Kerala Backwaters with Wildlife
Day 1| Cochin – Munnar (by Road 130kms approx)
Arrive at Cochin airport/railway station and get greeted by the driver waiting for you. He will get you driven to Munnar. Check in at the Munnar hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Munnar is a town located in Kerala state in the southern Western Ghats in South India. The name is often used to refer to the whole tourist area of Idukki District of which the town forms a part. Munnar panchayat of Devikulam block is the largest in the district with an area of 557 km². The name of Munnar is believed to be derived from the Tamil words Munu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Chandavurai and Kundaly rivers. The area is surrounded by vast jungles and remains wet and cold during most of the year. The Mattupetty Dam is nearby. The people of Munnar share the culture and traditions of Kerala and their Tamil neighbors. The entire area of Munnar, nearly about 556.44 square kilometer of land really belonged, and still belongs to the royal family of Poonjar and was given on lease for 99 years by the then poonjar King Kerala Varma in 1887.During the British rule of India, Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants. At that time, most of the people around the area were employed as laborers for plantations throughout the area. In the early stages of development, only Tamilians and a small number of Malayalis inhabited Munnar. From the late 1890s till 1921, tea was transported down from Top Station by 24 inch railway and ropeway to Munnar for transshipment throughout the World. Most of the top positions in the estates were occupied by the British "Managers". A few bungalows were built for them and these are still in use. Munnar was a Hill Station for some British who sought a cooler climate. The two educational institutes in Munnar are Govt. Arts & Science College and College of Engineering Munnar undertaken by CCEK. Hospitals in Munnar are Tata General Hospital, Matha Hospital and Arun Hospital.
The history of plantation in Munnar started in the 1870s. J.D. Munro, a European, identified the agriculture potential of the land on a hunting expedition. In 1877 he leased 580 Sq Kilometres of land from the Poonjar Raja who was in control of the land. Munro formed a co-operative called ‘North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society’ and members of the society started farming in different parts of Munnar. The crops included coffee, sisal and cardamom. Tea plantation was started by A.H. Sharp, another European at the A.H. Sharp Parvathy estate (Present Silent Valley Estate). In 1895 Finlay, a European company entered the scene and acquired about 33 tea estates in Munnar. In 1897 the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company was formed to manage Finlay’s estates. In 1964 the Tata Group, an Indian corporate giant entered into a collaborative venture with the Finlay leading to the formation of the Tata-Finlay group. In April 2005 tea plantations under the Tata group were transferred to a new company called Kannan Devan Hills Produce Co, Pvt Ltd. Today the company manages 16 estates spread over in about 8600 hectares of land.
Day 2| Munnar
After breakfast at your convenient, start sightseeing of Munnar. Visit Rajamalai, Matuppetty, Kundala Dam etc. Evening will be free for leisure activities & stay overnight at hotel.
Kuthumkal Waterfalls: The Kuthumkal Waterfall is an important tourist attraction at Munnar. The foggy waterfall provides a picturesque view of the water, cascading down from scintillating heights. The utter beauty of the place attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Observatory Hills: The Observatory hill is located at Nedumkandam. It is called observatory hill because it is an ideal location for observing heavenly bodies and a perfect location for people who are interested in watching the heavenly bodies, due to a highly clear sky.
Pothamedu: Pothamedu is located about 6 km from Munnar and offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery at Pothamedu is ideal for trekking and Long Mountain walks.
Devikulam: Devikulam is located about 7 km from Munnar and is a tranquil hill station with its velvet lawns, interesting flora and fauna and the cool mountain air at Devikulam is a singular experience. The Sita Devi Lake, with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings, is a nice picnic spot. The Sita Devi Lake is also perfect for trout fishing.
Attukal: Attukal is located about 9 km from Munnar, between Munnar and Pallivasal. Attukal provides a panorama of waterfalls and rolling hills. Attukal is also ideal for long treks.
Nyayamakad: Nyayamakad, about 10 km from Munnar, is located between Munnar and Rajamala. Nyayamakad is a land of spectacular waterfalls. Here, the waters ca scade down a hill from a height of about 1600 meters. The captivating surroundings make an excellent picnic spot and trekking point.
Chithirapuram: Chithirapuram,10 km from Munnar is known for sleepy little cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts, Chithirapuram still exudes an old world charm. Home of the Pallyvasal Hydel Power Project, this hill town is also famous for its picturesque tea plantations.
