Day 1 – Farm experience
Our stay is planned in an organic farm near Thekkady. The farm produces papaya, grapes, mango, passion fruit, sapota, coconut, tender coconut, jackfruit and honey. After checking into the cottage, lunch is served.
Post lunch and a nap, we take a walking tour of the farm. The experience encompasses a walk among pomegranate, papaya plantations, pluck grapes in the vineyard, watching the bees busy storing honey in the apiary, learning about carefully nurturing young saplings in the nursery, composting methods in the composting yards, talking to the cows the livestock pen, feeding the chicken, ducks and other animals on the poultry farm and learning the names and medicinal uses of the plants in the specially planted herbal garden.
The watch tower in the farm provides commanding views of the valley. Rest of the day can be spent cycling around the villages and a bullock cart ride through vegetable farms that are in various stages of harvest.
Day 2 – Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary
We take our motorcycles again albeit for a short half an hour ride to the world famous Periyar Wildlife Reserve. Covering 777 sq. kilometres, of which 360 sq. kilometres is thick evergreen forest, Periyar Wildlife Reserve is both a Tiger and an Elephant Sanctuary. We take a boat cruise to the dam catchment area for wildlife sighting in their natural habitat. Animals that can be spotted would be elephants, bison, foxes, wild dogs, hornbill and many others. A memorable experience here would be a Elephant safari as you get to see the sanctuary over the top of an elephant. One can also give the elephants a bath! But be ready to get drenched when suddenly an elephant decides to give you a shower through its trunks.
Post lunch, an interesting experience is planned for you in the form of a guided tour of a spice plantation. A lovely sensorial experience awaits as you smell different scents visiting tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper and orange plantations.
Day 3 – Cultural Experience
After breakfast we visit Cumbum market Watch farmers bring in their freshly harvested produce and sell them at government regulated prices. The local community shops here for Garlic, Onion, Tomato, Okra, Beans, Carrot and Green chilies.
Post lunch we head to the Mudra Cultural Centre in Kumily, a short ride away to witness Kathakali and Kalarippayattu the 2 fascinating art forms of Kerala.
Kathakali is a dance drama which originated in the 17th century. Dancers get a fantastic makeup and then tell a story, often from the epic Ramayana, through their dance. You will get to see the elaborate make up preparation as well as the main performance of the dancers.
Kalarippayattu is an ancient form of martial art which originated in Kerala. This martial art draws inspiration from nspiration from the raw power and sinuous strength of the majestic animal forms lion, tiger, elephant, wild boar, snake and crocodile. The show with its sheer energy will be spellbinding.
