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• GOD'S OWN COUNTRY (2 WEEKS) Kerala's most common nickname is God's Own Country, and it's become the catch phrase for Kerala Tourism. During this well paced 2 week tour you will witness proof as to why the Country of Coconuts (Malayam for Kerala) rightly deserves this title. For millennia empires have flocked to Kerala to claim their share in the spice trade. In Cochin you will see the footprints these traders have left behind. A night on a traditional kettuvalam houseboat in the famed Backwaters is a definite must for everyone visitng Kerala. Next you can work on your tan on the most beautiful beach of India at Varkala. At a lovely homestay you will be able to witness the daily life of the Malayalis (inhabitants of Kerala). You will continue your travels into the cool hills of the Western Ghats where you will learn about the many different spices in Thekkady and walk among the picturesque tea plantations in Munnar. This great tour concludes with a day of relaxation at a resort on the very quiet beach of fishermen's village Marari. The best time to visit Kerala is September to March. In April and May it gets very hot and June, July and August see the monsoon rains. South India witnesses a second smaller monsoon for about 6 weeks in and around November.
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THE ITINERARY BASICS 1. Cochin 2. Cochin 3. Backwaters 4. Varkala 5. Varkala 6. Champakulam 7. Champakulam 8. Thekkady 9. Thekkady 10. Munnar 11. Munnar 12. Marari 13. Marari — Departure
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• A LOOK AT EACH OF OUR 13 DAYS:
1. Cochin If you are already in India before beginning this tour, you will meet the driver at the point of entry into Cochin. Cochin - also called Kochi - is the cultural capital of Kerala. For the past 3000 years traders have been flocking to the coast of Kerala to get their share in the spice trade. The Greeks, Romans, Chinese and the Arabs traded with the Keralites on the famous stretch of Malabar coast, and the Travancore Empire managed it all from this iconic peninsula. The Europeans have been dominating this lucrative trade since about 1500AD. The Portuguese, the English and the Dutch have all left their footprints in Cochin, which is evidenced in the many colonial buildings and in the dominant religion, Christianity. You'll be staying in a heritage hotel run by the local clergy.
2. Cochin Cochin is a big city, but the wide streets see very little traffic. The major sights are fairly central to each other, and it is easy to walk around this old fort town in an afternoon and feel the same pace a trader might have experienced 200 years ago. A visit to the Chinese fishing nets at the end of the day can be an equally timeless moment, not to be missed. Kathakali Dance: Your visit includes a showing of this most classical of Kerala art forms, the theater-dance Kathakali. The actors will first put on their make-up and give a demonstration of what the different hand movements and facial expressions signify, the art of communicating whole chapters in a single motion. It takes many years of training before one becomes a Kathakali dancer and you'll see why. As these professionals take the stage to show you their art, you will be able to share in a piece of truly unique historical performance.
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3. Backwaters You travel by and spend the night on traditional kettuvallam boats. You will have a crew of three at your disposal, and your room has its own bathroom. On the way you can make a stop where you can buy king prawns (all food on the boat, except for the fish you buy yourself, is included in the tour price). Your chef will prepare the fish any which way you desire....gorgeous!
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4. Varkala Varkala has more on offer than just a paradise beach, delicious fish, cozy restaurants and chances of seeing stunning sunsets. You could, for example, take the scenic walk to Kappil. Put on your walking hat and follow the 7 kilometres hewn path along the coast Northward - you'll saunter by several small tranquil beaches, fisherman's houses and over rocky cliffs and coves until you reach a long stretch of white sand beach stretching like a pale finger between the sea and a large fresh water lake. There are many places along the way to stop for a lemon soda or a swim, and you can then take an auto rickshaw back to your hotel.
5. Varkala
6. Champakulam You will be spending the next two nights in a home stay run by a very friendly Christian family. The mother of the house prepares the most delicious Keralan meals you will taste in India and the man of the house is a bottomless well of information on this region. Your cottage looks out over a Backwater canal where it is safe to swim. The pretty garden is an ideal spot to listen to the many varieties of birds chirping their songs and to watch groups of ducks and the occasional boat cruising by while enjoying a cold beer in your hammock. Prepare yourself for some serious relaxation!
