Kochi – Chimmony wild life sanctuary – Alappuzha – Vagamon – Kovalam

Day 1 Kochi

Arrival at Kochi Airport and transfer to Old Harbour hotel for two nights stay. After noon, enjoy a cruise on the backwaters to see the Chinese fishing nets. Visit fish market, this place is famous for fishes caught by the Chinese nets. If you like, you can select from the fresh catch of the time and taste it prepared in different styles. Dine out from a good restaurant in Ernakulum city.

Day 2 Kochi

Morning sightseeing of old Kochi … the colonial influence of Kochi becomes evident when we visit the Jewish Synagogue, built in 1567, housing the Grand Scrolls of the old Testament and the Dutch place, with its 17 century murals of the Ramayana. We also visit St Francis’ church, where Vasco da Gama, the voyager who “rediscovered “India for Europe (Columbus having failed) was first buried. This evening we attend a Kathakali performance, a traditional dance of Kerala or Kalarippayatte, a traditional martial art of Kerala. Back to Old Harbour Hotel around 21.00 hrs.

Day 3 Kochi – Chimmony

Drive Chimmony and reach there by 10.00 hrs. You will be given an introduction to the park area and meet the eco guides from the local indigenous community, the ‘Malaya’s’, who will accompany you. You will be transferred by boat through the lake inside the forest ( 45 minutes). A thrilling boat transfer. Then 20 minutes walk will take you to the camp area. After a coffee break, Naturalist will take you for a jungle walk. You may chance upon a samba Giant Squirrel or a Troop of Nilgiri Langur and more than 200 species of birds and 100 species of butterflies back to the camp and simple Vegetarian meals will be served on arrival. If you are interested you can go with Naturalist for another nature walk after lunch or go for fish hunting. Back on the camp. After dinner listen to the Malaya people talk about their concern for these jungles, the role they have in protecting it. Start gaze in the clear sky. Overnight sleep in tents. Sleeping bags are provided.

Day 4 Chimmony – Ourland

Wake up, have tea and snacks and go with our Naturalist for a small walk. Return to camp for breakfast then boat transfer to Chimmony if the clients are interested they can visit the souvenir shop run by the community and take back wild honey, herbal body and hair care powders, T-shirts, cork sandals, hand made stationary etc. later drive to Ourland. OURLAND ISLAND RESORT is a very simple and beautiful Kerala style resort situated in the corner part of a very small island surrounded by backwaters.

Day 5 Ourland

Village visits, Fishing, Bird watching etc. in and around Ourland. If you are interested we have the facility to provide you with Indian made bicycles to roam around the village to explore the Kerala village life closely. Evening moonlight cruise. Here we are using off the beaten track by taking the prettiest narrow canals of Alappuzha backwaters… overnight Ourland.

Day 6 Ourland – Vagamon

Drive to Vagamon, one of the up coming tourist destination of Kerala. It is a very ideal tourist spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens, beautiful meadows, deep puzzling valleys and dales. Situated at an elevation of 1100 m above sea level Vagamon. A trekker’s paradise…. Check in to a hotel for two days stay… Vanilla county is an enchanting plantation villa, near the origin of the Meenachil River, set amidst plantation of Vanilla, pepper, coffee and rubber.

Day 7 Vagamon

Engage in different activities like Spice plantation visit, bathing in mountain streams, visit the near by ashram (meditation center), bird and butterfly watching etc. overnight.

Day 8 Vagamon – Kottayam – Train to Trivandrum – Kovalam

Morning drive to Kottayam and board train to Trivandrum rated as one of the best and memorable one. Meet at Trivandrum and transfer to the airport for departure or to Kovalam for beach holidays.