Kerala Travel Centre- UK’s leading Kerala Specialist

Tour Route
Cochin » Kothamangalam » Munnar » Periyar » Backwaters » Olavaipe » Marari » Cochin

Overview
The Kerala Travel Centre is proud to launch its new and exclusive Vintage Kerala tour which promises to take you back in time to a golden bygone era. Stay in the finest vintage boutique properties steeped in history and reminiscent of Kerala during the British rule. Enjoy the ambience of old world Cochin at the magnificent Old Harbour within close proximity of the famous 15th century Chinese fishing nets. Discover wildlife from the superb vantage point provided by the Periyar Reserve Bungalow formerly used by the British during the Raj. Stay at the 250 year old Olavipe home stay, home to three generations of one of Kerala's prominent Syrian Christian families. Also included are a stay in a sprawling plantation estate and an overnight cruise on the traditional Kerala houseboat, formerly used as rice cargo boats. For your transportation the tour uses a comfortable and converted 'Ambassador' - one of India's most loved cars which is symbolic of its grand past. Resembling a 1948 Oxford Morris sedan and providing ample space, this promises to be one drive you will always cherish.

DAY 01 – Arrival – Cochin
Welcomed by Kerala Travel Centre representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Cochin is 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. Today evening you can go for a relaxing sunset cruise. Overnight at the Old Harbour. (Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 02 – Cochin
Today you can go for a sightseeing tour 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 15th century Chinese fishing nets believed to have been brought by Chinese traders. In the evening, visit an auditorium to watch the famous dance drama of Kerala, the Kathakali. This dance is characterised by some great story telling, amazing costumes and extensive make-up. Overnight at the Old Harbour. (Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 03 – Cochin – Kothamangalam
(65 kms / 2 h) Drive to Kothamangalam and spend the afternoon at leisure in a century old estate bungalow set in over 100 acres of multi crop plantation. Apart from exploring the estate you could also visit the local bird sanctuary. Overnight at the Mundackal Estate Bungalow. (Full Board) (Vehicle at disposal)

Day 04 - Kothamangalam - Munnar
(100 kms / 3 h) In the morning, drive to the Kodanad elephant orphanage. You will get the opportunity to be up and close with the elephants and can participate in their bathing and feeding.Return to Mundackal estate bungalow for breakfast. Later drive to Munnar a hill station located 1600 meters above sea level. Once the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in South India it still retains its colonial charm and is famous for its tea plantations, most of which are privately owned. With its sprawling estates, rolling hills, sparkling waterfalls, picture postcard hamlets and undulating valleys, Munnar is an ideal holiday destination. Check into your hotel and unwind. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the ambience of Munnar. Overnight at the Windermere. (Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 05 – Munnar
Today you could visit the tea museum, later take a short trip to the Eravikulam National Park (home to the endangered Nilgiri Thar mountain goat amongst others) or simply walk through the enchanting tea estates and enjoy the tranquillity it provides. Day at leisure. Overnight at the Windermere. (Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 06 – Munnar – Periyar
(110 Kms / 4 h) Drive to Periyar an area known for its undulating hills, spice plantations, and elephant sightings. One of the 27 tiger reserves in India, the Periyar valley in Thekkady is the oldest. Check into your hotel. Go on a spice plantation tour today where you will be enticed by not only the aroma of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and nutmeg but will also get to know how they are grown, harvested and processed before they reach the supermarkets. It is also possible to go for an Elephant ride today. Overnight at the Periyar Reserve Bungalow (Full board) (Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 07 – Periyar
Go for a jeep safari in the morning and evening amongst the bungalow's plantation area where you will have an opportunity to see the wild animals. Overnight at the Periyar Reserve Bungalow (Full board) (Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 08 – Periyar – Kumarakom – Houseboat
(135 Kms / 3.5 h) Drive to Kumarakom to embark on your private houseboat and cruise on the Backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. Your houseboats or 'Kettuvalloms' are luxurious boats with well-appointed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. You can observe the palm fringed landscape from your cabins. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings it's the life along the coast that adds a touch of exotica to this experience. The locals' travel in canoes and you will find vegetable sellers, fishermen and other traders bringing household goods, door to door in small wooden boats. As you cruise along the backwaters you can ask your captain to stop at villages, paddy fields and other places, enroute. Overnight on board. (Full Board) (No Vehicle)

DAY 09 – Alleppey – Olavipe
(45 Km/ 1.5 h) Disembark from your houseboat at Alleppey and drive to Olavipe Village, 'Thekkanat Parayil', nestles in a very green and unspoilt corner of rural Kerala. Set in the middle of a working farm, it is a house of openness and light, serenaded by birds, shaded by ancient trees and lulled by gentle breeze from the backwaters.Day at leisure. Overnight at the Olavipe Home stay.(Full board) (Vehicle for transfer)

