Col & Mrs John Abraham - your local connection in Kerala will ensure you have a memorable KERALA EXPERIENCE. Kerala - "God's Own Country" - a land bestowed with beauty so enchanting that visitors and warriors alike have been attracted to its shores since ages - the warmth and hospitality of its people, the exotic produces of this Spice Garden and the inviting coconut groves that Mother Nature has gifted to its people have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia.
Along the way, explore the ancient harbour in Cochin with its rich colonial past. Visit the old spice market at Mattancherry, the antique shop on Jew's street, the Synagogue, the Dutch palace and of course, the famous Chinese fishing nets followed by harbour cruise. Wake-up to the call of the birds from the nearby bird sanctuary and get ready to experience yoga for your body and mind. Location:
Cochin, Thekkady, Validity: from
1 Mar, 2009 to
30 Sep, 2009 Hotels:
Casino Hotel ,
Marari Beach Resort ,
Spice Village ,
Coconut Lagoon ,
Duration:
7 Nights
On arrival at Cochin International Airport/Railway Station, you are greeted and whisked away to historic Willingdon Island and our flagship hotel,Casino Hotel. In Cochin, explore this ancient harbour, with its rich colonial past. Explore the old spice market at Mattancherry, the antique shop on Jew's street, the Synagogue, the Dutch palace and, of course, the famous Chinese fishing nets followed by harbour cruise. Overnight stay at the Casino Hotel.
DAY TWO
Cochin - Periyar. You leave the coastal plain, travelling along winding hill roads with plantations of rubber, spice and tea. En route you will stopover for lunch at the Plantation House. After checking in atSpice Village, the afternoon is reserved for a boat safari in the Periyar Sanctuary. Engage in activities like cooking demonstrations and cultural programmes followed by dinner. Overnight stay at the Spice Village.
DAY THREE
At Periyar, early mornings are the best time for sightings and you can expect to spot herds of elephants, bison, deer and spectacular bird life. Not to mention some of the 140 species of orchids that thrives here. A trip to Periyar is not complete without visiting the spice plantations. Afternoon is at leisure, with overnight stay at the Spice Village.
DAY FOUR
Periyar - Kumarakom. You will leave just after breakfast, driving back down the coast to this melodically named town of Kumarakom, lying on the banks of Lake Vembanad. Here, you hop on a boat to Coconut Lagoon, an eco-friendly resort created from restored heritage homes, set in a web of canals on the banks of the Kavanar River.
Evening finds you on a sun-set cruise on the lake, in a converted rice boat adrift to a flute accompaniment. After the cruise it is learning time! Learn to cook some authentic Keralan dishes in the cooking demonstration class organised by the chef. The resort gives an opportunity to see some traditional art forms of Kerala, which is then followed by dinner. Overnight stay at theCoconut Lagoon.
DAY FIVE
Wake-up to the call by the birds in the nearby bird sanctuary and get ready to experience yoga for your body and mind. After breakfast, you will take a slow trek to the bird sanctuary accompanied by a Naturalist who will identify the birds along the way. Before lunch there is enough time to visit the village nearby, and then back to the resort for lunch. Afternoon is at leisure. In the evening engage in yet another cooking demonstration and cultural show. Dinner and overnight stay at the Coconut Lagoon.
DAY SIX
Kumarakom - Marari. After breakfast, you will have another session of yoga, and then transfer by boat, then by road to Marari Beach. Check-in to an independent villa at the Marari Beach. Marari Beach resort is not just the sand and the sea; it's the living environment that surrounds it that makes it special! The Marari Beach, let us be clear, is not the place for a raucous beach holiday. There are no real parties here, and no noisy water scooters - it is ideal for those seeking to undo the stress of city life and experience a completely new place. After lunch at the restaurant, it's time to relax in the coconut grove. Evening will be engaged in good music, and cooking classes followed by dinner. Overnight stay atMarari Beach.
DAY SEVEN
By now you will be an expert on yoga! You won't need a wake up call anymore for the daily class. After breakfast, explore the area and its fishing villages nearby by bicycle, or take a dip in the sea. The beach is usually nearly empty except for a few other guests and the old local fishermen. After lunch, you will have leisure time. It would be a great idea to walk across the road to their organic farm, which ensures that the vegetables and fruits we serve are the freshest you can get. By now you won't want to leave! This is the last chance where you can approach the chef for any assistance/clarifications regarding the recipes you would have collected over the past three/four days. After dinner, walk back to your cottage already making plans for your next visit.
DAY EIGHT
Marari - Airport. After breakfast, set off on an emotional drive back to Cochin International Airport/Railway Station.
Col & Mrs John Abraham - your local connection in Kerala will ensure you have a memorable KERALA EXPERIENCE. Kerala - "God's Own Country" - a land bestowed with beauty so enchanting that visitors and warriors alike have been attracted to its shores since ages - the warmth and hospitality of its people, the exotic produces of this Spice Garden and the inviting coconut groves that Mother Nature has gifted to its people have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia.
