North and South Kerala Holidays and tours, God's own country

12 Nights of complete relaxation with a touch of the wild and the wet! Travel to the north of Kerala into the cool highlands of Wayanad to experience a different way of life. A night in the tree house is a must for the adventurous! Travel south to Cochin ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, visit a bird sanctuary and an elephant camp for an up close and personal experience with Elephants! Thereafter, cruise the backwaters in a luxury houseboat and ending at the tranquil Marari beach.

Day 01 –Calicut- Vythiri -3 hours
On arrival at Calicut, drive to Vythiri .Overnight at the resort.

The Vythiri resort is located in Wayanad, the forested highlands of Kerala. At Vythiri, the entire philosophy revolves around its love of nature. No trees have ever been cut to make way for the resort. Even the rocks and boulders have been left in peace and the animals around the resort, undisturbed.

Day 02 – Vythiri
Full day enjoy the activities offered at the resort. Overnight at the resort.

The cottages and huts are in the ethnic styles. Taking you back to a time of simplicity and harmony. The climate is mildly cool in these hills. Vythiri’s unique geographical features lend a peculiar charm and a delightful challenge to trekkers and nature lovers. Its fascinating scenery and wonderful climate creates a relaxing holiday experience.

Day 03 – Vythiri
Full day to explore the jungle activities offered by the resort like trekking, jeep safari etc .Overnight at the Resort.

Day 04 – Vythiri – Cochin - 7 hrs
After an early breakfast, drive to Cochin. Enroute stop for lunch at Cheruthuruthy River Retreat, a resort on the banks of Bharathapuzha.(River Nila). After lunch continue the drive to Cochin. Overnight at the Hotel.

From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India. Cochin has Asia's best preserved Synagogue, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India - the St. Francis Church.

Day 05- COCHIN
After breakfast drive to Poothotta, a backwater village for a country boat cruise through an island village followed by lunch at a farm house. Spend the rest of the afternoon, sightseeing in Cochin. In the evening watch a fusion of Indian Art Forms at the Greenix Theatre. Overnight at the Hotel.
Village backwater Cruise - A journey in a country boat into the pristine purity of a typical backwater village of Kerala.... zigzagging through narrow canals and lush paddy fields fringed with swaying coconut palms.....watch rare birds....country boat making....a natural fish farm where you can go fishing....a delicious traditional Kerala meal under a tree.....

Cochin Sightseeing - St Francis Church, built in 1503 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama, is the first European church built in India and is the site where Vasco da Gama was buried. The Jewish Synagogue was built in 1568, Chinese hand-painted tiles are one of the attraction. This, the only Synagogue in India has a nostalgic past of a Jewish Diaspora. The "Dutch Palace" was built in the 1557; the palace contains excellent mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring - a subtle mix of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg whites - which gives the effect of polished marble.

Day 06: Kodanad Elephant Camp & Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Early morning, proceed to Thattekad Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, a low altitude evergreen forests. Enjoy lunch at Thattekad. Day to explore the rich and varied birdlife of Thattekad. lunch at Bird’s Lagoon, Thattekkad. Afternoon visit Kodanad Elephant Training Centre. By evening drive back to Cochin.
Overnight at Hotel.

Thattekad Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is home to 280 species of birds including Grey hornbill, White-bellied tree pie, Rufous babbler, Wayanad laughing thrush, Grey headed bulbul, White-bellied blue flycatcher, Crimson-backed sunbird, Nilgiri wood pigeon, Malabar parakeet etc and a number of water birds.
Located on the shores of river Periyar, Ernakulam district, Kodanad is also the headquarters of Malayattoor forest division. This village is famous for its elephant kraal and a mini Zoo. Baby elephants from nearby forests, either washed away during floods or abandoned by herds, are brought here and domesticated. They are housed in Kraals, traditional wooden cages. Trained mahouts groom the animals and the training is quite scientific and systematic. About five babies are received every year. In olden days elephants were captured from the Malayattoor forests and domesticated here which is no longer a practice since the government has banned capturing of elephants. Visitors can closely interact with Elephants at the camp which is an unforgettable experience of a lifetime!

Day 07: Alleppey – Houseboat
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Alleppey to board the houseboat for one nights stay covering Alleppey Villages and near by paddy fields. Overnight in the houseboat.

For a window into the timeless rural life of Kerala cruise through inland lakes, waterways, rivers canals and estuaries which form what is popularly known as the backwaters.
Kettuvallams or houseboats are an endearing image of the backwaters. Converted from rice barges these traditional crafts have now all the comforts of a modern hotel. Local culinary delights are cooked and served on board by the Kuttanad locals and supplemented with fresh fish from the backwaters.

DAY 08 – Houseboat – Coconut Lagoon-Kumarakom
In the morning, disembark at Coconut Lagoon at 0900 hrs. Kumarakom, which is famous for its backwater & scenic beauty, sprinkled with traditional houseboats, country crafts, rural lifestyles and tranquility.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing or take a tour around the Vembanad village and bird sanctuary

DAY 09 – Kumarakom
Full day to explore the beauty of the backwaters. Coconut Lagoon is created in complete harmony to enhance nature rather than control it. Your stay at Coconut lagoon is an essence of old Kerala, updated slightly perhaps, but kept pure and simple. Overnight at Coconut Lagoon. Try a rejuvenating Ayurvedic Massage!
Kumarakom is a cluster of little picturesque islands on the Vembanad Lake. The beautiful Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres, the bird sanctuary is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

Day 10: Kumarakom – Marari
Morning, enjoy your breakfast on board & disembark at Alleppey. Proceed to Marari Beach (45 Minutes Drive). On arrival, check in at Marari Beach Resort. Spend the rest of the dayrelaxing on the beach or by the poolside. Overnight at the resort.

Marari originates from "Mararikulam", one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Completely new to the holiday maker. Marari offers endless miles of superb sandy beaches fringed with cocunut palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm/and traditional Kerala hospitality at it's best.

Day 11: Marari
Day free to enjoy the beach activities. Overnight at Marari Beach Resort.

Marari Beach is an endless vista of sand and surf, but it is more… An authentic experience of the world of Kerala's traditional fishing villages, and a recreation of an ancient, harmonious way of life. The village of Mararikulam lies on a forgotten shore, midway up the Malabar coast, where the Indian Ocean finally decides that it has now become the Arabian Sea.

Day 12: Marari
Day free to enjoy the beach activities. Overnight at Marari Beach Resort.

Marari Beach sprawls across 55 acres of lawns, far-flung lotus ponds and whispering coconut groves, all threaded through with stone- flagged pathways. A windbreak of palms runs the length of the property, a protective cover that reduces even the gustiest sea winds to mere caresses. And beyond is a milk-and-azure ocean, fringed by a beach more ochre than yellow, a sand-meets-sea combination you're not likely to find anywhere else.

Day 13: Cochin -Departure
Like all good things, your holiday experience comes to an end but you will always carry with you memories of this unique and unforgettable experience. Later after wash & change ,we wish you farewell and you will be transferred to Cochin International airport for your flight home!!