Unexplored Kerala

Bangalore – Mysore
Arrival at Bangalore airport, meet our representative outside the airport terminal and transfer to Mysore by road (1,30 hours). Check in the hotel and rest for some time. Later guided visit of Mysore city. The city of Mysore is known as the ‘City Of Palaces’. There are number of buildings built by the Royal family and are exquisite examples of Dravidian architecture and display grandeur and lavish life lead by the Emperors while they ruled the state. Apart from the Palaces there are number of other tourist’s attractions that one can visit in Mysore. One of the popular spots is the Chamundi hills and the temple on top of the hills. This prominent landmark of Mysore is a favourite destination for the locales as well.
Overnight in Mysore.

Mysore – Wayanad
After breakfast transfer by road to Wayanad. Wayanad is considered a green paradise, nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, forming the border world of the greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotizing, this land is filled with history, culture and nature. On the way you will stop at the village of Thirekapetta village in Wayanad. Here you will have a walk into the spice and vegetable gardens- a guided tour. You will learn about the village ways of sustainable living. A special lunch is organized for the guests with only products made of bamboo, from bamboo rice, to bamboo shoots to pickles. Unique experience. After lunch you will visit bamboo village, a responsible tourism initiative. You will have the chance to interact with local farmers and visit Uravu, a local NGO which produce bamboo handicrafts. The visit also includes interaction with the promoters, visit to the bamboo nursery and plant a bamboo sapling as part of a Traveler’s Forest initiative. You can visit the Bamboo workshop, interact with the artisans and designers and see how they create marvels out of different varieties of bamboo grown locally. In the late afternoon transfer to the eco-lodge.
Overnight in Wayanad. (B/D)

Wayanad
After breakfast, you will have a full day to discover the tropical rainforest nearby the eco-lodge. The selected eco-resort is located in the most beautiful and best preserved patch of rainforest of Wayanad; set along the slope of a forest clad hill, beside three branches of a sprightly mountain stream that forks as it flows through the 150 acre property, coming together and broadening at the end of the slope, the resort is an exquisite jungle hideaway and a naturalist’s treasure trove. Wrapped in the enchantment of a tropical rainforest, beneath an enormous interlaced canopy formed by majestic trees, stone paved paths fringed by tropical plants wind through leading to brick coloured cottages, designed in architecture influenced to a great extent by the vernacular of the region. You can freely on your own take a leisurely walk to a water fall near the property. We will have also at your disposal bicycles surrounding the resort. In the late afternoon/ evening you will enjoy two hour guided trek ,conducted by an in house naturalist and you will have the chance to spot Nilagiri Langur, the Malabar Giant Squirrel, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Yellow Browed Bulbul besides a wide range of other species endemic to the Western Ghats and a fabulous array of butterflies.
Overnight in Wayanad. (B/L/D)

Wayanad – Cheruturuthy
After breakfast start for a tour to the most important places of Wayanad hills such as the Edakkal caves, Jain temple, tea estates, etc. You will start with a small trekking (1 Km trail from Edakkal) to discover the famous prehistoric cave. The excellent rock engravings found on the cave walls have drawn attention of worldwide historians and archaeologists. Edakkal caves comprise of three distinct sets of petroglyphs. Archaeologists suggest that these cave etchings date back to at least 5000 years. Edakkal caves have been inhabited at various historic stages. Later you will visit a Jain temple, which is considered an excellent piece of Jain architecture dedicated to the great Jain saint by name Ananthanatha swami. Ananthanatha swami temple is located near Kalpetta at a distance of six Km from Kalpetta. After lunch transfer to Cheruturuthy (around 4hs) and check into an Ayurvedic resort resort ayurvedico on the Nila river, or Bharathappuzha in Malayalam language. This is the second longer river of all over Kerala. The culture and life on of South Kerala owe much to the Nila, so that the name is used also to identify all the surrounding area. If you want you can experience here a traditional ayurvedic treatment inside the resort before your dinner.
Overnight in Cheruturuthy. (B/D)

