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DAY 01 KOCHI
Arrive Kochi airport by mid morning. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to your hotel and further in the afternoon sightseeing of this major port of call, which was on the ancient trade route from China to Rome. The mixture of influences here is a heady brew. Chinese fishing nets dot the coast, Roman coins are dug up as treasure trove, the Mattancheri Palace was built by the Portuguese, the Bolghatty Palace by the Dutch, and Willingdon Island was created by the British. Here you will find Hindu Temples, Christian Churches, mosques, and a synagogue (the Jewish settlement dates from at least as far back as AD 400). Cochin is a melting pot of races and cultures, charmingly emphasizing that variety is indeed the spice of life.
We visit the monuments, churches and the huge Chinese fishing nets followed by a Kathakali dance show in a local theatre. O/n Hotel.
DAY 02 KOCHI TO MUNNAR
After breakfast drive to Munnar (about 145kms/04hrs), a major centre of Kerala’s tea industry, and close to Anamudi, at 2,695 m the highest peak in South India. It is surrounded by about 30 tea estates, among the highest in the world, and forest that is still rich in wildlife, including the reclusive Nilgiri Tahr. The surrounding hills are home to the rare Neelakurunji orchid (Stobilanthes), which covers the hills in colour for a month once in 12 years.
Arrive and check into the hotel and further if interested free to walk around your resort. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03 MUNNAR
Our next 02 days will be busy with treks, wildlife and tribal settlement in Chinnar.
Chinnar is located in the rain shadow regions of High Ranges in the Southern Western Ghats. Approximately 65 kms away from Munnar, this National park is open through out the year.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (90.422 sq. km) is famous for wildlife sighting. Its dry deciduous forests make it easier to view the wildlife. Undulating terrain with rocky patches increase the scenic splendor of the sanctuary. The forest type comprises thorny scrub forests, dry deciduous forests, high altitude sholas and wet montane grasslands. Apart from this, this area 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, Tiger, the elusive Leopard, the legendry ‘white bison of Manjampatti’, and the colourful bird and butterfly life makes Chinnar a must see destination in the wildlife map of Western Ghats.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the rain shadow areas of the High Ranges of Southern Western Ghats in Kerala. It was declared a Protected Area (PA) in August 1984 and is 90.442 sq.km. in area. Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary is one of the important PAs in Western Ghats due to its ecological, floral and geomorphological significances. It falls between 10° 15' to 10° 21' north latitude and 77° 05' to 77° 16' east longitude.
Best Season - This PA is open through out the year. Best season to visit is September to March.
We start early in the morning, with packed breakfast, from your hotel at Munnar. We reach Champpakad at 7am and meet our team of local guides from the Hill Pulaya community who will accompany you into the jungle. You can also get a quick glimpse of early morning life in your host’s village. The trek through the dry deciduous forests of Chinnar will give you a chance to acquaint with this unique type of forest and it’s myriad wildlife. Midway, have light breakfast and see the unique geomorphologic formations around you. We reach our campsite, Vysiapara, after a two and a half hour’s trek. The last stretch of the climb may make you short of breath. You stay in a thatched hut, built using traditional knowledge and local resources. It is on an edge on top of a hill. The hut is site sensitive and comfortable. It also doubles as a patrol station and vantage lookout for forest fire and illegal logging. Thus, when you choose our programme, you are also helping in the conservation of this natural heritage.
In the afternoon after lunch and siesta, go for a short trek to spot the Grizzled Giant Squirrel. Later, as the shadows lengthen we may see herds of Asiatic Elephants, Indian Gaur, Sambar, Spotted Deer grazing in the plains below. It is an ideal place for wildlife viewing and stargazing. With luck, you might also see the elusive ‘white bison of Manjampatti’. Simple vegetarian food is cooked and served by your hosts. Share stimulating conversation with them by a campfire. Listen to fascinating jungle sounds and learn to identify the sources.
DAY 04 MUNNAR
Morning, enjoy a spectacular mountain sunrise. After breakfast, trek back to Chinnar. Look out for pugmarks of a tiger or leopard along the trek path. At Chinnar, give your comments and suggestions directly to representatives from the local community. Visit the souvenir shop run by them. Your purchases will help to fund community development initiatives. Throughout the trek, an experienced naturalist will assist you.
Further say good-bye to your crews and drive to Munnar. Check into the hotel and relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 05 MUNNAR TO THEKKADY
After an early breakfast drive to Thekkady (about 110kms/03-04hrs), through the cardamom hills of Kerala. Arrive and check into the hotel and further by late afternoon explore Periyar wildlife sanctuary, set on attractive Periyar Lake side, is in a beautiful setting and was designated a part of Project Tiger in 1973, though Tigers are very rarely seen and it is better know for its elephants, which are very likely to be seen until Mar/Apr. Most bull elephants here are tuskless. Bison, Sambar, Wild boar and the barking Deer are fairly common. In addition to 246 species of birds, there are 112 species of butterfly. 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.
At 16.00hrs, board a motorboat for 02 hrs ride on the manmade lake, which encircles the wildlife. O/n Hotel.
DAY 06 THEKKADY
After breakfast go for a morning boat 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 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 Forest Inspection Bungalow.
DAY 07 THEKKADY
Next morning, wake up with tea and snacks and go for an early morning trek around the bungalow. Spot wild animals and birds. After breakfast we start back to Thekkady. You have a fair chance to seen some wildlife on your way back too. Should reach Thekkady by half past eleven. Further check into the hotel and relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 08 THEKKADY TO ALLEPPEY
After breakfast drive to Alleppey (about 155kms/04hrs), here we board our houseboat that comprises twin beds, 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 09 ALLEPPEY TO KOCHI
Morning disembark from the houseboat, straight transfer to Kochi airport to board flight to your onward destination.
End of Service
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