Kerala tailor made holiday
Description of Kerala tailor made holiday
Kerala is one of India's most beguiling regions, set between the Arabian Sea and the uplands of the Western Ghats, traversed by over forty tranquil emerald-green rivers lined with colourful villages. It's a laidback place too, whose countless palm trees – Kerala means 'land of coconuts' – provide cooling shade from the tropical sun.
Kerala has one of India's loveliest shorelines, including the glorious beach at Kovalam plus the delightful city of Cochin, perched on a saltwater lagoon. Visit its 16th century Church of St. Francis, Paradesi Synagogue and Mattancherry Palace.
Heading inland and upward, you reach the picturesque town of Munnar for an overnight stay amid the tea plantations of the lush Cardamom Hills. Driving on to Periyar, you pass through pepper and coffee plantations before an afternoon boat trip on Lake Periyar - a beacon for birdlife (herons, hornbills and egrets) as well as hundreds of elephants.
After a day relaxing in the resort at Kumarakom, end the trip with a full-day cruise on a private houseboat (kettuvallom) along a palm-fringed backwater, with pauses ashore to visit local temples and other attractions. There will also be ample chance to enjoy a local cuisine inspired by influences from a rich trading past, from Syria to Portugal. Crab and coconut are classic Keralan ingredients, while karimeen is a delicious river fish traditionally served marinated in lemon juice and red chillies then baked in plantain leaves.
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4 Reviews of Kerala tailor made holiday
Reviewed on 09 Mar 2018 by Julie Evans
The most memorable was bamboo rafting and trek in Periyar National Park watching a family of elephants swim across the water in front of us and watching them as we ate our lunch (even the Rangers were excited to see a special event). Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Feb 2018 by Joan Findlay
Spending New Year's Eve at a party at our hotel was the most memorable - great atmosphere, tremendous friendliness and warmth and fireworks whose proximity erred on the side of exciting rather than H&S. - but we were outside, in the mountains and it was cold! We all loved Kerala and (particularly) its people and were left with a determination to see more of India. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Mar 2018 by Jennie Greenhalgh
The highlight was Seeing wild elephants in Periyar Tiger Reserve. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Jan 2018 by Rosemary Chinchen
Our stay at The Leaf hotel in Munnar, including New Year's Eve. Even without alcohol we had a wonderful evening with local dancers and drummers, a lovely buffet meal and then we all danced up until midnight when we were entertained by a wonderful firework display. It was wonderful seeing the tea plantations and visiting the Tea Museum. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet and people
In this trip we have made an arrangement with a local ground handling agent who takes care of our hotel bookings and other logistic support, hence 60% of the revenue generated from this tour goes back in the local hands of Kerala people. Throughout trip we only use local guides & escorts who are very well paid. The transport company is locally owned and we sometimes visit local restaurants en-route which are family run & owned locally.One of hotels we use was a former palace and a living example of maintaining an old heritage building in its former glory.
Not only does our custom contribute to conservation of the building, but we also make it a point that they should give employment to the local people so that the local economy can benefit from tourism. In Munnar we use Tea County Hill resort, designed in the local style and surrounded by sprawling tea plantations. All staff is from the local area and purchasing is done locally from Munnar itself. This hotel has kept its old world charm by maintaining the old gardens which are dependent on recycled waste water.
On the backwaters cruise, the boats are owned by the local people, an ancient tradition and way of life which is still alive in Kerala and which we help maintain by our custom. At Kumarakom we use Backwater Resort whose staff is all locally appointed and very well paid.
While visiting Periyar National Park the clients are informed about the Park and advised: Stay in the vehicle all the time except at designated camps, do not leave your track while walking on foot, take all litter back home with you or put it in a bin at a camp, do not drop anything from the vehicle, please do not feed the animals or birds, please do not smoke or take matches or lighters into the park – fires can be devastating, please do not enter park under the influence of alcohol.
We work in partnership with Jagriti which works for the poor children who have no homes and make their shelter in railway platforms. We donate £5 per person to this association and help the children to find job placements.
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