“George, everything went well. Thanks for arranging this Epic trip for us.”
– Ms. Christine -Costa Rica

19 Sept:Trivandrum

Today you will be picked up from Trivandrum early morning to check into an airport hotel.Take rest after the long flight.Afternoon you may visit your family in Trivandrum, kovalam etc.Overnight at hotel.

20 Sept:Trivandrum-Kumarakom (4 Hours’ Drive)

After breakfast,you will start your drive to Kumarakom, which is famous for its backwater & scenic beauty, sprinkled with traditional houseboats, country crafts, rural lifestyles and Tranquility. You may opt to go for a rejuvenating Ayurvedic Massage.Also you go for a village walk through the nearby villages.Overnight at the Resort.

The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration for your vocation and life. And that is the pristine beauty of Kumarakom.

Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake and a picturesque, clean village like most places in Kerala. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres, the bird sanctuary is a favorite 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.

21 Sept – Kumarakom – Periyar (4.5Hours’ drive)

Today, you will be transferred to Periyar, the famous wildlife destination of Kerala.Afternoon visit a Spice Farm and later shopping for spices. Overnight at Hotel.

Indian agriculture began by 9000 BC as a result of early cultivation of plants, and domestication of crops and animals. Settled life soon followed with implements and techniques being developed for agriculture. Plants and animals—considered essential to their survival by the Indians—came to be worshiped and venerated.

Indian spices include a variety of spices and herbs grown across the Indian subcontinent (South Asia). With different climates in different parts of the country, India produces a variety of spices, many of which are native to the Subcontinent, while others were imported from similar climates and have since been cultivated locally for centuries.Spices are typically heated in a pan with ghee or cooking oil before being added to a dish. Lighter spices are added last, and spices with strong flavor should be added first. Curry is not a spice, but a term which refers to any side dish in Indian cuisine. It could be with a gravy base or a dry item. A curry typically contains several spices blended together.

Periyar – Conjures up images of elephants, chains of hill and spice scented plantations. Here, in the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats you will see a lot of wildlife and observe the way of life of simple mountain people. Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.

22 Sept – Periyar

Full day explore the wildlife of Periyar. Go for a full day jungle activity which includes guided trekking in the wildlife park .You will also do a bamboo rafting in the Periyar Lake.Lunch will be served Enroute.Return by evening. Overnight at the Hotel.(Suma and the kid will have to stay back as children are not allowed for this activity)

The Thekkady sanctuary is one of the best in the country for watching and photographing wildlife. A cruise through the waters of Periyar Lake around which the wildlife sanctuary is situated, offers lots of photo opportunities. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar remains the large herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake’s edge. Tigers are sighted when the forest water holes dry up and these animals come and drink water from the river.

Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests constitute the major part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The rest of the area is a combination of moist deciduous forests and grasslands. Of the 27 tiger reserves in India, the Periyar Tiger Reserve is the oldest in the country and the largest in the State. The abundant wildlife here attracts a lot of visitors.Apart from being a recognized breeding ground for tigers, the reserve has also been identified as the best place for researching elephantine life. The tiger population in the area is estimated to be about 40. Though it is difficult to sight them, visitors often spot pugmarks and scats around the reserve.Thirty-five species of mammals have been identified here. They include rare and endangered species. A boat ride on the lake is a great way to spot the wild elephants, the Gaur, the Sambar and so on. While the Gaur is the largest of the bovines here, the Sambar, the largest deer in India, is the main prey of the tiger and the wild dog.

Apart from these, there are wild pigs, Malabar Giant Squirrels, Small Travancore Flying Squirrels, jungle cats, sloth bears etc.The endangered species in the area include Nilgiri Langurs and the Lion-tailed Macaque, that is usually seen only in the evergreen interiors. Nilgiri Tahrs are also found in the reserve, especially in the higher rocky areas. Salim Ali’s fruit bat, one of the rarest bats, is also reported to have been found in the area. The stripe-necked mongoose, usually found in the semi-evergreen and evergreen forests, the extremely rare Nilgiri Marten – the only species of marten found in southern India- and endemic mustelids are also seen here.

