WILDLIFE OF KERALA
DAY 01 MUMBAI TO COCHIN
Arrive Cochin airport from Mumbai. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer
to hotel. Cochin is situated on a number of small islands and peninsulas
that in some parts still look like the old engravings that were scattered in
Europe during colonial times. The trade in spices is still important, just
as shipbuilding. O/n Hotel.
DAY
02 COCHIN After breakfast full day sightseeing of Cochin. There is
a 'Dutch palace' with beautiful murals, which depict different episodes in
Hindu myths and a 16th century Jewish synagogue and the only Jewish
neighborhood in India. The Jewish community originally consisted of black
and white Jews. In the Dutch cemetery and in two churches you can see many
Dutch gravestones. The ten metre high Chinese fishnets that Marco Polo
mentioned are wonderful to see. In Kerala this method of fishing using the
nets, which originates from the 11th century, can still be seen. Cochin is
the center of the famous dance drama of Kerala, the Kathakali. This dance
can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very
extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the Mahabharaata and
Ramaayana. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03 COCHIN TO MUNNAR
Morning after breakfast drive to Munnar (about 140kms/04hrs), situated in
the heart of the Cardamom Hills, at an altitude of 1700m. Munnar is
surrounded by endless green, rolling hills and 30 of the world's highest tea
estates. Check into the hotel. Afternoon free to relax or stroll around the
tea plantation. O/n Hotel.
DAY 04 MUNNAR
Morning after breakfast we drive about 65kms to Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
located in the rain shadow regions of High Ranges in the Southern Western
Ghats.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (90.422 sq.km) is famous for
wildlife sighting. Its dry deciduous forests makes it easier to view the
wildlife. Undulating terrain with rocky patches increase the scenic splendor
of the sanctuary. The forest type comprise throny scrub forests, dry
deciduous forests, high altitude shoals and wet montane grasslands. Apart
from this, this areas is noted for its archaeological importance too. The
Dolmens, built between first and fifth century CE are one of the major
attractions among them. Herds of Asiatic Elephants, Gaur, Spotted Deer, the
elusive Leopard, the legendry 'white bison on Manjampatti', and the
colourful bird and butterfly life makes Chinnar a must see destination in
the wildlife map of Western Ghats.
On arriving at Chinnar at 08.00
A.M, you will be guided by trained guides from the local indigenous
community to a Cultural site through the dry deciduous forests of Chinnar.
There are chances of sighting wildlife. Our naturalist will assist in
spotting and identifying birds and butterflies. After lunch, go for a short
walk through the riparian forests along the Chinnar river. These forests are
home to one of the most endangered mammals of India, the Grizzled Giant
Squirrel. Back to Munnar, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 05 MUNNAR Morning after
breakfast we make a short drive (about 13 kms) to Rajamalai Wildlife
Sanctuary proclaimed as a National Park since it supports the largest
population of Nilgiri Thar existing in the world now. A wide variety of
plant life is present here. The Nilgiri Tahr is seen in the Highlands and
rocky regions of this national park. Explore the sanctuary by walking; the
views are superb from here. Afternoon we start our 8kms cycle ride uphill
through the beautiful valley, surrounded by tea plantation and cardamom, we
can enjoy the views over the lower slopes. We have time to stop enroute for
Chai (tea), and continue to the top of valley for our splendid views. We
descend the 8kms back to hotel.. O/n Hotel.
DAY
06 MUNNAR TO MADURAI Morning after breakfast drive to Madurai
(about 135kms/03hrs) to the temple town of Madurai. Upon arrival, transfer
to hotel. Afternoon visit the Meenakshi temple - an outstanding example of
the 14th century Vijaynagar architecture, dedicated to Minakshi, the
'fish-eyed goddess'. The temple's nine towering stucco images of gods,
goddesses and animals are superb. Also visit Thirumalai Naikar Palace, built
in 1636 in the Indo-Mughal style. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 07 MADURAI TO THEKKADY Morning after
breakfast drive to Thekkady (about 110kms/04hrs), through the 'Cardamom
Hills of Kerala', where you can have a close look up to the spices
plantations of Kerala. The ascend and descends make this journey a
adventurous drive. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.
Periyar
which lies in the shade of Cardamom Hills and is a beautiful area of
tranquil winding roads, tea gardens, rubber estates and evening Spice
Plantations tour for one hour. O/n Hotel.
DAY 08
THEKKADY Morning explore the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, near the
border with Tamil Nadu, is in a beautiful setting and designated a part of
Project Tiger in 1973, though tigers are very rarely seen and its better
known for its elephants. Bison, sambar, wild boar and barking deer are
fairly common, in addition to 246 species of birds, there are 112 species of
butterfly. Smaller animals include black Nilgiri langur, bonnet and lion
tailed macaque, Giant and Flying squirrel and other spectacular flight of
flying foxes (fruit bats)
The sanctuary offers a lovely and
comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake,
which the wildlife area encircles.
Go for a morning boar cruise in
Periyar Lake to spot wild animals and water birds. On your way back
disembark and trek for half an hour to Manakavala. This is a typical
subtropical savannah habitat, tall elephant grass interspersed with
deciduous trees. Here, on the bank of an inlet of Periyar Lake, is the
quintessential Forest Inspection Bungalow. It has one living cum dinning
room, two bedrooms and a kitchen. It has a trench all around to keep out
elephants. The savannah around Manakavala is ideal grazing trench to keep
out elephants. The savannah around Manakavala is ideal grazing ground for
wild herbivores. You may see Asiatic elephants, Gaur, Sambar and wild boar
feeding together just across the trench. The small patches of semi-evergreen
jungles teem with birds. After lunch move around with our naturalist and do
some bird watching. In the evening, have dinner listening to jungle lore
from the bungalow's caretaker. O/n Inspection Bungalow.
DAY
09 THEKKADY Today morning, after having tea and snacks, go for an
early morning trek around the bungalow. Spot wild animals and birds. After
breakfast trek back to Thekkady, you have a fair chance to see some wildlife
on your way back too. We will reach Thekkady by half past eleven. Rest of
the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 10 THEKKADY
TO ALLEPPEY After an early breakfast drive to Alleppey (about
155kms/03 ½ hrs), here we board our houseboat that comprises twin
rooms, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to
relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. We start our sail through scenic
backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming
is done below sea level. The houseboat will cruise through the Chambakulam
area by mid-morning and anchor to explore the boat yard, which displays the
traditional long snake boats used in races. Visit St. Mary's Church,
established by St. Thomas in 1721. In the evening, catch a glimpse of
village life along the backwaters and experience a way of life unique to
this region. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the
backwaters of Alleppey and moor up for overnight in Vemabanadu Lake. O/n
Houseboat.
DAY 11 ALLEPPEY TO KOVALAM
Morning after breakfast disembark from the houseboat, straight drive to
Kovalam (about 160kms/04hrs), a beach paradise with boundless blue of the
Arabian Sea and unwinding miles of fine sand washed by a surf which roars
and hisses at the feet of coconuts palms, Kovalam is a sheltered natural
bay. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax on
the beach. O/n Hotel.
DAY 12 KOVALAM TO MUMBAI
Morning free to relax, afternoon transfer to Trivandrum airport to board
flight to Mumbai by 9W 337 at 13.35 - 15.35 hrs. Upon arrival, transfer to
hotel for day use. Late night transfer to int'l airport to board flight to
your home country.
DAY 13 MUMBAI Early
morning board flight to your onward destination.
India