Day 1 – Kochi/Munnar
Your tour commences as soon as you arrive at the Kochi airport or Ernakulam railway station. You will be met and you then take a four hour drive to the hill town of Munnar, plantation country and home to the famous Strobilanthes flower. You meet the rest of your travel mates at an orientation at the hotel. You have the rest of the day to wander and explore the lanes and vistas of Munnar. You have the evening free to enjoy your dinner at the hotel or a restaurant nearby.
The hill station of Munnar is approximately 140 kilometers from Kochi. Located at the convergence of three mountain streams – Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, and settled at approximately 1600 m above sea level, it was once the summer resort for the British Raj. It is blotted by vast expanses of tea plantations, colonial bungalows, rivulets, waterfalls and cool weather. It is also an idyllic destination for trekking and mountain biking. The town area is just another town in India with its local shops, restaurants and homestays. The strobilanthes or neelakurinji, a blue flower which blossoms once in 12 years, is found in this region. Munnar also possesses the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2,695 meters. Trekking and bird watching is favourable at the Eravikulam National Park approximately 15 kilometres away. Here you find species of butterflies, animals and birds. Unique to the park is the Atlas moth, the largest in the world. Another unique inhabitant is the mountain Ibex. Other places of interest are Echo Point, Kundala Lake and Mattupetty. Numerous tea, coffee and cardamom plantations dot the scenery of Pothamedu, which is just six kilometres from Munnar. The area is ideal for nature walks.
Day 2 – Munnar
You start your day off with a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel before setting off for a day of light trekking, and other adventure activities. There is no shortage of excellent views for those who have a passion for photography. For you nature and animal lovers, you can take a short drive to the Eravlikulam National Park which houses a variety of butterflies, animals and birds, including the famous Nilgai Tahr (mountain goat).
ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK, Located approximately 15 km from Munnar, the Eravikulam National Park is the home of the rare the Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat), as well as a variety of rare butterflies, animals and birds. Trekking the park is a good option to take in the beauty and nature in the area. It also provides a spectacular view of the tea plantations and the nearby hills covered in the mists. The most popular time that the park is visited is when the Strobilanthus (Neelakurinji) is in full bloom, which happens once in 12 years. Visiting Rajmahal (King of the Hills) is a must and if you are lucky you may spot a couple of Nilgiry Tahr. Anamudi Peak, the highest in South India is inside the Eravikulam National Park and is at a height of approximately 2700 meters. However, the peak can only be visited through special permit from the Forest and Wildlife authorities at Eravikulam.
ECHO POINT is approximately 15 kilometres from Munnar. It is a small lake that is nestled in the middle of the hills. From here, if you make a loud call or sound then the same will echo of the surrounding hills. It is a fun place to visit and experience the echoes. It is also a good place for a nature walk.
KUNDALE LAKE is located approximately 28 kilometres from Munnar and is approximately 5940 feet above sea level. The Kundala Dam, the Sethuparvati Dam and the Kurinji flowers are some of the features that surround the lake. There are pedal boats and Kashmiri shikaras if you feel like taking a ride out on the lake. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Golf Course Ground are other attractions in the vicinity.
BLOSSOM GARDEN is situated approximately 3 kilometres from Munnar. The garden possesses a diversity of rare plants and flowers, shady trees, facilities for water cycling, boating cycling for kids. There are also tree houses, ropeways and swings. It is a good way to spend a leisurely afternoon.
MATTUPETTY is a storage masonry dam with a beautiful lake that has pleasurable boat rides and a breath taking landscape. It is located approximately 13 km from Munnar and is at a height of 1700 metres above sea level. It also has a dairy farm run by the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, which possesses variety breeds of cows.
Day 3 – Thrikunnapuzha
Post breakfast, you drive to Thrikunnapuzha, the gateway to the backwaters and a place that is well known for coir weaving. You stay the night at a resort.
Thrikkunnapuzha, a land of fishermen, is a gateway to the inland waterways of Alleppey. Once a flourishing port and city, evidence suggests that sea erosion destroyed thriving port that was situated near the current Sastha Temple. The beach is noted for “Karkidaka Vavu Bali”, an important ritual performed in Kerala to pay respects to forefathers or dead ancestors and it takes place in the months of July & August. The beach is very rich in mineral sand called ‘black sand’.
There are a variety of optional activities. You can take a walk around the traditional homes of Kerala, unique in their vernacular and eco-friendly architecture. Or opt for a visit the morning or evening rituals at village temple. Another activity would be to walk alongside the village canals and take in the charm of village life. Coir weaving, a major occupation of the woman folk of this island has become a noted industry in the recent past and there are a number of coir products woven manually from the coconut husk fibre, which are in high demand in almost all international markets.
Day 4 – Marari Beach
By late morning, you alight from the houseboat at the docking point where you then proceed to Marari for two days of sun, sand and surf. Your days are at leisure to participate in adventure activities we have to offer.
Mararikulam is a beach village in the district of Alappuzha. It is renowned for being one of the cleanest beaches of white sand in Kerala. Also a fishing village, it is located on the southwest coast of Central Kerala. Also called as Marari, the experience is unique owing to the unblemished shoreline, swaying coconut palms, thatched huts, small paths that crisscross through courtyards and a striking view of the sunset along with the stunning backwaters, the village tranquillity and the outstanding backdrops. Life here still goes on as it did many years ago, with the men still going out for fishing and the women going about their daily routine. The beaches are clean, untouched and ideal for a quite holiday. Coir making is also famous here and it is recommended that you make a visit to view the age old techniques.
Day 5 – Marari Beach
A full day at leisure.
Day 6 – Flight/Train
Your morning is at leisure until it’s time for you to depart for your flight/overnight train. You will be transferred from Marari to Kochi airport/railway station.
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