There are about 265 species of birds in the Periyar reserve including migrant birds. The birds include raptors, water birds, galliform birds, pigeons, wood peckers, darters, kingfishers, golden orioles, Brahmini kites, cormorants and passerines, as well as a large flock of the Great Pied Hornbill and the Ceylon Frogmouth.The endemic species include the Malabar Grey Hornbill, the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, the Blue-winged Parakeet, the Nilgiri Flycatcher, the small Sunbird and the White-bellied Blue Flycatcher. Other birds found in the area are the Black Baza, Forest Eagle Owl, Nilgiri Thrush, Little Spider Hunter, Rufous bellied hawk eagle etc.An interesting sight is that of water fowl perched on the dead trees protruding out onto the lake. Other aquatic birds include the Indian Darter and the Black–Necked Stork. Woodland birds, owls etc. can also be seen in the forest.

There are 1966 varieties of flowering plants, including angiosperms. Both dicots and monocots have been included in this count. There are about 171 grass species and 140 species of orchids  in the region. The richness of the flower wealth is so outstanding that it constitutes more than 50 percent of the entire flower wealth of Kerala, which is about 3800 species. Teak, Rosewood, Terminalia, Eucalyptus, Sandalwood, Jacaranda, Mango, Jamun, Tamarind, Banyan, Pipal, Plumeria, Gulmohar and bamboo are some of the trees found here. The three main endemic plants are Mucunapruriensthekkadiensis, Habenariaperiyarensis and Syzygiumperiyarensis. Rare plants like the Podocarpuswallichianus, the only South Indian conifer, are also found in the reserve. More than 350 medicinal plants, including trees, shrubs and herbs, have been identified at the Periyar Tiger Reserve, mainly in the evergreen and moist deciduous forests. Plants belonging to the family of Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae are the major ones among them. Glory Lily (Gloriosasuperba) and Kino Tree (Pterocarpusmarsupium) are two plants with medicinal value found here.

23 Sept: Periyar – Munnar  (3 Hours’ Drive)

Morning, after breakfast, proceed to Munnar, known as nature lover’s paradise. On arrival check in at your resort. Afternoon go for an orientation tour of Munnar. Overnight at the Resort.

Munnar …breathtakingly beautiful – a haven of peace and tranquility – an idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country with unending expanses of tea plantations… pristine valleys and mountains…exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests…aroma of spice scented cool air. Munnar has all these and more…. It’s the place you would love to visit… It’s the place you would wish never to leave. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities makes Munnar a holiday resort. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji a flower, which bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India – Anamudi – which towers over 2695 M and is an ideal spot for campers who like trekking.

24 Sept: Munnar -Chinnar

After breakfast at the Hotel, go for a full day guided trip to Marayoor&Chinnar.This trip will be a mix of a walking safari through Chinnar National Park,trekking in Dry Forest,tribal village visit  etc.Traditional lunch will be provided at the village. Return to Munnar for overnight stay.

Drive to Eighth Mile Shola forest area for bird watching. This forest harbors many endemic species of primitive plants, orchids and animals. It has high endemism of plants and birds. It possess 12 species of endemic birds of western ghats like, Nilgiri fly catcher, Nilgiri laughing thrush etc. The golden tree ferns and other spore producers from Gondwanaland is the high light of this forest. This forest also holds Tiger, leopard including black panther, rare and endemic Nilgiri marten, clawless otter, golden cat etc. Nilgirilangur, Malabar giant squirrel etc. are the arboreal animals of the forest.

Later proceed to Marayoor valley. Taste a traditional lunch in banana leaf. Visit to a rock cut temple, ancient inscriptions etc. Walk to the Mount of the Dead, a world famous Megalithic site with dolmens, dolmenoid and dolmenoid cists.Visit to a traditional sugarcane farm and Jaggery (black sugar) manufacturing.Marayoor is famous for its Sandalwood Forest which is protected by the Forest Department.

Proceed to Chinnar wildlife sanctuary. Hiking through the wildlife zone and visit to a Mesolithic Cave art site. As you go on the nature trail in Chinnar, you are bound to come across a fascinating plethora of bird and animal life. Chinnar Sanctuary is located in the eastern slope of Western Ghats sharing its flora and fauna with Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park. The sanctuary has an area of 90 sq.km. Chinnar has the unique thorny scrub forest with Xerophyticvegetation. The undulating terrain with rocky patches manifolds the scenic splendor of the sanctuary. As the altitude varies from 500 to 2,400 m above sea level within a few kilometer radius, there is a drastic variation in the climate and vegetation.

