Upon arrival at Cochin airport, a private vehicle will transfer you to the accommodation.

Depending on your arrival time, experience the first cycling trip of Kochi and its surrounding area as you explore the locals’ way of life. Believed to be the finest natural harbour in the world, Kochi has earned its nickname as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. You can cruise around man-made islands, with lawns sloping down to the water’s edge, enjoying the oldest European settlement in India. Generations of settlers came, saw and built roots here – Chinese, Arab, Jewish, British, French, Portuguese – all adding to the cultural charm of this city.

Where to rest your head ?

Fragrant Nature, Cochin

After breakfast, spend the full day exploring Cochin.

Start the tour by visiting the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, and drive past Dutch and Portuguese buildings. As we drive along the coastline, at the mouth of the harbor, see the famous Chinese fishing nets, a unique image to Kochi and still very much in use.

Later in the afternoon, you will be welcomed by hosts Nimmi and Paul at their residence. They will give you a cooking demonstration with details on Indian spices and recipes. Feel free to get hands-on and help them in the kitchen. A typical Kerala lunch will be served as you discuss Kochi’s local life and culture with the hosts during the meal.

In the evening, witness a Kathakali dance drama. During the first 40 minutes, you will see the participants getting ready for the performance, applying their heavy and colorful make-up, while the guide provides details on the Kathakali tradition. Later, enjoy the entrancing dance performance.

Where to rest your head ?

Fragrant Nature, Cochin

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Thattekkad by bicycle.

Start off on our bicycles making the most of the cool early morning temperatures heading towards the foothills of the Western Ghats towards the lowland forests of Thattekkad. We begin outside the city limits to avoid the morning city traffic and reach the quiet countryside where the roads are mostly level. Ride through scenic countryside dotted with temples, spice gardens, paddy fields, and rubber plantations.

After a leisurely lunch en route, we will reach the beautiful eco-lodge on the banks of the Periyar River. Check in to your cottage tent amidst the coconut groves on the banks of the Periyar River. Each cottage is simple yet comfortable and has an en suite toilet with private balconies overlooking the river and forest on the opposite bank. The camp provides European style closets, a shower and running hot water. Food provided will be ethnic Keralan cuisine prepared with home-grown spices. Dinner and overnight at the camp

Where to rest your head ?

Hornbill Camp, Thettekkad

After breakfast, starts your day with a kayaking on the river.

Paddle upstream to nearby lakes and lagoons to gain the first glimpse of life in a typical spice growing village of Kerala.

After lunch, walk towards interior villages, passing through rubber estates, spice plantations and paddy farms. Along the walk, you can interact with the local villagers and farmers and learn about their daily activities and the farming process. The day comes to an end with a picturesque sunset kayaking trip on the river back to camp.

Where to rest your head ?

Hornbill Camp, Thettekkad

Today after breakfast, cycle to Munnar.

Cycle through the narrow, winding country roads along the banks of the Periyar and through the dense low altitude forests of Neriamangalam. This is an excellent opportunity to see the numerous rubber estates, pepper plantations, cardamom estates, and tea plantations, and see how the crops change as the altitude gradually rises from 655ft to 3,940ft. You will make a stop at a nice location to enjoy a packed lunch.

Arrive at the hotel in Munnar and check in at the accommodation.

Where to rest your head ?

Fragrant Nature, Munnar

After breakfast, drive about 1.9 miles towards Kochi until you reach the starting point of the Letchmi Hills trail.

Start your day by hiking the Letchmi Hills trail. It begins at an altitude of 4,660 feet, walking through the tea plantations for about 30 to 40 minutes. After reaching the top of the hill, take some rest and enjoy the stunning views. The hike follows a ridge and goes through grasslands, with one side, a rocky mountain slope and the other side full of lush tea plantations and patches of shola forest. After lunch, continue another hour through tea plantations to finish the trek. The highest point of this trek reaches around 6,400 ft. Vehicles will await you at the finish point that will take you back to Munnar.

In the afternoon, once you’re back in Munnar, visit a tea factory to learn more about the process of tea making. You can even enjoy the flavors of a freshly brewed tea here. Dinner at the hotel.

Where to rest your head ?

Fragrant Nature, Munnar

Today, after breakfast, check out and cycle through the tea plantations to Periyar National Park.

Enjoy a downhill cycle for the first hour followed by a cycle over flat terrain. Cycle for around 37 miles until we reach a nice spot to have a break and our picnic lunch.

After lunch, you will be transferred by vehicle to your hotel. Upon arrival, check in at the accommodation and enjoy rest of the day at leisure

Where to rest your head ?

Spice Village, Periyar

After breakfast, proceed for a guided nature walk into the surrounding forest area.

During the tour, you will see a variety of flora and fauna of the region. The two-hour walk provides an excellent opportunity to birdwatch, observe butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and wet deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. After lunch, continue walking as you visit a spice plantation. Marvel at the different varieties of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, clove, vanilla, ginger, tea, and coffee growing in their natural environment. In the evening, join a cooking demonstration by the hotel’s chef where you will learn the secrets of traditional Kerala seafood cooking.

Where to rest your head ?

Spice Village, Periyar

After breakfast, a private vehicle will transfer you to Vagamon.

Vagamon is known as the sleepy town with its scenic valleys, beautiful green meadows, and enchanting pine forests, mists, fogs, tea estates, and waterfalls. The route is perfect for mountain biking with a great scenic view that consists of small spice growing hamlets dotting the landscape and undulating roads through tea estates and forests. Your destination is a resort set amidst the tea estates and fit for a quiet retreat after a day of cycling

Upon arrival check in at the accommodation and enjoy the day at leisure

Where to rest your head ?

Saj Vagamon Hideout, Vagamon

After breakfast, cycle for 50 miles to reach Kumarakom.

Cycle through a quaint little town on the backwaters of Kerala. It lies on the eastern shore of the Lake Vembanad which is a bird sanctuary and the largest lake in Kerala. Waterfowl, cuckoos and wild ducks can be seen in abundance here. In winter, large flocks of migratory wild ducks from Siberia come here to roost. A picnic lunch will be served en route.

Upon arrival in Kumarakom, check in to your hotel and later in the evening enjoy a one-hour sunset cruise on Lake Vembanad.

Where to rest your head ?

Saj Vagamon Hideout, Vagamon

After breakfast, proceed for a day trip to the villages of Kumarakom

Visit the village that won the National Award for Best Rural Responsible Tourism in India. A country boat will take you through the narrow canals that lie between local homes as you float past, enjoying the fresh air of the lush paddy fields. Then enjoy refreshing, sweet coconut water and taste tender coconut meat in a grove nearby.

Next, learn how the villagers use coconuts in its various stages. Witness how to climb a coconut palm to pluck coconuts, followed by the process of tapping toddy - the sap - from a coconut tree. Afterward, visit a home where the lady of the house will demonstrate the art of weaving coconut leaves, and in another house, you can see how coir is made from the husk and fibres of the coconut to be used for rope and matting. Next, a fisherman shares his knowledge and fishing tips and shows you how to fish the traditional way using bow and arrow. From here, a short tuk-tuk ride takes you to a local ethnic food court for lunch, run by Kudumbshree, a social project leading the empowerment of women through co-op societies. In the evening, return back to your hotel for a cultural dance performance followed by dinner

Where to rest your head ?

Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kumarakom

Today, a private vehicle will transfer you to Cochin airport where you can catch your flight back home.

Where to rest your head ?

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