)
and Chokran Mudi look spectacular.
All meals for both the days would be included in the tour.
Both the nights will be at Munnar.
Day 05: Arrive at Periyar: By road in 4 hours
Breakfast
at hotel. A four hour drive southwards over rolling hills and coffee plantations
to the PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, one of the major wildlife reserves in India.
Indian elephants, wild boars, lion-tailed monkeys, ibex, tigers, leopards and
sloth bears are on the list. The park surrounds a large, many-fingered lake
and a dawn or dusk foray on one of the boats will be a thrilling experience.
It is from the lake rather than vehicles that the wildlife is viewed. The sanctuary
is rich in bird life. Great hornbills, kites, darters, herons, egrets, owls
and kingfishers are in abundance. Surrounding the reserve are many small spice
plantations and we spend an absorbing afternoon searching for pepper, cardamom,
turmeric, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and betel.
Lunch and dinner will be served at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: Periyar
Early breakfast and reporting at the boat landing on Lake Periyar to cross over
to the starting point of the trek. After about two hours of hard walk, you hop
on to a country raft (its just bamboo poles bound together) paddled by tribal
boatmen. Absolute silence is the secret and soon you will be able to witness
wild animals strolling down to take a drink from the lake. If it's your lucky
day, sightings could include Elephants, Bison, Bore, Samba, Hyena and of course
different bird species. Tigers being very shy of humans are very rare sightings
but one never knows… After about three hours on the raft, head back to
firm land and walk back to civilization and your Village Resort. It's been a
long day and you deserve to put your legs up and enjoy a tall cooler. Lunch
would be packed and served in the jungle while a lavish dinner would be served
at the hotel.
Day 07: Arrive at Changanacherry: By road in 4 hours
Breakfast
would be at the resort.
A pleasant ride back out of the hills takes us to Changanacherry, on the fringe
of the coastal plain. We pass rice-fields, banana, tapioca, rubber and coffee
plantations, cross-waterways and nudge our way through bustling small towns.
We stop en route for an authentic south Indian meal served on banana leaves.
Our boat awaits and we begin a thrilling and colorful boat ride (3 hours) through
the 'backwaters' to Ambalaphuza, all sitting on the roof to see more! The term
'backwaters' actually refers to the extensive network of rivers, lakes, canals
and lagoons that lace the coastal plain interior coastline and stretch from
Cochin almost down to Trivandrum. Small canoes, elderly sailboats, coconut-laden
barges, tiny skiffs full of school children, Chinese-style Junks and thatch-covered
country craft are common sights.
Our accommodation for the night is a simple but idyllic bungalow. (Very comfortable
authentic heritage bungalow with attached bathrooms).
Dinner would be laid out in the dining room of the bungalow.
Day 08: Changanacherry
Rest, or go for a walk along the waterside.
You can take part in a host of "Village Activities" and off course
they would be all under supervision of the local helpful villagers. One such
activity is to climb a coconut tree and pluck your own one. You could also take
a small raft and go out fishing with local baits and handmade fishing rods.
Overnight would be again in the Bungalow.
Day 09: Arrive
at Aranmula
Leave after breakfast for another memorable cruise down the backwaters to Chengannur.
A short distance away (10km) is Aranmula, set amid rice fields and coconut palms.
We stay at a dance and arts centre in simple Indian Style Accommodation. A French
woman, who recognized that without arts and cultural program based in South
India, many of the old traditional musical and martial arts risked dying out,
set up the centre dramatic.
On our visit we will be the special guests at a performance of music and Kathakali,
the classical dance drama of South India. A speciality at the centre is Kerala-style
vegetarian food served on banana leaves, delicately prepared and delicious.
Overnight would be at the ARTS CENTRE.
Day 10: Aranmula
We
join workshops on dance, music, woodcarving, yoga and Kalaripayat - the martial
art of South India. To be an accomplished Kathakali dancer or to engage in Kalaripayat
at a high level takes many years of dedicated study, and this introduction allows
us to glimpse another world where priorities are very different to the West.
We can book a relaxing Ayurvedic body massage and also watch the elaborate Kathakali
make-up being painted on the evening's dance performers.
All meals would be vegetarian. Overnight would be at the ARTS CENTRE.
Day 11: Biking
We cycle along narrow rural lanes, linking small villages. We will encounter
some traffic when cycling through small towns, but for the most part the roads
are quiet and fairly flat. Often beyond the palm trees there will be views of
the Arabian Sea. It will be an exciting new dimension and will bring many friendly
encounters with the local people.
Each day, an early start (6.30am) to cycle for around four hours before the
sun climbs too high.
