Plantations & Hill Stations - 9 days
Explore the beautiful south of India, taking in the lush tea plantations of lofty
Munnar and Ooty in the magical Nilgiri Hills, riding the toy train to Coonoor and
going wild in Muthanga Wildlife Reserve!
Day 1: Kochi
Monday. Welcome to the tropical south! Arrive at Kochi International Airport in
Kerala by 10am, included transfer to hotel. In the afternoon embark on a short sightseeing
tour of historic Fort Kochi, highlights include the Chinese Fishing Nets, the ancient
Jewish Synagogue which was built in 1567, the Dutch Palace, with its 17th Century
murals of the Ramayana and St. Francis’ Church. and in the evening we watch a Kathkali
Dance show, the most popular and sacred dance-drama of Kerala, which has evolved
over the last 400 years. Overnight - Kochi
Days 2 - 3: Tea Estates of Munnar
Kochi - Munnar. On day 2 we travel to lofty Munnar. At an altitude of 6000 feet,
the tea plantations of Munnar are beautifully spread like green carpet over hundreds
of kilometers and surrounded by lush green hills. The tea plantations of Munnar
offer a striking scope of the Western Ghats, Munnar is essentially a tea town which
becomes obvious upon approach to Munnar as tea gardens cover the hillsides for miles.
The Assam variety of tea is grown in Munnar and the tea plants are kept to a manageable
height of 1 to 1.5 metres, if left to grow in the wild tea plants can reach as high
as 25 metres and cuttings are used from these strong healthy plants to ensure the
bushes are of fine quality rather than raising the bushes from a seedling. This
afternoon we visit Raja Malai - the highest peak of Munnar, where you might be lucky
to see Neel Thar or mountain goats. Then we explore Munnar’s tea estates and the
tea museum. After breakfast on day 3 we travel to Club Mahindra for an adventurous
jeep safari in the Kolukumalai Hills to visit a tea factory and learn more about
the industry. Later we visit the Eravikulam National Park and Mattupetty Dam if
time permits Overnight - Munnar
Days 4 - 5: Coimbatore – Coonoor
Munnar - Coimbatore - Coonoor. Day 4 is spent driving north to Coimbatore in the
state of Tamil Nadu, arriving late afternoon the remains of the day are spent at
leisure. Continuing our journey the following morning we travel on to Coonoor. One
of the most popular hill stations of Tamil Nadu, Coonoor is beautifully located
in the Nilgiri Hills or the Blue Mountains. Blessed by nature, Coonoor has a scenic
charm that attracts large number of tourists every year. Surrounded by tea plantations
Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris region, situated at an
altitude around 6000 feet it has a cooler, mild climate and is popular as a weekend
getaway. Essentially a small tea garden town the weather is consistent throughout
the year, walking the plantations on cool mornings can be a surreal experience as
heavy mists sit on the hills and give the sensation of walking through clouds. In
the afternoon visit the picturesque Botanical Gardens and Dodabetta Peak, the highest
known peak in the region Overnight - Coimbatore and Coonoor
Day 6: Ooty Tea Plantations & Toy Train
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing today! We visit the beautiful tea and coffee plantations
of Ooty and the Rose Gardens. The tea gardens are surrounded by lush green hills
covered in pine and eucalyptus forests and spread like a green carpet over hundreds
of kilometers. Possibly the highlight of the day is a wonderful joy ride on the
charming Toy Train from Ooty to Coonoor. Negotiating the Blue Mountain Railway line
the blue and cream steam livery chugs from Mettupalayam to Otty via Coonoor, negotiating
16 tunnels, 31 major bridges and climbing to 2193 metres. Ooty typically has pleasant
and perfect weather all year round and was initially established around 1820 as
a place for the British to escape the extreme heat of the plains eventually developing
into one of the most popular resort towns. The scent of Eucalyptus trees, pine trees,
coffee and tea plantations fill the air with a spicy fragrance. While tea is the
main produce of the region essential oils of Eucalyptus, clove, geranium, lemon
grass and camphor extracted from local plants of high quality are also produced
in Ooty. Situated in the Nilgiris or Blue Mountains, are a mountain range made up
of at least 24 mountain peaks bordering Karnataka and Kerala and running through
Tamil Nadu. At 7,500 feet the charming hill station of Ooty, which is actually short
for Ootacamund and is now officially named Udhagamandalam is found lying between
four mountain peaks –Club Hill, Snowdon, Doddabetta and Elk Hill offering spectacular
landscapes Overnight - Coonoor
Days 7 - 8: Wayanad & Muthanga
Coonoor - Wayanad. Next stop on our journey is Wayanad, a hill district, which is
one the most beautiful regions of Ooty, situated 70km east of Kozhikode, with its
tracts of forest covering the western flanks of the Nilgiris. Wayanad is renowned
for its plantations of tea, coffee and cocoa, verdant jungle and the Muthanga Wildlife
Sanctuary where large herds of elephants roam. Tours of the tea and coffee plantations
can be arranged upon request. Wayanad is also famous for other crops grown in the
region from black pepper, ginger and turmeric to rubber and vanilla. The black pepper
grown in Wayanard is famous throughout India and the world due to a unique quality
and aroma. Wayanad covers an area of around 2100 sq kilometres and retains its pristine
nature nestled between the mountains of the Western Ghats. On day 8 we go in search
of animals in Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary on a 3 hour jeep ride and visit the fascinating
pre-historic Edakkal Caves Overnight - Wayanad
Day 9: Calicut
After breakfast we drive to Karipur and transfer to Calicut International Airport
in Kerala. Please Note: Flights departing Calicut should be booked after 12 noon.
Additional accommodation can be arranged if you require.