Kerala Naturally !

Tour Overview

Kerala lies at the west coast of India and is characterized by its tropical monsoon forests with an abundance of wildlife. The highest mountains of the mountain range Western Ghats are located between 1500 and 2000 meters above the sea level where tea and cardamom forests dominate the landscape. This is a tour from the coast up to the mountains, in which Kerala in all its greenery will greet you and you will get yourself immersed in the local culture & food. A stay at an organic spice villa, a lazy cruise on a rice boat down to the backwaters and a few days relaxing at a heritage villa on the backwaters with energising Ayurveda are the other highlights of this tour.

Day 1-2 : Kochi

The ancient seaport of Kochi is one of Kerala’s most delightful cities. Here you may either relax or stroll through the old town’s maze of small streets and experience Fort Kochi’s colonial flair. In the evening we would recommend you to go for a little walk along the coastal path where you can enjoy an amazing sunset by the famous Chinese fishing nets.

Day 3-4: Thattekkad

  After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Thattekkad, a lowland forest. 57 species of fishes, 12 species of amphibians (4 are endemic to western Ghats), 30 species of reptiles, 38 species of aquatic macro vertebrates have been recorded from sanctuary, besides 275 species of birds and 76 species of butterflies, many endemics among them. Wild animals like Elephant, Sambar, Wild Dogs, Civet Cat, Jungle Cat are sometimes also seen. Thattekkad Bird sanctuary is indeed a field laboratory for conservation education. Your stay would be at the Hornbill camp set along the shores of the river Periyar opposite the sanctuary. After a traditional lunch at the common gazebo overlooking the river, you will get an opportunity to go on the kayaks for a journey through to the rain forests on the opposite side of the river. Here if you are lucky, there are chances of sighting the Malabar Giant Squirrel & many of the 275 species of birds that congregate here. The lush rain forest also harbours endemic birds like the brilliantly colorful Malabar Parakeets & the Malabar Trogons. After your return, there is a walk planned through the local village to see how the farming community lives amidst their plantations of rubber, coconuts & various spices like pepper and ginger. The villages are friendly places and you will be welcomed in their midst. You can also  go on  walk to the rain forests in the company of a naturalist. Here you see a wide variety of birds & butterflies, many of them like the Whitebellied Treepie, the Malabar Grey Hornbill or butterflies like the Southern Birdwing not sighted anywhere else in the world. Retun for a late breakfast at the camp.   

Day 5-7: Munnar

A 2-hour drive will take you to the cool hill station of Munnar. On an easy walk of 1 to 2 hours we will walk through the lush tea plantations while watching the local tea leaf pickers doing their work. The area offers good chances of watching wildlife. Spotting different kinds of rare birds and animals, some of them being endemic to the region, will certainly be a very rewarding experience. There is also a fascinating full day walk through the higher reaches of the Munnar mountains to experience the shola-grassland eco-system that is so prevalent here. A visit to the local tribal village will give you a chance to interact with these indigenous people and learn about them, including manufacture of raw sugar, aromatic oils and their methods of cultivation. There is also a chance to visit and walk through the to the nearby wildlife sanctuary at Chinnar.

Day 8-10: Periyar

We leave the highlands of Munnar behind us and head to the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The closest you can get to the forest and its wildlife is exploring the area on foot. On our day-walks which are organised by the local communities, we will have very good chances of spotting different kinds of wildlife. We will hike through dense forest, enchanting valleys and hills. Be on the lookout for wild animals such as Nilgiri Langurs, Lion-tailed Macaques, Elephants or the Gaurs (Indian Bison)

Day 11 : Alleppey

Our next destination is Alleppey to embark on one of Kerala's most special forms of accommodation- the houseboat. Silently cruising through the enchanting canals and lagoons that make up the beautiful backwaters of Kerala and passing through remote villages, we can relax and take in the beauty of the backwaters which is so special to Kerala!

Day 12-13 : The Backwaters

Today we will disembark the houseboat and transfer the short distance to a villa set on the banks of the backwaters – a heritage villa replete with its own rich history of the place and people. One can see the magnificent century old wood work on the walls, the ancient granary – now converted to a beautiful suite - and the tropical garden that surrounds the villa. Here we take it easy with Ayurvedic massages or if the mood takes you visit the local villages on foot or cycles. A walk through the vast paddy fields or the local bazaar to meet up with the local communities is a rewarding experience.

Day 14 : Depart

Fond farewells as you depart for your next destination.        

Inclusions

• Accommodation in Boutique hotels, resorts, Forest Lodges & home stays
• All transfers by aircon vehicle
• English speaking driver
• All visits, walks & safaris
   

Holiday Feedback

Route Maps

FAQs

Q. Do I Need A Visa To Travel To India?
Yes. Please see : https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html

Q. When Is The Best Time To Visit Kerala for this tour?
The best time to visit is from August to May.

Q. Should I take out Travel Insurance Before travelling for this tour?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling to India, covering any medical situation, hospitalisation, cancellation and loss of your baggage. We cover your causality evacuation to the nearest hospital which is included in the cost. However, this does not cover the cost of medical treatment at the hospital.

Q. Do I have a guide for this tour?
You would have a driver cum guide who is proficient in spoken English. For sightseeing & special side tours, we provide specialist guides.

Q. What are the health risks ?
There are very minimal health risks if you follow our instructions on drinking only certified bottled water and food from safe sources identified by us.

Q. Is First Aid available?
Yes, the driver carries a comprehensive First Aid bag. For those suffering from allergies or require any special medication will need to bring those along. All our staff have undergone St John’s Ambulance First Aid Training course and are qualified. In case of serious injuries or emergencies, we have identified hospitals nearest to the tour routes to safely evacuate you to the nearest hospital.

Q. Are banking services easily available in areas visited?
Yes. Banking services and numerous ATMs available throughout South India

Q. Can I use my credit Card during this trip?
Yes, all the resorts & most shops in locations mentioned in this itinerary accept credit cards

Q. Is Kerala a good destination for a Beach Holiday?
Definitely yes & we can arrange extension tours for you.

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