India Spice Trails of Kerala 2018 1
Itinerary Day 1: Departure from the UK Day 2: Arrival day We are transferred 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 in South Asia, with over 1,000 species of flower and plant. Accommodation: The Paul (1night) Day 3: To Mysore via 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 history, 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 (4.75-9.5km) and include historical city tours, jungle walking safaris, village strolls and scenic spice trails. Our journey begins. We head southwest to the enchanting city of Mysore, via the 18 th century island fortress of Srirangapatna. The Srirangapatna fort was built surrounding an 8th century Gangadeshwara temple. The grounds were later to 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 to history, religion and culture (2½ hrs leisurely walking with many stops). Leaving the site we continue to the royal city of Mysore, known for its palaces, flower markets, and sandalwood factories. The city first prospered under the rule of the 2
Maharaja, who built flamboyant palaces, and frequently entertained guests. Our accommodation tonight is in a former guest house of the Maharaja, built to accommodate visiting dignitaries. Accommodation: Hotel Metropole, Mysore (1 night) Day 4: To Nagarhole along the Kabini river banks (4 miles / 6km, leisurely walking). 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) Day 5: Nagarhole Sanctuary An early start this morning, as this is the best time to spot animals. We ll do a jeep safari into Nagarhole sanctuary an opportunity, hopefully, to spot some big cats. 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, rich with the scent of jasmine, which is used to make the colourful garlands sold here (2 hrs leisurely walking with stops). We ll also visit the spectacular Mysore Palace with a local guide. We begin our journey again, leaving the city for the tranquility 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. Later we explore the local area with a walk through the tribal villages at the edge of the sanctuary. We return In the evening we ll take a boat ride on the Kabini reservoir, where we ll have the opportunity for birdwatching and hopefully spot some animals which come to the water to drink. Tonight we enjoy our dinner by the campfire, listening to stories from the local naturalist. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, Day 6: To Wayanad Today we travel to the cool green hills of Wayanad. En route we stretch our legs with a stop at the Kuruva islands on the Kabini River, for a walk visiting the local villages, forests and picturesque paddy fields (approx 4 miles / 6km with some undulating sections, but no steep gradients. The trail can be uneven underfoot). We enjoy lunch at a local home, an ela sadya, a Keralan multi-course vegetarian meal served on banana leaves. 3
Day 8: To Kozhikode We 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 up around every corner and before long you will arrive at a forest clearing, where we will take a short break. 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 will follow the trail downhill, winding through rainforest and coffee and pepper plantations later, back to our start point. 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 village (approx 2.5 miles/4km, 1½ hours). From here 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. Accommodation: Copper Folia, Kozhikode (1 night). 4
Day 9: To Allepey We explore the streets of Kozhikode this morning 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. (Short city walk of approx 1½ hrs with plenty of stops). Day 11: Cruising the Backwaters We begin a magical 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 takes approx 5 hours and gives us a different vantage point from which to see the Keralan countryside. We travel in airconditioned carriages to Kochi and can relax and watch life go by. We then have a transfer (approx 1.5 hours) by bus to our luxury accommodation. Accommodation: Kumarakom Lake Resort (2 nights) Day 10: Relaxing day Today we have time to enjoy the stunning setting of our resort. If you are an early bird you can attend an openair yoga session, which runs daily. Mid morning we take a leisurely walk to the local villages where our guide will introduce us to the local communities there (approx 1½ hrs). Afterwards we have time to relax, maybe enjoy one of the Ayurveda massages 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). 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 explore. 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 its Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. A short visit on arrival in Kochi, takes us to the Mattanchery Dutch Palace 5
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. Before our evening meal tonight, we finish with a Kathakali performance, a traditional Indian dance drama. Accommodation: The Tower House, Kochi (1 night) (Meals included: breakfast, lunch & Day 13: Departure Day Group transfer to Kochi airport for our return flight home. (Meals included: breakfast) 6
Accommodation The Bison (2 nights) The Paul (1night) Located in the heart of Bangalore, 5 star The Paul is the perfect place to enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation after our flight. Camping but not as you know it! All the comforts of a hotel are found in this peaceful setting with perfect wildlife watching opportunities. Plantation Experiences (2 nights) www.thepaulbangalore.in Hotel Metropole, Mysore (1 night) This hotel 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. 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. http://www.royalorchidhotels.com/roy al-orchid-metropolemysore/overview.asp 7
Copper Folia, Kozhikode (1 night) Houseboat (1 night) This contemporary 4-star hotel has a rooftop pool and spacious rooms. Although in the midst of this bustling township, the hotel has an air of peace and calm. www.copperfolia.com These rice boats 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 unique Keralan experience. The Tower House, Kochi (1 night) Kumarakom Lake Resort (2 nights) This 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. This 17 th century building offers an old world charm and is one of a few hotels in Fort Kochi that sits looking out over the sea. Rooms are light and spacious. http://www.neemranahotels.com/thetower-house-cochin-kerala/ http://www.kumarakomlakeresort.in/ 8