Day 3| Munnar – Thekkady (by Road 110kms approx)
After breakfast get driven to Thekkady, reach there and check in at hotel. In the evening enjoy a motorboat ride at Periyar Lake and admire the wildlife and nature around. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Thekkady: Thekkady is located in Idukki district of Kerala. It is at the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu. It is at a distance of 195 Km from Cochin. By road it is 5 hours journey from Cochin. Nearest town is Kumali. From Cochin one has to travel via Pala then Pokununam and then Mundakayam. After corssing the Mundakayam bridge the roads starts climbing hills. Thekkady is famous for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is open from 6.00 AM to evening 6.00 PM. Out of total 777 sq.km area 360 sq.km is thick evergreen forest. Periyar Wildlife sanctuary declared as Tiger Reserve in 1978.
Periyar Lake: This Lake was conceived by A British engineer, Col. V. Pennycuick who was the then chief engineer of Madras Presidency. This boat cruise is open from morning 7 PM to afternoon 4 PM and is of approximately 2 hours duration. You will be moving around the lake. KTDC and forest departments run the boats in this lake. One can also join for Nature Walk, Border Hiking, Jungle Safari, Bamboo rafting, Jungle Patrol, The Periyar tiger trail, elephant ride and bullock cart safari, plantation and sight seeing.
Spice Garden: There are many spice gardens around this beautiful area. One has to spend two hours to understand different types of spice plants available around this area. Ayrvedic Oil messages are another special service available here.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: It is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves in India. About a century ago, a British engineer, Col. J. Pennycuick, chalked out a plan to dam the Periyar River, subsequently, a dam was constructed in 1895. This resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection, by the Maharaja of Travancore. The 55 sq km reservoir and the surrounding forests, provide protection to the animals within. Today, Periyar is undeniably, one of the most impressive wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The terrain is basically hilly, and the only flat areas of the sanctuary are the grasslands, at the edges of the lakes. Impregnable forests and open grasslands make for a sustaining environment, for both the carnivore and herbivore population of the reserve. Periyar is famous for its pachyderm population, which is around 800 in number. Periyar is probably one of the few places, where one can observe the elephants in their natural surroundings, uninterrupted, and approach to within 20 metres of them, fearlessly. Unlike their African counterparts, Indian female elephants have no tusks. Very few of the all - bulls, too, have tusks, a sad comment on the intense level of poaching in the country. Apart from elephants, the other animals to be seen in the sanctuary are gaur, wild pigs, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, dhole (Indian wild dog) and very rarely, a tiger. There are, now, an estimated 40 tigers here. Four species of primates are found at Periyar - the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur, common langur and bonnet macaque. Periyar also happens to be the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri tahr, which is rarely to be seen. The birdlife comprises of darters, cormorants, kingfishers, great hornbills (the great Malabar hornbill) and racket-tailed drongoes. The reptilian population boasts of monitor lizards, which can be spotted basking in the sun, on the rocks along the lakeshore, especially in the cooler months. Pythons, king cobras, flying lizards, flying squirrels, flying snakes and to top it all, flying frogs are the other inhabitants of this amazing sanctuary. There are a few fascinating tribal villages around the Periyar, primarily the Manan and Oorali tribes. The Manans are ace fishermen, and a few of them still indulge in the traditional, if dangerous, practice of collecting the honey of large and deadly hill bees.
The Periyar protected area lies in the middle of a mountainous area of the Cardamom Hills. In the north and the east it is bounded by mountain ridges of over 1700 metres altitude and toward the west it expands into a 1200 Meter high plateau. From this level the altitude drops steeply to the deepest point of the reserve, the 100 Meter valley of the Pamba River. The highest peak is the 2019 Meter high Kottamalai. The sanctuary surrounds picturesque 26 km² Periyar lake, formed by the building of Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895. This reservoir and the Periyar River meander around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a permanent source of water for the local wildlife.
The temperatures vary depending upon the altitude and it ranges between 15° Celsius in December and January and 31° Celsius in April and May. The annual amount of precipitation lies between 2000 and 3000 mm. About two thirds of the precipitation occurs during the southwest monsoon between June to September. A smaller amount of precipitation occurs during the northeast monsoon between October and December.
