ITINERARY in South Asia, with over 1,000 species of flowers and plants. Accommodation: The Paul, Bangalore (1 night) Meals included: L & D Day 3: to Mysore via Srirangapatna Our journey begins. We travel southwest to the enchanting city of Mysore (officially Mysuru) via the 18 th century island fortress of Srirangapatna. Sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the lush Western Ghats, our itinerary treats you to scenes of untouched southern India. We ve avoided the touristy far south, and taken you instead on a connoisseur s walking tour, to discover some lesser known jewels. Our explorations take us through Mysore with its charm and colourful markets, to the wildlife havens of Nagarhole and Wayanad, and to the city of Kochi, with its wealth of culture and history. This is the perfect introduction to the rich beauty and culture of southern India. The perfect mix of walks and sightseeing. Walks range from 3-6 miles (5-9½km) and include historical city tours, jungle walking safaris, village strolls and scenic spice trails. Day 1: Departure from the UK Day 2: Arrival day On arrival we transfer to our accommodation. Due to the planned arrival time of the overnight flight, rooms will be available early morning. After lunch, your local guide will accompany you to the Lalbagh (Red Garden) Botanical Gardens situated in southern Bangalore. This is one of the most diverse botanical gardens The Srirangapatna fort was built surrounding an 8 th century Gangadeshwara temple. The grounds would later become the site of the downfall of the ruler Tipu Sultan, who was killed here in 1799 when the British attacked at the battle of Srirangapatna. We take a guided walk through some of the remaining areas of the fort, including the temple, gun store and the dungeons, an interesting insight into history, religion and culture (2½ hrs leisurely walking). Leaving the site, we continue to the royal city of Mysuru, known for its palaces, flower markets, and sandalwood factories. The city first prospered under the rule of the Maharaja, who built flamboyant palaces, and frequently entertained guests. 2 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
Accommodation: Hotel Metropole, Mysuru (1 night) Day 4: to Nagarhole Later we ll take a boat safari on the Kabini reservoir. This is a great opportunity for birdwatching and to hopefully spot some animals which come to the water to drink. Wild elephants are often seen on the opposite shores, as are bison and spotted deer. If we re lucky, we may spot leopard, and hear the roar of tigers in the evening. Accommodation: The Bison (2 nights) An early start this morning as we take a walking tour of the city, an excellent introduction to the wonderfully rich culture of southern India. Our walk includes a visit to the local market, with the intense scent of jasmine, which is used to make the colourful garlands sold here (2 hrs leisurely walking). We ll also visit the spectacular Mysore Palace with a local guide. We continue our journey, leaving the city for the tranquillity and greenery of rolling countryside. We drive to the stunning setting of our accommodation, on the banks of the Kabini reservoir, in Nagarhole sanctuary, once the hunting reserve of the Maharaja. Day 5: Nagarhole Sanctuary An early start this morning, as this is the best time to spot animals. We ll explore the local area with a walk through the tribal villages at the edge of the sanctuary to observe their daily life. We return along the Kabini river banks. Distance: 4 miles (6km), leisurely walking over c.2½ hours. In the afternoon, we ll take a jeep safari into Nagarhole sanctuary an opportunity, hopefully, to spot some big cats. This evening we enjoy our dinner by the campfire, listening to stories from the local naturalist. Day 6: to Wayanad Today we travel to the cool green hills of Wayanad. En route we stop at the Kuruva islands on the Kabini River and we ll walk through local villages, forests and picturesque paddy fields, taking the opportunity to interact with the tribal communities who live in the area if possible. Your guide will be able to identify and point out several species of flora and fauna to you during your walk. 3 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
The trail then continues uphill, before the last 200m leads us to our lunch spot Frog Rock (or thavala para in Malayalam). The views here are superb. After lunch, we follow the trail downhill, winding through rainforest and coffee and pepper plantations, back to our start point. Distance: approx. 4 miles (6km) with little ascent and some undulating sections and areas that are uneven underfoot. Enjoy lunch at a local home: typically, this is an ela sadya, a Keralan multi-course vegetarian meal served on banana leaves, to give you a true taste of the area. We then head to our restored colonial bungalow set inside a 4,000-acre working tea estate. Accommodation: Plantation Experiences, Wayanad (2 nights) Day 7: Wayanad, Banasura Foothills The morning drive (approx 1hr) will take you to the foothills of the Banasura range. The initial part of the trail skirts a small rural community before the pockets of shola forest start. There is plenty of flora and fauna to take in, aided by your guides. Dramatic views of the Banasura mountains open around every corner and before long we ll arrive at a forest clearing. Day 8: to Kozhikode As the morning mist rises from the lush forest floor, we begin our plantation walk at the Edom Estates. Edom is a 150-acre coffee and spice plantation and our walk through the fields of spices, tea, coffee and paddy gives us the opportunity to learn about their production and that of a variety of other spices such as pepper, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cocoa and vanilla. Our walk also gives us an insight to local life as we wander along the pathways through the villages. Distance: 2½ miles (4km) over approx. 