This tour is for the young and young at heart. This is an experiential tours that lets you have a closer look at the way of life and experience some activities and places that are off the beaten track. You explore the bylanes where the ancient spice markets still ply their trade, walk up the second highest peak in Southern India, stay in a bungalow deep inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, explore life on the backwaters where farming is done 10-12 feet below sea level and end with a couple of days of relaxation on a quiet beach. This is a great tour for people looking to experience the way of life of this varied state. This is an active holiday and a reasonable amount of fitness is required especially for the trek up Meesapulimalai. The best season to travel on this tour would be from October through until April ( can be a wit wet in the hills during end November/early December)

Day 1        Arrive Cochin. Met and transferred to your hotel. Stay at the Secret Garden for 2 nights. Afternoon village experience followed by sunset cruise.

Day 2        Morning tuk-tuk tour of the old quarters followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure to explore the old market street.

Day 3        Drive to Munnar stopping to experience a rubber plantation and life in the midlands. You will be hosted by a local planter at their ancestral home in the midst of a rubber plantation. Later proceed to Munnar. Stay at the Fragrant Nature resort for 2 night.

Day 4       Tea experience with trek at private tea plantation.

Day 5       Early morning jeep transfer to Silent Valley to start your trek up Meesapulimalai, the second highest peak. You walk down the peak to Kolukkumalai Estate and transfer by jeep to Suryanelly. Stay at the Mountain Club for the night.

Day 6       Morning drive to Periyar National Park. Stay at the Periyar Forest Bungalow for 2 nights. This is a guesthouse in a Cardamom plantation deep inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Evening jeep drive in the estate to spot wildlife.

Day 7      Morning go for jeep drive/ birding walk in the estate. Later at leisure to explore the plantation where you will be shown how cardamom is grown and processed. The cardamom grown in this area is considered one of the best in the world.

Day 8      Drive down the hills to the backwaters of Alleppey. Stay at the Palmdale Heritage or similar for 2 nights. Remainder of the day at leisure to explore the area.

Day 9      Morning enjoy a backwater village tour where you explore some of the more remote villages on a motorised canoe. Afternoon cooking demo with lunch.

Day 10    Transfer to Mararikulam. Stay at la Plage resort for 2 nights. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 11    At leisure on the beach.

Day 12    Transfer to Cochin airport for your onward flight.

The hotels included in the itinerary are suggestions and we are happy to suggest suitable hotels to suit your budget. For an obligation free quote do contact our team on info@rithudmc.com.