This sanctuary has also rainfall ranging from 600 mm to 3000 mm and a dry season ranging from three to six months. Elephant, gaur, leopard, spotted deer, sambar, grizzled giant squirrel, hanuman languor, long eared fish owl etc. inhabit the Chinnar forests. The grizzled Giant squirrel is an endangered species

25 Sept: Munnar

Full day guided Tea Trail experience. You will be driven to a Tea Plantation to go with the workers to pluck the tea leaves and you will go through the whole process of making tea.In between our Naturalist will give you short Nature walks through the tea plantation.Lunch will be served at the Estate Bungalow.Finally you will taste your own tea and will take home half kilo of Tea as memory of your day experience.Overnight at the Hotel.

 Munnar –perched on the roof of Western Ghats is explored by John Monroe in 1877 during a land survey of Travancore High range for British India. Later two Scottish men Henry & William Turner pioneered plantations in Munnar under a concession from the then King of High Range. They constituted ‘North Travancore Land Planting & Agricultural Society’ in 1879. There begins the age of Plantations in South Western Ghats. The first plantations were Cinchona, Coffee, Cardamom and Sessile. Later BaronAto Von Rosenberg, a German planter joined them and constituted United Planters Association of South India (UPASI). In 1895 Finley Company reorganized all plantations and constituted all under their management agent ‘The Kannan Devan Hills Producers Company’. In 1973, after FERA(Foreign Exchange Regulation Act) came into existence, the Finley Company lost its holdings and a new company constituted under their then management company Tata Tea. Thus Tata Finely born. In 1983 Tata took over the complete plantations from the Finely and now its Tata Tea.

Tea history Trail – ‘From Plant to Packet’

An Study tour through the rolling hills of tea garden experiencing Tea from plant to packet. A full day exploration by walk, interaction and participation with planters, and workers.The day start with early morning ride from your hotel to a private tea plantation. The plantation is more than hundred years old and located in the foothill of Aanamudi-the highest peak in South India. The geographic feature of the area offers excellent scenic wonders including sighting of wildlife. The tour starts with a walk through the garden with tea pickers. Our guide – a tea expert – will explain the method and norms of picking. You can join them and start picking tea leaves. Your collection will be taken to a mini factory separately. Mean time you can interact with the workers and supervisor. After a tea break you will be invited to visit their factory. There you can experience all levels of processing and production. Then it is the time for you to make your own tea with the leaves you  collected in the morning. You can do all processes in the mini factory with the help of workers.

Your lunch will be arranged in the Colonial Bungalow once used by British Planters. After the lunch a guided walk through the garden in the forest fringe to watch nature, wildlife and birds. Return to the factory by the time of ‘Tea Tasting’. Mean time your own tea, which is picked and processed by you will be ready for packing. After a tea and snack return to your hotel.

The package includes

1. All activities mentioned such as
   1. Plantation walks
   2. Tea picking
   3. Interaction with workers
   4. Tea processing experience
   5. Tea factory visit
   6. Nature walks
2. Lunch at the British Bungalow
3. Tea and snacks
4. Half kilo of tea dust
5.  Entry fees
6. Camera fees etc

26 Sept –Munnar- Cochin (4 Hours’ Drive)

After breakfast,drive to Cochin.Afternoon go for a guided city tour of Cochin.Evening, enjoy Greenix Show which is a kaleidoscope of Indian classical art forms and martial arts. Overnight at Hotel.

Cochin Sightseeing – St Francis Church, built in 1510 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 JewishSynagogue 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 1550s; 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.

Fort Cochin & Mattancherry are twin cities carry a flavor of the colonial era.Jewish,Arabs,Portuguese British all came to Cochin for trading and Mattancherry was the spice trade headquarters due to the proximity of Cochin Port.While Fort Cochin became the administrative headquarters,Mattancherry maintained its trading status.The colonial stature and buildings still make Fort Cochin a favorite destination for tourists. It’s getting an upgrade once its declared as the first heritage city in India.Fort Cochin was also a part of Muziris route.It will be interesting to know that around 13 religious communities are harmoniously living in Fort Cochin and Mattancherry. Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Jains, Sikhs etc. are few among them.

27 Sept: Cochin

Morning, after breakfast, proceed for a village backwater Cruise with lunch. Afternoon visit to Keralavoyages Office. Evening visit Pepper Trails Kitchen to witness a cookery demo followed by Dinner. Overnight at the Hotel.

