ITINERARY
DAY ONE : Cochin
On arrival at CochinInternational Airport, you are greeted and whisked away to historic Willingdon Island or to Fort Cochin. In Cochin, you may explore the ancient harbour, with its rich colonial past, the old spice market at Mattancherry, the antique shops on Jews Street, the Synagogue, the Dutch palace and of course, the famous Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church and David Hall. Harbour Cruise in the evening. Overnight at Cochin.
DAY TWO : Cochin - Munnar
You leave the coastal plain, traveling winding hill roads with plantations of rubber and tea to reach Munnar Bungalows. Not very far from Munnar town and more than 200 years away from today are nine distinct bungalows that hark back to the colonial legacy of tea plantations. These remote bungalows in forest settings offer guests a different way of experiencing Munnar, giving one access to a remote, pristine and yet untouched Munnar which is far removed from the expected and well away from the hustle and bustle of this busy little hill town. Overnight at Munnar Bungalows.
DAY THREE : Munnar
After breakfast, full day at your disposal for various activities in Munnar which includes Guided Trek and Tea Museum visit. Overnight at Munnar Bungalows.
DAY FOUR : Munnar-Thekkady.
After breakfast, drive from Munnar to Thekkady. Lunch at Spice Village. Engage in activities like cooking demonstration and cultural programme followed by dinner. Overnight at SpiceVillage.
DAY FIVE : Thekkady
After breakfast, Spice Plantation visit followed by lunch. Afternoon, farm visit accompanied by naturalist. Overnight at Spice Village.
DAY SIX : Thekkady - Kumarakom
After breakfast, you will drive back down to the coast and this melodically named town of Kumarakom on the banks of Lake Vembanad. Here, you hop on to 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 sunset cruise on the lake, in a converted rice boat to a flute accompaniment. After cruise it is learning time. Learn to cook some authentic Keralan dishes in the cooking demonstration class organized by the Chef. The resort gives an opportunity to see some traditional Art Forms of Kerala which is followed by dinner. Overnight at Coconut Lagoon.
DAY SEVEN : Kumarakom
Wake-up call by the birds from the nearby bird sanctuary.Get ready to experience yoga for your body and mind. After breakfast, soft trek to the bird sanctuary accompanied by a Naturalist who will identify the birds which wakes you up in the morning. Before lunch there is enough time to visit the Village nearby. Back in the resort for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Evening engage in yet another session of Cooking demonstration and Cultural show. Dinner and Overnight at Coconut Lagoon.
DAY EIGHT : Kumarakom - Mararikulam
Another session of Yoga followed by breakfast. After breakfast, transfer by boat and then by road to MarariBeach. Check-in to an independent villa at the MarariBeach. MarariBeach resort is not just the sand and the sea. It’s the living environment that surrounds it. The MarariBeach, let us be clear, is not the place for a raucous Beach holiday. There are no real parties here. No noisy water scooter but for those seeking to undo the stress of the city life and experience a completely new place, it is the perfect spot. After lunch in the restaurant, it’s time to relax in the Coconut grove. Evening will be engaged in good music. Cooking classes followed by dinner. Overnight at Marari Beach.
DAY NINE : Mararikulam
Now you are an expert on Yoga. You don’t need a wake up call anymore for the daily Yoga class. After breakfast, explore the area and its fishing villages nearby on a bicycle or take a dip in the sea, the beach usually being nearly empty except for a few other guests and the odd local fishermen. After lunch at leisure. It will be a great idea to walk across the road to our organic farm, which ensures that the vegetables and fruits we serve are the freshest you can get. You don’t want to leave. Do you? 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 at Marari Beach already making plans for your next visit.Overnight at Marari Beach.
Day TEN : Mararikulam – Airport
After breakfast, drive back to Cochin International Airport
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.
