KERALA, INDIA

Your journey weaves together breathtaking panoramas; sensory experiences that rejuvenate and uplift the mind, body and soul.

When you want to explore both your inner world and the greater world, Quiet Zone packages can put it all together for you. With a focus on faith and spirituality, we offer complete packages to important destinations such as Israel, Rome (Vatican City), Thailand, Tibet, India, Turkey, Spain and Sedona, Arizona.

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This 13-day itinerary (similar abbreviated itineraries are available. Ask us for more information) takes you on a journey which allows you to experience the landscape and unique culture of Kerala. Your stay on this sojourn will be at spectacular locales and hotels including three Relais and Châteaux retreats, an exclusive tropical retreat nestled in a cardamom plantation and a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala.

Your journey weaves together breathtaking panoramas; sensory experiences that rejuvenate and uplift the mind, body and soul; Kerala's culinary trail with quintessential regional flavours and signature cuisines and antiquities from Kerala's rich history. All along, immerse yourself in traditional folk art forms and soak in local vibes.

Your itinerary starts at an exotic beach resort at Kovalam. Stay in a luxurious retreat located in a spectacular coconut grove overlooking the Arabian Sea. After some Sun, Sand & Sea, head to verdant Western Ghats and stay in a Cardamom Plantation amidst exotic wildlife. Enjoy Kerala backwaters; your stay offers art, design and gorgeous views of Lake Vembanad at its widest point. Ride the palm-lined backwaters on a houseboat and end this unforgettable journey with a cultural immersion at the harbor at Fort Kochi.  

Day 1 – Arrival at Thiruvananthapuram Airport
On your arrival at the airport, meet and greet, and transfer to Kovalam. You will be welcomed in traditional Indian custom at the Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra – a member of Relais and Châteaux and Travelers' Choice - 2014 winner. 
At 6PM, enjoy an entertaining performance of Indian classical Carnatic music. 

Day 2 – Introduction to the glorious heritage of Kovalam
Tea will be served at Niraamaya's pristine secluded beach – an exhilarating pre-dawn experience. Watch the spectacular Kovalam sunrise and the play of colors over the majestic Arabian Sea.
Later, visit the local fish market at 6AM with our celebrity Chef. 
Back at the retreat your breakfast awaits, post which we will take a trip around Kovalam for some interesting glimpses of heritage and culture. 

Day 3 – Backwaters, Sun, Sand & Sea
Today, start your day with Sunrise Yoga on the exclusive pavilion on the edge of a cliff overlooking the majestic Arabian Sea for 30 mins. 
This light workout will be followed by breakfast at Cafe Samsara.
After breakfast, we will head south of Niraamaya retreats to the Poovar estuary, a short 20-minute drive.  Poovar was the epicenter of trade in sandalwood, spice and ivory. 
Here you will be transferred to a motor boat that cruises through pristine coconut groves on either side of the river leading you to the Golden Sand beach. 
On your return, the boat will take you through a pristine mangrove forest, before you transfer back to retreat.

Back at the retreat enjoy a classic high tea on your porch while your pre-booked spa therapy awaits - the Niraamaya Signature Spa therapy (60 mins). 

Day 4 - A day of divine wellness at Kovalam
Today, start your day with Sunrise Yoga on the exclusive pavilion at the edge of a cliff overlooking the majestic Arabian Sea for 30 mins. 
This light workout will be followed by breakfast at Cafe Samsara.
Your wellness program continues with Shirodhara (30mins) at Spa Niraamaya. 
This will be followed by Abhyanga Snana Classic (60 mins). 

Follow this with a retreat walk-through accompanied by our naturalist (optional). He will introduce you to the flora and fauna at the retreat and also take you through our home grown organic garden. You will also learn of all the environmental friendly initiatives at Niraamaya.

Hi-tea will be organized at the ancient wishing well during your walk around or at your porch, if you wish to skip the walk-through. 

Day 5 - Leave for Thekkady
After breakfast, check-out from Niraamaya Surya Samudra Kovalam and transfer to Thekkady. 
This is India's largest wildlife sanctuary and a dream destination for all tourists. 
Along this 4-hour drive you will experience the panoramic Western Ghats - from small quaint towns to rubber plantations and lush green tea plantations to scenic valleys up a winding road.
Check-in at Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club -Travelers' Choice - 2014 winner, and give yourself up to the Niraamaya Experience. 

Cardamom Club is perched amidst acres of cardamom plantations. 
Explore acres of verdant groves and enjoy a guided spice plantation tour. Experience how spices such as cardamom, pepper, vanilla, nutmeg and cloves are grown. These exotic and fresh spices make for a great takeaway.

Day 6 - Introduction to Periyar
Choose between a 4-km trek from within the retreat to Mount Miracle at dawn - a great opportunity to catch the local wildlife such as the Gaur or 'Indian Bison' and various species of deer and the beautiful Periyar sunrise. 
(For the less adventurous we have a secret (cheat) pathway to the top.)
Or, look out for one of the rarest animals on earth. The Periyar Tiger Sanctuary is one of the few places where these big cats can prowl freely. 

