Selected by National Geographic Traveler as one of the ten ‘Paradises Found”, Kerala is a place of diverse geography, overwhelming greenery, and unique beauty. In particular, the Kerala backwaters are known for being one of the biggest jewels in the crown of Kerala. Spend your day with a local guide and set off on a journey out of Kochi and into stunning Kerala.
The 2.5 hour journey to Kerala is a photographer’s dream. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed into the home of a local family. With a traditional cup of chai tea and a local lunch in preparation, you’ll have the opportunity to converse with the local family and learn more about their lives. After lunch, your Kerala tour continues with a walk through the village and an exploration of the rice paddies. You’ll hear how the backwaters are such an integral part of life in Kerala, and learn more about local fruits and vegetables as well as local culture and customs. A truly local experience, this Kerala tour is a perfect day tour from Kochi, and a great way to experience the culture and natural beauty of the Kerala backwaters.
The sunset cruise on Kochi Harbour provides a tranquil escape from the bustling metropolitan areas and one can admire exquisite seaside views of Fort Kochi, Bolgatty Island, Willingdon Island, the Kochi shipyard and the structurally impressive Chinese fishing nets. End your tour by viewing the sun sinking into the horizon – a mesmerizing experience!
Kathakali is the most well-known dance drama from the south Indian state of Kerala. The word Kathakali literally means ''Story-Play''. It is known for its large, elaborate makeup and costumes and the hand gestures are used to convey the story. These hand gestures, known as mudra, are common throughout much of classical Indian dance. During this visit, you will also get a chance to see the artisans applying make-up as well.
The Backwaters of Kerala is a network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and inlets formed by more than 900 km of waterways. The backwaters have a unique ecosystem - freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. Backwater Cruise on the Vembanad lake allows you to have a close look at rustic village life-skiff-fishermen, lush green rice fields thinning out into the distance and coconut groves with the occasional temple or church, ostensibly rich with marine bounty.
Kalaripayattu the martial art form of Kerala is regarded as the oldest and more scientific in the world. Training in combat is given at the kalari (training school).The principles of kalari education stipulate that training in martial art begins with an oil massage of the body which goes on until the body is agile and supple. Feats like chattom (jumping), ottam (running), marichil (somersault) etc. are then taught, followed by the lessons the use of weapons such as daggers, swords, spears, maces, the bow and arrow and so on. Kalaripayattu training aims at the ultimate co-ordination of the mind and body. The traditional training in a kalari includes specialization in indigenous medical practice too.
Kalaris are also centers of religious worship. The general guidelines to be followed in kalaripayattu demand that once the course is complete, a person should undergo oil massage and engage in the practice of the feats at-least once a year to help him keep in shape. The duration of the Kalari show is 45 minute to 1 hour and 6 to 7 warriors participate in the Demonstration.
The show starts with introduction of Kalarippayattu. Kalari is decorated with traditional oil lamp and flowers. The performers perform the Kalari items accompanying by the traditional musical instruments, such as ‘chendamelam’, ‘panchavadiyam’, edaka and other musical instruments. The visitor gets an opportunity to watch the handling of weapons used in Kalarippayattu. Explanation is given before the start of each performance to help the visitors understand thrilling experience one is going to watch.
Nimmy, a professional cookery instructor, and her stockbroker husband Paul, offers food and hospitality to foreign guests. Nimmy and Paul belong to traditional Syrian Christian community in Kerala. In keeping with the tradition of their families they enjoy having guests and serving good food.
Nimmy conducts cookery classes. She teaches guests the nuances of traditional Kerala recipes. She is also a food consultant to writers, chefs and magazines. Articles by her and about her have appeared in magazines and newspapers
The Hill Palace Museum is Kerala's first heritage museum noted for royal collections of the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi, is today the largest archaeological museum in Kerala.
Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifully landscaped terraced land which houses a deer park and facilities for horse riding. Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants grow here. On display in the full-fledged Ethno-archaeological museum are oil-paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of the Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the simhasana (throne).
Upon return, visit the Folk-lore museum. Each and every article here is a herald of a glorious past. For the art lover there is no better feast than this. For the researcher and the scholar, they need not go anywhere else to get an in depth knowledge about the Artistic Heritage of South India, especially Kerala.