Cheruturuthy- Fort Kochi
After breakfast, go to visit the Kerala Kalamandalam, a special University where is possible to study the ancient performing arts of Kerala. Here you will have a chance to spend time with teachers and students (the school is closed during weekend and during holidays like Christmast or summer). Later, meet our local guide to visit a village where you can experience directly some of the traditional arts and crafts. You will observe local textile artisans with their handlooms and traditional potters who are making clay pots. Here you can make your own souvenir to bring it back with you; here you will meet also some of the few families in the state who are still working the metal. You will also have the chance to spend some time also with popular local artists who will showcase the traditional heritage of Nila river. This is an initiative in collaboration with the Vayali Folklore Group of Arangottukkra, which is engaged with the conservation and preservation of Kerala folkore through the support of the livelihood of the artists and their families. In the late afternoon transfer to Fort Cochin (3 hours). Arrive and check into Hotel in Fort Cochin. Fort Cochin is a jewel in the crown of Kerala with its European heritage and true cosmopolitan temperament. A leisurely walk through its streets is one of the best ways to discover all that the city has to offer – its natural harbor and historical sites. In the evening if you want you can go for a free walk around…
Overnight in Cochin. (B)

Fort Cochin
After breakfast join our guide for a half day guided tour of Fort Cochin exploring the Jew town, Synagogue, Spice Markets, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Chinese Fishing nets (Jewish Synagogue is closed on Fridays and Saturdays; Dutch Palace is closed on Fridays).Return to the hotel by afternoon. Rest of the time free for shopping, cycling or just shopping. In the evening attend cultural and Kathakali show in a local center. Here you can Experience the wonders of Kerala’s Art Forms. The Kerala Kathakali Center, is dedicated to safeguarding and celebrating the rich heritage of ancient art and culture in India. Kathakali is a traditional performing art distinguished by the elaborately colourful make-up and costumes of the traditional male actor-dancers; The traditional themes of the Kathakali are folk stories, religious legends and spiritual ideas from the Hindu epics and the Puranas
Overnight in Fort Cochin. (B)

Fort Cochin – Kumarakom
After breakfast transfer to Kumarakom (1hr drive). Kumarakom is close to the Vembanad lake and offers exotic sightseeing, boating and fishing experiences. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is one of the most important attractions of the place. Cruising along the Vembanad Lake one can get glimpses of the numerous migratory birds like the egret, darter, heron and teal. Proceed to the hotel close to a river channel in an old Kerala style Heritage house for check in. Today you will experience a daily responsible tourism initiative, called “Village life experience”. It is a half-day tour package, to give you an authentic experience of village life. This is a good example of an itinerary linking the community-based tourism products and services, as envisaged by the Responsible Tourism programme (Government of Kerala). View the village life while on boat cruise. Overnight in Kumarakom. (B)

Kumarakom – Alleppey
Morning relaxation in Kumarakom. Check out and proceed to Jetty to board the houseboat. Backwater Cruise. All meals on board. View the village life while on boat cruise. Day and sunset cruise on the houseboat exploring the paddy fields and villages life along the backwaters. Small stop over to explore the coconut plantations, toddy tapping etc will be provided on request. The boat will anchor after sunset cruise. Overnight on the Houseboat. (B/L/D)

Alleppey –Varkala beach
Disembark the houseboat at Alleppey after a short morning cruise and transfer to beach resort in Varkala (3 hours’ drive). Varkala, a calm and quiet hamlet, lies on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district. It has several places of tourist interests like a beautiful beach, a 2000-year-old Vishnu Temple and the Ashramam – Sivagiri Mutt a little distance from the beach. Unwind on the beach, walk on the cliff Full or go for Ayurveda. Overnight at the beach resort. (B)

Varkala
Visit Varkala village with the temple and the beach. In the afternoon go for swimming to Papanasam beach. Papanasam beach (also called as Varkala beach), which is ten kilometers away from Varkala, is renowned for the natural spring. It is considered to have medicinal and curative properties. A dip in the holy waters at this beach is believed to purge the body of impurities and the soul of all sins; hence the name ‘Papanasam beach’. Overnight at the beach resort. (B)

Varkala – Trivandrum Airport
Checkout and transfer to Trivandrum airport airport for your international flight.