A Special Tour in Kerala staying at different home stays, boutique heritage small hotels, unique guest houses and beach villas. Kerala is known for its warm hospitality which witnessed many colonial establishments in different parts of the State. In-spite of many invasions and colonization,Kerala kept a unique culture and tradition of its own which reflects in the present lifestyle, tradition and cuisine. Kerala Tourism promotes a number of classified homestays and serviced villas to enable tourists to stay with living families and private villas in different parts of the State. The hosts are all trained for receiving guests and the guests are treated as one of the family members. The life at these homestays and guest houses, villas etc is more vibrant and lively than a hotel. You see the real life at these places. The below itinerary is specially designed for those who wish to experience the traditional Kerala hospitality from the right people. Further customizations are possible according to the tastes of the Special Travellers.

Day 01 – Cochin

On arrival at Cochin Airport, you will be met & transferred to your hotel. Day free to relax.Evening visit Pepper Trails Kitchen for a culinary session followed by dinner with the host family. Overnight stay in Cochin

Cochin the queen of the Arabian Sea is one of the most interesting cities of India and has one of the finest natural harbors in the world. A root-conscious people of Kerala have preserved their past not only in the form of history books but also in the form of monuments and palaces. Places, palaces and institutions of historic value are being preserved conscientiously.

Kerala has a distinctive cuisine, very unusual and different from the rest of India. Cooking in Kerala is all about discoveries, aromas and colours. 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 you hands on experience, you’ll learn to prepare 3-4 variety 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 .

Day 02 – Cochin

After breakfast,drive to Poothotta for a guided village backwater canoe cruise followed by lunch at a farm house. You will witness the village activities like coir making,toddy tapping etc. Afternoon guided city tour of Cochin to cover Fort Cochin and Mattancherry ,the historical twin cities.Evening, enjoy Greenix Show which is a kaleidoscope of Indian classical art forms and martial arts. Overnight stay in Cochin.

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.Its all about a life experience which you will cherish throughout your life.

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 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 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 head quarters due to the proximity of Cochin Port.While Fort Cochin became the administrative head quarters,Mattancherry maintained its trading status.The colonial stature and buildings still make Fort Cochin a favourite destination for tourists.Its getting an upgrade once its declared as the first heritage city in India.Fort Cochin was also a part of Muzirisroute.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.

Day 03 -Cochin – Munnar

Morning, after breakfast, proceed to Munnar, known as nature lover’s paradise (04 Hours). You will drive through Midland crops like Rubber, arecnut, pineapple etc. Afternoon go for a guided Nature History Trail of Munnar. Overnight stay in Munnar .

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.

Munnar History Trail is a soft hiking program highlighting the following:

1. Head works dam- the first hydro –electric project in Kerala built during the British period. The trail leading to the next destination from this point is passing through tea garden and lake side which gives a fine birding walk.
2. The Blossoms Park – The Blossom Park is attached to the Head works dam. The tunnel from the dam to the power house is located in the park. Plenty of exotic trees and plants from British period can be seen in this park
3. High range club – It is a club of plantation managers constituted during the British period. An old golf course is also located in this club.
4. Heather cottage – built and found during the British period, this is the first of its kind in Kerala. The founders practiced worshiped Anti-Christ
5. Old hanging bridge – connecting the Old Munnar market with Club road
6. The CSI church- Built during the British period where early planters were buried. It was built in memory of Eleanor Isabel – young wife of a planter died after 7 days of Marriage.
7. Munnar Market- a beautiful vegetable and provision market
8. Fusion Hill- where a mosque, church and temple are located face to face. It is the place which is mentioned in ‘Life of Pi’-

Day 04: 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. Inch 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 stay in Munnar.

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 Baron Ato 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 it’s Tata Tea.

Tea history Trail – ‘From Plant to Packet’

A 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 start 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:

• 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
• Lunch at the British Bungalow
• Tea and snacks
• Half kilo of tea dust
• Entry fees
• Camera fees etc.

Day 05 – Munnar – Periyar (3. 5 Hours drive)

After breakfast, drive to Periyar, the famous wildlife destination of Kerala. You will check into a home stay in a spice plantation. Evening go for a boating in Periyar Lake and on the way back you may stroll through the street to watch the public life.Overnight at your home stay.

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.

Day 06 – Periyar

Full day explore the wildlife of Periyar. Morning go for a guided trekking in the Sanctuary.Afternoon visit a nearby village viewpoint to have a view of Tamilnadu. Evening you may visit local shops for buying spices. Overnight at Periyar.

