Tour Schedule Summary

Detailed Itinerary

Depart from origin. If you are commencing your journey from the Taiwan, we can recommend the best airlines and routings for your particular needs. We can also introduce you to consolidators who offer discounted fares (First, Business and Economy) on these flights. This is a service provided solely as a convenience and extra value for our guests.”

Day 1: – Arrive Cochin and Kathakali Show       Meals: NA

Our services begin here. You are greeted at the airport by a Lotus Travel Facilitator, and ushered to a chauffeur driven vehicle. You are then driven to your hotel where you are assisted with your check-in. The next day’s plans are briefly reviewed and you are presented with your welcome package includes your travel documents such as your air tickets and hotel vouchers, as well as copies of documents (such as our General Travel Guide) that were sent to you earlier.

Evening – Your tour Facilitator will pick you up from your hotel and accompany you to a local theater where you get to experience Kerala’s ancient performing art, a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali literally means the art of storytelling through dance and the dance form is an ancient forefather of many Asian dance forms. 

Overnight Stay at Killians, Cochin

Day 2: – Cochin Sightseeing     Meals: B, D

Explore the fascinating port city of Cochin and marvel in its culture and architecture, a result of centuries of various European influences combined with rich indigenous history. The guided tour begins from the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays – will be facilitated on other days for some departures), which was built in 1568 and is still an active house of worship for the few remaining Jews in the area. If the synagogue is closed on this day, the visit can be facilitated on one of the other days that you are in Cochin. Next to the synagogue is Cochin’s ancient and colorful Jew Street with its antique stores and souvenir peddlers. There is evidence of a Jewish presence in Kochi from 70 A.D. After the synagogue you visit the St. Francis Church, which was established by the Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1503. This is one of the first European churches built in India, and the famed Vasco Da Gama was buried in its courtyard for a few years before his remains were returned to Portugal.

You now visit the most photogenic of Cochin’s attractions, the Chinese fishing nets. Folklore will have it that these enormous nets (or at least their design) were brought here by famed Chinese Explorer Zhang He about 600 years ago. Local fishermen manipulate these massive nets with an ease that comes from centuries of practice – it is a vocation handed down by generations. The lowering and raising of the nets has a synchronicity and rhythm that is quite an amazing experience. Some of the nets are more than a century old as the fishermen patch them up and keep going. Finish your exploration with a short guided walk through Fort Kochi and experience the unique local culture and architecture – Fort Kochi is one of India’s best cities to explore on foot. You will be driven back to your hotel after your walk. 

In the evening you are driven to an experience that is the highlight of many of our guests’ time in Kerala. You will be hosted by a famous Kerala Chef and her family at their home. A delicious dinner will follow, and cooking lessons are included. At the end of dinner you will be driven back to your hotel.

Overnight Stay at Killians, Cochin

Day 3: – Cochin to Athirapilly for Ayurveda – Drive –90 Kms /2 Hrs Meals: B, L, D

Morning check out from your hotel and drive to Athirapilly. Athirapally is the land of rivers and forests and great waterfalls! The destination houses the largest waterfall in Kerala, the Athirapally waterfall, a major tourist attraction. This patch in Sholayar ranges so beautifully intertwined with lush green forest cover and sizzling silver cascades and located central to Cochin and River Nila (Bharathapuzha), is a treat for the eyes during the monsoon. Swollen Chalakkudy river, Charpa, Vazhachal and Athirapally are ideal places where the monsoon is to be enjoyed. Upon arrival check into your resort for your Ayurvedic treatments for next few days followed with at-most precision. Meet your doctor on a convenient time before evening and start Ayurveda treatment as per doctor advice.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing that has its origins in the Vedic culture of India. Although suppressed during years of foreign occupation, Ayurveda has been enjoying a major resurgence in both its native land and throughout the world. Tibetan medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine both have their roots in Ayurveda. Early Greek medicine also embraced many concepts originally described in the classical Ayurvedic medical texts dating back several thousands of years.

