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Journey Through Kerala (Bikes
Hikes and Boats)
Journey
Through Kerala (Bikes Hikes and Boats)
Duration
- 10 Nights / 11 Days
Places to See - Mumbai - Cochin - Munnar
- Periyar - Changanacherry - Aranmula - Varkala - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai
Day 1: Arrive Cochin Breakfast would be at the hotel. Transfer to airport
for flight to Cochin.
Arrive Cochin and transfer to our accommodation
at Fort Cochin, the site of historic palaces, churches, an ancient Jewish synagogue
and architecture reflecting the visits of Portuguese, British and Dutch traders.
Cochin is a diverse and colorful port/city, spreading over 4-5 islands
and peninsulas. The main town of Ernakulam is on the mainland. All the islands
are connected by a ferryboat network and therein lies the charm of an exploratory
two days here. Around the headland of Fort Cochin, a phalanx of cantilevered Chinese
fishing boats dip into the sea at high tide. In its back streets, there is an
aroma of ginger, cardamom and other spices, piled high in every nook and cranny.
Relax for the day.
Overnight at Cochin.
Day 2:
Arrive Munnar: By road in 4 hours Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer
to Munnar.
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams
- Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. 1600 meter above sea level this hill station
was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India.
Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities
make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and
grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in the
blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2007 AD. Munnar also has the highest
peak in South India - Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot
for trekking.
Lunch on the way to Munnar and dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Munnar.
Day 3 and 4: Munnar We have a choice of mountain walks depending on
the weather and changing restrictions. One option is to climb Chokran Mudi (2179m),
which takes us through forestry and tea plantations onto a high granite ridge
with dramatic views of the Western Ghats and beyond, over mountains and ridges
into Tamil Nadu. This is the toughest day on the trip, approx. 5-6 hours with
some effort required, but the views on top will be ample reward. Look out for
eagles and kites and maybe tiger or bison droppings, though we will be far too
noisy for a close encounter with either of the latter! Our other route is easier,
in the Parvatti Hills. Pleasant and varied, it starts in the tea plantations and
leads through forest inhabited by lion-tailed macaque monkeys and onto a broad
grassy ridge which is often shaded by trees. From the top, Ainimudi (Elephant
Mountain, 2694m) and Chokran Mudi look spectacular.
All meals for both
the days would be included in the tour.
Both the nights will be at Munnar.
Day 5: Arrive at Periyar: By road in 4 hours
Breakfast at hotel. A four hour drive southwards over rolling hills and coffee
plantations to the PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, one of the major wildlife reserves
in India. Indian elephants, wild boars, lion-tailed monkeys, ibex, tigers, leopards
and sloth bears are on the list. The park surrounds a large, many-fingered lake
and a dawn or dusk foray on one of the boats will be a thrilling experience. It
is from the lake rather than vehicles that the wildlife is viewed. The sanctuary
is rich in bird life. Great hornbills, kites, darters, herons, egrets, owls and
kingfishers are in abundance. Surrounding the reserve are many small spice plantations
and we spend an absorbing afternoon searching for pepper, cardamom, turmeric,
cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and betel.
Lunch and dinner will be
served at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Periyar
Early breakfast and reporting at the boat landing on Lake Periyar to cross over
to the starting point of the trek. After about two hours of hard walk, you hop
on to a country raft (its just bamboo poles bound together) paddled by tribal
boatmen. Absolute silence is the secret and soon you will be able to witness wild
animals strolling down to take a drink from the lake. If it's your lucky day,
sightings could include Elephants, Bison, Bore, Samba, Hyena and of course different
bird species. Tigers being very shy of humans are very rare sightings but one
never knows… After about three hours on the raft, head back to firm land
and walk back to civilization and your Village Resort. It's been a long day and
you deserve to put your legs up and enjoy a tall cooler. Lunch would be packed
and served in the jungle while a lavish dinner would be served at the hotel.
Day 7: Arrive at Changanacherry: By road in 4 hours Breakfast
would be at the resort.
A pleasant ride back out of the hills takes us to Changanacherry, on the fringe
of the coastal plain. We pass rice-fields, banana, tapioca, rubber and coffee
plantations, cross-waterways and nudge our way through bustling small towns. We
stop en route for an authentic south Indian meal served on banana leaves.
Our boat awaits and we begin a thrilling and colorful boat ride (3 hours)
through the 'backwaters' to Ambalaphuza, all sitting on the roof to see more!
The term 'backwaters' actually refers to the extensive network of rivers, lakes,
canals and lagoons that lace the coastal plain interior coastline and stretch
from Cochin almost down to Trivandrum. Small canoes, elderly sailboats, coconut-laden
barges, tiny skiffs full of school children, Chinese-style Junks and thatch-covered
country craft are common sights.
Our accommodation for the night is
a simple but idyllic bungalow. (Very comfortable authentic heritage bungalow with
attached bathrooms).
Dinner would be laid out in the dining room of
the bungalow.
Day 8 : Changanacherry
Rest, or go for a walk along the waterside.
You can take part in a host
of "Village Activities" and off course they would be all under supervision
of the local helpful villagers. One such activity is to climb a coconut tree and
pluck your own one. You could also take a small raft and go out fishing with local
baits and handmade fishing rods.
Overnight would be again in the Bungalow.
Day 9: Arrive at Aranmula Leave after breakfast for another
memorable cruise down the backwaters to Chengannur. A short distance away (10km)
is Aranmula, set amid rice fields and coconut palms.
We stay at a dance
and arts centre in simple Indian Style Accommodation. A French woman, who recognized
that without arts and cultural program based in South India, many of the old traditional
musical and martial arts risked dying out, set up the centre dramatic.
On our visit we will be the special guests at a performance of music and Kathakali,
the classical dance drama of South India. A speciality at the centre is Kerala-style
vegetarian food served on banana leaves, delicately prepared and delicious.
Overnight would be at the ARTS CENTRE.
Day 10: Aranmula We join workshops on dance, music, woodcarving,
yoga and Kalaripayat - the martial art of South India. To be an accomplished Kathakali
dancer or to engage in Kalaripayat at a high level takes many years of dedicated
study, and this introduction allows us to glimpse another world where priorities
are very different to the West. We can book a relaxing Ayurvedic body massage
and also watch the elaborate Kathakali make-up being painted on the evening's
dance performers.
All meals would be vegetarian. Overnight would be
at the ARTS CENTRE.
Day 11: Biking We cycle along
narrow rural lanes, linking small villages. We will encounter some traffic when
cycling through small towns, but for the most part the roads are quiet and fairly
flat. Often beyond the palm trees there will be views of the Arabian Sea. It will
be an exciting new dimension and will bring many friendly encounters with the
local people.
Each day, an early start (6.30am) to cycle for around
four hours before the sun climbs too high.
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