DAY 10 – Olavipe
Day at leisure. Overnight at the Olavipe Home stay (Full board) (No Vehicle)

DAY 11 – Olavipe – Marari
(35 Kms / 1 h) Drive to the picturesque fishermen's village of Mararikulam and check into your resort. Tucked away inside quiet and lush coconut groves the resorts set by the pristine white sand beaches of the Marari offer you unparalleled quite in astoundingly beautiful settings. Day is leisure on the beach resort. Today evening you can enjoy an ayurvedic full body massage. Overnight at the Marari Villas. (Vehicle for Transfer)

DAY 12 – Marari
Day at leisure on the beach. Overnight at the Marari Villas. (No vehicle)

DAY 13 – Marari
Day at leisure on the beach. Overnight at the Marari Villas. (No vehicle)

DAY 14 – Marari – Cochin – Departure
(75 kms / 2 h) Departure transfer to Cochin airport for your onward flight. (Vehicle for Transfer)

Place	Nts	Resort	Room Type
Cochin	2	The Old Harbour	Garden View Cottage
Kothamangalam	1	Mundackal Estate Bungalow	Birds Nest Room
Munnar	2	Windermere Estate	Coffee Cottage
Periyar	2	Periyar Reserve Bungalow	Standard Room
Houseboat	1	Muthoot River Escapes	01-Bedroom AC Houseboat
Olavipe	2	Olavipe Homestay	Standard Room
Marari	3	Marari Villas	Pool Cottage

Tour	1 May 12-30 Sep 12	1 Oct 12-19 Dec 12	20 Dec 12-15 Jan 13	16 Jan 13-31 Jan 13	1 Feb 13-28 Feb 13	1 Mar 13-30 Apr 13
Standard	-	-	-	-	-	-
Superior	£ 1485	£ 1708	£ 1863	£ 1708	£ 1787	£ 1708
Deluxe	-	-	-	-	-	-

Prices are per person based on 2 people occupying a double/twin room. Prices may vary based on local market fluctuations. For single supplements please contact Kerala Travel Centre. Price Includes: B&B at all hotels except where cited on the itinerary, chauffeur driven AC car, sunset cruise in Cochin, Guide charges, Ayurveda massage,jeep safari, all entrance fees, assisted airport transfers. Price Excludes: 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 29ï¿½32 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.

Munnar

In the tea plantations of Munnar, you can go on a tea factory visit or hire bikes to cycle along the winding roads in the lush hills.
You could visit the 'Kurunji' store in Munnar which is managed by the Tata Tea officer's wives Association. (Tata Tea is the company that manages all the tea plantations in Munnar). The store offers some excellent homemade chocolates, Indian pickles and hand woven fabrics to take back home as souvenirs.
The CSI Church in Munnar has burial tombs of British Planters from the times of the Raj and makes for an interesting visit.
Try the Kolukkamali Tea which is tea that is grown at the highest altitude in Munnar and can be bought only in a few select shops in the Munnar town.

Periyar

In Periyar, we would strongly suggest the spice plantation visits and also the jungle trek.
The Gavi sanctuary is worth a visit if you are staying for more than two nights in Periyar. Gavi is a one hour drive away from Periyar and is a great place for elephant sightings.
Periyar has a few forest inspection bungalows. Those who are really adventurous can try these bungalows which are right inside the forest reserve.
There are a large number of shops near the wildlife sanctuary selling handicrafts and other items. The handicraft shops are worth looking at as they make for excellent souvenirs. Please ensure you speak with your driver to point you to the appropriate shops.

Houseboat Cruise

During a houseboat cruise, ask your captain to anchor the boat by one of the villages, where you could take a village walk along the backwaters which is an exciting way to get up and close with life along the backwaters.
You could also go for canoe rides in the backwaters. Canoes can travel through narrower canals which houseboats cannot navigate.
There is a boat building yard in a place called Champakkulam by the backwaters which makes the long banana boats used for Kerala's snake boat races.

Mararikulam

While in Mararikulam, you can hire bikes and go cycling along the coastal roads.
You could take a tuk tuk into the Allepey town and visit its bustling bazaars.
The fishermen's village has a boat landing area where one can see the fresh catch being brought in. You can also participate in the fish auctions that are held here by the local fishermen.

Vintage Kerala Tour: 13 Nights & 14 Days

Tour Highlights