Staying in homestay accommodation is a great way to experience Kerala.
You’ll be staying mostly in large, ancestral family mansions on plantations and estates, with all the homely hospitality of being with friends but a lot of space to yourselves as well. We work only with families who we know are excellent hosts, who enjoy the company of visitors and whose sumptuous cooking will leave you wanting to stay much longer
Cochin Arrival - Palakkad
Arrive at Cochin airport where you will be met and introduced to your driver. If you arrive in the evening you can begin your trip with an overnight stay near Cochin airport (in a hotel, rather than a homestay) and proceed with the tour the next day. Depart for Palakkad and stay at Kandath Tharavad, the ancestral home of the Bhagwaldas family. After a traditional welcome by the host and a tour of the property, spend the remainder of the day relaxing or taking a walk around the nearby agriculture areas and villages. Overnight at Kandath Tharavad.
Palakkad
Another day at this most bucolic location with further options including visiting the traditional potters and weavers colony, Ayurvedic massage treatment, cooking classes and more. But of course, if you just want to relax and enjoy the gentle pace of life here, that is absolutely fine! Overnight at Kandath Tharavad.
Palakkad - Cochin
After breakfast leave Palakkad and drive to the lovely heritage area of Fort Cochin (not to be confused with Cochin/Ernakulam across the harbour which is an interesting but very busy modern Indian city). Your accommodation here is at Gramam Homestay, just 15km south of Fort Cochin itself, and alongside one of the myriad waterways of this region of Kerala. Overnight at Gramam Homestay
Cochin
Staying just outside of busy Fort Cochin will give you a completely different impression of this area. You’re still close enough for an easy day’s sightseeing covering all the normal places around Fort Cochin including the synagogue, Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and the Chinese Fishing Nets but before and after your time in the hub of the town you’ll feel that you’re a thousand miles away. In the evening, enjoy a cultural show including traditional Kerala art forms- Kathakali dance and Kalarippayattu martial arts. Overnight at Gramam Homestay.
Cochin - Kothamangalam
After breakfast drive to another lovely homestays located in Kothamangalam, Mundakkal Homestay. On reaching Kothamangalam, check into the plantation homestay and relax. You will be shown around the plantations and served with delicious homely meals. Overnight stay at Mundakkal Homestay.
Kothamangalam - Pala
Early morning visit to Thettakad bird sanctuary where around 270 species of migratory and local birds can be found. Your guide will attract these birds making different sound and explain each of them clearly to you. After completing the visit return back to the homestay and have a late breakfast. Then drive to Pala and on arrival, check into Nazarani Tharavad homestay. Later visit the vanilla farm and the rubber estate of the host to watch the tapping of rubber and processing of latex. You can also try your hand at fishing in the pond using traditional method. Overnight stay at Nazarani Tharavad Homestay.
Pala
Day around Pala with visits to local artisans- traditional Kavani (cloth) weavers, bell metal workers and potters. Later visit Poonjar Palace, millennium old temples, churches, and enjoy a cooking class back at your homestay, followed by yet another delicious meal. Overnight at Nazarani Tharavad.
Pala - Alleppey
Depart at your leisure and head to Alleppey, where you’ll stay at a traditional home right next to the backwaters. Places of interest around here include churches and temples, but it’s also an excellent area for walking, cycling or kayaking. Overnight at Thevercad Homestay.
Alleppey - Cochin Departure
Further time around the backwaters before driving up to Cochin airport for your outbound flight, either heading home or to another part of India.
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