KERALA ESSENCE

AREA: Kerala
DURATION : 12 days
SEASON : October - April

PLANTATIONS, WILDLIFE, BACKWATERS, AYURVEDA, BEACHES

For centuries, the area attracted voyagers, adventurers, mercenaries and empire builders. Kings and merchants, men and women drawn not only by the lure of spices, but the romance and wild beauty of God's own country. The Portuguese, the Dutch and Jews visited Cochin as traders, turning the natural bounties of the area into wealth. Sprinkled with Pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, mace and anise the Periyar hills became nature's taste factory in the 14th century, as Cochin became nature's harbour, the port of lading for a spice-hungry world.

Later, the area came under the Kingdom of Travancore, and many of its plantations, orchards and hunting lodges date from that time. Kerela forms a part of the western (Malabar) Coast of India. It's the romance of the spice trade - evocative of sailors of yore approaching Cochin harbour and being inundated by the scents of cardamom, pepper, coffee and vanilla.

Enjoy the hospitality of a true planter, walk through the plantations- see the cultivation and processing of exotic spices, the lifestyle of the planters. Cruise through the palm fronded waterways of the backwater canal system, watching the lifestyle of the people that inhabit this magical area. Comfortably ensconced in old refurbished Rice boats - anchor out on the vast Vembanad Lake for the night, have a sun downer on the deck and watch the stars appear. Experience the jungle and a peep at the wildlife of the area at the Periyar National Park. At Cochin, you can visit the Dutch quarter or the Fort, in the harbour you can opt to take your pick of fresh fish caught at the Chinese fishing nets, they even have little booths to cook it as per your preference. Visit the spice market; take a ferryboat ride around the harbour. Imagine yourself in an historical time warp when you didn't buy pepper at the super market!

>> click here for the Itinerary

Note: Costs depend on season and final itinerary