Always wanted to explore and experience the rich culture and heritage of India? The history, the food, the people, the traditions and languages always fascinated you? But always had unanswered questions in your mind and the fear of the unknown. What would be the accessibility at each place and whether the people would be welcoming enough. What if I don’t get the meals as per my diet or worse if the tour covers too much in too less time?
This is you or anyone of your loved ones who happen to have a disability or is a senior citizen.
The dream of travelling to India and experience it first hand, the way you want at your own pace, is now a reality. Travel solo, go on a romantic getaway or to travel with new people in an inclusive group, this is the place to be, breaking all barriers of disability.
Kerala, often called God’s own country, stands true to its name. Golden beaches, emerald backwaters, lofty mountain ranges, powerful art forms and Ayurveda wellness solutions… the choices are many and so are the wonders that await you in Kerala. Come and take home what they call ‘memories’, the kind that makes life worth living.
Highlights:
This tour has been created – and is carried out -by local specialised travel partner Planet Abled.
This specific itinerary can be complemented with a tour of the Golden Triangle, find the program here.
Kochi Airport, Kerala – India
The trip is open for people with visual impairment, hearing and speech impairment and mobility impairment. Other disabilities can also be served, if the traveller is accompanied by a family member or friend.
Land at Cochin airport. Transfer from Airport to Munnar. Check in at the hotel. Have lunch.
Munnar means many things to many people. It is about tea for some, it is about the Nilgiri Thar for some. It is just wild nature and a hill station for some others. Many talk about Munnar being the epitome of social innovation considering the way Tatas transferred ownership of their tea estate to thousands of their employees. It is a place known for its bio-diversity and for some of us its a place where unsustainable tourism might pay a price soon if responsible tourism isn’t practised without any more delay. Either way, its one of the most visually stunning location one can find in any part of India.
Explore the green beauty of Munnar followed by visit to a small village, where most households engage in agriculture of some sort. Traverse around these little villages, along plantain fields and unexplored paths that will take you across the hamlet to sample the essence of village life.
Breakfast at Hotel. Drive to Thekaddy. The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations. In the Periyar Tiger Reserve of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
Explore the diverse facets of Thekaddy.
INTRODUCTION TO SPICES: You are in spice country and a great opportunity to get to know more about the spice you use daily in your kitchen. This is an interactive cooking demo with our chef who will demonstrate the art of using spices. The resident naturalist will introduce all the spices which chef has been using for this cooking demo.
ECO ACTIVITIES in Thekaddy: The team of resident naturalists will take you on a tour of the amazing eco activities that happen at the Village – Recycling of water, solid waste management, solar energy and organic farming. You could also have a hands-on exposure on creating paper from waste.
Post breakfast, drive to Kovalam. Check in to a beach side hotel. Kovalam: Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. And the sunset her is something people travel miles just to experience its beauty in the backdrop of lush palm trees. Spend the day and evening at leisure in midst of natural beauty and experiencing unique relaxing treatments unique to Kerala.
Drive to Kumarakom. Stay at houseboat and enjoy the famous backwaters of Kerala. Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast on board.
Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teams with Pearl spot. The region is also known for farming below sea level which is very unique in the country. For those who have read Arundhati Roy’s God of Small Things, the region will bring in nostalgia about people and places. Kumarkom is strategically located between midlands and ocean so a houseboat trip from Kumarakom to Alleppey falls into an itinerary that takes one to Marari, Alleppey or Kochi.
Komarakom: Stay at houseboat and enjoy the famous backwaters of Kerala. Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast on board.
Enroute the float, enjoy village life experience and the cultural activities which were getting extinct but now have been revived due to responsible tourism initiatives.
Reach Fort Kochi after breakfast. It’s a place that has Princess Street. You see sign boards for a loafers corner. Influence of Dutch, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese and British is still visible in it’s design and architecture. Till date it is an amalgamation of vivid culture.
Many communities from across India and some from abroad still has it’s root here and their life style reflect that heritage. Contemporary Art Biennale has given a new dimension to the port city with hundreds of art lovers have started flocking to the island in the last two years. Chinese Fishing Nets, Dutch Palace, Jew Town, St Francis Church etc highlights the richness of the place. An idea place either to start or wind up a trip before your next journey.
Fort Kochi: Visit one of the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India, traverse the old time Jew Town and explore the antics from across the world. Visit the Dutch Palace Museum and experience old style fishing on the Chinese Fishing nets.
Day 11 Morning flight back home.
Stay in Kerala can be extended for Wellness and Ayurvedic retreats to treat various daily life or long standing ailments and medical conditions.
