Kerala

Arrival at Cochin International Airport. Welcome by our representative and transfer to the hotel. On arrival, installation at the hotel.

The name of Cochin designates an assembly of islands and cities. Vasco da Gama stopped here and died there with the title of Portuguese Viceroy of India. Unique and magical city by the diversity of styles, atmospheres, architectures, with its Hindu, Jewish, Christian, Muslim populations and its sixty castes.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Walking tour in colonial Old Cochin, with visits to:

Saint Francis Xavier Church. It is the oldest European church in the country and was built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan monks who accompanied the expedition led by Pedro Alvarez Cabral

The Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays), built in 1555, whose large coronation hall and Ramayana frescoes are remarkable. The oldest synagogue in India (closed on Friday afternoons and Saturdays and during Jewish holidays), dating back to the 16th century, decorated with Chinese earthenware tiles, welcomes the last families who preferred India to Israel.

The old town: You will discover, among other things, winding streets lined with mosques and 500-year-old Portuguese houses. A Portuguese counter since the 16th century, then a Dutch city before becoming English, Cochin has lived for centuries in the scent of spices: pepper, cinnamon, cardamom or nutmeg. Even today, warehouses are full of fragrant bags that will leave to cross the seas.

At the end of the afternoon, you can attend the ‘Kaleidoscope’ show, a demonstration of the major arts of Kerala: Kathakaly, Mohiniyattam, Theyam, Kerala Nadanam, Kalari. Night at the hotel.

After breakfast, head towards Dewalokam.

José and Sinta, farmers by tradition, and teachers by profession welcome you to their farm, located in the Kerala hinterland, in the center of spice plantations. Dewalokam has indeed a rich collection of spice plantations of all kinds such as plantations of pepper, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, ginger, turmeric… the area is also full of rubber plantations. Bounded by a calm river and a nature reserve, you can opt for an active or rather relaxing day, as you wish, away from the main tourist trails. It’s the perfect place to unwind, swing in a hammock, or enjoy the pool.

Everything here invites you to relax, without the risk of getting bored. Indeed, several activities – fun and educational – are offered to you for an unforgettable stay. The Eco-farm Dewalokam is based on the principles of respect for the environment: organic farm, the water is heated using solar energy, the hens and goats fed on the basis of natural waste, cow manure is converted to gas…

Everything is done to spend an unforgettable stay in this little piece of paradise!

After breakfast, you can choose various activities as per your wish.

• Boat ride in the “Bamboo Rafting” (Descent of rivers aboard a raft made of bamboo)

• Walks: On foot in the village, or in the forest, by bike. Discovery of spice plantations

• Swimming: Swimming pool, river, Thommankuthu waterfall

• Visits: A school, local temples

• Cooking lessons

• Rural activities: Extraction of honey, milking of the cows of the farm

In addition: Yoga, Ayurvedic treatments: they can be organized at the request.

This stay is ideal for families, all the activities will delight young.

After breakfast, drive to Periyar, gradually discovering multiple layers of vegetation, rich in precious species, rubber, teak, ebony, mahogany, sandalwood and fruit trees, mango, jackfruit, mangosteen, guava, papaya.

Periyar National Park is located on the Tamil border. The road passes by many rubber plantations, and will make you discover the superb landscapes of plantation of spices of Kerala. Periyar is part of the Project Tiger Reserves in India, home to around 40 tigers living freely in the 777km2 that the Park represents.

Very solitary, the latter remain however very discreet and the chances of seeing them are very slim. The Park is now rather famous for its elephants.

Optional :

– Guided Walking tour in the spice plantation. Stroll through the spice plantation where pepper, cardamom, cloves, vanilla, coffee, tropical fruits and others grow. The tour ends with a homemade lunch – simple but local food!

In the evening, watch a Kalaripayattu martial arts performance.

After breakfast drive to Nelpura. You will be received and welcome by, Chackochan and Salimma. The word Nelpura means a granary where the rice field and grains are preserved for the next season.

The Nelpura Heritage Homestay is a renovated property adjacent to the ancestral home of Mr. Chacko and his family. The establishment exhibits main features of traditional architecture and wood carvings.

What makes the Nelpura Heritage Homestay a special and unique place is the environment and the proximity to the family home. It is an ideal place for a writer and an artist.

Rest day, during which you can, if you wish, participate in the following activities (without supplement):

○ Village Walk: This tour gives an opportunity to interact with local people and learn about their daily life and local culture. Must-see: the 500-year-old temple in the village.

○ Bike tour: A bike tour on the shores of the lake is a memorable experience. Nelpura organizes a group bike tour (about 50 members) along the narrow strip through the rice fields to immerse yourself in the splendid scenery of Kerala.

Extra :

○ Backwaters Cruise: A good opportunity to cruise the backwaters and see the rustic life in Kuttanad. Guests can go lake fishing with local fishermen. Cooking and eating what you catch will be an unforgettable experience of your trip.

○ Canoe trip in the small canals: This tour in the shallow waters of the village is a charm.

○ Visiting ancient temples and churches: The visit will give you a good opportunity to participate in the cultural activities of the village

Breakfast at the farm. Welcome by your team of the boat called “Kettuvallam” and installation on board.

Afternoon of navigation in the Backwaters, which will peacefully take you through the tropical countryside inland along the shady shores of coconut trees and emerald rice fields irrigated by a labyrinth of canals and lagoons, where boats glide traditional. The boat runs along the traditional villages located at the water’s edge. In this setting of peace and harmony, you will see the day unfold with real images of everyday life off the beaten track.

The Backwaters are a unique natural environment in the world. It is a network of lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas of 44 rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean. It is an ecosystem with its own aquatic fauna and flora. Indeed, here, the fresh water of the rivers meets the salt water of the ocean. The canals connect the villages to each other. On the 900 km navigable, traffic is done on small motor boats, traditional boats or houseboats.

Dinner and overnight on board.

After breakfast on board, we drive Mararikulam. On arrival, installation at your hotel. Free day. Night at the hotel.

Free day for relaxing and spending time at the beach.

Today, you will be transferred to Cochin international airport for boarding return flight.