7. Champakulam A little distance from your lovely homestay is a row of trees very popular with lots of different (and some rare) species of brids. Strangely enough the birds congregate in the branches of these trees every day during sunset and leave again early the next morning. This is accompanied by a lot of noise and the local population has tried everything in their power to make the birds stay clear of this area, as they are causing too much disturbance, but the birds keep coming back every single night. The area has gained a reputation among bird watchers. A pleasant 20 minute walk along the canal from the homestay will take you to the friendly village Champakulam which is known for its old church. Champakulam is also home to one of the most popular boat races in Kerala. Thirty meter long chundan vallam (snake boats) are manned by 100 rowers peddling as fast as they can to the rythm of the captain beating the drums. The dates for the Champakulam Boat Race are 16 June 2011 and 3 July 2012.
8. Thekkady Spice Plantation Tour: This afternoon an informative guide will explain everything you always wanted to know - and more! - about the many different spices Kerala is so famed for. How many nutmegs could kill you? Why is vanilla so expensive? What are the Queen, King and Princess of Spices? At the end of this tour you will have all the answers! Kalarippayat Martial Arts: In the late afternoon you can witness a Kalarippayat show, which according to the Malayalis (inhabitants of Kerala), is the oldest form of martial arts in the world. It at times resembles a kind of dance, almost an Indian version Capoeira. The fighters use real (and sharp!) weapons. Don't try this at home!
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9. Thekkady Today you can choose between the following optional excursions or decide to simply walk around the friendly town and enjoy an Ayurvedic massage. Full Day Jungle Tour: Today's excursion takes you early morning by jeep into the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. This guided day trip includes a trek, a boat ride and a jeep tour. What makes this tour special is that it takes you to a part of the reserve that doesn't see as many tourists as the main part of the park. This makes for a very tranquil tour and greatly enhances your chances of spotting wildlife! If you prefer not to go on a day long tour there are these alternatives in the more popular part of the park at Thekkady: There could not be a better way to relax from an adventurous day than by being spoiled with an Ayurvedic massage. Ayurveda (knowledge or science of life) is a millennia old medicinal system geared towards restoring the balance within. The herbal massage is an integral part of this. Kerala is home to all the ingredients of the Ayurvedic oils, up to 300 different herbs, and the Ayurvedic massage is a part of every Malayali (inhabitants of Kerala) life. Thekkady has many quality massage practitioners.
10. Munnar Munnar is situated in the cool hills of the Western Ghats. It has an elevation of 1500 metres and is surrounded by green tea plantations, where the rolling hills and cool skies will make you feel at ease immediately. Your hotel is a little out of town in a quiet spot surrounded by tea plantations.
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11. Munnar Sightseeing Munnar: Munnar is a small town with a distinctly Tamil feel to it and a lively market. There are a few few lovely Hindu temples. Munnar is also a good place for Ayurvedic massage.
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12. Marari You can gorge on some delicious fish tonight while enjoying the sun setting on the Arabian Sea.
13. Marari / Departure Later today your car will take you to the airport. Cochin airport is about 3 hours driving while Trivandrum airport is 4 hours away.
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Please send us an e-mail if you would like to know more about the suggested accommodation. We are happy to change the itinerary to suit your personal wishes. The tour can be adjusted to fit your budget and to accommodate any specific needs you may have (e.g. add domestic flight(s), upgrades of hotels, changes in itinerary, include more excursions, etc). If you so wish, we can arrange for a knowledgeable and experienced Tour Leader to join you for the duration of the tour. If Micha is available you can request him to lead your tour. This will definitely be worthwhile in case your travel party consists of 6 or more people. The price will depend on your choice of accommodation, the number of people in your travel party, when you are travelling, which excursions you would like to see included, and how many train journeys and/or flights you would like us to book for you. We have earned a reputation for having the most competitive prices in the market combined with the best and most personalized service.
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