Natural Treasures of Kerala

Upon your mid-morning arrival, our representatives will greet you and accompany you to your car for assistance. While sorting out room keys and check-in, our representative will introduce the tour, hand over documents, and express gratitude for the opportunity to serve you.

In the afternoon, we'll embark on a guided tour of the City, focusing on the historic Fort Cochin area with its unchanged medieval charm. The blend of Portuguese, Dutch, and English influences is evident in the architecture, and we'll explore the unique fishing community using ancient Chinese Fishing Nets. The tour also includes visits to the 16th-century Mattancherry Palace, showcasing Rajas' artifacts and remarkable murals depicting religious legends. Additionally, we'll explore Jew Town, known for its spice trade, Synagogue, and the unique Jewish community.

Your overnight stay will be at The Trident, a 5* Oberoi Group Hotel, in a Superior Room.

After breakfast, we'll drive to Dewalokam, a place surrounded by lush greenery. Professor Jose and his family reside on this organic farm, home to various animals like goats, cows, buffalo, pigs, chickens, ducks, and guinea fowls. Guests are treated to delicious Kerala dishes made from the farm's produce. The rooms offer a view of the Sahyadris mountains, the river, and the forest.

You'll have time for independent exploration in this naturally beautiful location. After some refreshments, we'll take a guided tour of Dewalokam's organic farm, showcasing the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and spices, including pepper, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and curry leaves. The farm provides most of the kitchen's vegetables, offering a hands-on experience with a garden walk to smell, pluck, and taste various spices.

After a brief break, it's time for a cooking lesson with the chef, where the significance of different spices and South Indian cooking techniques will be explained. This hands-on experience allows you to actively participate in preparing a South Indian dinner.

You'll spend the night at Dewalokam in a Standard Room.

After breakfast, we'll embark on a nature walk through the surrounding forested areas of the resort, providing a close encounter with diverse bird species, vegetation, and blooming flora. The walk also introduces you to medicinal and ornamental plants in the vicinity.

For those seeking adventure, we offer a soft bamboo rafting experience on the nearby lake. This activity, suitable for all age groups, takes you deep into the forest for an authentic nature experience.

Returning to the resort for lunch, we then venture into a neighboring village in a unique way—by riding a public bus for a short distance. Upon arrival, we walk through a rubber estate to the village, where traditional dwellings, interaction with locals, insights into their beliefs and practices, and a glimpse into the local culture await. Along the way, you'll also visit a rubber factory established by the British in 1913. After the walk, we'll enjoy a special ride in a local tuktuk.

In the evening, you have the option to indulge in regular Ayurvedic massages and treatments at the well-appointed Ayurveda center within the resort.

Your overnight stay will be in a Standard Room at Dewalokam.

After breakfast, we'll drive to Munnar.

Upon arrival, you'll check into SpiceTree Resort, a luxurious boutique Resort and Spa center that offers a perfect escape. SpiceTree provides everything you expect from Munnar, and more – peace, freshness, tranquility, and total privacy. The resort's rooms are delightful, featuring energy-saving warm lights, wooden floors, a sofa cum bed by the window, and a balcony with a coffee table, creating a cozy and warm atmosphere.

In the afternoon, we'll visit the Anayirangal Dam, surrounded by Tata Tea plantations and evergreen forests. You can enjoy the view of this impressive dam by taking a boat trip, and the scenic beauty of the area is truly astounding, with numerous wading birds visible.

Later, we'll explore the remnants of the stone-age, located just to the right of the resort. These Dolmens are believed to be the dwellings of the area's inhabitants during the stone-age, now standing as monumental witnesses to a prehistoric era. Though little is known about them through written history, they were apparently the rulers of this beautiful land. Ideal for photography, the site offers great views of the mountains covered in lush green vegetation.

Your overnight stay will be at SpiceTree Resort in a Classic Room with Jacuzzi.

After breakfast, we'll embark on an excursion to Bison Valley, a small village overlooking SpiceTree Resort. This village, one of the oldest migrations for the high range region of central Kerala, holds a rich spice tradition. Led by a team of knowledgeable experts, you'll explore Bison Valley, gaining insight into its history and the cultural activities of its mainly spice-growing and farming residents. The valley also features rare paddy fields at this high altitude, adding to its uniqueness. Visitors have the opportunity to witness day-to-day activities in various plantations, with a focus on tea and cardamom. For those interested, soft treks or nature walks are also available. This village offers a distinct culture and narrative compared to Munnar's colonial plantation culture.