The Museum Shop here caters to the fancies of the Collectors. Here one can buy artifacts and antiques with a Provenance Certificate. Any person who wants to know the value of his own antiques can consult the experts and get to know the period, style and value of his antiques.
Athirapally waterfalls are one of the most popular picnic spots in Kerala. It is 60 km drive from Cochin. Chalakkudy where Athirapally waterfalls is located, is famous for its rivers, forests and numerous waterfalls. This Sholayar ranges patches is so beautifully intertwined lushes of silver cascades that sizzles and green forest that it became one of the hottest tourist spots in Kerala. Athirapally falls is the most famous among various other small ones beautiful enough to attract those interested.
Guruvayur is a pilgrim center which has its own glory and greatness, mainly because of the divinity enshrined in the Sanctum - Sanctorum (central shrine) of the temple and the unique charm of the idol installed in it.
The Devaswom (Temple) maintains a unique elephant sanctuary, the only one of its kind in the World with 51 elephants. These jumbos are the offering of the devotees to the Lord. The present elephant sanctuary is in Punnathur Kotta about 3 kms north of Guruvayur temple. A large number of pilgrims and tourists visit this fascinating spot every day. In this vast compound, there are road facilities for pilgrims and tourists to go around.
Kalamandalam or the institution of learning the performing arts (traditional Indian dance forms) is jointly promoted by the Kerala Tourism. Kerala Kalamandalam is the premiere public institution in India imparting training in and conducting performances of the classical arts of Kerala viz. Kathakali, Kutiyattam, Mohiniyaattam, Thullal and Panchavaadyam.
Founded in 1930 by eminent poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana Menon in the Cheruthuruthy village, Kalamandalam is an immortal name in the cultural map of the world. Training in art-disciplines at Kalamandalam essentially adheres to the ancient Gurukula sambradaaya (The traditional mode of education which calls for a deep bond between the teacher and the student). Kalamandalam is strictly a residential center of learning. Veteran teachers and talented students are its inestimable wealth. For art-recitals, demonstrations and workshops held in Kalamandalam and outside, artiste-teachers and students participate. Kalamandalam Kathakali, Kutiyattam, Mohiniyaatam and Thullal Troupes have travelled widely in India and abroad for programs, lecture-demonstrations and workshops. They have represented India in many an international dance and theater festival.
The institute runs a special program “A Day with the masters” which is termed as a pilgrimage to the most sacred temple of arts, giving a world class experience to the visitors, with an unique menu of presentations that bring out the grandeur of the institution. Here one can watch closely the different aspects beginning from the preparation till execution. This program includes a presentation and visit to Koothambalam (Traditional Temple Theatre) followed by sneak peek into the teaching classes followed by different dance performances by the students of Kalamandalam.
Get ready to discover the tastes and flavours of India (of which there are many!) from the people who know best – the locals. This Home Cooked Kochi tour gives you the unique chance to peek inside the world of a Kochi local, and experience their culture first-hand.
After meeting your local guide, taking a stroll to their house, and being introduced to the family, we’ll get you in the kitchen right away. While it is up to you as to how much you’d like to get involved with the cooking, the option is there for you to get stuck in and prepare food with your local host. You’ll learn all about South Indian cuisine, which is distinctly different from North Indian food. In the South, food is infused with coconut oil and a different blend of spices. The food that you’ll cook will be prepared with fresh, local ingredients and seasonal vegetables. Your cook will use spices such as turmeric, cumin, mustard seeds, pepper, chillies, ginger, and garlic with vegetables such as okra, beans, or lentils – giving you the perfect lesson in Indian spice blending. What a skill to take home with you!
On this Kochi food tour you’ll also have a lesson on how to make Indian Masala Chai, a classic Indian tea tradition. And let’s not forget dessert! You’ll taste a traditional mithai, a typical Indian sweet bite infused with green cardamom or jaggery.
This Home Cooked Kochi experience will be your chance to learn all about Kochi food and how it’s made, and is an opportunity for you to chat with a local family and get to know them. This isn’t just about having a local cook for you, it’s a sharing experience and a way to interact with the locals. You’ll learn their eating customs – they’ll even show you how to eat with your hands, if you like! Become part of an Indian family for the day, an experience you’re sure to never forget.
Embrace both pedal and paddle on this Kochi bike tour that cruises down to the beautiful backwaters of India, stops at a local’s house for lunch, and glides through the picturesque rivers of Ezhupunna. Not to mention the beaches, fisherman’s farms, and villages we’ll check out on the way. We couldn’t fit more into this tour even if we wanted to!