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.

Day 07 – Periyar-Teekoy Vanila County (3 Hour Drive)

After breakfast,drive to Teekoy to check into Vanila County Homestay.Afternoon to explore the Spice Tour,Rubber plantation etc. Overnight at Vanila County.

Vanila County is located in a plantation village called Teekoy near to Vagamon Hill station.When you drive from Periyar,you will be driving through Vagamon which is really a scenic route.The home stay is located in the midst of cash crops and spices.The hosts are the traditional Christians from the local area engaged in plantation.The Christians in this area is trusted to be the most traditional ones and the family bonds are kept intact.There are many activities to be incorporated with the stay in this place according to the availability of time and duration of your stay.

A 60 year old stately estate bungalow, Vanilla County offers spacious suites in its 5000 square feet interiors. Set amidst 150 acres of rubber and other spices gardens, the bungalow has serene environs, that are clean, hygienic and free from mosquitoes. Furnished tastefully the spacious interiors can accommodate three families at a time to offer maximum comfort. A variety of typical Kerala delicacies and other Indian dishes are served.

Day 08 – Vanila County

Full day to explore local life,plantations,soft treks etc.You may take a short drive to Vagamon Hills to see the amazing landscapes.Overnight at Vanila County

Vagamon is not just any other verdant spot in the green hills of Kerala.There are rich green grassy hills, velvet lawns and cool mountain air but it’s an exciting blend of religious mysticism and European legacy.Like a lot of other beautiful things in life, Vagamon too has to be experienced, not read about or its stories merely listened to. The panoramic beauty of this unique place will remind you a past romantic episode in your lifeto take you to a different world.The adventure options Vagamon has something to do with the vibrant youth.There are beautiful trekking paths,you may go for a para gliding etc.

Day 09 – Teekoy – Kumarakom (3 Hour Drive)

After breakfast, check out & proceed to Kerala Backwaters which is famous for its backwater & scenic beauty, sprinkled with traditional houseboats, country crafts, rural lifestyles and Tranquility. On arrival at Kumarakom check in at your home stay in Alleppey,Venice of the East. Overnight on the backwaters.

Day 10 – Backwaters

Full day to explore the beauty of the backwaters. 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. You may go for a village walk or to experience the local trade like Coir manufacturing etc.Overnight on the backwaters.

Day 11: Alleppey Houseboat

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Alleppey Houseboat boarding point to board your exclusive Houseboat for a cruise through Vembanad Lake followed by overnight stay.Your meals will be freshly cooked and served on board. Overnight on board on 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.

Day 12 – Alleppey –Marari (45 Minutes Drive)

Enjoy your breakfast on board.Later , checkout & proceed to Marari, a relatively quiet beach paradise of Kerala. On arrival check in at one of the Beach Villas on the Beach.Rest of the day at leisure on the beach.Overnight at the Beach.

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 sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm/and traditional Keralan Hospitality at it’s best.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 13 – Marari

Full day at the village. Marari Beach is an endless vista of sand and surf, but it is more… An authentic experience of Kerala’s traditional fishing villages, and a re-creation of an ancient, harmonious way of life. By evening it may interesting to visit the local temple to watch the local crowd coming for worship and socialisation.Overnight at Resort.

Day 14– Cochin Departure (2 Hour Drive)

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 assisted and transferred to Cochin International airport for your flight home!!

Featured Homestays/Guest Houses/Boutique heritage Small hotels

Cochin

Kallencherry Retreat l Victory Dawn l Koder House l Chitttoor Kottaram l Beach Gate Bungalows

Sonatta Residency l Sheeba’s Home stay

Munnar

Mushroom Valley l Windermere Estate l Olive brooke l Due Mount l Rose Garden l Ambadi Estate l Jyothis Homestay

Periyar

Pepper County lJungle Paradise l Manu’s Home stay l Doctor’s Homestay l Anavilasam Luxury Plantation Resort l Mayapott l Wildernest

Teekoy

Padmalayam l Vanila County l KuruvinakkunnelTharavad

Kerala Backwaters (Alleppey/Kumarakom)

Wayside Inn l Kovilakam l Kurialachery House l Emerald Isle l Philipkutty’s Farm l Tharavadu Homestay l Akkarakkalam Memoirs l Poopally’s Heritage Homestay l Coconut Creek l Kodianthara House

Marari Beach

Le PLage l Marari Beach Villagio l Marari Nest l Austin’s Beach Villa l Mararl Beach Garden l Marari Beach Villa l A Beach Symphony