Returning from the village experience, you'll have the chance to learn authentic South Indian dishes. Kerala's renowned cuisine combines exotic spices and delicate herbs, and the chef will introduce you to popular and traditional Kerala recipes, making the cooking experience easy and enjoyable.

In the afternoon, we'll visit the Tea Museum inaugurated by Tata Tea, a major producer of packaged tea, to preserve the history of tea plantations in India. The museum houses exclusive artifacts like the 'Pelton Wheel,' used in the power generation plant, the original tea roller, and an ancient rail engine wheel from the Kundale Valley. The museum pays tribute to the unsung heroes who played a role in making Munnar a major tea plantation center in Kerala, India.

For those interested, a detailed tea-tasting experience can be arranged at SpiceTree upon prior request. This session includes learning about tea production, an introduction to different tea varieties in Munnar, and concludes with high tea.

Your overnight stay will be at SpiceTree Resort in a Classic Room with Jacuzzi.

At the resort, you have the option to participate in an optional yoga and meditation class, led by a highly experienced resident yoga master. This class goes beyond physical exercise, delving into the monastic traditions of yoga. The session includes yoga, meditation, and Pranayama, providing an opportunity to discover the potential of your body and mind.

After a leisurely breakfast, we'll drive to Periyar.

Upon arrival, you'll check into Poetree Sarovar Portico.

In the afternoon, you'll experience a unique time with elephants. This two-hour tour allows you to explore the natural beauty of Thekkady and get up close and personal with Kerala's iconic elephants. Starting off on elephant back, you'll trek through the nearby forest for a memorable and exotic experience. The adventure includes a ride through the jungle, ending in the river where you can bathe the elephants. You'll also witness elephants timber dragging and have the opportunity for hand-feeding. After this thrilling experience, you'll be served a refreshing cup of tea or coffee.

In the evening, we'll take a walk through the spice plantation and Ayurvedic plants of Kofiland. Accompanied by a naturalist, you'll be introduced to various spices and plants, from pepper and vanilla vines to cardamom bushes and tracts of clove, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and nutmeg. At the entrance to the plantation, there is a café and an organic store where you can refresh yourself and purchase exclusive organic souvenirs.

After an exciting day with elephants and spices, it's showtime in the evening. You'll witness tribal dances and a kaleidoscopic dance drama, including a Kathakali episode, traditional welcome dance of Kerala, Mohiniyattom (classical dance of Kerala), Bharathanatayam (south Indian classical dance), and more.

Your overnight stay will be at Hotel Poetree Sarovar Portico in a Club Room.

In the morning, we will drive to the splendid island of Gavi, a tiny hamlet in the rainforests spread along the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu. Nestled deep within the evergreen forests of Periyar Reserve, Gavi is part of the unknown, untouched woods of the Western Ghats. An intact, virgin rainforest makes Gavi a perfect habitat for wildlife, including elephants, leopards, bears, Indian gaur, sambar, mouse deer, and thousands of plant species.

Upon arriving on this beautiful island, start your day with some soft trekking through the forest under the guidance of a trained guide to fully enjoy the natural beauty of Gavi. After an absorbing and fun-filled session, treat yourself to a sumptuous South Indian vegetarian lunch. Following the adventurous first half of the day, now is the time to relax with a calm and serene rowboat ride on the crystal-clear waters of Kochupamba Lake.

As evening descends, you'll have an exciting opportunity to witness the Sabarimala viewpoint, capturing the panoramic view of the Sabarimala hills and the pilgrim spot. After high tea and snacks, we will drive back to our resort, taking home memories as clear as the waters of Kochupamba Lake.

Your overnight stay will be at Hotel Poetree Sarovar Portico in a Club Room.

In the morning, we will drive to Kollam.

