Vembanad Village Tours | Tribal Tours

Arrive Kochi from your home country by morning. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to Gramam, the backwater hideaway set amidst a fishing village. In the afternoon visit Kochi, one of the south India’s most interesting towns, still largely comprises low rise, picturesque buildings. Most of the historic buildings listed here are in Fort Kochi. We start our sightseeing with Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese (1557) as a gift for the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights; the new occupants, the Dutch, largely rebuilt it. Further visit Jewish Synagogue adjacent to the Palace. This gem of a synagogue dating from 1568 (rebuilt in 1662) at the heart of what is called locally Jew Town, now a fascinating mixture of shops (some selling antiques), wareshouses and spice auction rooms. Later on drive to Fort Kochi beach area to visit St. Francis church originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Portugal. Our final visit will be to huge Chinese Fishing nets. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the late 14th century although, today, parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names. In the evening we watch the dance drama of Kerala – the Kathakali in a local theatre in Kochi. Overnight stay.

Today we explore the local village & villagers go about their business of fishing farming. The local island make an ideal getaway in the Kettuvallam (wooden canoes held together by coir ropes) by the local boatman.

Activities includes:

• 1. Boating on the backwaters in a country boat & fishing with the local fishermen
• 2. Cycling through the surrounding countryside
• 3. Visit the Chinese fishing nets (maybe try your hand also at fishing along with the local fisher men)
• 4. Watch the Toddy tappers at work (maybe try out the toddy)
• 5. Learn about prawns farming.

Rest of the day is free to relax. Overnight stay.

After breakfast drive to Alappuzha. Check into the Heritage home - an ancestral Country House set in 7 acres of secluded grounds near Alappuzha. Afternoon is free to relax or make a short visit to the ancient local temples or the old church along the backwaters. If you are in the mood to learn a little of Keralan cooking, you have come to the right place. Overnight stay.

After breakfast enjoy the experience of travelling in country boats through the small village canals watching the life of village pass by you. Mingle with the people of the village as you visit the ancient temple, the famous Snake boat, the ancient Bhagavathy temple and the 1000 year-old St. Mary's church. At the end of the day watch a glorious sunset over the paddy fields. Overnight stay.

After breakfast excursion to nearby Aranmula declared as an heritage village of India by Indian National Trust of Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). Aranmula is world famous for its mirrors, “Aranmula Kannady”, unique for its alloy and its ancient method ‘lost wax’ and polishing techniques. The proportion of the alloy is secret, known only to the manufacturers, i.e. only to the members of a family who had been passing on this secret from generations to generations. There is only 04 or 05 family is doing this work, visit the workshop to see the method of working. Later on visit to Vijnana Kalavedi, cultural centre which you will get a close up view of Indian arts, not just watching them, you can touch and learn them under the supervision of professional Indian artists. The centre has been introducing foreign visitors into Indian arts since 1977, where it was created by Ms. Louba Schild, an European artist living in Kerala since 1968, studying performing Kathakali. The objective of the Centre has been throughout to contribute to the preservation of traditional arts, not in creating a museum of the past, but in keeping alive the atmosphere, which gave birth and maintained their vitality. Overnight stay.

After breakfast we drive to Teekoy. Check into the villa in Kerala, near the origin of the Meenachil River at Vagamon, set amidst sylvan surroundings and lush greenery where one can wander around spice gardens, mountain streams, rubber plantations and unpolluted and eco-friendly country side, far removed from the cities. This is also a great opportunity to see organic spice, fruit and vegetable farms, swim in a series of natural pools and plantation visits. The day is free to relax. Overnight stay.

After breakfast explore the surroundings occupied by farmlands - paddy, rubber and spices - and on the fourth side by a recreated Kavu or sacred grove of evergreen trees. Walk through the countryside through rubber plantations, or to the nearby river is salve to the tired senses. You can also try your hand at farming or simply laze in the evergreen ambience. You an also get a ringside view of growing spices or learn a little about the organic farming and of course take in the great local delicacies prepared with great love. Rest of the day free to relax. Overnight stay.

After breakfast we drive to Thekkady. The road winds you through the stunning views over the Western Ghats. Check into the hotel.

Thekkady is famous for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, the place for watching the animals in the natural habitat. The forest here slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar deer and even tigers can be spotted here.

In the evening, we make a 02 hrs cruise through the lake to watch the rich flora and fauna. Overnight stay.

Early morning, explore the Periyar sanctuary again by doing 02 hrs walk through the forest with the tribal tracker as a guide. Back to the hotel for breakfast and further drive down to the plains of Alappuzha to board your houseboat. We start our sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. In the evening, catch a glimpse of village life along the backwaters and experience a way of life unique to this region. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the backwaters of Alappuzha and moor up for overnight in Vembanad Lake. Overnight stay.

After breakfast disembark from the houseboat, straight drive to Thiruvananthapuram airport  to board the flight to your onward destination.

The above itinerary can be further customized as per your travel requirements.