TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Escape to the tropical lagoons of Kerala where life moves slowly. Drift South on a traditional houseboat feasting on Spice Coast cuisine uncovering distant archipelagos. Relax with signature Ayurvedic treatments and unwind on the white sandy beaches of South India whilst staying in award winning sustainable barefoot luxury eco lodges.
COASTAL HIDEAWAYS TO TROPICAL HOUSEBOAT STAYS
banana leaves for plates & VEGAN coconut curries
ELEPHANT HERDS TO BIRD WATCHING WITH AN ORNITHOLOGIST
spirit reviving treatments to ENGAGING EXPERIENCES
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN CONSIDERED & INCLUDED
Checklist
Private airport transfers. All local transport + houseboat stay included
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All vegan or vegetarian meals daily
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Midrange & above boutique accommodation. Specially selected eco-lodges
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Private English speaking guide. Ornithologist included.
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Philanthropic ventures. Off the beaten path eco exploring
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All entrance fees to landmarks. Equipment for activities
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Flight free trip. Tree planted in our VOGO woodland
YOUR ITINERARY
Philanthropic initiatives
Activities including volunteering, learning and discovering involving community wellbeing
Look out for
Eco exploring
Ethical travelling promoting environmental good and positive animal welfare
V Foodie experiences
Specially curated vegan and vegetarian dining experiences
Day 01
KOCHI ARRIVAL
Welcome to Kochi, the tropical coast of Malabar, a city set on a magnificent estuary. Serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travellers to its shores for over 600 years. Ease into the evening as you bear witness to a traditional Kathakali dance performance followed by a specially prepared South Indian vegan dinner to end the evening.
meals: B
Day 02
CITY EXPLORING WITH HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS
After breakfast begin your morning uncovering the cultural melting point of religions, customs and beliefs in the city.
Philanthropic initiative
Later visit a program in the Chendamangalam village who's core mission is to eradicate poverty in rural areas through teaching skills like organic farming and handicrafts to locals. Learn more about this women’s self-help group empowered to promote gender equity and communal harmony through self-sustainability.
V Foodie experience
In the afternoon, enjoy a cooking demonstration and follow with tucking into a Sadhya feast encompassing the length and breadth of vegetarian cuisine.
Philanthropic initiative
As you continue on your journey along the winding village roads, step into the lives of the local villages and learn the intricate craft of handloom weaving which acts as a primary source of income for many of the families.
meals: B L D
Day 03
PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK DISCOVERY
After breakfast learn all about spices as you visit a rustic spice plantation set over lush green acres of land followed by lunch.
Eco-exploring
This morning pave way towards the hills of the Western Ghats to Periyar National Park. The 5,500-hectares of lush green, marshy areas with tall grasslands and succulent shoots are idyllic habitats to spot herds of Indian elephants as well as Nilgiri Langur and the Lion tail Macaque deep amongst the tall trees.
Ease into the evening with a striking display of an old Indian martial art form of Kerala called the Kalaripayattu.
meals: B L D
Day 04
HIKING, RAFTING AND WILDLIFE EXPLORATION
Eco exploring
This morning nature awaits with an early morning adventure as you climb aboard a bamboo-made raft. Prepared to be transported on this dawn to dusk adventure hiking and rafting through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. The forests are rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. Picture panoramic views of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake as you track elephants, gaur and sambar as they make their way close to the edges of the lake.
Philanthropic Initiative
After a spot of lunch, try your hands at making paper with recycled fibres, material and junk mail collected from nearby resorts learn to create a new lease of life as you turn pulp to paper into works of art.
meals: B L D
Day 05
HOUSEBOAT LIVING AND BACKWATER CRUISING
Eco Exploring
After breakfast climb aboard your houseboat for the night and sail towards Alleppey the hub of Kerala's network of backwaters. As you cruise through the waters take in the sights and sounds of the tropics, spot birds and local wildlife as you meander through the waterways.
Later, enjoy fragrant authentic curries garnished with local Malabar spices accompanies with perfectly cooked rice for lunch.
As the houseboat docks at the jetty this evening opt to stroll through the nearby village to get a glimpse on rural life on the backwaters. For dinner, swap out your plate for banana leaves and experience an authentic Keralan dinner like a local.
meals: B L D
Day 06
ARCHIPELAGO ISLANDS ON LAKE VEMBANAD
After breakfast, this morning head to Kumarakom a beautiful archipelago of tiny islands surrounded by a labyrinth of tropical waterways sat on India's largest lake -Lake Vembanad. This picturesque spot is perfect for nature enthusiasts and avid bird watchers.
After lunch the day is yours to curate, choose to indulge in an authentic spa treatment at your eco-luxurious thatched roof hotel or opt to discover the thriving eco-system of the onsite butterfly garden filled with wildflowers luring in various varieties of wild migrating butterflies.
meals: B L D
Day 07
WILDLIFE SPOTTING WITH AN ORNITHOLOGIST
Eco exploring
After breakfast head out for an educational tour with a local ornithologist. The 14 hectares of the grounds of Kumarakom are a sanctuary for birdwaters nationally. The geographical conditions and idyllic habiat of the area attract various bird species including critically endangered Siberian crans. Learn to recognise movements and the chatter of different species.
Later, head to a coconut grove to meet a brave personality effortlessly climb a coconut tree. His fearless bravery will pay dividends as you sip on thirst-quenching juices of fresh tender coconut.
Later for dinner ease into the evening with traditional local plant-based cuisine mastering an array of spices and home grown ingredients.
meals: B L D
Day 08
SPICE COAST CUISINE EXPERIENCE
Ease into the morning after fuelling up on breakfast this morning, Opt to soak in the rays of the South Indian sun on the golden sandy beaches of Marari.
V foodie experience
A culinary delight awaits this afternoon for lunch, begin by roaming through four acres of organic farmland as you pick your way through vegetables and fruits that spark your interest from the vast selection available. Next, hand your selected goodies over to our chef who will transform your selection of produce to masterful innovative vegan dishes for you to tuck into and enjoy.
Marari is the ultimate Indian coastal hideaway the rest of the afternoon is yours to craft. We recommend cocooning into a hammock under a palm tree as you gaze into the shimmering clear waters.
meals: B L D
Day 09
SIGNATURE AYURVEDIC TREATMENT
Philanthropic initiative
After breakfast this morning, ease into a relaxing start with a move at your pace exploration of the village by bicycle. Meet the locals and hear stories of their past and present as you watch a day in the life of the villagers. Admire local families set up small scale units at home to convert natural resources around them to produce for their daily lives, join the family with a rustic home looked vegan lunch.
This afternoon learn the foundations of Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine, originated in India over 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Experience a signature spirit reviving science led Ayurvedic treatment as you relax for a full body massage. In the evening dinner awaits for your last night of culinary coconut based delights.
meals: B L D
Day 10
FARWEWELL SOUTH INDIA
Your epic and rather unique off the beaten path ecological adventure through Kerala comes to a close today after breakfast however, the culture, learning, philanthropy, ethical experiences and V-food feasts doesn't have to end here, opt to extend your trip to the North and wander through bazaars, marvel at UNESCO sites, embark on safaris in the North of India.
meals: B
Okay I'm curious, what's next?