Life Of South

Upon arrival at Cochin International airport, meet and assistance by our office representative, depart to Thrisssur, Check-in your traditional Homestead Neelambari, on the banks of Karuvannur river. It is constructed in authentic Kerala style and evokes grandeur and tradition. The central building consists of a classical performance arena “Koothambalam” and a traditional courtyard “Nalukettu”. Evening enjoy a Village walk with the local person Arattupuzha is a quaint little village in the outskirts of Thrissur. Life around the village is a very laid back affair for the better part of the Year. Come summer around March April the village comes to life for the annual temple festival. Village walks by the river, across the fields and along the small meandering bylanes are unforgettable joys. You can also indulge in fishing, pottery making or interaction with artisans as part of your village experience. Overnight stay.

Morning visit to Guruvayur Temple, Guruvayur is home to the historic Sree Krishna Temple, called the Dwaraka of the South. It is among the most revered and popular pilgrimage destinations in Kerala and the entire country. The central shrine is believed to have been rebuilt in 1638 C.E. Only Hindus are allowed inside the Temple with proper dress code, one can experience the Temple harmony along with the occasional cultural performances near at the open Theatre. Visit Punathoorkotta elephant camp near at Guruvayur temple, Many elephants are brought as ritual offering to the temple. Back to Neelambari, Evening enjoy a Cycling through the villages, there are several brilliant cycling trails , towards the east there are several forest trails with varying levels of difficulty that can be explored on pedals, to the west there are several beach roads that provide for magnificent seaside cycling. The dirt roads that traverse in the middle of endless paddy fields is a favourite with us especially when the sun is down. Late afternoon Overnight stay.

After breakfast proceed to Pollachi and step into the rich heritage of Tamil nadu. Pollachi was known as "pozhilvaichi" which means "the land of natural wealth and prosperity. You will be directed to your Farmhouse Banyan Tree, Nestled in a 210 acre farm at the foothills of Anamalais, The Banyan Tree Farm Stay brings you the quaint and charm of life in the hinterlands of South India. Experience the cultural tapestry and heritage of rural Tamilnadu while basking in the rapture of pristine air and lush greenery. Evening explore the old charmed surroundings villages, experience a bullock-cart ride through the farms. Evening have a chat with the host, dinner and Overnight stay at the hotel.

After early breakfast, enjoy the Parambikualm Tiger reserve Canter Safari through the forest reserve, taking about three hours to complete. Parambikulam has one of the highest densities of Gaur population in Southern India. The only South Indian wild goat, the Nilgiri Tahr is also found on the high-altitude rocky hills and grasslands in the Tiger Reserve. Healthy populations of about 250 to 300 Lion-tailed macaques among other primates are found here. Rodents like Malabar giant squirrel and Flying squirrel are among the important arboreal animals. Significant population of resident and migratory avifauna of about 273 species makes the Reserve a bird watcher’s paradise. One Naturalist will accompany the safari vehicle and interpret the landscape. Check-out and drive to Dindigul, Check-in Cardamom House, set as a “family Homestay”, amidst stunning unspoiled rural countryside at the base of the western ghats. It was established in 1966 by British physician Dr. Chris Lucas and is now run by his staff team from the local village. As you gaze over the tropical landscape, do enjoy the gardens with colourful butterflies and birds- whilst in the distance you will see Banana, coconut and Mango plantations. Evening enjoy village walk or a relaxed stay at Cardamom House. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Drive south to another vibrant city of Tamil Nadu, Madurai. Upon arrival check-in at your hotel. After noon, Start your guided tour and go deep into the real life of this Tamil rooted oldest city. visit the sprawling Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, 17th century palace of the emperor of the Nayak dynasty and capture its hybrid Dravidian-Islamic style. Walk in the narrow streets flanked by flowers and bananas stands, interact with local people, watch people milking cows by hand and stroll down in the bazaars. Learn with your guide the 5000 years old legends of this busting city while having a meter tea from the corner tea stall. On your way pass by the biggest flower market in the southern region which transacts as much as 10 tons of flowers in a day, mainly the reputed Madurai malli (Jasmine). Visit the Madurai Meenakshi temple and evening attend the night ceremony when the temple bronze of Lord Shiva is carried to the bed chamber of Parvati. Return to your hotel. Overnight stay.

