A Learning Experience In Kerala

“Leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time, take nothing but pictures plus Knowledge, to show you came by.” A learning which aplplies to all – travelers, tourists, tour operators and agents  and to all  travel vacations, exotic tours, weekend getaways and  fun holiday.

For Those Who Learn and Travel – and not necessarily in that order!

This is a Learning Holiday in Kerala –  one of the Special Tours of India. Allow your holiday to inform you better about the spices we use, the tea we sip, the classical dance of India we enjoy, the yoga excersizes we practise, the ayurveda sessions we relish. Travel and Learn.

DAY 1 – Kochi
Welcome to Incredible India : Welcome to Incredible India! You are welcomed & picked up by our executive from the airport and transferred to the hotel in your private car. (Our executive will be waiting outside the custom area with a placard of your name). We will have a welcome briefing covering the various aspects of the tour (ensuring that you have the best of the Indian holiday) and you will be handed over the India travel kit containing all relevant documents of your trip (air/rail tickets, hotel vouchers, transport, guide, sightseeing vouchers, writing pads with other travel related documents). No pre-planned activities for the day but the car & the driver will be at your disposal.

Note: The normal check in – check out time of the hotels are 1200 hours and if your arrival time does not suit this we can arrange activities for you on the first day or pre-book the hotel from the previous night on additional charge and as per your request. Normally it takes more than 1 hour to get out of the airport from the time of arrival. 

DAY 2 – Kochi
Kathakali Dance and make up of artists : Kochi is the most cosmopolitan and modern city of Kerala.It comprises of Ernakulum (the mainland) and a group of islands on lake Vembanad. It was also dominated by the Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese and the British at some point of time, all of whom have left indelible marks.

The sight seeing for the day includes Mattancherry palace, Pardesi synagogue, Santa Cruz Basilica, St Francis church and Chinese fishing nets. In the evening enjoy a Kathakali dance performance. Overnight at Kochi.

DAY 3 – Kochi> Munnar (130 km / 4 hrs)
Munnar – breathtakingly beautiful : Drive towards east to reach Munnar .  As the highly esteemed ‘National Geographic Traveler’ puts – it is “one of the fifty must see destinations of a lifetime and one of the ten paradises of the world.” Swathed in the velvety green carpet of tea plantations, it is one of the most romantic landscapes of the world.

On reaching Munnar check into the hotel. Rest of the day is for leisure. Explore the place at your own and have overnight stay.

DAY 4 – Munnar 
Learn traditional method of tea manufacturing : After breakfast set out for Eravikulam National park. It is famous for its population of Nilgiri Tahr – highly endangered specie of mountain goat. Next you see the Tata Tea museum where you see how CTC (crush-tear-curl) method is used to prepare black granular tea from the green tea leaves. In the museum you also see a documentary on Munnar and its tea plantation.

Overnight stay at Munnar.

DAY 5 – Munnar > Thekkady (110 km / 3.5 hrs)
Know the spices that add flavour to food : Drive towards south, through the Elaichi hills, for Thekkady . The major tourist attractions here are – Periyar Tiger Reserve, which is the only one of its kind in India and the large-scale spice and tea-coffee plantations that is open for visitors.

On reaching Thekkady check into the hotel for lunch and some rest. Later go for a spice plantation tour. A good chance to see how different spices are cultivated. Did you know that cardamom grows at the base of the plant and black pepper in bunches like grapes? Most popular essence in the world, the Vanilla essence is made out of beans and there is a spice called ‘All Spice’ which looks like black pepper but has the flavour of 5 spices combined in it? Along with spices you also get to see some marvelous flowers like the beautiful dancing dolls. Evening is free to stroll in the spice market. Overnight at Periyar.

DAY 6 – Thekkady > Kumarkom (128 km / 4 hrs)
Culinary lessons : Early morning you go for a boat safari in the man made lake in Periyar Tiger reserve. Later drive towards west and reach Kumarkom  that is famous for its bird sanctuary – a haven for a variety of birds.

On reaching there check into the hotel for lunch. Later go for a cruise on the Vembanad lake and watch the rustic life on its shore. In the evening you attend a cooking class and learn a dish of your choice. Lake Vembanad is world famous for its aquatic treasure of Karimeen (pearl spotted fish), shrimps and prawn. The cooks here have capitalized over this treasure. Their fish preparations are a temptation to one and all.

DAY 7 – 8 – Kumarkom >  Kovalam (176 km / 4 hrs)
Learn the basics of yoga and experience the healing power of Ayurveda : Early morning go for  a  bird sighting tour & then drive southwards to reach Kovalam . Here you check into an ayurvedic resort.

Enjoy a general body massage with herbal oils and herbal powder to tone up the body and improve the blood circulation, followed by a medicated bath or a steam bath. For cosmetic freaks the mukhalepam is a must try. This is a facial treatment with different kinds of herbal paste. Very effective in removal of wrinkles, cellulites, blackheads etc. It beautifies and rejuvenates the facial skin. Karna dhoopanam is way cool method to clean and detoxify the ears puffing medicated anti septic fumes into the ears for just 5-10 min. Spend your leisure time on trendy Kovalam beach

Overnight at Kovalam.