Kerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar Coast, has nearly 600km of Arabian Sea shoreline. It's known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters, a network of canals. Inland are the Western Ghats, mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations as well as wildlife. National parks like Eravikulam and Periyar, plus Wayanad and other sanctuaries, are home to elephants, langur monkeys and tigers.
Tour Attractions
Munnar : Munnar means many thing to many people. Its about tea for some, its about the Nilgiri Thar for some. Its just wild nature and a hill station for some others. Many talk about Munnar being the epitome of social innovation considering the way Tatas transferred ownership of their tea estate to thousands of their employees. In Munnar we will visit to Crafts & Interactive Skills. The craftsman communities spread along the banks of River Nila. Be it pottery, handlooms, weaving, or bell-metal craftsmanship, the skill of these communities in unparalleled. We will also have an option of trying hands with clay on the ever-rotating wheel! We will also be visiting Eravikulam National Park. Eravikulam National Park is famous for its endangered inhabitant - the Nilgiri Tahr. Spread over an area of 97 sq. km., this park is also home to several species of rare butterflies, animals and birds.
Thekkady : Thekkady is an important tourist attraction in Idukki,Kerala. Thekkady is located near to Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India and is a place which is blessed with the spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and clove. The Periyar National Park also called Thekkady, an important tourist location of Kerala. This park and sanctuary is surrounded by the Cardamom Hills, enhancing beauty of the place. In Thekkady we will enjoy a ride on to Elephant Junction and also go for Bamboo Rafting. Bamboo Rafting is one of the exciting programs in Thekkady, Periyar tiger reserve. It is a splendid eco-friendly, entertainment program for the nature-lovers who visit Thekkady. Night Patrol - this is a regular night patrolling programme in the fringes of the eco-development zone of the Tiger Reserve in the company of armed guards
Alleppey : Alappuzha Backwater Known as the 'Venice of East', with the Arabian Sea in the west is famous for its backwater resources boat race, country boats, houseboats, coir product and different types of fishes. Alappuzha remain one of the major centers for backwater boat trips. While cruising through these canals, one would come across the many interesting aspects of day-to-day life on land and water. Stay at houseboat and enjoy the famous backwaters of Kerala.
Cochin : Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries. During our visit to Kochi, we will be visiting Fort Kochi. It's a place that has Princess Street. You see sign boards for a loafers corner. Influence of Dutch, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese and British is still visible in it's design and architecture.
Hotel : Munnar (Abad Copper Castle), Thekkady (Cardamam County), Alleppy (River and Country Houseboats), Cochin (Fort House)
Tentative Itinerary
Day 1 : Munnar : Transfer from Airport to Munnar
Destination : Munnar. Description : Munnar means many thing to many people. Its about tea for some, its about the Nilgiri Thar for some. Its just wild nature and a hill station for some others. Many talk about Munnar being the epitome of social innovation considering the way Tatas transferred ownership of their tea estate to thousands of their employees. Its a place known for its bio-diversity and for some of us its a place where unsustainable tourism might pay a price soon if responsible tourism isn’t practiced without any more delay. Either way, its one of the most visually stunning location one can find in any part of India.
Dance performance by local artists at the hotel itself in the evening.
Day 2 : Munnar
Crafts & Interactive Skills :
Description : The communities spread along the banks of River Nila are anything but shy when it comes to skilled handiwork and craftsmanship! Be it pottery, handlooms, weaving, or bell-metal craftsmanship, the skill of these communities in unparalleled. Through our visits to the pottery, handicrafts and bell-metal workshops, we will present travelers a rare once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage in interactive sessions with some of the most skilled artisans of these lands. Travelers will also have the option of rubbing shoulders with these artisans and trying their hand with clay on the ever-rotating wheel! Our visits to these workshops is an acknowledgement of the efforts to rehabilitate and preserve the age-old craftsmanship of these villages. Our visits expand knowledge about the program and provide them financial support
Eravikulam National Park by jeep – half day
Description : Eravikulam National Park is famous for its endangered inhabitant - the Nilgiri Tahr. Spread over an area of 97 sq. km., this park is also home to several species of rare butterflies, animals and birds. A great place for trekking, the park offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mists.
Travellers can carry their still and video cameras as well.
Day 3 : Thekkady : Munnar to Thekkady
Distance from Munnar to Thekkady : 89.60 Kms
Destination : Thekkady. Description : The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations. In the Periyar Tiger Reserve of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for mountain trails.
Elephant Junction
Description : Afternoon excursion to Elephant Junction to enjoy an hour ride on elephant, followed by bath and shower, elephant feeding, photo session and timber dragging.
Day 4 : Thekkady
Bamboo Rafting – half day
Description : Bamboo Rafting is one of the exciting programs in Thekkady, Periyar tiger reserve. It is a splendid eco-friendly, entertainment program for the nature-lovers who visit Thekkady. Tourists will be taken through the thick forests on trek followed by a three hours through the catchments area of the Periyar Tiger Reserve on a bamboo raft. The area being one of the richest and most diverse bio-diversity spots in the Western Ghats, one can get a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar can be sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.
Night Patrol
Description : This is a regular night patrolling programme in the fringes of the eco-development zone of the Tiger Reserve in the company of armed guards between 7 pm and 4 am. This programme injects excitement into the experience while keeping smugglers at bay. It's been one of the most successful conservation efforts in the country that reduced poaching. This will suit those moderately fit, but enthusiastic and avid traveller. Our learned guides will assist the trek. We recommend the 7 pm walk, so that it gives enough rest in case guests are interested for early morning trek.
Day 5 :Alleppey / Alappuzha : Transfer fromThekkady to Alleppey to board houseboat
Distance from Thekkady to Alleppey / Alappuzha : 138.00 Kms
Destination : Alleppey / Alappuzha. Description : Stay at houseboat and enjoy the famous backwaters of Kerala. Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast on board.
Day 6 : Cochin : Checkout from houseboat and proceed to Fort Kochi
Distance from Alleppey / Alappuzha to Kochi / Cochin : 53.00 Kms
Fort Kochi
Description : It's a place that has Princess Street. You see sign boards for a loafers corner. Influence of Dutch, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese and British is still visible in it's design and architecture. Till date it is an amalgamation of vivid culture. Many communities from across India and some from abroad still has it's root here and their life style reflect that heritage. Contemporary Art Biennale has given a new dimension to the port city with hundreds of art lovers have started flocking to the island in the last two years. Chinese Fishing Nets, Dutch Palace, Jew Town, St Francis Church etc highlights the richness of the place. An ideal place either to start or wind up a trip before your next journey.You will be visiting Synagogue, Jew Town, Mattanchery Palace and Chinese Fishing nets
Day 7 : Kochi / Cochin
After breakfast, take flight back home.
November is the start of the dry season. When the volume of rainfall is much less than the previous months. During this time of year, temperatures can reach an average afternoon high temperature of 31°C, one degree more than the five previous months, so make sure you pack plenty of light, airy clothing. The evenings cool down to an average low of around 23°C, ideal for a moonlit stroll on the beach.
For booking and find out more about trip : Call 9811555012 or email : bookings@samarthlife.org
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