After breakfast proceed to Kuttikkanam, en-route experience the boating at Periyar Tiger reserve, visitors stand a better chance of viewing wildlife as the animals come to the lake frequently for drinking water. You may be able to spot herds of Gaur, Sambar and wild boars in the grasslands adjacent to the shores. A variety of avian fauna such as darters, egrets and kingfishers can be seen resting on dead tree trunks that stick out over the lake. Continue drive to Misty Mountain, is located in a sprawling, 600-acre estate, and while many of our technological processes are in step with the latest in tea production, a large part of our estate still remains quaint, and stuck in a time that had different priorities. Check-in , explore the tea plantations in the evening. Overnight stay.

After breakfast enjoy a morning Jeep safari through the plantations, you might spot the barking deer, and learn to discern its unique prosody. Luxury, to us, is a sense of contentment and quietude. The property is also an ornithologist’s paradise. Afternoon enjoy a Tea tour at the Property, Here at Misty Mountain, showing you how the best cup of tea is made, from leaf to the factory, all the way to your cup. Overnight Stay

Breakfast at your hotel, check-out and drive east to Kumarakom. En-route stop at the plantation home to experience a typical Syriac Christian lunch, followed by a walk into the owner’s plantations. This ancestral home was built around 400 years back and is located in the midst of a lush green estate. Continue your tropical journey towards Kumarakom, a backwaters village located on the shore of vast Vembanad Lake – Kerala's largest lake. Check-in hotel, evening at the backwaters. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. By noon board your traditional House Boat, these boats are a reworked version of “Kettuvallams” of olden times -once used to carry tons of rice and spices, today are converted into comfortable floating accommodation. Explore the Vembanad Backwaters, Canals, Bird sanctuary, Islands while on cruising. A sumptuous Keralan Meal is served on board. Evening disembark at Kumarakom, Back to your hotel. Overnight stay .

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and drive to Explore Vaikom Village, Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, Vaikom embraces travelers with its beautiful water bodies and serene village life. Exploring the backwaters, narrow canals and life of the small villages of Vaikom is best possible through canoe cruises which are close to the hearts of nature lovers since it is ecofriendly. A laid-back cruise in a canoe soaks one in the rich natural beauty of the surrounding greenery. The pottery village of Vaikom grants travellers a chance to watch the enthralling process of rendering life to clay and mud. A skilled fisherman will teach you some tried-andtrue fishing tips. Watch in awe as he casts a net and catches a few with ease. Get to watch the fascinating process of coir-making. Check out the various steps involved and try your hand at coir spinning . After the village exploration, continue drive to Fort Kochi, Check-in at the hotel. Enjoy a cultural evening at Greenix Village Cultural Center and discover the famous dance drama of Kerala, the “Kathakali” show. This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will experience the real local life of Cochin during an Ethnic tour – start with the visit of the famous Chinese Fishing Nets of Cochin. The huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that droop towards the waters like over-sized hammocks have become a hallmark that represents Fort Kochi on every postcard... Next visit is at the St.Francis CSI Church, the oldest European church in India built in 1503, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama was originally buried and pass by the finest Santa cruz Basilica. Take a tuk tuk – the most popular mode of transport among the localities, go along with your local tour and stop at the Dhobi Khana (laundry station), once throbbing with activity, it is now a picture of slow extinction. Continue through the small streets of Mattanchery, and arrive at the Fruit market on Palace road where locals get a variety of fresh and organic produces at bargains prices. Don’t miss a stop at the Spice Market, where exotic odors of the finest ginger, cloves, cardamom, turmeric and pepper emanate from the spice warehouses lining the street. Make a pause and have one “meter tea” at one of the tea stall. There is now an opportunity to interact with a Brahmin Family. The Brahmin are the highest of the four Hindu castes of priests and scholars of Vedic literature, their traditional occupation is to conduct rites at marriages, births and other auspicious occasions. Visit the Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town, and finally stop at the Dutch Palace with its beautiful mural paintings from the 17th century. Afternoon at leisure, explore your own at the heritage streets of Fort Kochi & Mattancherry, explore the public ferry to the down town and back. Overnight stay at the hotel

Time to say good bye. After breakfast transfer to the Cochin International airport to connect your flight back home.