|
|
Primitive Passion - Rural Kerala on Elephant and Bullock Cart
offered by supplier M16759 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 11
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 50
people
Destination(s):
India
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Wildlife Viewing
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 1000 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2000 US Dollar (USD)
|
|
It's an intricate network of innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine waterworld is navigable. The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port.
The Ashtamudi Lake (literally, having eight arms), which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.
The Ketturvallom: Showcasing a unique heritage The kettuvalloms (houseboats) of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length. It took great skill and meticulousness to construct these giants by tying huge planks of jack wood together, without the use of a single nail.
Today, these goods carriers have been adapted to make the most exciting tourism product in India, the luxurious furnished houseboat. A kettuvallom usually has one or two bath attached bedrooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Cochin. Arrival in Cochin. Transfer to hotel. Evening attend Kathkali dance concert, the most interesting classical dance of India. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Cochin - Nattika. Morning Cochin sight seeing by boat visit St.Francis Church, Mattanchery Palace, Synagogue and Chinese nets. Afternoon drive to Nattika. On the way visit Kalady, the birth place of the ever Great HIndu Philosopher and Reformer Sri Sankaracharya , the temple at Kodungalloor. Evening arrival Nattika beach and familiarize with your elephant. Overnight.
Day 3: Nattika. Explore the village highlights of this pretty coastal village on the back of the elephant or with the lovely decorated Bullock cart. Overnight.
Day 4: Nattika - Guruvayoor. Morning begins elephant ride to Guruvayoor. On the way visit Palayoor Church, the first Christian Church in India founded by Apostle Thomas, Guruvayoor temple from out side (non Hindus are not permitted to visit inside the Temple), the elephant camp where you will see more than 60 elephants young or old and baby elephants in one compound. One sector of the journey will be traveled by a Bullock cart. Overnight at Guruvayoor, one of the most famous temple towns of India.
Day 5: Guruvayoor - Cheruthuruthy. Morning elephant ride to Cheruthuruthy. On the way watch granite sculptures on work, meet the villagers, watch the village life. On arrival at Cheruthuruthy visit the Kerala Kalamandalam where the Classical Dance and Music are taught. Rest of the day visit the villages by bullockcart. If you are lucky you can attend Kathakali dance performance in its very original style in a village atmosphere (not organized by your Tour operator) Overnight at Cheruthuruthy.
Day 6: Cheruthuruthy. Explore the village highlights of culturally rich area of Kerala in its village style with elephant and bullockcart. Overnight.
Day 7: Cheruthuruthy - Kuttipuram. Morning elephant ride to Kuttipuram. On the way visit coconut and arecunet plantations, meet villagers, typical Hindu and Muslim families. Evening arrival at Kuttipuram. One sector of the journey will be covered by bullockcart. Overnight at Kuttipuram.
Day 8: Kuttipuram - Malappuram. Morning elephant ride to Malappuram, the Muslim heartland of Kerala. On the way experience the hospitality of the Moppilas (Son-in-laws of Kerala) in the true nature. Visit a Moppila School, Village market, a banana plantation and the centre o Ayurveda Medicine in Kerala, the Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala. Evening arrival in Malappuram. One sector of the journey will be covered by bullockcart. Overnight.
Day 9: Malappuram - Calicut. Morning elephant ride to Calicut. On the way visit a Panchayat (village governing body) The bird sanctuary in Kadalundy, traditional boat building yard in Beypore. Today comes to an end of the ride on elephant. One sector will be covered by bullock cart. Evening arrival Calicut - Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10: Calicut. Free. Optional is exploring the highlights of Calicut City.
Day 11: Morning transfer to Airport/Railway.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Wildlife Viewing
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
|
|
|
