Relax Kerala Style (16 days) B132

Introduction

Looking for the perfect mix of nature watching and relaxation?   Then this could be just the tour for you!  Begin in the historic coastal town of Fort Kochi and experience the unique art-form of a Kathakali performance.  Thattekkad’s tropical forests are home to many of South India’s endemic birds including Malabar Grey Hornbill, colourful Crimson-fronted (Malabar) Barbet and Malabar Parakeet.  A short journey takes you to Munnar, higher in the Nilgiri Hills, where Nilgiri Tahr graze the slopes of Eravikulam National Park, also home to a range of species such as Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher and the huge Atlas Moth.  Then to Periyar, where extensive forest attracts Asian Elephant and a multitude of other species.  Unwind even more at Dewalokam Farmstay Retreat, cruise the Backwaters on a houseboat, be pampered at the award-winning Emerald Isle Homestay and complete your tour by relaxing on the beach along the Malabar coast.

There are many ways to extend this tour, so please contact us for details

Itinerary and price

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Note: You can fly into Koch from the Middle East or via Mumbai or Delhi and other key Indian cities. Meals: Dinner Arrive at Kochi Airport.  You’ll be welcomed outside the airport building by your driver/guide (look for your name on a placard).  From the airport you’ll be driven (35km/one hour) to Fort Kochi.  Check in at hotel (from 12 noon or earlier if rooms are available), then enjoy a half day sightseeing which will include a visit to the Synagogue, St. Francis Church and the Chinese Fishing Nets.  This evening you’ll watch a traditional Kathakali performance.  Return to hotel for the night. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Today visit Thattekkad (2-hour drive) a lowland forest with several types of eco-system – riverine, grassland, evergreen, scrub, dry deciduous and lowland tropical forest, making it one of the best destinations for birds in India and home to most of the endemics of the Western Ghats.  You could see White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson-backed Sunbird, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Wayanad Laughingthrush, Malabar Parakeet and Malabar Grey Hornbill.  This is a marvellous area for owl-lovers, with Mottled Wood Owl, Oriental Bay Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish-owl and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl all occuring locally.  You should also be able to watch the cryptic Sri Lanka Frogmouth as well as Red Spurfowl, Grey Junglefowl, Indian Pitta, Black Baza, Black-throated Munia and perhaps even Grey-headed Fish Eagle.  Night at the Hornbill Camp in a cottage tent with attached bathroom. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner With your guide, enjoy the local birds during the best part of the morning, relax through the middle of the day, then in the afternoon explore locally again.  Your guide will know where to go in the early evening to search for Jerdon’s and Savanna Nightjars and you might be lucky to see or hear two more nightjar species along with the deafeningly-loud calls of Grey Junglefowl.  We should mention that there has been a long-running dispute between park staff and the Forest Department, so Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary has been closed for a few years.  If it remains closed, our guides know many excellent areas of forest to visit outside of the Sanctuary boundaries, so you will still be able to see all the species.  Spend a second night at Hornbill Camp. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner There's a choice of what to do this morning.  If you thoroughly enjoyed your time in and around Thattekkad yesterday, it's possible to spend more time here this morning, or set off earlier for the drive to Munnar;  you can make your decision the night before.  Depending on when you leave Thattekkad, you may arrive at Olive Brook Hotel in time of staff to prepare lunch for you - your guide will need to phone ahead to arrange this; otherwise, you can pick up something to eat on the way to Munnar and this would be payable directly. Check in at Olive Brook and feel free to ask if it's possible to watch how the staff create a traditional Keralan dish for your evening meal.  Depending on the time, enjoy local walks, look for birds such as Yellow-browed Bulbul, White-cheeked Barbet, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Little Spiderhunter and Plain Flowerpecker, or perhaps visit local hot spots for views across the lovely wooded valley as the sun starts to set.  Located at a higher elevation, you will find the climate at Munnar a bit cooler Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner This morning the guide will take you to Rajamalai, the tourist zone of Eravikulam National Park where, amidst stunning scenery, you can see Nilgiri Tahr, a rare member of the goat or ibex family.  Also look for birds endemic to the area which may include Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher and Nilgiri Woodpigeon.  The huge, beautifully marked Atlas Moth is also found in this area.  A small interpretative centre explains about the area’s unique wildlife.  Spend a second night at Olive Brook. Meals: Breakfast and lunch or packed lunch Today you will drive (120 km/4 - 5 hours) to Thekkady, the gateway to Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve.  Check in at Wildernest.   