1½ hours. We leave the serenity and greenery of the hills and begin our journey to the bustling streets of Kozhikode (Calicut), where we visit the ancient boat building yards of Beypore (45 minutes). Accommodation: The Raviz, Kozhikode (1 night). 4 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
Day 9: to Allepey Kozhikode has been a centre of trading for over 2,000 years. This morning, we ll explore the ancient spice and handicraft markets before boarding the train to Alleppey. Kozhikode is well off the tourist trail and gives us a snapshot of local city life as we explore its colourful, bustling streets. This is a leisurely city walk of approx 1½ hours. We begin an enchanting cruise through the serene backwaters, a labyrinth of shimmering lagoons and lakes. There is no walking today; instead we have plenty of time to sit back and observe local life on the banks of the lagoons as we cruise by. The train journey to Alleppey takes approx. 5 hours and gives us a different vantage point from which to see and enjoy the Keralan countryside. We travel in air-conditioned carriages to Kochi and can relax and watch life go by. We then transfer by bus (approx. 1.5 hours) to our luxury accommodation. Accommodation: Kumarakom Lake Resort (2 nights) Day 10: Free Day Today we have time to enjoy the stunning setting of our resort. If you re an early bird, you might like to attend an open-air yoga session, which runs daily. Mid-morning, we take a leisurely walk to the local villages where our guide introduces us to the fishing communities that have lived here for eras (approx. 1½ hrs). Afterwards we have time to relax: perhaps enjoy a Ayurveda massage that the resort specialises in (payable locally), or spend some time spotting the many species in the butterfly garden before another short, leisurely walk in the evening as the sun sets (approx 1½ hrs). Day 11: Cruising the backwaters Our boat is modelled on the traditional Keralan kettuvallum houseboats, once used to ply the backwaters loaded with rice and other staples. The backwaters here are unique to Kerala, and our evening aboard our luxury houseboat affords us the perfect way to experience this environment. Accommodation: luxury houseboat (1 night). Day 12: to Kochi We travel the short distance to Kochi today and explore charming Fort Kochi on foot with a guided tour discovering the Portuguese, Dutch and British influences dating back 400 years. On arrival in Kochi a short visit takes us to the Mattanchery Dutch Palace museum, and Jewtown synagogue before our check in. After lunch we explore the area with another guided walk, taking in sites including the Dutch Cemetery, St Francis church, the Bishop s house, and the iconic Chinese fishing nets. 5 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
Day 13: Departure Day After breakfast, we have a group transfer to Kochi airport for our return flight home. Meals included: B Accommodation: The Trident, Hotel (1 night) ACCOMMODATION Located in the heart of Bangalore, 5-star The Paul is the ideal place to rest and relax after our flight. Hotel Metropole in the heart of Mysore was built as a residence of the Maharaja. Enjoy the colonial charm and elegance of days gone by: stunning architecture, spacious rooms and great service. Camping but not as you know it! All the comforts of a hotel are found in the peaceful setting of The Bison with perfect wildlife watching opportunities. 6 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
Your accommodation in the green hills of Wayanad is inside a working tea estate approx. 3,000 ft above sea level. You'll be surrounded by lush tropical forests and mist-clad hills. Luxurious rooms are inside two colonial bungalows. For more, visit the Plantation Experiences website. The contemporary 5-star Raviz is situated in the bustling township of Calicut. Combining comfort and convenience this hotel is the perfect base for exploring the city s historic and cultural sites. Kumarakom Lake is a luxury heritage resort in Kerala overlooking Vembanad Lake. Rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, and the beach is only a short stroll across the gardens. 7 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
These rice boats now amazing houseboat accommodation once ruled the backwaters of Kerala. There are widely varying standards, but ours is a higher standard than many. You'll enjoy comfortable en-suite rooms, just like in a hotel. A truly unique and special Keralan experience. Located on Willingdon Island, The Trident is conveniently situated to visit the many famous sites of Kochi. Blending 5-star facilities with classic charm, the hotel is set amidst a picturesque central courtyard and landscaped gardens. 8 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
