Kerala Wildlife Tour

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Coconut& Spices with Wildlife of Kerala

Destination : Cochin - Calicut - Telicherry - Munnar - Gavi National Park - Vagamon
Duration : 15 Days 14 Nights

Malabar was the epicenter of the Spice routes of yore and in Kerala these native spices are used not only to flavour the unique, regional cuisine but also as a preservative in Pickles / chutneys and believe it or not in the healing herbal Ayurvedic oils.

Tellicherry - a small town in the North Malabar, was once the largest and most famous trading centre for spices, especially Pepper the most favoured and sought after spice in Europe. "Tellicherry Pepper" can still be bought of the supermarket shelves in Europe and is renowned for its pungency and flavour!!

The Kerala coastline, especially Malabar has always been rich in Spices and fresh Seafood and no other community makes better use of this natural bounty than the "Mopillahs" - the Muslims of the North Kerala. Fresh Prawns, Shrimp, Crab, Mussles & Oysters are served up in sumptuous sauces and spicy curries. Also common vegetables, a wide variety of rice and meat dishes - all delicately flavoured with the famed spices and coconuts of Malabar. Last but not least are the wide variety of unusual Desserts and snacks without which no Malabari feast would be complete.

Your hostess Ms. Faiza Moosa who will teach you the secrets of making good, authentic curries, is a well known culinary expert in Kerala Muslim cuisine and a holiday here will turn you too, into a Gourmet - Curry chef.

DAY 01 DEPART LONDON
Depart London via Dubai by Emirates

DAY 02 ARRIVE COCHIN
Arrive Cochin by morning met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel
Stay at Hotel Taj Malabar for 02 nights

The Taj Malabar is centrally air-conditioned hotel. Each air-conditioned room is well appointed and offers facilities like telephone, television and attached private facilities. Other amenities include a swimming pool and an Ayurvedic massage centre.
Location: Airport - 5 kilometers: Ernakulam Railway Station - 10 kilometers
Government grading: Five-Star deluxe hotel
Our comments: Five-star deluxe hotel - A part of the prestigious Taj Group of Hotels
Evening Kathakali Dance show

DAY 03 COCHIN
Full day guided tour of Cochin
Evening boat cruise

DAY 04 COCHIN - CALICUT - TELICHERRY
Departure transfer to the airport to connect flight to Calicut (IC 997 1810 hrs / 1845 hrs)
Arrive Calicut and transferred to Telicherry (03 hours)

Tellicherry a small, picturesque, coastal town located in North Kerala where a young German scholar Herman Gundert from Stuttgart, landed in 1836 to create history and forge a lasting bond with the Keralites. During Gundert's sojourn here he started a school in 1853 which is believed to be one of the oldest schools in the country and also wrote and published the first book on Malayalam grammar in 1851. On returning to Germany he wrote and published a famous piece of work; treasured by the Keralites the first Malayalam - English dictionary.
Stay at Ayesha Manjil for 05 nights

Ayesha Manzil " is a beautiful, old colonial style mansion overlooking the blue Arabian sea. This bungalow was built in 1862 by Murdoch Brown, an Englishman who came to Tellicherry as a trader of the East India company. Murdoch Brown set up a 300 acre Cinnamon gardens largest in Asia, 10 kms away from this house, which still exists and is the only one- of - it's kind in the country.

Formerly known as " Judges Bungalow " the present house was renamed as "Ayesha Manzil " in 1900 when it was bought by T.M. Moosa a local Muslim trader. Today his grandson C.P. Moosa invites you to holiday in Tellicherry to stay at his home and sample the warm hospitality, fantastic traditional cuisine with the emphasis on the fresh seafood and local culture, which so fascinated the travelers of yore.

This heritage home where the ambience of the British Raj still lingers on, can be booked as a full serviced house for long stays or as individual rooms for short ones. All the rooms boast of period furniture and have been furnished with family heirlooms and antiques collected and restored by the present owner. Accommodation offered is for 5 large A/c, bath attached rooms.

The other highlights of a holiday at "Ayesha Manzil " include a unique private swimming pool reminiscent of the traditional Kerala temple pools, Ayurveda therapy and free transfers to the unspoilt Muzhipilangad beach - accompanied by the houseboy to attend to your needs while you relax&

DAY 05 TELICHERRY (AYESHA MANJIL)
Morning presentation of ingredients and utensils used.
Tour of local market.
Afternoon class - cooking with coconut and spices etc

DAY 06 TELICHERRY (AYESHA MANJIL)
Morning guided tour of Cinnamon plantation & weaving centres where you can see and buy exclusive cotton household linen and furnishing materials.
Afternoon class - Meat dishes.