Periyar Tiger Reserve: Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India. It is located in the Western Ghats in Idukki District of the Kerala state in India. The terrain of the Reserve is undulating and the drainage is dendrite. North-eastern boundary of the Reserve is a ridge, which also forms boundary between Kerala and Tamil Nadu states for 90 km.
It is a must to go for Jungle Track during your visit to the Periyar National Park. There is different kind of options available for the Jungle Track. One can undertrack the night patrol with the forest guard through the jungle and if you are not really that courageous there are options available for the short track of 4 hours starting in morning and afternoon.
During the track the flora and fauna can be experienced at close quarters and if one is lucky enough there are chances to sight the bigger animals of the cat family.
The man-made dam which formed Periyar Lake1895 - Construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam
1899 - Formation of the Periyar Lake Reserve
1933 - S.C.H. Robinson made the first game warden
1934 - Formation of Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary
1950 - Consolidation of Periyar as a Wildlife sanctuary
1978 - Declaration of Periyar as a Tiger Reserve
1982 - Preliminary notification of the core area as a National Park
1991 - Brought under Project Elephant
1996 - India Ecodevelopment Project launched
2001 - Reorganised as two Divisions: Periyar East and Periyar West
Day 4| Thekkady – Kumarakom (by Road 122kms)
After morning breakfast, get driven to Kumarakom. Reach there and check in at the pre booked hotel. Enjoy sightseeing of the bird sanctuary. Rest of the day is at leisure for independent activities. You can also enjoy the optional ayurvedic body massage at the resort or around. You could also choose to explore the surrounding tribal villages, visit the nearby water bird sanctuary or ride through the narrow backwater channels through back of beyond Kerala. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Kumarakom: Kumarakom is situated 15 km from Kottayam on the Vembanad lake is best described as a picturesque clean village like most places in Kerala. The enchanting backwater destination of Kumarakom is a small village in Kottayam. Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. The bird sanctuary here spread across 14 acres of any ornithologist's paradise. This enchanting backwater destination offers visitors many leisure options. From wandering into the depths of its wildlife sanctuary to cruising down the back waters and fishing, Kumarakom is perfect for a lazy and laid back holiday. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands, as hundreds of swaying verdant coconut palms lining the rivers lean to brush the tops of your heads. Kumarakom is an example of nature at her best in the fragrant flowers, the riot of multi coloured birds, the surrounding greenery and the clear waters. It has lately become a preferred tourist destination. Boat races, houseboat cruise, canoeing and fishing are some of the main attractions of this simple place. The huge houseboats, traditionally known as the Kettuvallams, are complete with living rooms, toilets, kitchen, balcony for angling and it is possible to live on them for days together for a truly unique experience. These Kettuvallams are actually remodeled cargo barges made of wooden planks joined together by rope only, without using nails at all. Kumarakom lies in the region of Kuttanad, which is the rice bowl of Kerala. Here farming is done below sea level. The peace and quiet, biting fresh air and unspoiled life style of the simple people of Kumarakom are a unique and rejuvenating experience that surpasses any modern entertainment activity or pastime. The Vembanad Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia.
Day 5| Kumarakom – Alleppey (by Houseboat)
After breakfast at the hotel, check in at the pre booked house boat. And enjoy this beautiful experience for rest of the day and relax. You will be transferred to Alleppey in the same houseboat floating on the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. Stay overnight at the house boat.
Alleppey: Washed by the silvery waves of the Arabian Sea, Alappuzha, the Venice of the East welcomes you to the backwaters of Kerala. The Palm fringed canals and shores bustling with glimpses from the day to day life in the country side, the mirror still lagoons, picture book lakesides and its long sandy beach has blessed Alappuzha, the water locked district, to become one of the best Backwater tourism destinations in God's Own Country. The large network of canals provides Alleppey its lifeline. Water carnivals using the gigantic snake boats and the country canoes of varying sizes have an important role in the community life of the people of the district. This district is also notable for its numerous pilgrimage centres that draw vast crowds on the festival days and also boasts of having some of the best ayurvedic rejuvenation centres in Kerala. This Venice of the East is also famous for its coir and carpet industries in addition to featuring many other attractions of tourist importance.