BEFORE YOUR HOLIDAY Ahead of your trip, we hope you find this information comprehensive. If you need anything else, please get in touch. All details were correct at time of. Passport and visa requirements are subject to change: please check with your consulate before you travel to ensure you meet all travel and entry requirements. We would advise that you check your government s travel advisory before travelling. For UK travellers, please check www.fco.gov.uk In all instances during your holiday, your first point of contact should be your HF Holidays leader or local leader. If for any reason this is not possible, HF Holidays emergency contact details are as follows: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm Tel 0345 470 7558 or +44(0)20 8732 1250 (from overseas) Fri - Mon 7pm - 9am Tel +44 (0)7918 737777 Airport parking & accommodation If you require airport parking or accommodation before your flight, we recommend our partner Holiday Extras. Call 0871 360 2750 and quote HX031 or book online at www.holidayextras.co.uk/hfholidays Suggested Kit List As you will be carrying your own luggage at airports and between your transport and hotels we recommend you try and keep your luggage to a minimum. These items are a general suggestion of what to pack for an active outdoor and walking holiday; depending on your destination, you may need more of some things and less or none! of others. You ll know best what you prefer to wear when out walking or while taking part in other outdoor activities. Walking boots (worn in) with good ankle support and spare bootlaces Lightweight waterproof trousers and jacket Comfortable outdoor/ walking clothing e.g. Long trousers and long-sleeved light-coloured shirts with collars to protect from the sun Lightweight fleece Shorts Your clothing should ideally be pre-treated with insect repellent and in-built sun protection (available from specialist clothing stores such as Rohan, Cotswold Outdoor) Comfortable clothes and shoes for evenings and sightseeing Sun protection sunglasses, high factor sunscreen and sun hat Water bottle at least 2 litre capacity Small/medium rucksack (30 litre) a bin liner will keep contents dry if it rains Insect repellent Lightweight survival bag Soap and hand sanitizer gel Personal first aid kit including: personal medication, tissues, plasters, blister kit, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, Imodium, rehydration sachets Essential: Passport (and copies); booking confirmation; insurance cover note; HF Holidays registration form 9 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
Please ensure you have access to emergency funds should you need them; carrying a credit card is probably the most convenient method. Optional: walking ( approach ) trainers, trekking poles, camera, umbrella, binoculars, swimming costume, and towel. Please note that your HF Holidays leader reserves the right to refuse to take any guest on a walk should they consider that a lack of suitable clothing/footwear may affect safety. Baggage allowance Please check details of your airline s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked. Passports & visas Your passport must be machine readable, with 2 blank pages for your visa and valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of your visa application. India s Bureau of Immigration has announced that with immediate effect, foreign nationals who arrive at an Indian port holding nonmachine-readable passports will be denied entry. British, Australian, Canadian and US citizens require an e-visa to enter India. This can be done online. Please visit the following website for further information: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html Current cost is $100 (UK citizens; fee is nonrefundable) plus a 2.5% credit card charge. You will need to upload a photo and complete the application form online; you may also be required to upload a PDF your passport photo page. You can apply for the e-visa a minimum 4 days in advance of your travel date, and as early as 120 days before you travel. The e- visa should be granted and emailed to you within 4 days. You must confirm that the e-visa is granted before travelling and take a printed copy of the e-visa with you. Please ensure that you keep your passport and visa on you always, except when out walking. Travel insurance Insurance is a condition of booking. Therefore, if you have not already arranged insurance, it is imperative that you do so, and advise us of the insurance company and policy number. We have negotiated special holiday insurance and full details of this cover can be found in our brochure or at www.hfholidays.co.uk. There is no extra charge for pre-existing illnesses. If you would like to purchase insurance from us, please call us on 020 8732 1220 or email holidayservices@hfholidays.co.uk. For more information about healthcare abroad and its costs, please visit: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers. If you are arranging your own travel insurance, please ensure it is adequate for your specific itinerary. Generally, this should include cover for walking at altitudes over 2,000m, which will cover you for a wide range of our holidays. Health advice This information is subject to change. In all cases, we highly recommend you consult your GP both for up to date details and for more 10 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