More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge). It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vital while realizing their full human potential. Providing guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and the proper use of our senses, Ayurveda reminds us that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit.

Recognizing that human beings are part of nature, Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies that govern our inner and outer environments: movement, transformation, and structure. Known in Sanskrit as Vata (Wind), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Earth), these primary forces are responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body.

Rejuvenation /Body Purification

This Treatment includes body massage with hand and foot by two masseurs with medicated oil and cream, internal rejuvenative medicines and medicated steam bath. This therapy is for 90 minutes to 2 hours per day for 14 days. This therapy is to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul, to tone up skin, to strengthen all systems so as to achieve ideal health and longevity.

Overnight Stay at Ayursoukhyam, Athirapilly

Day 4-5: – Ayurveda treatment at Athirapilly Meals: B, L, D

Continue your Ayurvedic Treatment to rejuvenation 

TREATMENTS INCLUDES

• Abhyangam:Full body massage with medicated oil proceeded by medicated steam bath
• Navarakizhi:Pouch of medicated rice puffed all over the body which will help in relaxation of body muscles
• Podikizhi:Pouch of  medicated powder puffed all over the body

All other treatments as per the advice of the doctor

The treatments are subjected to change as per the advice of the doctor according to patient body condition.

Inclusions

• Ayurvedic Treatments as per the Programme (Daily two treatment as morning/evening schedule)
• Daily breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Ayurveda veg diet as per advice of the doctor)
• 01 session of 04 body cleansing treatments focusing (Eyes,ears,mouth,nose)
• Daily Consultation with Ayurveda Doctor 
• Daily one medicated drinking water
• Daily on herbal juice
• Free indoor/Outdoor facility

Overnight Stay at Ayursoukhyam, Athirapilly

Day 6: – Athirapilly – Thrissur – Drive – 60 Kms /1 Hr 30 Mints Meals: B, L, D

Morning check out and drive to Thrissur. Thrissur is a city in the south Indian state of Kerala. It’s known for sacred sites and colorful festivals. In the center is Vadakkumnathan Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and adorned with murals. The ornate, Indo-Gothic Our Lady of Dolours Basilica is nearby. To the north, Thiruvambady Temple is home to several elephants. Sakthan Thampuran Palace houses an archaeology museum with bronze statues and ancient coins. On arrival check in to hotel and relax.

Overnight Stay at Joy’s Palace, Thrissur

Day 7:- Thrissur – Guruvayoor – Cheruthuruthy – Drive – 30 Kms /1 Hr                 Meals: B.L, D

After breakfast check out from your hotel and drive to Guruvayoor Elephant camp (Punnathur Anakkotta). Punnathurkotta was once the palace of a local ruler, but the palace grounds are now used to house the elephants belonging to the Guruvayoor temple, and has been renamed Anakkotta (meaning “Elephant Fort”). There were 86 elephants housed there, but currently there are about 59 elephants. The elephants are ritual offerings made by the devotees of Lord Guruvayurappa. This facility is also used to train the elephants to serve Lord Krishna as well as to participate in many festivals that occur throughout the year. The oldest elephant is around 82 years of age and is called ‘Ramachandran’. The rituals of Gajapooja (Worshipping Elephants) and Anayoottu (Feeding Elephants) are observed here, as an offering to Lord Ganesha. The legendary elephant “Guruvayur Keshavan” was housed here. The compound also has a naalu kettu, a traditional rectangular home with a central courtyard, which belonged to the Punnathur Raja. It is poorly maintained and presently houses a training school for Papans (Mahout). This complex also contains a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Bhagavathy. 

After the visit proceed to Cheruthuruthy, where Kerala kalamandalam is located .on arrival check in to the hotel.