Before your holiday We hope you find this information comprehensive if not please visit our website for more details or contact us. Kit List Please try to keep luggage to a minimum as you will need to carry it yourself at airports and between your transport and your hotel. All details correct at time of writing (May 2016). Passport and visa requirements are subject to change; please check with your consulate before you travel. 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 Walking boots (worn in) with good ankle support and spare bootlaces Walking socks Lightweight fleece Lightweight waterproof trousers and jacket Shorts Long trousers and long-sleeved light coloured shirts with collars to protect from the sun your clothing should ideally be pretreated with insect repellent and in-built sun protection (available from specialist clothing stores such as Rohan, Cotswold Outdoor) Sun hat Comfortable clothes and shoes for evenings and sightseeing Sun protection sunglasses, high factor sunscreen and lip protection Water bottle at least 2 litre capacity Lightweight survival bag Small/medium rucksack (30 litre) a bin liner will keep contents dry if it rains Soap and hand sanitizer gel Insect repellent Universal adaptor plug Binoculars Universal sink plug Personal first aid kit including: personal medication, tissues, plasters, blister kit, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, Imodium, rehydration sachets 9
Passport (and copies); booking confirmation; insurance cover note; HF Holidays registration form Optional: walking ( approach ) trainers, trekking poles, camera, umbrella, binoculars, swimming costume, and towel. Please ensure you have access to emergency funds should you need them; carrying a credit card is probably the most convenient method. 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 2 pieces checked-in luggage (max 23kg). 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 non-machine 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 $60 (non-refundable) plus a 2.5% credit card charge. You will need to upload a photo and complete the application form online. Please remember to take a copy of the e-visa with you. You can apply for the e-visa minimum 4 days in advance of your travel date, with a window of up to 30 days. The e-visa should be emailed to you within 4 days. Please ensure that you keep your Passports and Visas on you at all times, except when you are out walking. Travel insurance If arranging your own travel insurance, please ensure it is adequate for your specific itinerary. Health advice This is subject to change and we would highly recommend that you consult your doctor before travelling. For further information on country specific advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Polio vaccinations are recommended. Malaria prevention is recommended too. Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or overthe-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: Keep your medication in its original packet Take a copy of your prescription too 10
If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country that you re visiting 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. Travel tips for a comfortable flight We ve put together a few simple tips to help make your flight as comfortable as possible, ensuring you begin your holiday in tip-top shape. Move about. Change position and avoid crossing your legs. Immobility poses the greatest risk in the development of clotting disorders. Get out of your seat and walk around as regularly as possible to improve circulation No pills. Unless advised by your doctor, do not take sleeping tablets on the flight; this will reduce your mobility and make you feel sluggish Protect your ears. If you experience discomfort due to the cabin pressure changes, suck a sweet, chew, or hold your nostrils and gently blow through your nose; this should equalise the pressure. If you still experience problems, speak to a member of the cabin crew Drink plenty. Ask a member of the cabin crew if you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee or carbonated drinks as these will dehydrate you. Instead, try to drink plenty of fruit juices or water Eat light. Avoid heavy meals and foods air expands at altitude and heavy meals will result in that bloated feeling Moisturise. Your skin, especially your lips and nostrils, may feel dry so moisturising creams may help. If you wear contact lenses, always carry your glasses with you, as your eyes may feel dryer than usual Stay loose. Wear loose fitting, comfortable shoes and clothes Flight socks are recommended to help prevent DVT on longhaul flights 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. They will assess the damage and 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 settlement cannot be reached. 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 For those travelling on our HF Holidays group flight, please proceed to the arrivals hall once you have passed through passport control, customs and baggage reclaim, when you arrive at your destination. Continue walking out of the airport until you see the HF sign. Independent travellers 11
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. If your flight arrives before the group flight and you would like to join the transfer to the first hotel, please contact our Abroad Administration team on (0)20 8732 1271. They will have a list of the relevant transfer costs. 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. We need to have this from you at least 4 weeks before travel. Please also inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday Please listen to any safety instructions from the leader Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor If you become separated from the group, please stay where you are, 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 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 page 7) 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 12
exchange. Please carry some small rupee notes for shopping (<R500). Traveller s cheques are not advised. Suggested reading and Maps 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 Pictorial blog of HF Kerala Trip by Steve Pardoe http://www.pardoe.net/kerala/ Maps can be obtained in advance from The Mapshop www.themapshop.co.uk Electricity 220V, round 3 pin plugs (larger top pin) GMT/UTC +5.5 hrs Time difference HF Holidays Ltd, Catalyst House, Centennial Court, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SY, UK 13