Tour Route
Cochin » Palakkad » Tellicherry » Wayanad » Malappuram » Cochin
Overview
A home stay tour covering the North of Kerala for those travellers wanting to experience staying within a Kerala household receiving personal attention from their hosts and experiencing Kerala in its truest sense. Tour includes : Stay in a vibrant port town, ancestral home stay, cookery demonstrations, cultural dances, village walks and biking trails, spice plantation homestay, visit to fish markets, drive in beaches, Visit to an elephant rehabilitation centre.
DAY 01: Arrival Cochin
Welcomed by Kerala Travel Centre representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Cochin. Often referred to as the spice capital of the world, Cochin's spice trade can be traced way back to the time of pharaohsand the pyramids. As you walk the streets of Cochin, you can feel the aroma of these spices wafting in the breeze. Check into your hotel, relax for a while, and as the dusk falls, go on an enchanting sunset cruise to glimpse the city silhoutted against a starlit sky. Overnight at the Koder house. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 02: Cochin - Palakkad
(140kms/3.5hrs)Drive to Palakkad, sprawling over the midlandplains and mountainous highlands and check into the Kandath Tharavad traditional Home Stay. The majestic 'Tharavad', the ancestral home of the Kandath family, is set in a rustic village covered in carpets of green paddy fields, outside the scenic Palakkad Town. A morning or an evening walk through the village and through the green paddies, Cycling trips or a Bullock cart ride along small winding roads through an unspoilt countryside are some of the interesting activities awaiting you. Visit the local area to explore the pottery making and basket weaving. Overnight at the Kandath Tharavad. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 03: Palakkad - Tellicherry
(211kms/5.5hrs)Drive to Thalassery (or Tellicherry as the British christened it during the times of the Raj), a vibrant fishing town in the north of Calicut which is famous for the 3 C's - Circus, Cricket and Cakes. It is known for being the first Britishsettlement in Kerala and needless to say Cakes and Cricket were both introduced here by the British. Telichery is famous all over today for itsbakeries and cakes. It is also rich in culture and traditions of the North of Kerala. Check into the majestic Ayesha Manzil. Built in 1862 by an English gentleman called Murdoch Brown, this mansion by the sea still retains its colonial charm. Today you could visit the colourful Theyyam dance in Kannur. Overnight at the Ayesha Manzil. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 04: Tellicherry
You can visit the bustling fish markets of Tellicherry or visit the ancient fort built by the British today. Drive to the fascinating Muzhipillangad Beach which is Kerala's only drive-in beach where you can drive along miles of virgin white sands or laze on the beach and be mesmerized by the beauty of the place. In the evening take part in a cookery demonstration by Faiza your hostess, who is renowned for her 'Mopilla' cuisine. Overnight at the Ayesha Manzil. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 05: Tellicherry - Wayanad
(160kms/4hrs)Drive through winding roads in the hills covered with thick forests, coffee, rubber and tea estates and crop plantations to Sulthan Bathery. Checkinto a plantation estate tucked in a 400 acre coffee and spice plantation.The Edakkal Caves, which you can choose to visit, are a pre-historic rock shelter formed naturally out of a strange disposition of three huge boulders making one rest on the other two with its bottom jutting out in between andserving as the roof. Rest of the day at leisure in the beautiful estate. Overnight at the Tranquil Plantation Hideaway. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 06: Wayanad
Visit to Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary by jeep. Rich in bio diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. Elephant, spotted Deer. Bison, Tiger, Cheetah, Wild bear etc. can be spotted here. Overnight at the Tranquil Plantation Hideaway. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 07: Wayanad - Malappuram
(140kms/4.5hrs)Drive to Kuttipuram and check into the 300 year old traditional Kerala house called Kodeeri. The land surrounding the house is organically farmed and is lush with Coconut, Mango, Banana, Betel nut and Spice plantations. The Kodeeri Farm is also the site for the Elephant care centre, a rehabilitation and rescue home for captive elephants of Kerala. Overnight at the Kodeeri. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 08: Malappuram
Day at leisure where you can take the opportunity to visit the local area to explore the farming, pottery making, bell metal workshops and Kalari martial arts. Overnight at the Kodeeri Farm House. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 09: Malappuram - Cochin
