India, Tuk-Tuk Adventures

Tour Overview

Explore the various, delightful getaways of Kerala in a Tuk-Tuk. You will get the opportunity to wander off the usual tourist trails through the rugged beauty of the mountains of Munnar, the wildlife-rich rain forests of Periyar, the fascinating backwaters near the ancient port of Alleppey, the spice gardens in the lowlands and the historic city of Fort Kochi. Food is yet another highlight of this Tuk-Tuk holiday. You will be amazed at the different types of cuisines in such a small geographical area, each characterized by the local spices and herbs of the micro-region through which you will be passing. You will also stay in very comfortable heritage hotels, organic spice farm villas and rice boats during this amazing trip. You certainly will enjoy the local Tuk-Tuk ride, a famed and efficient transport of the third world countries, fine-tuned and modified for comfort and with a unique animal / bird (specific to Kerala’s wildlife) theme painted on it.

India, Tuk-Tuk Adventures

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Day1: Ride through the historic Fort Kochi: Today you arrive at Kochi. You will be met at the airport and be transferred to Fort Cochin. Set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, Kochi is a city at the crossroads of culture with winding streets, shady trees, Kathakali dance, modern Indian art museums, 500-year old Portuguese houses, mosques, a tiny Jewish community with ancient roots and ferry boats scuttling to and fro. After you have settled in your hotel, in the evening it’s time for your Tuk-Tuk familiarisation along with the tour mechanic. Later, you will get an opportunity to go on a backstreet tour of the city in Tuk-Tuks, visiting the spice market and the fishing harbor.
Day2: Ride towards the magical waterfalls of Athirapilly: After breakfast, on day 2, you will start your Tuk-Tuks and set course to Athirapally, famous for its majestic waterfalls. The initial ride will be through the city and then you will start riding through the back roads, and plantations of rubber, oil palms and spices as we gradually gain in altitude. Our destination is near the magnificent waterfalls in Kerala which is also one of the largest in all of the Western Ghats. Recently this was in the news with conservationists in Kerala who managed to stave off a big dam construction which would have irreversibly destroyed the rich bio-diversity of this region. There are ongoing projects to link the fragmented forests in order to ensure that the migration of the Asiatic elephants is not hindered.
Day3: Enter the gateway to Western Ghats - Valparai: Today you will have a fantastic ride through the rich canopy of the Western Ghats up towards the hill station of Valparai with vast swathes of tea and forests. The area is rich in birds & animals, many of them endemic to the Western Ghats. Keep a look out for the highly endangered Malabar Pied Hornbill and Lion Tailed Macaques which are on the IUCN Red List. The rain forests here also hold out the promise of sightings of the endemic Malabar Grey Hornbill, Wayanad Laughing Thrush and the Nilgiri Langurs. Elephants, leopards and gaurs (Indian Bison) are commonly spotted near the roads, as you gain in altitude to nearly 1500m at Valparai. On arrival, you will stay at a colonial bungalow within a tea estate.
Day4: Ride amidst the highest tea gardens of Munnar: Munnar is the place to go to when you want the tropical heat of lowland Kerala to be a distant memory. Playing host to one of the best scenic regions in south India with panoramic views of the lush green hills, Munnar is the largest tea growing region in south India with tea plantations stretching across the hills. Munnar can be a destination for leisure and adventure at the same time. You will be riding through the tea plantations to reach your place of accommodation. The route to Munnar via Chinnar passes dry, deciduous forests and a tiger reserve area. Proceeding further in your Tuk-Tuk, towards Marayur, you will be welcomed by sandalwood forests. The ride through the tribal area and rainforests will rejuvenate you even before you reach Munnar.
Day5: Into the rainforests of Periyar: Your next destination Periyar, with its very own Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, is an important tourist destination. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. The enchanting artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River lends more charm to the National Park. These sprawling picturesque plantations, forests, and hills make Thekkady a great place for exploring. The ride through Periyar involves roads edged by spice gardens and tea plantations. The ride is quite comfortable and you will reach the reserve in time for lunch. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you can take a walk with the local guides into the rainforest. On the second day, you will take a day off from the Tuk-Tuk ride. There will be enough to explore, in and around the area, be it the beauty of nature all around or the charming culture of the place. The boat ride during the day and the Kalaripayettu performance in the evening are fascinating experiences. You can also take a walk to explore the flora and fauna near the national park which is home to many endemic and endangered species.
Day6: Kulamavu: a haven on the road less travelled: Your next destination Kulamavu is serenity itself, a place not visited much by the regular tourists. It is a hill station set in captivating surroundings, and you cant help but notice the fresh air and cool breeze. Here you can enjoy a few quiet moments, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. On the way you will see the famous arch dam, arguably the biggest arch dam in Asia constructed by the British. You also have a definite chance to spot wildlife such as bisons, elephants and sambar deers in Kulamavu.
Day7: Sunset cruise on Rice boat - Alleppey: Alleppey is home to lush green, palm-fringed canals, mirror-like still lagoons and tranquil lakes. Glimpses of the countryside and the deeply embedded ethnic roots of this wondrous land can leave you spellbound. Your Tuk-Tuks will take you through the roads towards the small villages set alongside the magical water world that makes up the backwaters. Here, you will embark one of Kerala’s most luxurious forms of accommodation and transport, the houseboat. Reclining on cushions and drifting through quiet canals, you will pass by paddy fields dotted with ducks, floating markets, local toddy shops, temples, and churches.
Day8: Back to Kochi: After breakfast on day 9, you will hit the beach road towards your final destination, Kochi. The route passes through country roads and small villages where you will see coconut husk being processed and made into coir ropes and mats. You could stop over at the pristine Marari beach en-route. You will pass by fishing villages and coconut plantations on one side and the sea on the other, to reach Kochi by evening.
Day9: Depart: This day marks the end of the your Tuk-Tuk adventure and you will be transported to the airport. You are sure to carry back a kaleidoscope of memories of an exciting activity holiday in India.