Although the habitat is excellent for tigers, seeing one here at Periyar is difficult, but you should see Gaur (Indian Bison), Bonnet Macaque, Nilgiri Langur and perhaps Crimson-fronted Barbet and White-bellied Treepie.  Your guide will help you to explore or you can relax for the remainder of the day. Meals: Breakfast Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the finest wildlife and birding destinations in South India.  With over 320 bird species identified and a leading habitat for the Bengal Tiger, this sanctuary is an ideal destination for anyone interested in wildlife.  Your guide will assist with treks and with luck you should see Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Langur, Gaur, Sambar and Wild Boar; this is also an ideal place to look for the Great Hornbill.  Tiger and Sloth Bear occur, but are seldom seen.  Return to your hotel and relax for a second night.  Note: for any forest treks it is advisable to wear leech socks.  Your guide should carry some, but you may wish to bring your own. Night at your hotel. Meals: Breakfast at Periyar, lunch and dinner at Pala Today you will depart for your Farmstay Retreat where you can relax for the remainder of the day (110 kms/3 hours).  During the drive or whilst staying here you will see firsthand how spices are grown and how the ayurvedic plants are nurtured in the backyards of most Keralan homes.  You can also visit a rubber processing area, walk through the local village and enjoy some lowland forest walks.  A visit to the local school might also be possible on request. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Pala Relax for the day and enjoy the local area and a second night at your farmstay. Meals: Breakfast at Pala, lunch and dinner on the houseboat After breakfast you’ll head for Alleppey, a drive of (75 kms/2 hours).  Alleppey is on the edge of Vembanad Lake, in the area known for its azure backwaters, swaying palms and floating houseboats.  The scenic drive takes you through typical Keralan villages and paddy fields.  On arrival you will check in to your Kettuvallam, the local name for a houseboat. You will be travelling on a standard houseboat, where all meals will be served, starting with lunch.  We will ensure you settle in and then your driver will leave you (another driver will meet you for tomorrow's short transfer).  Cruise through the unique landscape of coconut palm-fringed lakes, canals and rivers, watching fishermen and scenes of village life, and enjoy a spectacular sunset.  You’ll be able to get off the boat to take a walk from time to time in local villages.  Dinner will be served on the houseboat.  Spend the night on board the houseboat in the middle of the lake. Meals: Breakfast on the house boat, lunch and dinner at Kurialacherry In the morning disembark from the houseboat at the jetty where your car and driver will be waiting.  From here you’ll be transferred to your homestay, only a short drive away.  Spend the rest of the day bird watching locally.  You’ll find this a tranquil location to relax and enjoy a family environment with superb home cooking, whilst retaining your privacy and independence. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Enjoy more birdwatching in and around Kurialacherry homestay and spend a second relaxing night here. Meals: Breakfast at Kurialacherry, lunch and diner at Arackal Today you’ll be transferred  to Arakkal Beach Villa.  Here you can relax by the Malabar coast.  Your driver will leave you and we will arrange for your transfer to the airport on your last day. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Arackal Full day at Marari Beach where you can totally relax. Meals: Breakfast at Arackal (served from 0700 hours) You will be transferred to the airport (approx. 2 hours)  Tour ends. Tour ends The price, names of hotels and a list of inclusions/exclusions are shown below.  Note: we can tailor the itinerary to suit you with changes to hotels, adding days and/or adding new locations.  Tour extensions are available eg. The Andamans, so please contact us for details. Price per person: 2 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £1605 4 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £1430 Single room supplement £255 Price is based on the following hotels:

Place	Hotel name	No. of nights
Fort Kochi	CGH Casino	1
Thattekkad	Hornbill Camp, Cottage Tent with attached bathroom	2
Munnar	Olive Brook	2
Periyar	Wildernest	2
Pala	Estate Bungalow	2
Backwaters	Standard Houseboat	1
Alleppey	Kurialacherry Homestay	2
Marari Beach	Arakkal Beach Villa	2

Price includes

• Accommodation in standard rooms/cottages with meals as listed
• All mentioned transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
• English speaking driver/guide
• Additional guide for sightseeing in Fort Kochi and monument fees
• Entrances to all Sanctuaries and National Parks as listed in the itinerary
• All currently applicable taxes

Price excludes

• Any international airfare to/from India including International airport tax
• Any internal flights within India
• Meals not specified
• Tourist visa and travel insurance
• Camera fee where charged
• Any additional taxes levied by the Government of India on the tourism sector in future
• Any expenses of personal nature such as hard/soft drinks, laundry, phone/fax calls, tips etc.
• Any item not mentioned in the price includes section.
• Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control

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