Homestay Hospitality

How better to really understand the true essence of a country than to spend some time with a local family in their own home? Homestays offer the chance to truly discover the cultures, traditions, architecture, industries and people of a region and in turn provide valuable income where it is most needed.

Many of the owners of these comfortable guest houses support both the local community and environment. Each homestay offers a unique and unforgettable experience but they all provide the same sensation of serenity, a hearty welcome and a glimpse of India that no hotel would ever be able to offer.

This 9 night tour takes you from the colonial city of Cochin via the Western Ghats onto a series of homestays with a night on a traditional Kettuvallam (houseboat) on the backwaters of Kerala.

OVERVIEW OF THE TOUR

•   Two hour trek or Jeep safari in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
•   Overnight stay at Serenity Lodge enjoying the company of Laxmi, the resident elephant.
•   Canoe cruise on the waters surrounding the Nelpura Homestay
•   Visit a local Brahmin community.
•   Village visit by bicycle or rickshaw.
•   Overnight stay on a traditional houseboat cruising through the backwaters of Kerala.
•   Tour of the working farm at Philipkutty's Farm Homestay.

Guide

PRIVATE TOUR

The services of an English-speaking local representative or local guide will be available throughout the tour.

MEAL PLAN
•   Breakfast throughout
•   Lunch and dinner on Days 5-9

ACCOMMODATION:
•   All accommodation on the main tour is equivalent to 3 star standard with the homestays offering something unique.
•   4 star accommodation is provided when you stay longer in Kovalam.

GROUP SIZE
•   This tour is subject to a minimum number of 2 passengers (call for details).

NB
•   Tipping is a way of life in India. It is usual to tip your driver and guide at the end of your tour.
•   Please note local conditions may necessitate slight variations to the timings of the itinerary.

DAY 1 - LONDON TO COCHIN
Fly Jet Airways from London Heathrow to Cochin via Mumbai, arriving the following day.

DAY 2 - COCHIN
On arrival transfer to the Old Lighthouse. The rest of the day is spent at leisure to explore Cochin. Witness the city's rich colonial past displayed in its architecture - influenced by British, Portuguese and Dutch styles. Explore this beautiful port city in South West India or just relaxing on the nearby Fort Kochi beach and catch sight of the unique Chinese fishing nets.

DAY 3 - COCHIN TO PERIYAR
Meet your driver and travel to the Spice Village Resort on the Kanam Estate outside the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

DAY 4 - PERIYAR
Following breakfast there is the option of either enjoying a two hour trek or jeep safari in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary which is set in the Western Ghats mountain range. The banks of the Periyar Lake and the dense forests and grasslands that surround the lake are home to herds of wild Asian elephants, Sambars (large native deer), Indian bison, the primate species Nilgiri langur and a small community of the endangered Bengal Tiger. The afternoon is spent exploring the nearby Spice Plantation where many types of spice, such as pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg, are cultivated.

DAY 5 - PERIYAR TO KANAM ESTATE
Transfer to the Serenity at Kanam Estate for an overnight stay. Following lunch you can spend the afternoon in the company of the resort’s resident elephant Laxmi, feeding her bananas, taking a ride through the jungle visiting the local plantations and witnessing the special experience of her evening bath.

DAY 6 - KANAM ESTATE TO NELPURA HOMESTAY
Journey to the Nelpura Heritage Homestay for a two night stay. The beautifully restored home of the Chacko family dates back over 150 years and showcases fine examples of Keralan architecture and wood carving. On the edge of a canal that leads to the river Pampa, Nelpura is an idyllic retreat in the midst of beautiful natural surroundings and is owned and run by a local family whose ancestors farmed the nearby paddies and coconut groves. After receiving a warm welcome by your hosts enjoy an afternoon canoe cruise through the village to the famous local temple before visiting a house in the local Brahmin Community known for their simple living and high thinking culture.

DAY 7 - NELPURA HOMESTAY
After breakfast join a rickshaw or bicycle tour of the village visiting the local church, school and finally a coconut processing plant. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure either relaxing or enjoying the numerous facilities on offer at Nelpura.

DAY 8 - OVERNIGHT ON HOUSEBOAT
Transfer to your houseboat for an overnight cruise through the backwaters of Kerala. These boats, known locally as kettuvallam, were once used to transport good between remote villages and the main towns and cities of Kerala and are constructed with bamboo poles and mats and coconut fibres made into the coir rope to hold it all together. Spend a truly unique night under the stars enjoying the tranquillity of the waterways of Kerala.

DAY 9 - PHILIPKUTTY’S FARM HOMESTAY
Disembark from your houseboat and transfer to the Philipkutty’s Farm homestay for a one night stay. Transported to the island via boat you meet your warm and gracious hosts, the lady of the house and the family of Philipkutty who provide exemplary service in this serene waterside hideaway. This comfortable homestay is also a fully working farm, located on land reclaimed from the Kerala back waters, where they cultivate coconut, nutmeg, cocoa, bananas, pepper and other spices. Following lunch take a brief tour of the farm before perhaps joining in an optional cooking class (payable locally).

DAY 10 - PHILIPKUTTY’S FARM HOMESTAY TO COCHIN
Spend the morning at leisure making the most of this lakeside haven before travelling to Cochin after lunch. Return to the Old Lighthouse Bristow Hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 11 - COCHIN TO LONDON
Transfer to Cochin Airport and fly Jet Airways to Heathrow via Mumbai.

EXTENSION

KOVALAM
DAY 10 - COCHIN TO KOVALAM
Transfer to Kovalam for a three night stay at Vivanta by Taj Green Cove in the beach resort of Kovalam. Relax on one of the three pristine beaches and enjoy amazing sunsets over the Laccadive Sea.

DAY 13 - KOVALAM TO LONDON
Transfer to Trivandrum Airport and fly Jet Airways to London Heathrow.