Kerala
Sunday 21st January – Saturday 3rd February 2018
Day
1: Sunday 21st January 2018
London (Heathrow) to Trivandrum overnight in flight. Arriving the
following morning
Overnight in flight
Day
2: Monday 22nd January 2018
Arrive at Trivandrum Airport and pass through Immigration before
we transfer by coach to Kollam. ln the afternoon we local sites
to photograph such activities as Cashew Nut farming and production.
Overnight in Kollum – Ravi Ashtamudi
Resort & Spa
Day
3: Tuesday 23rd January 2018
We spend the morning exploring Lake Ashtamudi and the Kallada River
with a visit to Munroe Island and surrounding waterways. The afternoon
is free to explore the area arounds the resort or take an optional
cruise on the lake.
Overnight in Kollum – Ravi Ashtamudi
Resort & Spa
Day
4: Wednesday 24th January 2018
We drive to Periyar arriving around lunchtime. In the afternoon,
we will have unique opportunity to visit a group of working elephants.
As well as taking a ride in the jungle we can see them hauling timber
and then spending time bathing at the end of their day’s work
Overnight in Thekkady – Kofiland Resort
Day
5: Thursday 25th January 2018
In the morning, we take a short trek through Periyar Forest looking
for birdlife and other animals such a wild pig and monitor lizards.
In the afternoon, we visit a tea plantation to see the pickers and
the drying processes.
Overnight in Thekkady – Kofiland Resort
Day
6: Friday 26th January 2018
We drive to Madurai in Tamil Nadu, one of the oldest cities in Southern
India. Here we spend time visiting the amazing Meenakshi Temple
complex famous for the elaborately painted images of gods, animals
and mythical figures. In the evening, we attend a special ceremony
at the temple
Overnight at Madurai – Heritage Madurai
Hotel
Day
7: Saturday 27th January 2018
We visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace, the Alagar Hills and the Tirupara
Kundrtam Rock Temple. There are also two optional excursions available
Overnight at Madurai – Heritage Madurai
Hotel
Day
8: Sunday 28th January 2018
We drive the 50 miles to Cardamom House situated on the hillside
of the Western Ghats overlooking the 400-acre Mamarajar Lake.
Overnight at Cardamom House Resort
Day
9: Monday 29th January 2018
We enjoy the ground of this superb resort before we visit the surrounding
countryside with coconut and banana farming. We then spend time
exploring the nearby Athoor Village with is Brahmin Quarter and
colourful streets and friendly people. There may also be time to
see the nearby charcoal burners and rice growers.
Overnight at Cardamom House Resort
Day
10: Tuesday 30th January 2018
In the morning, we drive to Munnar stopping to explore the local
villages and industry such as rice growing and jaggery making. In
the afternoon, we visit the Anayirangal Dam and the Tata Tea Plantation.
Later we visit the Dolmens, believed to be inhabited during the
stone age.
Overnight at Munnar – ‘Spice Tree
Resort’
Day
11: Wednesday 31st January 2018
We spend the morning visiting the Bison Valley and the small village
which offers us the opportunity to explore spice production, Below
the village are paddy fields which are unusual at high altitude.
There are also other plantations in the valley. In the afternoon,
we visit other local sites around Munnar
Overnight at Munnar – ‘Spice Tree
Resort’
Day
12: Thursday 1st February 2018
In the morning, we transfer to Cochin the main city of Kerala. After
lunch, we will have time free to explore the local area and in the
evening, we enjoy the Kathakali Dance.
Overnight in Cochin – Secret Garden
Day
13: Friday 2nd February 2018
Today we explore Cochin with its covered markets and historical
buildings. The area around Jew Town is the main centre of the spice
trade on in the north we find the famous Chines Fishing nets
Overnight in Cochin – Secret Garden
Day
14: Saturday 3rd February 2018
We make an early morning transfer to Cochin Airport for our flight
back to London. We arrive in London in the early evening
|