Overnight Stay at Lords Resort, Cheruthuruthy

Day 8 –: Day with Masters at Kalamandalam – Calicut Drive – 110 Kms /3 Hrs     Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast proceed visit Kerala kalamandalam and spend day with masters in Kalamandalam. Kerala Kalamandalam has, for decades, been regarded as the most prestigious Kathakali School in the entire world. This legendary school of art is located in Cheruthuruthy and was originally set up by the famous poet of Malayalam, Vallathol Narayana Menon. The story goes that he recognised a subtle decrease in the interest people had in Kathakali and other traditional art forms and thus started the venture. Today, the Kalamandalam is the foremost proponent of a variety of traditional performing art forms that include Mohiniyattam, Kutiyattam, Thullal and Nangiarkoothu. It is also an official deemed University for Art and Culture. Founded in 1930 along the banks of the Nila (Bharathapuzha) River in Thrissur District, its ambience has assisted and nurtured Kerala’s traditional art forms for nearly a century. Performances and classes are regularly held in Kalamandalam, fostered by its quaint charm. Eminent artists from across the state and beyond perform regularly at its famous dance theatre, Koothambalam. Interestingly, it is the only one of its kind to be built outside a Temple complex. The Koothambalam’s granite pillars are famous for having one hundred and eight karanas (dance-poses) inscribed on them. Watching recitals in these hallowed halls is an ethereal experience. A number of scholarships and awards, sponsored by patrons from across the world, are regularly awarded to aid the student’s journey as artists.

‘A Day with the Masters’ is a pilgrimage to the most sacred temple of arts, giving a world class experience to the visitors, with an unique menu of presentations that bring out the grandeur of the institution. This premier cultural tourism product of the ‘Gods Own Country’ is jointly promoted by Kerala Tourism and Kerala Kalamandalam.

The tour consists of the following:

An audio-visual presentation – Saga of Kalamandalam 

A Presentation and visit to the Koothambalam – the traditional temple theatre 

A Visit and Exposition of 10-15 Kalaris (teaching classes) – Classical dances – Mohiniyattam,

Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi; Kathakali – Vesham(acting), Make-up, Vocal music, Cholliyattam; Koodiyattam.; Percussion instruments – Chenda, Maddalam, Mizhavu, Thimila and Mridangam; Karnatic classical Music, Thullal 

A Presentation on Kerala Mural Painting , ‘Nrittyolpathi’, the origin of Dance 

A visit of the Art gallery, to see costumes, head-gears, masks and jewellery. 

A glimpse of the old Kalamandalam Campus on the banks of Nila; Portrait-gallery and the tomb of poet laureate Vallathol Narayana Menon, founder of Kalamandalam 

Evening proceed to Calicut, on arrival check in to your hotel.

 Overnight Stay at Kadavu Resort, Calicut

Day 9 –: Calicut – Wayanad – Drive –90 Kms /3 Hrs              Meals: B, L,D

Morning breakfast at your hotel and enjoy the fascinating drive through the Western Ghats as you to head for Wayanad. This is one of the most beautiful drives in all of South India. Arrive at Wayanad and you are assisted with your check-in to your scenic nature resort. Wayanad, the green paradise is nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, forming the border world of the greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotizing, this land is filled with history and culture. Located at a distance of 76 km. from Wayanad the sea shores of Kozhikode, this verdant hill station is full of plantations, forests and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandhipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the wild life to move about in their most natural abode. Wayanad enjoys a salubrious climate throughout the year. The mean average rain fall in this district is 2322 m.m. Lakkidi, Vythiri and Meppadi are the high rainfall areas in Wayanad. Annual rain fall in these high rain fall areas ranges from 3,000 to 4,000m.m. High velocity winds are common during the south west monsoon and dry winds blow in March-April. High altitude regions experience severe cold. At Ambalavayal in Wayanad, the Tribes in Wayanad mean maximum and minimum temperature for the last five years were 29oC and 18oC respectively. This place experiences a high relative humidity which goes even up to 95 percent during the south west monsoon period. Generally, the year is classified into four seasons, namely, cold weather (December-February), hot weather (March-May), south west monsoon (June-September) and north east monsoon (October-November). The dale Lakkidi, nestled among the hills of Vythiri taluk, has the highest average rainfall in Kerala. The misty environs of Wayanad offer a wide range of trekking opportunities, plantation visits and wildlife tours. 

