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Close to Nature
Day 1
On Arrival, traditional welcome at Cochin International Airport by Karmakerala team and transfer you to Emerald Isle at Alppuzha. A real Kerala experience –Stying in an ancestral country house set in 7 acres of secluded grounds.
Day 2
Mingle with the people of the village as you visit the ancient temple or the famous Snake Boat. You can also see the traditional paddy harvesting. Marvel at the process of tapping toddy, a local alcoholic drink taken from the coconut trees. At Emerald Isle Heritage Villa you can also the enjoy the experience of traveling in Country Boats through the small village canals watching the life of village pass by you. Or you could also visit the ancient Bhagawati temple or the 1000 year-old Saint Mary's Church ……all just a row away! You could also visit the local pottery factory and maybe pick up a few pieces. Or visit the world-famous Snake Boat after a short ride in your boat! All this awaits you. At the end of the day watch a glorious sunset over the paddy fields.
Day 3
After breakfast board in to a houseboat . The houseboat is a converted rice-barge. Reclining on cushions and drifting through quiet canals, you'll pass through paddy fields grazed by ducks, floating markets, local toddy shops, temples and churches. It will take you along the lake, backwaters, meadows, coconut groves and villages.
If interested you can get down to land for a walk for visiting the villages or to relax at the coconut groves. It has an uplifted platform with a bed, behind the captain, to see around the place. It will halt at lake side for night stay.
You will have a captain, oars man and a cook with you on the boat. Ask the captain for fishing rods. The cook will prepare your catch.The cruise starts at 12:00 noon with lunch and ends by morning 09:30 after breakfast.
Day 4
Disembarke from houseboat and drive to Periyar wild life sanctuary. The sanctuary was designated a part of 'Project Tiger', in 1973, and offers a fairly good chance of seeing the majestic Indian Tiger in its natural habitat. The sanctuary is also acclaimed to be the best place in the world for studying all the aspects of elephantine life. There are about 750 elephants in the park but only 35 tigers and leopards are present here.
Besides tiger and elephant, the sanctuary is a natural habitat to wide variety of wildlife including bison, sambar, wild boar, spotted deer, leopards, jungle cats, rare species of Malabar flying squirrel, stripe necked mongoose, black Nilgiri langurs and monkeys etc. There are plenty of water fowl which perch on the dead trees in the lake. Woodland birds, owls and hornbills can also be seen in the forest. Overnight stay at Pardisa Planation Retreat - The warm and familiar hospitality and the excellent service associated with this unique and peaceful location faraway from any noise and pollution with spectacular views of the hills to Periyar Tiger Reserve made this resort a unique charecter.
Day 5
Trekking, boating through wild life, plantation visit etc
Day 6
Check out from the hotel and drive to Athirappilly. Athirapally, falls from a fairly good height of approximately 80 mts (150 feet) and joins the Chalakudy river below. Vazhachal, the other marvelous wonder in thick forests just a drive away from Athirampilly, is also a part of the Chalakudy river stream. The area is surrounded by protected forests and provides a breath taking view. The river originates from the Aanamudi mountain and flows through the Vazhachal Forest Division. Overnight stay at Rainforest – The picturesque windows offers a breathtaking view of the magnificent spectacle of the crashing waterfalls.
Day 7
Today lots of activities are waiting for you. Laze in their infinity pool, fishing in the river, visit the tribal village, trek to the base of the waterfall, find your way though the jungle.
Day 8
After breakfast drive to Cochin international airport (1.5 hrs)