Houseboat: The Houseboats of Kerala are a new addition to the travel and tourism of the state's backwaters. These crafts, measuring up to 120 feet in length, retrieved from the age old cargo vessels of the State. Once they ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other commodities. But in the recent times, these big vessels have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect and decay. But like the phoenix it again raises to the attention of the modern world, with a difference – this time the cargo is comfort and rippling relaxation. It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant houseboats by tying huge planks of jack wood together. Curiously enough, not a single nail is used in their making of a houseboat. There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in house boat construction. Today, an innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with them their makers. The Kerala houseboats that cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country barges, which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by. Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the Kettuvalloms (houseboats) are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly, merging smoothly into the panorama. Every houseboat is manned by a crew of 3 men, usually a cook, guide and oarsman. House boating can be the most relaxing experience for any age, size or type of people. The following are a few suggestions and ideas are the result of many years of experience, and with an intension to help make your trip more fun. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another, so you may find only bits and pieces of this useful to you. Feel free to use your imagination to expand your experience on a lazy houseboat trip in any way you can think of. The idea is to have fun, and there are lots of ways to do it.
Day 6| Alleppey – Kovalam (by Road 165kms)
After breakfast at the houseboat, check out and get driven to Kovalam. On arrival check in at hotel and get fresh for few hours. Then in the afternoon, go for a sightseeing of Padhamanabha Swamy temple, Museum, Horse Palace, Art Gallery. Evening you will be free at Kovalam Beach. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Kovalam: Thirty years ago, Kovalam was a hippy idyll: a picture perfect tropical beach; a traditional fishing village providing fresh fish, fruits and toddy (coconut beer). Today this tiny beach is the focus of a multi-million dollar business, drawing thousands of tourists for a week dose of ozone, UV and a refreshing Indian Experience. Kovalam was brought to the public eye by the Maharaja of Travancore. Over the past three decades, the place has been well developed, and now figures prominently on the world tourism map. Kovalam is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum. Today Kovalam beach is known as the "Paradise of the South". "Kovalam" means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. The crescent-shaped beach has three parts. The southern most beaches, and the most popular, is light house beach. It offers an amazing sight of Vizhinjam mosque. The northern Samudra is a laidback one and time seems stands still here. The middle, hawah, in the early day, is a beehive of activities with fishermen setting out for sea. With a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights. Azure water and favorable climate make Kovalam a favorite year-round spot for swimming. Sea here is pacific and shallow where you can take a dip in the saline waters. The clean white sandy beach will arouse a temptation irresistible: to lie idle on the sands and tan your body.You could get into any of the Ayurvedic massage centre and indulge in a rejuvenating herbal, body-toning massage and holistic therapies. Its scenic beauty and serenity is supplemented by the availability of excellent accommodation. There are a lot of restaurants which provide western style food as well as Indian, which is delicious. The grilled seafood items such as lobster, king prawns and kalamari are got fresh from the sea at Kovalam. Ayurvedic massage parlors, yoga centers and water sport facilities, make Kovalam a popular haven for tourists from all over the globe. It is warm and clean filled with the coconut trees and the white sand bed as the sea breeze gently plays with the waves. Swimming and bathing are very refreshing and exhilarating in the waves. One can walk into the sea for about 100 meters without loosing ground. This cove is also the safest place for swimming.
Day 7| Kovalam
The day will be free for personal activities. Spend ayour day at leisure on the picturesque white sandy beaches of Kovalam. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Ayurveda: The exclusive Estuary Ayurvedic Spa offers an extensive menu of over different body and beauty treatments, integrating the traditional Indian systems of Ayurveda with the more contemporary western spa approach. The spa experience strives to achieve the ultimate harmony between the physical and the mental realms of the individual.
With unique focuses on the traditional Indian sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda, Estuary Ayurvedic Spa provides the skillful synthesis between age-old therapies and modern spa technology. The personalized therapy and activities programs is designed to meet individual needs and health goals? de-stress, detoxification and cleansing, deep relaxation, anti-aging, weight & inch loss, while also offering guidance in the areas of nutrition and exercise.