Overnight Stay at Abad Brookside, Wayanad

Day 10 –: Wayanad – Sightseeing                Meals: B, L, D  

After breakfast proceed for Wayanad sightseeing. Start your day with Edakkal caves. Twenty five kilometers away from your resort lays two caves which showcases nature’s skill and philosophy on architecture. These caves are located 1,200 m above the sea level on Ambukutty Mala. The name ‘Edakkal’ literally means ‘a stone in between’. Here you can see a cave formed by a heavy boulder straddling a fissure in the rock. Many legends are there behind the formation of Edakkal caves. One of the stories is that, these caves are said to be formed with the arrows fired by Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Sri Rama. Another one is associated with Kutti Chathan and the Goddess Mudiampilly. The local people used to have a pilgrimage trip to this place to honour the Goddess. Edakkal caves The caves were discovered by Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police of the Malabar district in 1890, during his hunting trip to Wayanad. He discovered the Edakkal rock-shelter, situated on the western side of Edakkalmala. To his surprise, he identified the place as a habitat of Neolothic people. Edakkal caves are famous for its pictorial paintings (cave paintings), which are considered to be of 6000 B C. To reach the caves, one has to trek through the Ambukutty Mala. It will take around 45 minutes to climb the hill and you will never get disappointed in your trip to these historic caves. Inside the cave, you can see two chambers. The lower chamber is 18 ft long, 12 ft wide and 10 ft high and the upper chamber is 96 ft long, 22 ft wide and 18 ft high. You can sight carvings of human, animal figures and objects used by humans, on the walls of the caves. These carvings give great evidence for a highly civilized society who lived in the pre-historic age. Edakkal caves have drawn great attention of archeologists and historians worldwide. Edakkal caves Edakkal is the only known place in India with Stone Age carvings. You can see here carvings belonging to Neolithic and Mesolithic age. The human figures of these caves have raised hair and some have masks. They all have archeological significance and are interesting too. Along with these pictorial carvings, you can also watch Tamil and Brahmi Script in Edakkal caves. Edakkal is said to have some links with Indus Valley Civilization too. Around 400 signs were discovered recently, which had shown its relationship with the ancient civilization. The prominent among them was ‘a man with a jar cup’.

After lunch, Visit Uravu Bamboo grove. “Uravu Bamboo Grove” is an eco-friendly community tourism project located on the elevated and picturesque mountain plateau of Wayanad, Kerala, southern India. Situated just outside the peaceful Thrikkaipetta Bamboo Village and surrounded by rice fields, the stunning Uravu Bamboo Grove encircles a beautiful pond and a bamboo grove. The main objective of the Uravu Eco Links tourism project is to develop and run a sustainable, eco-friendly tourism venture by involving and benefitting the local community. The villagers are taking part in the management of the project, which features innovative building designs based on latest environmental standards, locally sourced materials and include the ideas of local artisans. These homespun designs have been paired with local knowledge of sustainable construction and an enthusiastic team of international and local experts in the areas of architecture and design, engineering, innovative water and energy management, tourism and craft. After the visit drive back to resort. 

Overnight Stay at Abad Brookside, Wayanad

Day 11 –: Departure transfer to Calicut Airport      Meals: B

After breakfast check out and transfer to Calicut airport 

*** END OF TOUR ***

HOTELS ENVISAGED

Includes

• Traditional Kerala welcome on arrival
• Accommodation in  Double on the meal plan mentioned above
• Transportation and sightseeing by Chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicle as per the itinerary
• Day with Masters in Keralakalamandalam
• Monument entrance fee
• Cochin sightseeing with English speaking guide
• Kathakali show at Cochin
• Bottled water during sightseeing/excursions and other drives
• All currently applicable taxes

Excludes

• Any item of personal nature like tips / porterages
• Personal expense like telephone / laundry
• Any optional activities / package trip not mentioned above
• Any air / train fare
• Expenses arises due to Harthals(Flash strikes), natural calamities
• Delay in flight schedule or cancellation etc
• Anything not mentioned above