Explore Kerala Farming Culture

Upon arrival at Cochin airport, meet assistance by our office representative, followed by transfer to hotel. On arrival check in to hotel (normal check in time is 12noon early room subject to availability). Evening guided walking tour around Fort Kochi,  watch Chinese fishing nets and St.Francis church the first European settlement in India. Followed by cultural show “Kathakali” in the local theater. Overnight at hotel in Cochin.

After breakfast proceed to PizhalaPokkalai Farm. The paddy grains cultivated in coastal area is called 'POKKALI PADDY'. It has high salt resisting power. This paddy plant is the tallest paddy plant and the paddy grain is the biggest grain in the world. Pokkali paddy grain genesis are used in International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to produce new varities of paddy grains to cultivate in costal area field. Pokkali rice has many medicinal properties like Iron , Zinc , Pottassium and Anti-Oxidant. Government of India has issued Pokkali Paddy a Geographical Indication Certificate in 2008. So this Pokkali Paddy is the only G.I.Certified Paddy Crop of KOCHI. The Farm is a blend of paddy(Rice)- prawn-fish-crab cultivations alternatively in a fully organic way, no chemicals like fertilizer and insecticide used in any stage of cultivations. Every time one cultivation is going on in the same field, Pokkali Paddy (June - October) and fishing season (November - May). It is also known for bird lover's paradise. Water birds, many types of cranes, are seenall time. Lunch will be served en-route.Back to Cochin hotel. Overnight at hotel in Cochin.

Breakfast at residing hotel. Proceed to Thrissur, en-route visit Clayfingers pottery makers. Pottery is an art that has evolved since time immemorial. The origins of pottery date back to the Neolithic Era; however in India it began with the Indus Valley Civilization and was developed as a response to the needs of mankind.  Mural tiles , Functional pottery , Hand painted decorative , Terracotta etc. are some of the special features of the clay fingers. On arrival Check in your hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Mannuthy Agricultural and Veterinary University visit. After Breakfast proceed to Mannuthy Agricultural and Veterinary university visit. Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) is the primary and the principal instrumentality of the Kerala state in providing human resources, and skills and technology, required for the sustainable development of its agriculture, defined broadly encompassing all production activities based on land and water, including crop production (agriculture) and forestry through conducting, interfacing and integrating education, research and extension in these spheres of economic endeavour. It is situated in Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala

Visit to The Information and Sales Centre (I&SC), Mannuthy. It was established in 1993 as an independent unit under the Administrative control of the Directorate of Extension, Kerala Agricultural University. The objective of the Centre was to establish a single window system to make available information and resources of the KAU for farmers. Conceptual clarity and proper co-ordination between the production centers and the I&SC transformed the I&SC into an effective single window facility for transfer of technology

Followed by visit to The College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences . It was established in 1955 by the Government of Kerala in 1972. It was taken over by the Kerala Agricultural University as a constituent college. The college campus is spread over an area of 147 hectares and is located on the side of the National Highway NH 47 at Mannuthy about 5 km from the Thrissur town. The main objectives of the college are teaching, research and extension in the field of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.

Research stations available at Manuthyare Livestock Farm (Cattle & Buffalo), Poultry & Duck Farm, Pig Farm & AICRP on Pig, Goat and Sheep Farm, Rabbitry Farm.Back to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast proceed to Pollachi. Owing to the proximity to the Western Ghats, Pollachi has a pleasant climate throughout the year. Pollachi is very popular for its markets, especially for jaggery, fresh vegetables and cattle. The Jaggery. Market in Pollachi is Asia's largest of its kind. Cattle Market of Pollachi is the biggest of its kind in Southern India. Later in the day set out to explore the village. The quaint village has simple lined homes and one can stop to visit a craftsman’s home or a village temple or just to catch some village small talk. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at residing hotel. Proceed to Munnar. En–route visit Maryoor & Kanthalloor, Sandalwood forest Marayoor has a natural sandalwood forest with around 65,000 trees. The sandalwood of Marayoor is said to be of high quality. There is a ‘Sandalwood Regeneration Experimental Plot’ here from where one can learn more on the fragrant tree. The State Forest Department runs a sandalwood depot here where travellers can see the processing of sandalwood.

