THE TRAILS
11 NIGHTS / 12 DAYS
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COCHIN | MUNNAR | RODO VALLEY | SURYANELLI | ANAERANGAL LAKE |
SANTHANPARA | PERIYAR | KUMARAKOM | ALLEPPEY | COCHIN
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DAY 01: COCHIN
On arrival at Cochin, meet
by the GITC Representative and transfer to hotel. Rest of the
day at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY
02: COCHIN – MUNNAR
After breakfast drive to Munnar, the famous hill resort of Kerala.
En route, visit tapioca and banana plantation. On arrival check
in at the hotel Munnar is famous for tea estates and is the biggest
tea producer in South India. The whole of Munnar hills is covered
by tea plantations (around 55,000 acres of hills) like a green
carpet on earth Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight at Hotel
DAY
03: MUNNAR – RODO VALLEY
Breakfast. Depart Munnar by mid-morning. Start the trek to Rodo
Valley – a valley of Rododendrons at an altitude of 7000’.
The trek passes through virgin sholas (high altitude montane evergreen
forests), rhododendrons forests, pine forests and spectacular
valleys. Chances of sightings of elephants, bison, and the endangered
Nilgiri Tahrs are high. A late lunch on arrival at the camp. A
dip in the pure water of the streams or an evening walk to sight
the Tahrs will keep your afternoons busy. Campfire & dinner.
DAY
04: SURYANELI CAMP
Trek to Meesapulimala, the second highest peak south of the Himalayas.
(2640 meters). We will pass through the world’s highest
tea estate –Kolukumalai- and see the vast plains of the
neighbouring state of Tamilnadu. We will arrive at the destination
at Suryanelli by evening. Campfire & barbeque dinner.
DAY
05: ANAERANGAL LAKE
Anaerangal, meaning “The lake Where the Elephants Come Down”
- a vast expanse of water is amidst a forest where elephants have
come down for millennium for grazing and water. We will start
our trek at the edge of the lake and move across the forest with
our tribal trackers to keep you away from harm’s way. Snaking
across a large area, this lake is placid and beautiful and a source
of water for farmers downstream. Many tribal colonies have sprung
up around it to farm for spices and cardamom, which grow abundantly
in the salubrious climate here. Muduvans are believed to have
migrated from the plains of Bodinaikanur in Tamil Nadu following
the attack of King Pandya of Madurai. We will visit the moopan
– the Tribal Chief and make our way to the camp near the
Dam.
DAY
06: SANTHANPARA
Today we will cross the Anaerangal & move across the mountains
to Poopara towards Santhanpara. These areas constitute the world-famed
‘Cardamom Hills’ – the capital of the spice
growing areas that have made Kerala famous through millenniums.
We will pass large forested areas where cardamom, pepper &
coffee are grown within the canopy of the forests. Elephants are
common here. We will reach Santhanpara by evening & camp.
DAY
07: NEDUNGANDOM - PERIYAR
Another day of hard trek will see us reach the small town of Nedungandom
where for long where farmers have for long bought & sold their
farming items. The mountains are filled with forests & spice–growing
villages are everywhere. What will astound us will be the friendly
people in these remote areas as you pass them by. We will embark
buses and we will be arriving at Thekkady (Periyar) by evening.
Overnight at Hotel
DAY
08: PERIYAR
Breakfast. Later go for a short trek inside the forest to see
the Rain forest of Kerala. This beautiful place is also famous
for spices including cinnamon, cardamom, clove etc. Afternoon
visit spice plantations Evening do the boating in Periyar Lake
Periyar
is one of the well known wildlife sanctuary of South India famous
for wild animals especially elephants. The splendid artificial
lake formed by the Mullaperiyar dam across the Periyar River adds
to the charm of the park. This is the only sanctuary in India
where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at
close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. Overnight
at Hotel
DAY
09: PERIYAR – KUMARAKOM ~ ALLEPPEY
Morning check out from the resort and drive down to Kumarakom
On arrival board Houseboat for an overnight cruise to Alleppey.
Today you will cruise through the world famous backwaters of Kerala,
with the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes,
lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is
a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the ‘Venice
of the East’ this backwater country is also home to diverse
animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the
town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history
of Kerala. Overnight at HOUSEBOAT
DAY
10: ALLEPPEY – COCHIN
After Breakfast disembark at Alleppey and drive to Cochin -the
‘Queen of Arabian Sea’ is one of the most interesting
cities of India and has one of the finest natural harbours in
the world. On arrival, check in at the Hotel Rest of the day free
at leisure. Overnight at Hotel
DAY
11: COCHIN
Breakfast. Later you will be taken for a sightseeing tour of Cochin
covering Dutch palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets,
Bolghatty palace etc. Evening watch the Kathakali dance show in
the local theatre.
Overnight at Hotel
DAY
12: COCHIN
Breakfast at the hotel. In time departure transfer to the airport
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END OF SERVICES -----
The highlights of the trek are:
• Passing through wilderness with sightings of elephants,
endangered Nilgiri Tahrs, Indian Bison & Malabar Giant Squirrel
• High Altitude rain forests & grasslands holding great
bio-diversity
• Rhododendrons
• Climbing the second highest peak South of Himalayas (Meesapulimala)
• Trekking through the world’s highest tea estate
(Kolukumalai)
• Lakes & cardamom forests
• Spice-growing villages
• Tribal settlements
...
just a click away!