(152kms/4hrs)Drive to Cochin and check into your hotel. A port town since early centuries, Cochin, also known as the spice coast of India, attracted traders and invaders from the world over. Needless to say, Cochin offers you some fascinating snippets of history and culture. Explore the city by yourself or opt for our sightseeing tour of the many fascinating highlights of Cochin which include The Jewish Synagogue in what is locally called the Jew Town, St. Francis Church which is the oldest European Church in India, the Santa Cruz Basilica built in 1557 by the Portuguese, the Dutch Palace, the Spice market and the 15thcentury Chinese fishing nets believed to have been brought by Chinese traders. Overnight at the Koder House. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 10: Cochin - Departure
Departure transfer to Cochin airport for return flight. (Vehicle for transfer)
| Place | Nts | Resort | Room Type |
|
| Cochin | 1 | Koder House | Junior Suite |
| Palakkad | 1 | Kandathu Tharavad Homestay | Standard Room |
| Tellicherry | 2 | Ayesha Manzil | Standard Room |
| Sulthan Bathery | 2 | Tranquil | Standard Room |
| Malappuram | 2 | Kodeeri Farm | Standard Room |
| Cochin | 1 | Koder House | Junior Suite |
| Tour | 1 May 11-30 Sep 11 | 1 Oct 11-19 Dec 11 | 20 Dec 11-15 Jan 12 | 16 Jan 12-30 Apr 12 |
| Standard | - | - | - | - |
| Superior | £ 1083 | £ 1242 | £ 1375 | £ 1242 |
| Deluxe | - | - | - | - |
|
Prices are per person based on 2 people occupying 1 double/twin room. Prices may vary based on local market fluctuations. For single supplements please contact Kerala Travel Centre. Price Includes: Full Board at all home stays except in Cochin, chauffeur driven AC car, Ayurveda massage, dance performance in Cochin, sunset cruise, all entrance fees, guide charges, assisted airport transfers. Price Excludes: International Flights - Please contact Kerala Travel Centre for booking flights. |
Kerala Climate and Weather
Being a coastal state surrounded by the Arabian Sea and because of its proximity to the equator, Kerala has a more or less consistent temperature pattern in the summers and the monsoons alike. The temperature hovers around 29�32 degrees (Celsius) throughout the year with varying levels of humidity.
Best months for travel to Kerala:
The months of October through to March are considered to be the most favourable months to travel to Kerala when the weather is sunny and pleasant.
The months of April and May are also favourable for travel but the humidity tends to be comparatively higher.
August and September are also good months for travel.
Monsoon Months in Kerala:
June and July are monsoon months in Kerala, the showers being heavy at first and then easing off gradually. Whilst these are not the best months for tours, interestingly, this happens to the best time for travellers seeking the therapeutic Ayurveda treatment which is said to be most effective in these months.
Special Experiences
Kerala offers a myriad of delightful, lesser known experiences which one does not get to enjoy on a regular tour which is packed with standard excursions. At the Kerala Travel Centre we have always been keen to showcase these special, off-the-beaten-track experiences that will make your Kerala holiday a memorable experience like no other.
We have compiled a partial list experiences which you could choose to enjoy on this tour. When in doubt, just ask your Kerala Travel Centre driver and he will point you the right direction.
Cochin
- Stroll down the beach in Fort Cochin to see the 15th century Chinese fishing nets. Whilst they are not as frequently used as before, you can see a demonstration of how the fishermen use these gigantic nets. It is also possible to take part in this experience along with the fishermen.
- The bustling fish markets adjacent to the fishing nets also make for an interesting visit.
- The sunset cruise in Cochin along the harbour is also a great experience where you pass other ships and boats of all sizes and can see the Cochin skyline and the Cochin shipyard which is more than 200 years old.
- Fort Cochin has a number of seafood restaurants ranging from the high end 'History' restaurant at the Brunton Boatyard to the all vegetarian 'Roti Dal' restaurant where you can try the mouth watering food.
- Enjoy an enthralling Kathakali dance performance while you are in Cochin. Watching the dancers put on make up before the show is also quite a fascinating experience.
- Your sightseeing excursion in Cochin includes several fascinating highlights including the Jewish synagogue, Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, the Santa Cruz Basilica and others. Apart from this, you could also try exploring the streets with their many shops both in Fort Cochin and in the bustling Ernakulam part of Cochin. Cochin is great for shopping especially for jewellery and garments. (Our drivers should be able to point you to select shops that do not hassle customers). If you are a cigar aficionado don't miss the 100 year old R.Baliga & Sons who stocks cigars of all types.
- If Henna and bangles are of interest to you, you can pay a visit to a small, yet vibrant shop selling bangles and other ornaments in Cochin.
Wayanad
- You could visit the 'Meenmutty' and 'Soochipara' water falls in this region.
- Most temples in Kerala are not open to non Hindus. However you can visit the 'Valliyarukavu Bhagavathi' Temple – which is the principle shrine of tribal community of Wayanad region.