Some of the treatments offered at the Ayurveda Centre are:
General Massage: This is a full body massage with herbal oil that improves the peripheral circulation, lymphatic and venous drainage and also tones up the body. Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
Rejuvenation Massage: This kind of massage is done with the hands and foot as well for 60 to 90 mts. This is excellent for rejuvenation, sexual enhancement, relaxation and also to improve the general vigor and vitality. Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
Relaxation Massage: This is for the complete relaxation of the body and mind. Duration: 90 minutes
Cream Massage: This massage is done with a special kind of herbal mixture to improve the skin texture and complexion, also to reduce cellulite. Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
Powder Massage (Udwarthanam): Here the massage is done with warm herbal powder in a reverse manner. This is effective in reducing weight, gives stability and strength, gives better skin luster etc. Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
Head Massage: Special massage to the head with different strokes. Duration: 15 to 25 minutes
Marma Massage: This is to normalize the energy flow by inducing the vital points in the body. Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
Chakra Massage: This is a therapeutic massage to revitalize nerve centres. Duration: 45 minutes
Chavittithirummu (Foot Massage): This is a special massage with the foot. Duration: 30 minutes
Kolthirummu: Special massage using smooth rounded herbal sticks. Duration: 60 minutes
Mukhalepam (Herbal face pack): This is the facial treatment with herbal paste, very effective for wrinkles, blackheads etc.. This treatment beautifies and rejuvenates the facial skin. Sareeralepam (Herbal body pack): This is the body treatment with herbal paste, very effective for old-age skin problems. This treatment beautifies and rejuvenates the skin.
Steam bath: In this medicated steam is introduced in to a wooden cabin for 15 to 20 minutes which helps to dilate the minute channels in the body in order to cleanse the body.
Thaila Dhara: In this treatment medicated oil is poured on the forehead in a rhythmic way. This is mainly for stress, mental tension, headache, insomnia, and impaired memory. Duration: 30 to 45 minutes
Thakra Dhara: In this treatment medicated buttermilk is poured on the forehead or the whole body in a rhythmic way. This is good for stress symptoms and some therapeutic skin conditions. Duration: 30 to 45 minutes
Ksheera Dhara: In this treatment medicated milk is poured on the forehead in a rhythmic way. This is done especially for sleeplessness, anxiety, nervousness and some neurological disorders. Duration: 30 to 45 minutes
Dhanyamla Dhara: Here a specially prepared herbal liquid is poured all over the body in order to increase the lipid metabolism. Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
Kizhi: Here massage is done using special type of bolus which is made from herbal mixtures, on the whole body or on the affected part by dipping it in a suitable oil or herbal liquid. These are good for pain, stiffness, internal inflammation, obesity, muscle weakness, sprain, strain, water retention, cellulites etc. Elakizhi-(with herbal leaves), Podikizhi-(with herbal powder), Njavarakizhi-(with herbal rice and milk), Narangakizhi-(with lemon and herbs), Mamsakizhi (with mutton and herbs) Muttakizhi-(with eggs and herbs) Lavanakizhi-(with salt and herbs) Manalkizhi-(with salt and sand)
Sirovasthy: A cap is fitted on the head and medicated oil is poured into it. This treatment is effective for insomnia, headaches, facial paralysis, numbness in the head, dryness of nostrils and throat. Duration: 30 to 45 minutes
Kadivasthy: Here warm medicated oil is kept on the lower back of the patient with a herbal paste boundary. It is useful in low back pain, spondylosis and other problems in the lower vertebral column. Duration: 30 to 45 minutes
Urovasthy: Here warm medicated oil is kept on the chest of the patient with a herbal paste boundary for 30 to 45 minutes. It is useful in asthma, bronchitis, chest congestion and also to improve heart function. Duration: 30 to 45 minutes
Greevavasthy: Here warm medicated oil is kept on the back of neck in a herbal paste boundary. It is useful in cervical spondylosis, neck stiffness and other inflammatory conditions in the neck. Duration: 30 to 45 minutes
Pizhichil: This is a swedana treatment in which warm herbal oils are applied on the whole body in a rhythmic way. This treatment is very useful in rheumatic problems, arthritis, hemiplegic, paralysis, paraplegia, sexual weakness and nervous disorders. Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
Nasyam: This is a Panchakarma treatment in which herbal juices or oils are dripped to the nostrils which cleanses head. It is effective for facial paralysis, headaches, migraine, sinusitis, and for some mental disorders.
Snehavasthy: Herbal oil or ghee is applied into the rectum (Enema).
Kashayavasthy: Mixture of herbal decoction, oil, honey etc. is applied into the rectum.
Dhoopanam: Medicated fumes are puffed to the face, ears or scalp.
Tharpanam: The treatment is to cleanse and prevent the diseases in the eyes. Here eyes are treated with various herbal preparations.
Day 8| Kovalam – Cochin (by Road 236kms approx)
This morning get driven to Cochin airport for boarding your connecting flight to your onward journey.