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VISIT VIJNANA KALA VEDI, ARANMULA
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Discover the true culture of India, this tropical garden with its thousand and one tastes, fragrances and blessings! Whether you are a scholar, an artist, a research student, a child, a teenager, a professional, a retired person or a simple traveller wishing to go off the beaten tracks....
The Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre was founded and registered as a Charitable Association in 1977, by Louba Schild, a French artist who has been living in Kerala since 1968. The objectives of the Centre are to provide foreign artists, researchers and culturally oriented tourists with opportunities to become acquainted with the culture and arts of India. Preserve the traditional arts and crafts of Kerala in their natural and spiritual context, to foster the artistic education of youngsters in Kerala. The Vijnana Kala Vedi actively enquires into the roots of culture and opened to new perspectives towards the harmonious balance between tradition and modern life. |
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Aranmula was declared as a heritage village of India by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). During Onam (which falls in Aug/Sep), Aranmula is the venue for the renowned "Aranmula Uthruttathy Vallom Kaly", or a water carnival of snake boats, the only snake boat race in Kerala with a ritual background. Aranmula is world famous for its metal mirrors, "Aranmula Kannady", unique for its alloy and its ancient method of 'lost wax' and polishing techniques of making a metal surface into a mirror. The proportion of the alloy is a secret known only to the manufacturers, ie only to the members of a family who had been passing on this secret from generation to generation since the 15th century.
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JUNGLE TREKKING
Different nature trails traversing diverse habitats form the trekking routes, generally 4 to 5 km. in length. This is an interpretive programme offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands.
Hosted and accompanied by trained local people, the visitors can go for trekking and bird watching in the many trails around, paddle in still waters to cool off or perhaps settle down for watching sunset in this oasis of peace and tranquility. Native vegetarian food and snacks will be provided to the visitors.
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TREE HOUSE STAY
Under the shadow of the verdant forest amidst the fragrance of a thousand scents, where time moves according to the ancient rhythms…. Where you will learn the art of living in an easygoing way, gentle relaxed and carefree…. Where nature has been blissfully preserved, spared of devastating urbanization….
Tree houses are houses like structures built on top the trees. The raw materials that are used for constructing these houses are all of Eco-friendly materials, such as coir mats, bamboo poles, hay straws, live trees (as pillar), etc. Tree houses are modified versions of "Erumadam", usually used by the tribals in order to escape from the attacks of wild animals.
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Access to the Tree House (86 feet above from the ground level) by an indigenous cane lift is worked by a unique counter weight of water. Double beds with an attached bathroom with flushing toilette, telephone shower, washbasin with running water, carpeted veranda and sit-out. The House is made of Eco-friendly materials. Food is prepared from fruits and vegetables grown in the organic farm without any chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
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SPICE PLANTATION TOUR
Take a trip to the spice plantations of Kerala and feel transported into a green paradise. Walk through the aromatic spice gardens where the air is laden with the fragrance of nature's bounty…
Kerala is known for its fabulous spices. Pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and more… The spice plantations of Kerala are fascinating farms to wander in, for different sections of each plantation are dedicated to different spices. |
Some spice plantations in Kerala offer tourists accommodation in the lodges and mansions on the plantation. Guest can stay with the plantations owner's family and enjoy home cooked traditional Kerala cuisine and witness the activities of the spice plantation. Go for nature walks and bird watching treks, wander through the plantations, taste the various spices and breathe in the fragrant air of the spice plantations. The tranquil spice plantations of Kerala are a refreshingly different eco tourism option.
Apart from spices traditionally grown in India such as pepper, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom farmers in Kerala have taken to growing spices that are used worldwide. Some of the spices cultivated in spice plantations are vanilla, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, mint, bay leaf and sage.
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2 DAY TREKKING PROGRAMME AT MUNNAR
DAY 01 - The trek starts after breakfast. The start point is 18 Kms from Munnar. The trek from an altitude of 4500' gradually goes to over 8000' and passes through sholas and mountain streams which criss-cross the area. Guides and porters will accompany. The area also has wildlife - notably elephants, sambar, tiger, sloth bear and Nilgiri Tahr. The camp is set up at an altitude of approximately 7000'. Stay will be in comfortable Alpine tents. Good quality sleeping bags and sheets are also provided. In the month from November to February, temperatures here often go below freezing point and hence warm clothes are recommended.
DAY 02 - After an early rise and breakfast, trek to Meesapulimala at over 8600 feet. Start descent and proceed to the base camp. Depart for Munnar.
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