Incredible India – Kerala Trails

SUMMARY

Dates: Friday 10th January to Saturday 25th January

Arrival: Kochi International  Airport in Kerala Southern India. A group transfer will pick you up from Kochi Airport. Arrive in the morning of January 10th.

If you need flight advice and help just get in touch.

Departure: A group transfer to Kochi International Airport after breafast. Book flights after  12 noon.

Guide: Sheetal Thakur – english speaking local guide

Walking Grade: 2 Goats with gentle walks and one hike up to 2600m which makes this is a Goat 2 holiday.

This trip is a cultural, revival holiday with some gentle hikes , some cycling , some walking in tea plantations, spice gardens, village visits , a Tiger Reserve and so much more. It is for those in need of a new adventure and who would like to connect with women as you explore this wonderful land.

This trip is suitable for an average walker who feels fit to be active most days. Most trails are well-made paths. Good walking shoes with a good grip  can be worn. If you use walking poles bring them.

ACCOMMODATION:  you will stay in a variety of accommodation to experience the best of the area – hotels, luxury cottage tents. A plantation bungalow, a heritage hotel, a houseboat and a beach resort. We will provide the details in the itinerary.

The price is for solo occupancy rooms. If you bring a partner/friend and share a room the price is £2650 and we will adjust your invoice once you have paid your deposit.

Price: £3400 in a solo occupancy room

Included:

• Accommodation for 15 nights with breakfast
• Lunches – either packed  or at local restaurants
• Evening Meals
• Mineral water whilst travelling
• Entrance fees to monuments, National parks, temples etc. as per the itinerary
• Local guides throughout the trip
• All required transport within India
• All Activities that are part of the itinerary
• WalkingWomen personalised support as you prepared for your trip

Not included:

• Personal expenses such as table drinks, room service items, laundry, telephone calls at hotels etc.
• Any additional expenses for activities outside the itineraries
• Travel Insurance which is mandatory that you have
• Tips throughout the trip to local guides, hotel staff, driver etc.
• Camera Fees.

DETAILS

Southern India delivers no end of pleasant surprises on this wonderful tour.

The tour starts at the historic coastal town of Kochi, where we explore the Old Portuguese port on bikes and on foot.  From Kochi we drive to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, which offers walking trails inside the sanctuary.  We then drive up to former British Raj hill-station of Munnar in the Western Ghats. Here, 4 days of day hikes will take us along the Mathikettan Shola rainforest track, an exciting and challenging hiking route that begins in Munnar and traces its path to Meesapulimala (2600m), Kerala’s second highest peak, passing through rich forest and plantations of tea, coffee and spices. We then visit the Sri Meenakshi temple complex at Madurai, one of the most colourful examples of Indian religious architecture. At the Periyar Wildlife Reserve, home to wild elephant, deer, giant squirrel and the elusive tiger, we have a day-hike with a forest ranger. At Alleppey, we meet our houseboat for an unforgettable overnight cruise on the backwaters, complemented with a relaxing nights stay at Marari beach, where we end the tour by the beach, experiencing Ayurveda massages.

Highlights of your holiday

·       A traditional overnight houseboat cruise on the beautiful backwaters of Kerala.

·       A locally sourced meal at a welcoming homestay in the heart of the Western Ghats.

·       A Hike through a Tea plantation with a visit to a Tea facotory.

·       A visit to the  colourful Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai

·       Interacting with village women on the hike and have a taste of their way of life.

·       Visit a welfare centre focused on enhancing the hidden talents of differently abled children.

·       Some chocolate-making by skilled village women artisans.

·       A Hike in the lush Cardamom Hills.

·       A  dance performance.

·       Experience chance encounters with endemic wildlife.

·       Nature trek & bamboo rafting with tribal trackers in Periyar NP

ITINERARY

Itineraries can change and we always say trust in your guide. If it changes it will be because of weather or some eventuality that means things need to change.

This should give you the full flavour of what to expect from this incredible trip to Southern India

DAY 01:                        ARRIVE KOCHI          (Heritage Walk & Kathakali dance performance)

Arrive Kochi airport early morning. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel at Fort Kochi.

Later in the afternoon enjoy a Heritage Walking tour through Fort Kochi.

This 2 hour walking tour gives you a glimpse into Cochin’s rich history and heritage, showcasing the mixed Dutch, Portuguese, British and Jewish influences that make the city unique. During the tour, we will visit the old quarter of Fort Kochi, exploring the quaint streets of this city on foot. We will also visit Fort Kochi’s seaside promenade and get a glimpse of daily life in Kochi. The walk will end with tea/coffee at a café.