What could be more perfect than spending the day breezing through rural India on a bike, taking in the sights and sounds, stopping along the way for some authentic local food? We know, sounds pretty great to us too. This Kochi tour is just that and more - let’s ride! We’ll kick off this Kochi bike tour in Fort Kochi, a port town filled with fascinating sights such as the Santa Cruz Basilica and Vasco da Gama church. We’ll breeze past these spots at the beginning of the tour, and your local guide will stop along the way to give you the lowdown on Kochi and what makes it tick. We’ll also pay a visit to the fishermen who use traditional nets for their craft, and take a break at the beaches most popular with the locals.
We’ll continue to tour Kochi and head towards Ezhupunna backwaters. En route we’ll stop by sea shore fish auction centres, and onwards to prawn peeling centres. These places are the backbone of the fishing industry in Kochi, making them the perfect place for you to get a real feel for the people who live and work here. We’ll cruise down coconut tree-lined streets, and if we have enough time we may even stop at a local toddy bar for a drink.
Upon reaching the backwaters, it’ll be time to take a break and have some lunch. But not just any lunch! You’ll be treated to a traditional fisherman’s lunch with a local family, which will consist of fresh fried fish and tasty curry dishes. During this time in the villages you’ll have the unique chance to interact with locals and experience Kerala village life, an opportunity you’re sure to remember for a long time.
In the afternoon, we’ll give the bikes a break for a couple of hours and hop on a canoe or shikara boat ride through the narrow canals. This relaxing part of the tour will get you right up close to the beautiful waters, the veins that run through this part of India, making it so naturally stunning.
After your scenic boat ride, we’ll hop back on our bikes and return to Kochi, stopping off along the way to check out some prawn culturing farms and Kumbalanghi model tourism village. We’ll also have plenty of opportunity to stop and take pictures, and once you see this gorgeous scenery, you’ll definitely want to - trust us!
The total distance covered on this Kochi tour is around 34km, and we’ll be riding at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops. This tour is suited to cyclists of all levels, so don’t worry if you’re not a pro! We won’t be taking on any devilish hills – the terrain is fairly easy and gentle.
Get to know the local culture of India through its food. Sample tasty treats from the Muslim, Hindu, and Christian areas of Kochi. Taste traditional dishes such as biryani, dosa, and thengapal. Sip on palm wine and nibble on bar food with locals at a toddy bar. Wander through the local spice and fruit and vegetable markets of Kochi.
La maravillosa India es más que un país, es un subcontinente multicultural con muchísimos idiomas y religiones. ¿Qué mejor sitio para ver esta diversidad que la exótica parte sur del país? Con el mar Arábigo al oeste, las Ghats occidentales levantándose majestuosamente en el este y con una red de 44 ríos, Kerala brinda unas características geográficas únicas y un clima muy estable. Con remansos de paz, corrientes de agua turquesa, bosques frondosos y vida silvestre exótica, Kerala es un destino que robará tu corazón.
Desvíate de los itinerarios más turísticos de Kerala y descubre una de las joyas ocultas de la India. Es tal su belleza natural que la guía de viaje de National Geographic la eligió como uno de los diez "paraísos encontrados". Kerala posee una geografía diversa, con una vegetación abrumadora y unos paisajes impresionantes. Destacan especialmente las lagunas, famosas por ser una de las joyas de la corona de Kerala. Pasarás el día con un guía local y saldrás de Kochi para conocer la imponente Kerala. El recorrido de 2 horas y media por Kerala es el sueño de cualquier fotógrafo.
Al llegar, te dará la bienvenida a su casa una familia de la zona. Te ofrecerán una taza de chai, un té tradicional, y mientras te preparan el almuerzo tendrás ocasión de hablar con la familia y de ver cómo viven. Después del almuerzo, continuaremos con un paseo por el pueblo y visitaremos algunos arrozales. Descubrirás que las lagunas son una parte integral de la vida en Kerala y aprenderás más cosas sobre las frutas y verduras locales, así como sobre la cultura y costumbres.
Por último, cuando regresemos a Kochi podrás relajarte y recuperar energías con un tradicional masaje ayurvédico, poniendo un broche perfecto a este magnífico tour.