|
Activity Level: E-M Start / Finish: Kochi / Kochi
|
Life Springs Eternal
Immortality is Kerala’s business, and business is very, very good. According to statistics, Keralans live longer than anyone else in India, and you’d be hard pressed to find a nicer place to spend eternity. Nestled in the shade of the Western Ghats, the restorative powers of this improbably lush fantasyland hit you immediately. Our treatment—sorry, trip—takes us from Kochi, a seaside city once the seat of its own kingdom, to the spice and tea plantations of the Munnar hills, and includes instruction in ayurveda, the ancient holistic life-science that treats the soul as well as the body, and a leisurely float across Vembanad Lake aboard your own private houseboat. Traveller, heal thyself.
Here's a sample of what you can expect on your custom-designed Bespoke Kerala Biking adventure. Intrigued? Contact a Bespoke Trip Designer for further details.
Day 1 Bike through the quiet backstreets of Kochi to a lunch of grilled fish aboard a boat moored in the harbour
Day 2 Witness a colourful and kinetic performance of kathakali, the classical dance-drama of Kerala
Day 3 Bike amongst enormous cardamom plants and past alpine tea plantations in the rugged Munnar hills
Day 4 Marvel at the mountains, Shola forests and hilltop tea plantations while a local expert explains the amazing history of tea
Day 5 Discover the healing powers of Keralan spices with a specialist in ayurvedic medicine
Day 6 Take a private nature walk in Periyar National Park with an expert guide in search of tigers, mongooses and elephants
Day 7 Spend the night on (and we do mean on) Vembanad Lake aboard your own private houseboat
Day 8 Don local dress for a memorable final-night dinner starring local cuisine
Day 9 Breakfast in Kumarakom, then pottei in Kochi
 |

|
|
The Brunton Boatyard, Kochi
The colonial-style Brunton Boatyard has 22 rooms, all of which face the sea. Built in the 19th century as a shipyard, it has been converted to a lovely open-air hotel set around a grassy courtyard with punkahs, enormous old-fashioned fans of Portuguese origin. There is a pool overlooking the sea and a fantastic outdoor grill restaurant on the patio.
|

|
|
The Windermere Estate, Munnar
Perched on a mountain, the Windermere is owned by a local family who bought it about 20 years ago as a working cardamom and tea plantation. It features just 17 rooms and its restaurant boasts a menu that changes daily according to the whims of the local markets.
|

|
|
Spice Village, Thekkady
Spice Village is a large property with 52 huts and five suites set in the quaint hillside town of Thekkady, known for its mass production of cardamom and pepper. Respected for their stance in support of responsible tourism, the Village uses natural products and offers lectures from the staff. Their grill restaurant serves local specialties with an emphasis on spices from the region.
|

|
|
Rainbow Houseboats, Alappuzha
Houseboats, or kettuvalloms, in Kerala traditionally made from local Angili or jackfruit wood. Stitched together by coconut rope and protected from the elements by cashew oil, no nails are used in their construction. Formerly used to transport goods from the isolated interior villages of the backwaters, many of them have now have been converted into luxury boats as means for travelers to really experience life on the backwaters and small canals of the region. The barges are equipped with an English-speaking local chef, showers, bathroom and air-conditioning.
|

|
|
The Zuri Kumarakom Kerala Resort & Spa
Located on the shores of Lake Vembanad, this resort offers elegant accommodation with ten plush lakeview villas and private pools. Spa therapies consist of ayurvedic treatments, Dead Sea water treatments and other specialized therapies. It also features beautiful bird lagoon at its centre.
|
 |
Easygoing to Moderate
This trip is rated Easygoing to Moderate. We cover 25-30 km (16-19 mi.) per day. Our routes are mostly on paved roads with a few gravel and rocky stretches. The roads are paved and quiet, although we may encounter some light traffic as we pass through the towns. The terrain is a good mix of hilly sections and flats.
|
|
|
|