The Farm Maestro !
 |
|
A full-fledged farm tour pack that familiarizes you with all major varieties of plantation / farming in the state of Kerala… Beginning with the ageless fishing / farming methods in the unspoilt Kumbalangi village; to the lovely rice paddies, canals & coir fields in Alappuzha, and finally, at the haven of spice plantations – Thekkady. In addition to all these, experience a few rejuvenating schemes by Kerala’s traditional Ayurveda. Overall, ten days that transform a novice into a farm expert !
|
|
| Visit : |
Covering
Kumbalangi (A model tourist village, enriched with natural beauty),
Alappuzha (Land of backwaters, paddy fields and coir-products…), and
Thekkady (The nerve center for ‘spices’ in the God’s own country).
|
| Stay : |
10 Days / 9 Nights |
Day 1 |
|
| |
Arrival
at Kochi, your mega-tour begins… After exchanging pleasantries, drive
to ‘Kumbalangi Tourist Village’ – a virtually unspoilt haven to
experience the true village lifestyle – first of its kind in the
country ! After washing off the journey-hangovers, take a stroll to
explore thro' the small village... See the wonderful formation of
greenish, fertile land encircled with backwaters… Observe the gentle
villagers who still keep the age-old traditions … Feel the rhythm of
backwaters, thick-set farms … After a thoroughly refreshing excursion;
settle down in the comforts of your ‘home stay’ within the village
premises. Stay overnight at Kumbalangi village.
|
Day 2 |
|
| |
This
day further exposes you to the humble, unaltered lifestyle of the
village folk. You can try a hand in various exciting activities… Take
the village canoes - go for a Boating thro’ the gushing waters and get
acquainted with countless ‘milk fishes’ that frequently sprang from the
waters to greet their visitors… Or, visit the lively ‘Crab Farms’ -
learn the skills of catching those canny crabs from their
hideouts.
Thereafter, take some time to observe the
traditional fishing activities of the locals. Watch how they prepare
their fishing nets - set out to the waters - throw their nets in an
amazingly ‘circular pattern’ to grab the catch… If not merely content
as an audience, join hands with those fisher folks and try to catch
fish in similar fashion - if luck favors, have a delicious meal
supplemented with your valuable ‘catch’! At nightfall, suspend your
activities for the time being, and return to your lodgings to relax.
Overnight stay at the village.
|
Day 3 |
|
| |
Another
full day to live the timeworn village life to the fullest ! Experiment
with a few more ‘traditional professions’ of these villagers… Try ‘Cage
Fishing’ (A peculiar method, in which, tiny fishes are trapped with
‘tree branches plus net combination’)… After practicing this for
sometime, roam around the neighborhood and watch fishing using the
antique ‘Chinese Nets’ (World’s only existing
‘stationary-net-fishing-system’ – time tested souvenirs of the earliest
Indo-China trades). The greenish shores dotted with Chinese Nets
provide awe-inspiring views.
Spend the rest of the day
observing the ‘Copra Manufacturing’ (Copra is ‘dry coconut’) processes.
You will be amazed to know that Keralites use every part of their
trademark - ‘Coconut Tree & Fruit’ - to produce various useful
items like, furniture, building materials, cooking oil, etc. Late
evening, get back to your ‘home stay’ for a good night’s sleep.
|
Day 4 |
|
| |
This
morning, after a good breakfast, bid farewell to Kumbalangi and drive
to Alappuzha... So many pleasant surprises await you at “Kerala’s
Venice of the East”...
There is no better way than a
backwater cruise, to start off your Alappuzha-Campaign. On reaching
Alappuzha, check-in to the floating wonder - Houseboat - the best
medium to grasp the true spirit of Kerala backwaters. Start cruising
along the charming backwaters… Watch the shores dotted with groups of
ducks, abundant birdlife, lush paddies, gentle rural folks ... realize
how Kerala came to be known as ‘the God’s own Country’. Spend day-long
in the Houseboat, spicing up yourself with delightful Kerala cuisines.