DAY 07 TELICHERRY (AYESHA MANJIL)
Morning half-day trip to the beach.
Afternoon class - Rice dishes with fish and meat.

DAY 08 TELICHERRY (AYESHA MANJIL)
AM visiting the local fish market to buy Mussels, Clams, Oysters, Prawns, and Seer fish, Mackerel etc. for the cooking class.
Afternoon - vegetable-cooking class.
Evening - cultural show etc. Dinner.

DAY 09 TELICHERRY (AYESHA MANJIL) - MUNNAR
Morning drive to Munnar (310 kms / 05 hours)

A hill station at a height of 1525 mtrs., Munnar offers a breathtaking view of the hills draped in folds of green carpet of tea gardens. Munnar - the right royal resort lazily nestled in the verdant slopes of tea country, is a quaint little town that exudes a rare old world charm and strangely reminds one of the days of the Raj in its elegant splendour. Beyond the rolling hills discover the rich tropical forests abounding in exotic flora & fauna. It is here that you will find the Anamudi peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats, in South India. Munnars serene atmosphere, silver streams and pleasant climate welcome you to have a whiff of the cool mountain breezeArrive Munnar and check in at your hotelStay at Hotel Windamere for one night

Windermere is where the manicured Tea Garden merges with lush green Forests of Munnar. More of a family run guesthouse than a hotel, Windermere has five exclusive double rooms, 2 units Coffee Cottages, an interacting room and a dining room serving table d' hote. The presence of a Planter's family next door ensures you high range hospitality, security, and local advice, devoid of a Hotel atmosphere.

DAY 10 DRIVE TO VANDIPERIYAR (GAVI NATIONAL PARK)
After breakfast drive to Vandiperiyar (02 hours)
Arrive Vandiperiyar and drive to Gavssi
Arrive Gavi and walk upto the Forest Lodge
Rest of the day at relax
Stay at Gavi National Park (Forest Lodge ssss& Green Mansion) for 03 nights

DAY 11 & DAY 12 GAVI NATIONAL PARK & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Spread across the beauty of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Gavi is a quiet beautiful and unspoilt forest haven. It is a rare journey through the vast expanse of the evergreen forests to observe at close quarters the flora & fauna of the Western Ghats.

This place is located in the middle of the evergreen forest and is accessible only along a safari road. Chances of wildlife encounter are bright and include elephants, gaur, Lion Tailed Macaques and Sambar, apart from wild dogs and the occasional tiger. This place is also a veritable treasure trove of birds (over 250 species).

The name of the forest lodge at Gavi conjures up the essence of the placetranquility amidst the abundance of nature. The cool breeze from the Gavi Lake, the gentle whistle of the Malabar Whistling Thrush or the raucous cry of the Nilgiri Langur will keep you company as you wander the grounds in perfect harmony with nature.

DAY 13 GAVI NATIONAL PARK & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - VAGAMON
After breakfast drive to Vagamon (02 hours)
Arrive Vagamon and check in at Private Home stay for one night
Vagamon is not just any other verdant spot. It is an exciting blend of religious mysticism and European legacy.

It is a very ideal tourist spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens, beautiful meadows, deep puzzling valleys and dales. Vagamon situated at an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level is a trekker's paradise. All the trekking enthusiasts will enjoy climbing this tall hill.

The enchanting hill station dotted with tea gardens will soon be one of India's foremost eco tourism projects. Grass covered hills; velvet lawns and the cool mountain air make Vagamon a perfect holiday retreat. A curious blend of religious mysticism and European legacies, this hillside village is a haven of tranquility. The chain of three hills - Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill and Kurisumala - is a mark of religious harmony. The dairy farm managed by the Kurisumala monks is worth a visit.
Rest of the day at leisure at Vagamon

DAY 14 VAGAMON - COCHIN
After breakfast drive to Cochin (04 hours)
Arrive Cochin and check in at your hotel for an over night stay
Stay at Hotel Taj Malabar for one night

DAY 15 COCHIN - DUBAI - LONDON
Departure transfer to the airport to connect flight to London via Dubai