information on what is appropriate to your situation. As a rule, travellers should be up to date with their routine vaccinations and boosters as recommended in the UK - including, for example, the MMR and diptheria, tetanus, polio vaccines. Requirements can change, and we recommend you check in good time ahead of your holiday. It is recommended for most travellers to have: Diphtheria Hepatitis A Typhoid Tetanus Polio Malaria prevention is recommended too; consult your doctor for what is best suited to your specific needs. Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines is banned in some countries. If you will be carrying medication, please check with the country s embassy/consulate prior to travel. As an extra precaution, it is recommended to: Keep medication in its original packet Take a copy of your prescription If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country you re visiting For further information on country specific advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk Dietary requirements Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements. We will do our best to accommodate you. If you require a specific meal on the flight, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel. Lost/damaged luggage If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport on arrival. They will assess the damage; in some cases, the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately. You will be given a reference to quote to your insurance company if an immediate settlement is not possible - in many cases, baggage claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport. HF Holidays with-flight guests On arrival, please proceed to the arrivals hall once you have passed through passport control, customs and baggage reclaim. Continue walking out of the airport until you see the HF Holidays sign. Independent travellers If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the hotel reception for the HF Holidays leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group. 11 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
If your flight arrives before the group flight and you would like to join the transfer to the first hotel (at additional cost), please contact our Abroad Administration team on (0)20 8732 1271 to enquire about availability and make arrangements. Safety on your holiday Once you have made your booking, you will receive a pre-holiday questionnaire where we ask for details of next of kin, and insurance details. You must complete and return this to us- we need to have this from you at least 10 weeks before travel. Please also inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday. This is important because our leaders have to consider both group and individual safety at all times. Whilst out with the group, we respectfully request that you: Please listen to any safety instructions from the leader Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor Please stay where you are if you become separated from the group. The leader will retrace their steps to find you. Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines, and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you in your own kit. In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services on 100 (police) or 102 (ambulance). Please then call our emergency number (see p.9) and let us know there is a problem. Hikes and treks will be through a mix of rain forest, bamboo thickets and high altitude grassland. Leeches and leech bites are likely. Leech socks will be provided, but these are only a deterrent and do not guarantee protection. Tipping Tips have been included in your holiday price for key services such as local guides/ driver/restaurants. Any additional tips are at your own discretion. Climate Although Kerala lies closer to the equator than most Indian states, it is protected by the mountains of the Western Ghats, which keep out the hot, dry winds from the north. Its lush vegetation is helped by plenty of rain each year, and the Highlands of Kerala enjoy a cool climate during the months we have chosen to travel. Local currency & money matters Rupee (Rs). Debit/credit cards are accepted in major cities. In smaller towns, cash or Mastercard/Visa are accepted. The import and export of local currency is prohibited. US$ and GBP are the easiest currencies to exchange. Please carry some small rupee notes for shopping (<R500). Travellers cheques are not advised. Suggested reading and Maps Southern India & Kerala, Lonely Planet, 2017 The Rough Guide to Kerala, David Abram, 2010 The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy, 2011 The Last Jews of Kerala, Edna Fernandes, 2011 Portrait of Kerala, Melissa Shales, 2007 12 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
Pictorial blog of HF Kerala trip by Steve Pardoe http://www.pardoe.net/kerala/ Although you won t need them, if you d like any maps of the destination, you can obtain some in advance from The Map Shop: www.themapshop.co.uk Electricity 220V, round 3 pin plugs (larger top pin) Time difference GMT/UTC +5.5 hrs 13 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
14 Call 020 8732 1250 or visit hfholidays.co.uk