Stay overnight at the Houseboat.
|
Day 5 |
|
| |
At
sunrise, bid adieu to the Houseboat and backwaters. After an energizing
breakfast, set out to explore the world of paddies. Enjoy the pleasing
rice fields that paint green everywhere… Observe how the farming is
done by the village-folk… Walk along feasting your eyes with gorgeous
sceneries; take time to visit the serene Temples, Churches ... that
decorate the surroundings. The enthusiasts can also sneak in to the
neighborhood ‘Toddy shops’ to taste some rare, mouth-watering ‘Kerala
dishes’.
Afterwards, pay a visit to Alappuzha’s famous
Coir-manufacturing centres. Watch how raw coconut-fibres are converted
into elegant coir-products (eg: ropes, baskets, mats, mattresses) …
After a heartwarming excursion, get back to your Hotel / Resort and
relax. Overnight stay at the Hotel / Resort in Alappuzha.
|
Day 6 |
|
| |
This
day is devoted to experience Kerala’s traditional Ayurvedic treatment.
You can choose your own ‘mode of treatment’ from a wide range of
‘rejuvenation-massages’, ‘herbal-baths’ … and many other related forms.
Later, spend your evening in the cordial atmosphere of your Hotel /
Resort. Stay overnight.
|
Day 7 |
|
| |
Time
to say 'Bye' to Alappuzha... After breakfast, check-out from your Hotel
/ Resort and proceed to Thekkady... Enjoy the drive thro' the
green-capped hillocks and gentle streams... En-route, subject to time,
visit the 'Malanadu Development Society'for a live demo of 'Honey Bee
cultivation', 'Dairy farm' etc. After a few hours ride, you will be
greeted with elegant views of the plantations, signaling that Thekkady
is fast approaching.
On reaching your destination;
check in to the Hotel / Resort. Spend the afternoon at ease. Later,
visit the pleasant Periyar Lake and Wildlife Sanctuary. You can also
opt for a boating across the Lake to have a ‘live view’ of various
wild-inhabitants (Sambars, Elephants, Gaurs, Nilgiri Langurs …) of the
Sanctuary. At nightfall, return to your Hotel / Resort for overnight
stay.
|
Day 8 |
|
| |
After
a healthy breakfast, set out to explore the various plantations that
decorate the Thekkady region. Proceed to Anakkara – a picturesque
location. Stroll along the surrounding Spice & Herbal Gardens… Get
to know the ‘farming practices’ of the locals... After the ‘spice
walks’, you can make some bargains and buy fresh quality spice-products
plus indigenous arts / crafts. At noon, have a special lunch at the
‘tree-top house’ (optional). After relishing the spicy green fields,
visit some nearby picnic spots like, ‘Aruvikuzhi’ (venue of a charming
water fall), ’Chellarcovil’ (abode of rocky caves… ideal for trekking),
‘Valiyapara’ (another picturesque location) and ‘Ottakathalamedu’ (a
1400 meters high hill-top). Late evening, get back to your Hotel /
Resort and settle down. Overnight stay at the Hotel / Resort in Thekkady.
|
Day 9 |
|
| |
The
penultimate day of your mega-farm-tour… After the routine breakfast,
visit the remaining plantations in the Thekkady region. See by yourself
how the valuable spices like, Pepper, Cardamom, Vanilla, Clove, Nutmeg,
Ginger … are being cultivated. Get along with the humble farmers…
Observe their age-old traditional ways of life… Also, watch how they
make some of the valued Ayurvedic products (eg: Herbal oils)… Here you
can purchase brand-new herbs, spices, and even some amazing handicrafts
made of coffee-roots. Afterwards, return to your lodgings for a good
recreation and sleep.
|
Day 10 |
|
| |
Your
memorable tour concludes today… After breakfast and an optional
hang-out (if time permits), take the return drive to Kochi. Enjoy the
scenic route… On reaching Kochi, proceed to the Airport / Railway
Station for departure – with fond memories.
|
|
|
Conditions
& Terms:
Cost Includes:
• Accommodation
• Daily Breakfast
• Driver allowance
• All taxes
Cost doesn't Include:
• Airport taxes & Airfares to / from / within India
• Personal expenses such as bottled beverage, table drinks, telephone calls, laundry, etc
• Still / Video camera entrance charges
• Entrance fees
• Catering
Note:
-
Any deviation from the above programme will be charged extra
-
A hike of 30% will be levied during December '09 - January '10
Close
|
|