In the evening witness Kathakali Dance performance. Accompanied by a gong, drums and cymbals; Kathakali performers combine dance and theatre in a ritualistic portrayal of gods and demons.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02               KOCHI             (Cycle ride to a remote Island & café crawling)

Today morning you will take a cycle ride to remote islands of Kadamakkudy in Kochi. The well-marked route takes you along winding pathways flanked by swaying coconut palms, mangrove-fringed canals, and verdant paddy fields, through remote villages. This is a unique experience to explore the secluded Kadamakkudy islands.

In the evening you’ll again venture out on a meticulously curated walk, where you meander through the cobbled streets and quaint alleys of Fort Kochi, and find yourself effortlessly hopping from one iconic art cafe to another. These cafes are not just culinary havens but also places of history, culture, and legends. Discover hidden tales, engage with local artists and cafe owners, and gain a profound understanding of the city’s vibrant soul.

Accommodation:        Hotel

Cycling:                       03 hrs

DAY 03             KOCHI / THATTEKAD     (Jungle walk in the bird sanctuary & Kayaking on Periyar river)

Nestled in the lush Western Ghats of Kerala, this sanctuary is a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. It’s a lowland rainforest that boasts an array of diverse ecosystem.

You’ll walk the trails inside the sanctuary through villages, accompanied by a Naturalist.

Evening is to relax by the river Periyar & there is also an opportunity to take an optional kayaking trip on the River.

Overnight in Luxury cottage tents.

Drive Duration:           70 km / 2.5 hrs

Trail Duration:            03 hrs

DAY 04      THATTEKAD   (Chocolate factory tour & Visit Mamalakandan Village)

Today you’ll take a jeep safari through the remote trails of Western Ghats, as you travel to the hidden village of Mamalakandam. A place where nature’s beauty, cultural richness, and culinary wonders will astonish.

You’ll travel in a local Jeep & take walks under the lush rainforest canopy. Visit a school & continue your journey to the Neolithic dolmens, unraveling the stories behind these ancient structures.

Following this, visit a small homestay, where a local family prepares a sumptuous lunch using spices and vegetables sourced from the region.

Before you head back to Thattekad, you’ll visit a local Chocolate factory, operated exclusively by skilled village women artisans. We will meander through rows of cocoa trees, engage with the farmers, gaining profound insights into their daily lives and the ancient techniques passed down through generations.

Drive back to Thattekad.

Accommodation:        Luxury Cottage tents

DAY 05             THATTEKAD / MUNNAR      (Tea Plantation visit & Bazaar walk )

Leave the plains and head for the hills. Enjoy an interesting drive as you climb up into the Western Ghats, passing tea and spice plantations along the way. Sitting at an altitude of 1600m, Munnar was very much an idyllic haven for the British in the 19th century, with crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, forests and an unending expanses of tea plantations.

Enroute we’ll visit a Tea plantation and spend few hours with Tea pickers. We spend time picking tea leaves with the ladies, while interacting with them to understand their day to day life.

During the trail, you will also visit one of the tea factories to understand the process of tea making followed by tea tasting session. Lunch will be served at the Tea Bungalow.

Arrive Munnar by early evening. Have a restful sleep prior to the start of our first days hiking.

ACCOMMODATION:        Plantation Bungalow

DRIVE DURATION:           80 km / 3 hours

DAY 06            MUNNAR          (Day hike to ascend Litchmi hill – starting at 1450m and ascending to 200m an ascent of 550m)

Today requires an early start to accommodate the days hike – we will walk steadily. It offers brilliant view of forests and tea estates down in the valley.

For those who prefer not to hike you can stay at the hotel to relax.

After a relaxing lunch you continue up through pinewoods, with views of the tea estates below offering a welcome distraction. By late afternoon, you will be transferred by jeep back to your hotel in Munnar.

ACCOMMODATION:        Plantation Bungalow / Resort

TRAIL LENGTH:                12 Km / 5 hours

DAY 07             MUNNAR / SURYANELLI       (Hike through Tribal village)

We will start the day with an early morning climb of a nearby peak known locally as the “Phantom’s Head”. This is a memorable walk atop the tallest feature in the surrounding environment with the spectacular view of Papathy Shola or Butterfly Forest (so named for the mass migration of butterflies in October & November). Today you also have a chance to visit the tribal village of the Muduvans – a tribe who have for centuries colonized the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. Their peculiar habit of carrying their children on their backs has earned them their name as Muduvans or the ‘back people’.

ACCOMMODATION:        Fixed Camping

TRAIL LENGTH:                08 Km / 4 hrs

DAY 08             SURYANELLI / SANTHANPARA           (Hike in rain forest & Cardamom hills)

Today’s trek is through the Mathikettan Shola National Park. A treasure trove of biodiversity, this national park is home to endemic flora and fauna and to wildlife like the Asiatic Elephants and Nilgiri Langurs. Your destination is Santhanpara, set amidst luxuriant vegetation and cardamom spice plantations that give the surrounding area the name ‘Cardamom Hills’. This is the capital of the spice cultivating areas that have made Kerala famous through the ages and attracted multitudes of traders from all parts of the world.

