Summer Itinerary

Our journey begins in Mararikulam, a fishing village overlooking the white sands of the Malabar Coast, close to where the Indian Ocean becomes the Arabian Sea. Moving further inland, we explore Kerala’s famed Backwaters on board luxury Kettuvalam houseboats, and delight in the irresistible comforts of Coconut Lagoon; nestling in an old coconut plantation on the shores of Vembanad Lake, the Coconut Lagoon was rated among the 25 best getaways in the world by Condé Nast Traveller.

We will then travel north, through the spectacular scenery of the Cardamom Hills, to the hill town of Thekkady, on the border with Peryiar National Park. This will be the starting point for a one-day trek and bamboo rafting expedition into the Park.

Peryiar, which is home to around 35 tigers, offers the opportunity to encounter a variety of wildlife including elephants, deer, otters and buffaloes. For the less adventurous, excursions to the surrounding tea and spice plantations are available as an alternative. Our hotel in Thekkady is the Spice Village, itself set within the grounds of a XIX century botanical park.

The last part of our journey will take us back to the sea, to the ancient port town of Kochi, for a chance to photograph its bustling markets, and explore its uniquely cosmopolitan history.

As summer is considered the most propitious time to receive Ayurvedic treatments, this itinerary allows generous amounts of time for Ayurvedic massages and yoga lessons; both are available throughout the journey.

All our Excursions provide excellent photographic opportunities and photography tuition is available throughout the journey.

Itinerary:

Day 1) Meeting at Kochi international airport; transfer to Mararikulam. Accommodation at the Marari Beach Resort is in thatched cottages spread across 25 acres of parkland. Facilities include Ayurvedic Centre, Yoga, Swimming Pool, Tennis, and Volleyball. Lunch and afternoon at leisure.

Day 2) Morning and afternoon at leisure for personal exploration and Ayurvedic treatments. At sunset, visit to the Hindu temple of Mararikulam; supper and overnight at Marari Beach.

Day 3) Excursion to Kayamkulam and visit to the 18th century Palace of Krishnapuram. Return to Marari Beach; “Cooking with Spices”, cookery demonstration, and supper

Day 4) In the morning, transfer to Kumarakom, where we will be transported by boat to Coconut Lagoon. As its name suggests, the resort - which can be reached only by boat - is hidden amongst the palm trees. Accommodation is in original, wooden bungalows carved in Keralan style. This is how National Geographic Traveler described Coconut Lagoon: “The colonial style houses of white stucco and dark Keralan teak represent the kind of architecturally and aesthetically sound tourism now rare elsewhere in India" Lunch and afternoon at leisure for personal exploration and Ayurvedic treatments. Sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake. Supper and performance of traditional Keralan dance.

Day 5) Early morning: Kalari performance on the shores of Vembanad Lake. In the ancient martial art of Kalari, two men armed with swords and protected only by shields enact a duel with acrobatic jumps. After breakfast, we board the Kettuvalam houseboats from which we explore the unique network of waterways of the Backwaters. Lunch, supper and overnight stay on the Kettuvalam (max. 4 people per houseboat).

Day 6) Exploration of the Backwaters; all meals and overnight on board Kettuvalams.

Day 7) After breakfast on the Kettuvalams, return to Coconut Lagoon. Day at leisure for personal exploration and Ayurvedic treatments.

Day 8) In the morning, transfer by minibus to Thekkady. Climbing through the Western Ghats, the hills that divide Kerala from its neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, this road offers spectacular views across the plantations of cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, tea, coffee, and rubber which have been for centuries the source of Kerala’s wealth. Arrival at Spice Village in time for a late lunch; at dusk, boat ride on Peryiar Lake, inside Peryiar National Park, for a chance to see the animals as they come to drink on the shores of the lake. Supper and overnight at Spice Village.

Day 9) Early Breakfast, followed by daylong trekking and bamboo rafting inside Peryiar National Park. The park allows a maximum of 10 people per day into the forest. Groups are accompanied by park rangers. As the terrain inside the park is relatively flat, and the waters of the lake are shallow and calm, this day-long visit is moderately arduous. However, guided visits to the surrounding spice plantations are also available as an alternative for the day. Supper and overnight at Spice Village.

Day 10) In the morning, bullock cart or botanical tour of the park that encloses Spice Village. Afternoon at leisure for further exploration of Periyar Park, or Ayurvedic treatments.

Day 11) In the morning, transfer to Kochi. Our hotel in Kochi is the Brunton Boatyard, an Indo-Portuguese style building overlooking the Kochi Harbour, on the Arabian Sea, in the heart of the old town of Fort Kochi. Afternoon at leisure. Sunset cruise of Kochi harbour. Supper and overnight at the Brunton.

Day 12) In the morning, by guided visit to the XVI century murals that decorate Mattancherry Palace, in the Muslim area of the same name. Lunch, afternoon visit to the Pardesi Synagogue, in Jewtown. One of the highlights of this visit is a chance to see the synagogue’s XVIII century hand-painted, Chinese floor tiles; each blue and white tile is unique and represents a story of forbidden love between a Mandarin’s daughter and a commoner. Redolent with the aroma of pepper, cumin, turmeric, cloves and the other spices that fill the warehouses, the streets of Jewtown offer the chance to experience the colourful hustle and bustle of an Indian market. Jewtown is also renowned for its antiques shops, so shopping here is de rigueur. Supper and overnight at the Brunton Boatyard.

Day 13) Breakfast. Transfer to the airport if required. End of tour.