Village backwater Cruise – A journey in a country boat into the pristine purity of a typical village backwater of Kerala…. goes through the zigzagging narrow canals and paddy fields fringed with coconut palms…..watch rare birds….country boat making….a natural fish farm where you can go fishing…. You will witness coir making,toddy tapping before you end up your exclusive experience in our Farm House for lunch -a delicious traditional Kerala dish  under a tree…..While scrolling through this amazing village,you will watch the common life of the villagers for their livelihood.You will see them fishing in the river,the women do the coir making,a toddy tapper who does his job as a routine,men climbing the coconut trees to pluck the coconuts,later peeling the same to prepare to dry and make oil extraction possible.It’s all about a life experience which you will cherish throughout your life.

Kerala has a distinctive cuisine, very unusual and different from the rest of India. Cooking in Kerala is all about discoveries, aromas and colors. Kerala cuisine is very hot and spicy and offers several gastronomic opportunities to those willing to experiment with the local cuisine. Traditionally, in Kerala food is served on a banana leaf. One has to take food with right hand. Tender coconut water is a refreshing nutritious thirst quencher…Seafood’s are main diet of Coastal Kerala. Here at Pepper Trails, we are trying to pass on a tradition of our kitchen to the World. The cookery demo will be conducted at short distance away from Kochi, in the beautiful ambiance of a Kerala’s modern architectural bungalow, nestled on the top of a valley in its natural setting with a peaceful ambience  combined with refreshing environment, promising to make your another day in Kerala a wonderful experience. Enjoy a warm welcome by the breath taking lush green landscape complimented by a welcome drink and… Now you are a part of our home…This cookery demo is not just being in the kitchen, will give your hands on experience, you’ll learn to prepare 3-4 varieties of Kerala’s delicacies in a friendly, relaxed, informal environment. Each dish will be demonstrated, prepared and cooked. You will then be able to enjoy tasting each dish and take home the recipes as a memento of your delicious day.

28 Sept : Cochin  Kerala Travel mart

This is a free day for shopping, visit to Kerala Travel mart etc. You may decide on this day as per your interest and schedule. Overnight at the Hotel.

29 Sept: Alleppey Houseboat(1.5 Hour Drive)

After a leisurely breakfast,drive to Alleppey to boards your exclusive Houseboat for a cruise through the backwater villages.Your meals will be freshly cooked and served on board. Explore the amazing backwater life of Kerala! Overnight at the Houseboat.

What is truly magical about a houseboat is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers. The houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen where are cooked on board and supplemented with fresh fish from the backwaters. Today, the tradition is still continued and the food from the local cuisine is served by the Kuttanad locals, on board. The name Backwaters brings you the very thought of Houseboats. Food and leisurely times spent on-board with the feeling and privacy of house as well as enjoying the natural beauty. A Cruise amidst marvelous mangrove forests, captivating coconut canopies, swaying palms, mangrove forests, pulsating paddy fields sprinkled with enchanting waterways and canals decked with white lilies, can be quite a rejuvenating experience for the weary traveler. Enjoying a cruise in these backwaters is not to be missed, as it leaves you feeling fully rejuvenated. The banks of these backwaters in Kerala are the most enchanting picnic spots. You get to experience the native way of living.The experience on the Houseboat is not the one to be explained by words.It’s to be lived and evolved by yourself

30 Sept: Trivandrum Drop

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.Today, you will be dropped to Trivandrum.

Hotels Opted:

• Trivandrum: Uday Airport Suites www.uds.co.in
• Kumarakom: Coconut Lagoon www.cghearth.com
• Periyar: Spice Village www.cghearth.com
• Munnar: Devonshire greens www.devonshiregreens.com
• Cochin: Holiday Inn www.holidayinn.com
• Houseboat: Evergreen www.evergreen-kerala.com

Tour Cost Includes:

• 11 Nights’ accommodation as above
• Early check on arrival with breakfast
• Daily breakfast at hotels
• All meals on Houseboat
• Transfers and sightseeing using Aircon 9 Seater Tempo Traveller
• Spice Farm visit in Periyar
• Full day guided trekking with bamboo rafting and lunch at Periyar
• Full day guided tour in Marayoor with a walking safari in Chinnar Sanctuary,visit to tribal village and lunch at Marayoor
• Full day guided Tea trail with tea plantation trekking and lunch at Munnar
• Greenix show at Cochin
• Guided village backwater cruise with lunch at Poothotta village
• Cookery show with dinner
• Guided sightseeing in Cochin
• All entrance fees
• All Taxes