::::::::Tour Code: CH701 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adventure Tour - Kerala Explorer ( 9 Nights, 10 Days )
Day 1 Cochin
Arrive at Cochin. You will be received at the airport/station and transferred to Fort Cochin. After enjoying a typical Kerala meal, visit Fort Kochi, the Dutch Palace, the old Cathedral, the Synagogue and the Chinese fishing nets at the harbour mouth. Lunch and dinner are included. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2 Thekkady and Munnar
Leave Cochin and drive down to the lowland forests of Bhoothathankettu. This is Kerala's most 'revered' river- the Periyar - literally meaning the 'Great River'. Rafting begins here over a 14-km stretch passing through the dense jungles on the banks of the Periyar. The rapids of up to Grade 3+ are found on this stretch. After the exciting experience of rafting proceed to Munnar. This is a scenic three hours drive. Arrive at Munnar and check into' a Tree house, which is set amidst the high altitude rain forests. All meals are included.
Day 3 Rodo Valley
Leave the resort  and take a half an hour drive to the point where the trek begins (near the Silent Valley Tea Estate). Start the trek and climb through the mountain ranges to over 7500 feet, to the final destination at Rodo Valley. The guides who accompany the tour are from the local community and they know these ranges intimately and have made these mountain ranges their home. The trek passes through brilliant scenes, astride the grasslands and high altitude mountain forests (called sholas locally). It is possible to sight wildlife amidst these towering mountains - elephants, deer & the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Arrive at camp in time for a late lunch. Trekking covers between 4 to 6-hours. All meals are included.
Note: For Stay on camps: Camps are set in the forests and there is wildlife all around . Night watch with fire is organized throughout the night. The temperatures are likely to be low and during January & February can go below freezing point. Sleeping bags/pads and mosquito nets are provided. Toilets are flushing-type WC's modified to work in the outdoors and made with great ingenuity. There is no electricity in the camps.
Day 4 Suryanelli
After breakfast hike for 2-3 hours to reach the peak of Meesapulimala - the second highest feature s to reach the world's highest tea estate - Kolukumalai at 7600 ft. Another 2-3 hour walk through the tea estates until the tea hamlet of Suryanelli is reached. Night camp is organised at Suryanelli. There are hot water bathing facilities at this camp. A barbeque dinner follows amidst the beauty of the valley and the lake below. All meals are included.
Day 5 Thekkady 
Drive towards the Periyar Tiger Reserve. This is approximately a 3 hour drive. En-route you can see the endless forests with cardamom plantations. On arrival at Periyar, check into the Spice Village Resort set amidst a spice garden and built in the traditional tribal style. In the evening visit a mannan tribal village & see how they do farming and live in a tribal settlement. Breakfast is included
Day 6 Thekkady
Early morning, depart for a bamboo rafting expedition on the Periyar Lake. You would be lead by tribal guides, into the heart of the rain forest. This gives you a ringside view of the majesty of the rain forests of Periyar and an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife. A short trek is also included to help you study the wealth of bio-diversity in a typical rain forest. Return by evening. Overnight stay at the Spice Village. Breakfast and lunch are included.
Day 7 Banks of Manimala
Depart Periyar  for the last part of the journey to discover the backwaters on kayaks. Start kayaking by mid afternoon from the jetty at Pulincoon and kayak through to the island of Kavalam. Kavalam is the erstwhile headquarters of an affluent agrarian families - the majestic homes stand testimony to the grandeur of their past. As you pass along the rivulet, you will come across local people engaged in fishing, duck rearing, shell & mud collection for the farms. You may also see the traditional toddy tappers at work on coconut palms. Toddy 'shops' (bars) dot the way - a traditional meeting place for men after a grueling day at work. Stop for lunch at a beautiful coconut grove on a bund on the lakeshore. Restart the kayaking by late afternoon which will take you though open lagoons & beautiful coconut lined waterways. By sunset, cruise into the beautiful heritage home "Emerald Isle" on the banks of the river Manimala. The Emerald Isle has all amenities including great food and massage services. A delicious Kuttanadan dinner awaits you. All meals are included.
Day 8 Paradise Villa
In the morning you have the opportunity to walk around and witness village life (a visit to the local tea shop or the spice garden around the heritage home). Start kayaking once again. Lunch would be arranged on the banks of the Vattakayal lake. Continue kayaking through the backwaters until you reach Paradise Villa.
Day 9 Kayaloram
Continue kayaking until you reach Kayaloram resort. En-route stop at the local temple, the snake boats, markets & churches. Reach Kayaloram by sunset. Relax in the evening.
Day 10 Departure
Transfer to Cochin Railway Station/Airport to connect Train/Flight for return journey.
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