This evening we take you to watch Kalaripayattu – one of the oldest forms of martial arts indigenous to Kerala. With careful measured movements the clash of swords is guaranteed to leave you mesmerized. 

Day 7 – Thekkady Gavi Jeep Safari
We have two options:
For a genuine safari experience, we will travel by jeep into the dense reaches of spice hills in Gavi. The safari will take you through all forms of terrain - valleys, tropical forests, sprawling grasslands and cascading waterfalls. It includes three hours of trekking and two hours of paddle boating. Try and spot the rare lion tailed macaques, the yellow-necked Nilgiri marten, Salim Ali's fruit bats, black bears, wild elephants and tigers.
Or, if you are game for a little more adventure, you can opt to go bamboo rafting down the Periyar Lake. Steer your craft through dense forests, skirt the rapids, we are certain you will come back with a new respect for the wild.

Breakfast and lunch is organised in a quaint hamper for both the excursions.Your dinner today is Niraamaya's special barbecue dinner and bonfire. End the blissful day with our sun-downers, stargazing at the bright blanket of stars that stretch across a clear night sky, before a crackling bonfire.

Day 8 – Leave for Lake Vembanad
After breakfast at Cardamom Club, we will drive to Purity on Lake Vembanad (4 hours). Purity is right in the heart of the backwaters and overlooks the lake at its widest point. All 14 suites and rooms of Purity overlook the lake.

A therapeutic Ayurvedic treatment is already pre-booked for your convenience. 

Day 9 – Introduction to Kerala's Water world
We invite you to a free session of yoga class. After breakfast at Purity we suggest you a tour by tuk-tuk or car. We offer you two options:

Option1 : Alleppey Town Visit (half-day)
Mullakkal Bhagavathi Temple
This temple, located at the heart of Alleppey Town has charming traditional temple architecture in typical Kerala-style with a sloping tiled roof. 
Lighthouse and Beach
Built in 1862, it is one of the oldest lighthouses on the South-west coast. The approach to the lights is through a flight of wooden stairs in the narrow interiors of the tower. The balcony of the lighthouse offers a bird's-eye view of the town to the east and the vast sea to the west. 
 Alleppey Local Market
Alleppey local market will give you a glimpse of the local life – a glimpse of local bazaars and people going by their daily life, and shopping at the vegetable and provisions stores. Alleppey is 18 km from Purity, the journey will take 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the traffic.

Option 2 : Arthunkal Church & Cherthala Town Visits
This tour combines the waterfront of the Arabian Sea with the backwater town of Chertala. It is conducted on a tuk –tuk. The total distance is 28 km including return to the hotel.

Arthunkal Church
The church, officially Arthunkal St. Andrew's Forane Church was originally built by the Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. It was rebuilt in 1584, under the then vicar Fr. Jacoma Fenicio, whom the devotees claim, possessed magical powers to heal the body and mind. 
Cherthala
Take a tour of the small town of Cherthala to see the local markets and the nearby Karthyayani Devi temple.

Take a swim or revisit the spa (optional) after your return. 

A complimentary high-tea will be served in the late afternoon. We also invite you to canoe ride along the lake shore, including the visit of an operational Chinese fishing net.

Day 10 – Houseboat Cruise (Overnight Stay on the Houseboat)
 Closer to lunchtime you board Discovery - the Malabar Escapes' houseboat for a cruise through the many canals and waterways. 
Discovery is the most eco-friendly houseboat in the backwaters and has been listed repeatedly as one of the best houseboats in the world. 

The sun beds and the dining table on the upper deck become the grand stand while the daily life in the backwaters passes by. 

Day 11 – Leave for Cochin
Today, after breakfast, check-out from the houseboat; you will be then transferred to Cochin. 

At the heart of historical Fort Kochi you will be welcomed in traditional Indian custom. Check-in at The Malabar House, member of Relais & Châteaux and winner of the World Travel Award 2014. 

In the evening, be mesmerized with a cultural program of Kathakali – a classical Indian dance-drama, noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements. 

Day 12 – Introduction of Cochin
After breakfast at the Malabar House, we introduce you to the history of Fort Kochi, the heart of ancient spice trade. Given in 1498 by the Cochin Maharaja to Vasco da Gama, it is India's oldest Indo-European town, and was once governed by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Even today, it holds the reins as the hub of the spice trade. 

The Malabar House team will be delighted to listen to your interests and help you to put together a personalized program for the day. 

Whatever you prefer to do, sightseeing at the historical landmarks on a tuk-tuk, browsing through antique shops or contemporary art galleries, fashion shopping or simply soaking up the everyday life in the local markets and streets. 

Do not miss the sunset at the Chinese fishing nets - Cochin's famous landmark, only a short 5-minute walk from The Malabar House.

Day 13 – Depart from Cochin
Today, after breakfast check-out from the Malabar House. You will be transferred to Cochin airport for your
home-bound flight.

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