Upon arrival in Kollam, you'll check into WelcomHotel Raviz Ashtamudi Resort & Ayurveda Spa. The resort is located on the pristine Lake Ashtamudi, connecting the backwaters of Kerala to the Arabian Sea. The glorious landscapes and grand vistas of the magnificent palm-shaped ‘eight-armed’ Ashtamudi Lake will mesmerize you. After a warm welcome in true Kerala style, you'll get to experience this delightful and lustrous resort, featuring wooden flooring, typical architecture, a sequence balcony, and a spectacular view of water till the horizon. The resort offers various options, including Ayurveda, canoe riding, and fascinating excursions and visits.

In the afternoon, we'll visit some fascinating sites of the region. First, we'll witness cashew nut processing using traditional techniques such as cleaning, soaking, roasting, shelling, separation, drying, peeling, grading, rehumidification, and packing. The entire process will enthrall you with a lively experience. Next, we'll visit the Police Museum, where you'll trace the history and development of the police force and witness police arms from the 18th and 19th centuries. After this educative outing, we'll ride to Quilon Beach and Gandhi Park. The beach also features a park of international standard, widely famous in the region.

But no sightseeing is complete without shopping! From handicrafts to antiques, eco-friendly clothing to banana chips, silk sarees to yummy Kerala sweets, you'll have the opportunity to explore and purchase crafts and traditional foods of Kerala.

Your overnight stay will be at Raviz Ashtamudi Resort & Ayurveda Spa in a Superior Room.

After a leisurely breakfast, we'll embark on an excursion to Munroe Island, beautifully located at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River. The journey will be in a country boat, providing a glimpse into the perfect typical village backwater of Kerala. The place is named in honor of Resident Colonel John Munroe of the former Princely State of Travancore. The island village, measuring 13.4 square kilometers in area, is a fascinating destination where we can witness coir retting processes, coir weaving, fishing, prawn feeding, migratory birds, and more. The attractions include canals, waterways, coconut palms, mangroves, and the beautiful tiny island of Pathupara. In other words, Munroe Island offers a world of remoteness, natural beauty, and ethnic lifestyles, all coexisting in unique harmony.

We'll enjoy a unique canoe ride that traverses the meandering inland waterways and fields fringed with coconut palms. You'll witness fishing using traditional nets and boats, rare birds, and a natural fish farm. Coir-making centers will also be observed. A visit to Munroe Island provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the lives of village folks engaged in various activities for their livelihood. You can also savor the flavors of spicy Kerala cuisine from the village.

In the afternoon, you have leisure time to indulge in exhilarating cruising experiences or rejuvenate yourself with Ayurvedic massages under the guidance of trained doctors and instructors. You may also choose to undertake a romantic sunset cruise on the backwaters.

Your overnight stay will be at Raviz Ashtamudi Resort & Ayurveda Spa in a Superior Room.

After breakfast, we'll ride to the houseboat.

In the morning, we will check out from the resort and board the houseboat.

The materials used in constructing the houseboat are local and eco-friendly, including bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, carpets, and the main wood, "Anjali." The houseboat provides all comforts, including beds, a kitchen, western toilets, and an upper deck. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The cuisine is of traditional Kerala flavor, featuring local specialties such as delicious fish and prawns.

We'll spend the rest of the day cruising on our boat through remote tribal villages along the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, providing a superb experience. The cruise takes us along snake boat docks, friendly cheering villagers, coir (jute) making communities, toddy (local spirit) shops, fishing nets pitched for the day's catch, bunded paddy fields, and manual canoes of different sizes criss-crossing each other. This experience allows us to reach beautiful untouched areas.

Your overnight stay will be aboard the air-conditioned Lakes & Lagoons Houseboat (01 Bedroom).

In the morning, we'll check out from the houseboat and drive to Kovalam.

Upon arrival in Kovalam, you'll be dropped off at Hotel Leela Kovalam Beach Resort.

The rest of the day is at leisure for your independent activities.

Your overnight stay will be at Hotel Leela Kovalam Beach Resort in a Beach View Room.

The days are at leisure for independent activities. While no car and driver services are quoted, they can be hired from our local associate office in Trivandrum.

Your overnight stay will be at Hotel Leela Kovalam Beach Resort in a Beach View Room.

The days are at leisure for independent activities. While no car and driver services are quoted, they can be hired from our local associate office in Trivandrum.

Your overnight stay will be at Hotel Leela Kovalam Beach Resort in a Beach View Room.

Morning, transfer to the airport to board your onward flight.