Day 1 & 2 : HD Kote & Mysore
A taxi will pick you up at Bangalore’s airport and will bring you to your hotel. Embrace our agricultural heritage thanks to a meeting with a millet farmer and how they adapt to climate change. Learn our agricultural technique, taste our spices, feast on fruits you never ever heard of and experience the nature that built it for you. Get involved in our education program in a school for disadvantaged childen, follow the rhythm of Kabani river during a boat trip and listen to the nature in a jungle safari. Explore Mysore, referred to as the cultural capital of Karnataka, a green city where the mesmerising Mysore Palace, an Indo-Muslim Palace inspiration, comes along with cathedral, churches and museums.
Day 3, 4 & 5 : Thrikkaipetta
The next stop is Thrikkaipetta, a traditional and agricultural village, surrounded by rice fields, tea plantations and flanked by the Westen Ghaats. Once arrived in the village, you will be welcomed by your host family, share your culture and stories with them, and they will show you the vividness of our culture in this peaceful and quiet place. Learn how to cook a traditional indian meal; meal that you taste for your own diner. Discover the bamboo handicraft workshop of the village, where Uravu established a sustainable and responsible business, the rice fields and other cash crops plantations. Fish you own food, helped by local fishermen and cook it yourself on a barbecue while watching the sunset over the hills. Learn the history of the valley and of its inhabitants by visiting the 300ft waterfall Soojiparra, the 3000 years old Edakkal caves, Jain temples … Do not stop here and get back to nature and stroll through our forests, trek in the hills and mountains (path from easy to medium difficulty), visit our rivers and lakes and understand the diversity of fauna and flora inhabiting all this places.
Day 6, 7 : Calicut
Visit a traditional boat making unit and be amazed by the craft skills of the workers, meet the fishermen at the sea port and enjoy the vibrant trade city where we established women empowerment program. The next day, have a walk in the colourful fruits market and Big bazar and learn about the Malabar way of conducting business. Sail on the river along the city and enjoy a Kalaripayattu performance, one of the oldest fighting systems in existence featuring strikes, kicks, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods. Complete your knowledge about local culture with a visit in a museum and an art gallery.
Day 8, 9 & 10 : Allepey
Described as the “Venice of the East”, you will experience the magic beauty of this place. The backwaters are places where all naturals elements cohabit together, and where Human beings try to leave in harmony with nature for thousand years. Between water and earth, the land has many secrets awaiting for you with picturesque canal, beaches and lagoons. Visit prawn and mussels processing units, operated by women, relax on small boats sailing on the canals, walk by the backwaters and open your mind and spirit when visiting temples. Mr Namboori will present you medicinal plants during a walk across the countryside. Walk by the sea side let the current carry you to new surprise.
Day 11 & 12 : Vagamon
Back in the wavy and green hills in the backdrop of the Western Ghaats, you spend two days exploring the remote tea plantations and factory, trekking to waterfalls or even experiencing para-gliding and acupuncture.
Day 13, 14 & 15 : Fort Kochi
Kochi was a fishing village in the Kingdom of Kochi in the pre-colonial Kerala. From the following colonial history, Kochi inherited its architecture. Walk in the streets, flanked by a mix of Portuguese, Dutch, and British old style houses, visit the churches, synagogue, and colourful spices market or just enjoy a scenic view at the waterfront, with a series of pre-colonial Chinese fishing nets. Chill out to a sunset cruise at sea, appreciate a Kathakali performance, a multi-centuries aged traditional dance featuring professionals colourfully dressed and make-up.