Marayoorsarkara, Marayoor and the nearby Kanthalloor are famous for a special variety of solid molasses produced here. The ‘Marayoorsarkara’, as it is known in the market, is of high quality with 97 percent sugar content. Marayoor falls in the rain shadow region and the quality of the molasses is attributed to the specialty in temperature and the ph value of the earth.

Acres of land stretching across Kanthaloor village is famous for the cultivation of apples, apricots, plums, oranges, pomegranate, guava, gooseberry, peach and passion fruit. Many vegetables are also cultivated here with minimum use of chemical fertilizers and the yield is very impressive. Yes, this patch of green is really a veritable basket of fruits and vegetables. Set amid the backdrop of wilderness. Overnight stay at Munnar Hotel.

After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Munnar. Munnar – “Nature lovers paradise” drive through the picturesque countryside of Munnar, a popular getaway retreat. Surrounded by lush green tea estates, this picturesque hill station boosts of exotic flora and fauna. Visit Tea museum followed by a tea plantation visit. The museum set up at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar. The Tata Tea Museum diligently portrays the growth of Munnar tea estates, veritably conveyed through some of the displays like the rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory. Visitors to the museum can satiate their curiosity on various stages of tea processing, and also learn a thing or two about the production of black tea. Overnight stay at Munnar Hotel.

After breakfast proceed to Lower Camp, Thekkady. En- route Spice Plantation tour, this trip covers spice plantations such as cardamom, pepper, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, Ayurvedic herbs etc. Check-in your Farm stay at Harvest Fresh Farm. Harvest Fresh is an Organic Fruit Farm and Farm stay nestled in the serene Cumbum Valley. A short 15 minute drive from Kumily, Thekkady, Kerala, the farm is strategically located at Lower Camp, very close to the famous Periyar Tiger Reserve. Harvest Fresh farm in full potential grows pomegranates as it chief harvest along with papaya and passion fruit. The farm is also home to cows, geese, turkey, ducks, and hens and also has a well laid out vegetable and medicinal herb garden. Having realised that people are in constant search of nature to make life peaceful and with the need for health consciousness of finding solace with nature. Overnight stay at Harvest Fresh Farm.

Take a trip to our organic fruit farm, located in Lower camp, in the lush Cumbum Valley, flanked by hills that kiss the clouds and gurgling streams, orchards, vineyards, vegetable farms and cool breezes that sweep the valley. Take an enchanting bullock cart ride through vegetable farms that are in various stages of harvest, ride over a gushing stream & past fruit orchards of mangoes, papaya’s & bananas. Fruits & vegetables are planted in rotation, so you may get to see different fruit during every season.

Go on a guided walking tour of the farm. Walk among pomegranate, papaya plantations, pluck grapes in the vineyard, watch the bees busy storing honey in the apiary, learn about carefully nurturing young saplings in the nursery, composting methods in the composting yards, talk to the cows the livestock pen, feed the chicken, ducks and other animals on the poultry farm, learn the names and medicinal uses of the plants in the specially planted herbal garden Climb up the watch tower for commanding views of the valley, take deep breaths of the freshest air while soaking in the sights & sounds of the valley, with the rolling hills in the distance tipped with mist, gaze at blue skies while clouds like fluffy cotton balls float past. Settle down to a sumptuous lunch of local cuisine made from home grown or locally sourced fresh ingredients, a melange of tongue tickling flavours. Overnight stay at the Farm.

After breakfast drive to Alleppey. En–route visit Plantations at Plantation bungalow with Lunch. Plantation Bungalow : There’s just so much to do on a visit to one of our plantations. Trek through acres of rubber, coffee, pineapple and spices. Watch rubber being tapped, coffee beans being picked–in fact, a plantation at work. Alleppey, Referred to as the Venice of the East, it is famous for its Paddy fields, boat races, backwaters, beaches, and coir industries. Upon arrival check–in hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Morning after breakfast a short village walk. By noon board your traditional houseboat to explore and enjoy the beauty of rural village life and backwaters. Your private House boat that is waiting to take you on a tour through the backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. The population’s whole life takes place here on the water. They are so adapted to the water that you can see people talking for an hour, while they are up to their necks in water. Peddlers take care of the supplies and the public transport goes on the water. Countless water birds wait for their chance to catch a fish. The trip goes through a wonderful area of the lush green vegetation of Kerala backwater land. Overnight stay on board.

Check out from House Boat by 0900 hrs. Transfer on time to cochin international airport for your flight back home.