ACCOMMODATION:        Fixed Camping

TRAIL LENGTH:                12 Km / 5 hours

DAY 09             SANTHANPARA / CHATURANGAPARA

You will be trekking from Santhanpara to Chaturangapara, the final part of your rainforest trek at Munnar. This route is a challenging one and goes through the ridge of the Western Ghats. There is a tough climb involved to the view-point from where you will have fantastic views over the vast plains of Tamil Nadu state.

ACCOMMODATION:        Fixed Camping

TRAIL LENGTH:                11 Km / 4-5 hours

DAY 10             CHATURANGAPARA / MADURAI    (Meenakshi temple & overnight at a heritage hotel)

Leaving Kerala, you drive through the plains to the colourful temple town of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in South India. The great Sri Meenakshi Temple, most of which was built during 16th to 18th centuries, is at the heart of the city and the life of the town revolves around it. It is a hive of activity and the scene of an almost continuous religious festival.

Madurai is a perfect place to wander around and experience Hindu culture.

ACCOMMODATION:        Heritage hotel

DRIVE DURATION:           150 Km / 4 hrs

DAY 11               MADURAI – THEKKADY            (Evening walk in spice gardens)

Leaving Madurai in the morning, we drive to the small village of Thekkady. The drive is spectacular as the road climbs through the Western Ghats and we have fantastic views across Tamil Nadu. Thekkady is a small yet bustling village from where we visit Periyar National Park. This whole area is a centre for spice growing and, after lunch, we have a short walk around a spice garden, where we can see many different spices growing. There is plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the bazaar, where we can visit numerous shops selling cardamom, vanilla, peppercorns, chillies, turmeric and other spices.

In the afternoon a local guide will join you for a short walk through the spice gardens at Kumily near Thekkady.

ACCOMMODATION:        Resort

DRIVE DURATION:      155 Km / 4-5 hours

DAY 12            THEKKADY                  (Morning Nature walk & Bamboo rafting)

After an early breakfast, explore Periyar wildlife sanctuary on a range hiking and bamboo rafting through some of the richest forest tracks of Periyar Tiger Reserve.

The forests are rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. While rafting, one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.

The afternoon is at your leisure to relax or you could take an optional boat trip on the Periyar Lake, an ideal opportunity to get close to the wildlife here.

ACCOMMODATION:        Resort

TRAIL LENGTH:               5 Km / 2-3 hours

DAY 13    THEKKADY – KUMARAKOMn  (Overnight in a traditional Keralan houseboat)

Driving to the coastal town of Alleppey this morning we head for the myriad canals and channels that make up the Kerala Backwaters, boarding a traditional houseboat for an overnight cruise through the region. The houseboat cruise is one of the highlights of the trip – these enchanting houseboats were the traditional method of transporting goods for centuries. This is a unique way to see the backwaters of Kerala. As our boat meanders through areas of lush tropical vegetation, we can spot numerous birds and gain a different perspective on village life, before you anchor in the middle of the lake for the night and have dinner under the stars.

Your houseboat is a converted kettuvallam (rice barge) constructed in a traditional way from jackfruit wood. These giant 80-foot long crafts have been adapted to provide simple but comfortable accommodation. Each boat has air conditioning, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew, usually comprising of a cook, boat driver and assistants. The food served is traditional Keralan fare using local produce. Traditonal lanterns are used as lights.

ACCOMMODATION:        Houseboat

DRIVE DURATION :          112 KM / 02 hours

DAY 14            ALLEPPEY / MARARI BEACH        (Short walk in a village & meal with a family)

After a relaxing breakfast on board, we take a short drive to the village of West Chennamkary in the heart of the Backwaters for a short walk around some of the local villages, soaking up the atmosphere of a region that provided Arundhati Roy with the inspiration for her book, ‘The God of Small Things’. We’ll enjoy a traditional Keralan lunch with a local family before driving to Marari Beach later in the afternoon.

ACCOMMODATION:                   Beach Resort

DRIVE DURATION:                     1 hr

TRAIL DURATION:                     2 hrs

DAY 15             MARARI BEACH           (Ayurveda massages & Beach time)

Marari Beach, a part of Mararikulam village, is nothing less than a paradise with a vast coastal line, fringed with coconut and palm trees.

Full day at leisure. You’ll relax by the beach or indulge in Ayurveda massages.

ACCOMMODATION:   Beach resort

DAY 16             MARARI / KOCHI  / DEPARTURE

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Kochi airport in time to board your flight for onward destination.