India has always been a destination steeped in culture and heritage – country where the exotic is as close as the next turn off on the highway. There is no better way to get to know India than to delve into its rich cultural heritage, all through activities that are not just fun but also informative. Sure, you can be on a holiday, but add to that a peek into the local culture and eco-system and you have a vacation that is fun and informative at the same time. Nature’s Basket allows you to experience nature firsthand.

On arrival you will be welcomed by our Tour Manager at the airport lounge with TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS signboard. Transfer to hotel where you will receive a traditional welcome with Garland and Tilak while hotel formalities are completed. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Cochin.

The next morning after breakfast enjoy an auto rickshaw tour of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, visiting the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, and St Francis Church. This important trading port city of the ancient times is popularly referred to as the Queen of the Arabian Sea for its unique beauty and charm. Cochin is the finest natural harbour in the world created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks whose quality ensures that the rougher seas are outside, while the calmer waters are within in the Harbour. The land of spices that attracted the European traders is a quaint blend of the old and the new, the Indian and the Western. Even today Cochin is the commercial and industrial capital of the Kerala. Afternoon visit a coastal village and in the evening take the sunset cruise to see the Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles that work on the principal of balance. It’s been said they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Stay overnight at Cochin.

Travel to Guruvayur, the largest elephant park in the world with over 60 elephants to see their stables, which serves as a training centre for the Guruvayur temple purposes. Then continue travel to Peringode and Cheruthuruthy; a small town famous for the Kathakali training centre, which reveals the tradition and cultural heritage of Kerala in its dance forms and pottery. Well known writers, Kathakali artistes and singers grew up in this wonderful awe-inspiring village which is close to the river Kalpathy. Remaining of the day at leisure with overnight at Cheruthuruthy.

Enjoy leisurely breakfast and explore the village on foot or bicycles, visit or see Kalamandalam, a school for the traditional arts. Stay overnight at Cheruthuruthy.

Travel to Athirapally and relax in the boutique resort overlooking the impressive waterfalls. Words fail to describe the charm of the Athirapally waterfalls; starting calmly from the high ranges and crashing through gorges overhung with trees, the waterfalls is one of the best place in India to recapture a real sense of the classical idea of picturesque – not just calm and sweet, but something wild and natural. The Athirapally falls joins the Chalakkudy River after falling down a drop of 80 feet of height. One gets lost in the beauty and mist of the beautiful falls. Evening enjoy game drive in the forest and stay overnight at Athirapally.

Enjoy leisurely breakfast as the day is free for nature walks, picnic lunch by the waterfalls, game drives, and visits to local tribal villages. Stay overnight at Athirapally.

Travel to Munnar where endless belt of tea plantations, pristine valleys and lush mountains, exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests, aroma of spice scented cool air, makes it’s a place you would never wish to leave. Munnar the green hill station of Kerala nestled in the high range of on Idukki district, set amongst the Kannan Devi hills. Optionally visit tea museum or enjoy relaxing in the tea state. Munnar offers not only the laid-back atmosphere of a quiet little tea town, but also plenty of opportunities to savour nature at its best. Stay overnight at Munnar.

Enjoy your leisurely breakfast and enjoy tramping or long walk to witness beauty of the tea state. Hemmed in by soaring mountains – including peninsular India’s highest peak, Ana Mudi (over 2695m) it also boasts of a spectacular setting; when the river mist clears, the surrounding summits forms a wild backdrop to the carefully manicured plantations carpeting the valley floor and sides. The culture of the city is cosmopolitan with people of varied cultural backgrounds. Stay overnight at Munnar.

Travel to Periyar and remaining day at leisure to enjoy the surroundings of this place. Lying amidst the mighty hills of the Western Ghats, Periyar will entice you with its exotic wildlife and scenic charm. A store house of nature’s bounty, Periyar offers nature lovers and wildlife lover’s ample scope to fulfill their most cherished desires. The river Periyar is the longest and only perennial river in South India with clean water. Stay overnight at Periyar.

Visit a spice farm; enjoy wildlife safaris by boat and on foot. We are likely to see elephants in or at the lake's edge. The Asian elephant is diminutive compared to its larger African cousin but the thrill of spotting a herd of them lumbering through the dense shola (forest) or wading into a lake is going to be no less than seeing the African elephant in the Masai Mara grasslands. Being set in the high ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala, Periyar is spread in a tropical forest area, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen and characterised by tall trees and a closed canopy. Stay overnight at Periyar.

Travel to Alleppey and board your private Kettavallum (house boat). The backwaters is an elaborate chain of lagoons, lakes & rivers, spread like a necklace through central Kerala and found nowhere else in the world. As the boat glides across the shimmering blue waters with gorgeous green and fringed edges, it offers an excellent opportunity to view the lifestyles of the local people living along the alongside the backwaters. In this world of simple pleasures, you will skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. A journey through the lagoon is interesting, passing through sleepy villages, busy boat jetties and vibrant celebrations. Enjoy all meals with overnight on houseboat.

After breakfast disembark form the houseboat and travel to Varkala. This is a small but beautiful town gifted with shining white sands, cloudless skies touching blue water and the red soil of the hilltop, coupled with yellow-green paddy fields, green coconut trees, make it a composite picture of beauty and awesomeness of nature. It is also revered as an important religious site for Hindus since the 12th century. Varkala is known for Papasnanam beach and 2000 years old Sree Janardhan Swami Temple. It has a beautiful beach, but what is more unique are the steep cliffs rising from the beach with unique geological formations and natural springs known as Varkala formation. The mineral rich waters gushing out of the cliffs are used for spa treatments and are believed to have medicinal properties. Relax and stay two nights at Varkala.

Enjoy your leisurely breakfast before your transfer to Trivandrum airport for your onwards flight.

Private Car Guided Tour

Starts in: Cochin Ends in: Trivandrum Grade: Moderate Paced Tour

• Accommodation with private facilities
• Private Air-condition vehicle with Chauffeur
• Local English-speaking guide
• Meals as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Private overnight Backwater cruise
• Entry fee/Monument charges
• Assistance and Transfers

• Departs daily
• Overland travel by private car
• Order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions
• Itinerary can be customised to suit your requirements
• Ask for pre and post accommodation
• Departs daily

• Any meals other than specified, drinks, laundry, Mineral water, telephone calls or other expenses of a personal nature.
• Camera fees (Video or still) at the monuments
• Tips/gratuity

 

Private Tours Departs Daily Per person NZ$ (From Delhi) Comfort Twin/Single Deluxe Twin/Single Luxury Twin/Single 01 Oct 08 - 15 Dec 08 3349 / 5149 4099 / 6449 4849 / 7949 16 Dec 08 - 15 Jan 09 3599 / 5399 4349 / 7699 5999 / 8199 16 Jan 09 - 15 Apr 09 3349 / 5149 4099 / 6449 4849 / 7949 16 Apr 09 - 30 Sep 09 2549 / 3799 3278 / 4899 3932 / 6099