Winter Itinerary

In this itinerary, we explore the Malabar Coast and celebrate the New Year on a remote coral island, in the Lakshadweep Archipelago. Our Winter Photographic Tour is designed to escape the ‘winter blues’ and allows plenty time by the sea.

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.

On the third day, we travel 200 miles west, across the impossibly blue waters of the Arabian Sea, to the remote atoll of Bangaram, in the little-known archipelago of the Lakshadweep. An unspoilt environment of extraordinary beauty, Bangaram seems to rest in the embrace of a perfect lagoon; marine turtles swim in its waters, whilst the coral reef that surrounds it supports over 600 species of fish. The coral island, with its perfect, secluded white beaches, will be our home for five days.

Returning to the mainland, 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.

The journey concludes in the ancient port town of Kochi, for a chance to photograph its bustling markets and explore its architecture and uniquely cosmopolitan history.

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. Evening, “Cooking with Spices”, cookery demonstration, and supper.

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) Breakfast, transfer to Kochi International Airport for connect flight to Agatti (flight time 1 hour 30 minutes). Boat transfer Agatti-Bangaram Island (40 minutes ca.). (Our host CGH Earth, handles all tickets and boat transfers to and from Bangaram, making early booking essential.) The island, which measures less that 3 square kilometres and is inhabited only by a handful of fishermen, is surrounded by a reef-rimmed lagoon of tranquil, azure waters. Accommodation is in bungalows at the Bangaram Island Resort. The resort has a certified Dive Centre offering snorkelling and diving. We remain on the island for 5 nights.

Day 8) Return to mainland and travel to Kumarakom, for boat transfer 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 9) 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 10) After breakfast on the Kettuvalams, transfer by minibus to Kochi. Afternoon guided visit to the XVI century murals that decorate Mattancherry Palace, in the Muslim area of the same name. Lunch, afternoon visit to Jewtown. 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, an Indo-Portuguese style building in the heart of the old town of Fort Kochi, overlooking the harbour.

Day 11) Breakfast. Transfer to the airport if required. End of tour.