MYSORE – KAVERI TRAIL

Today you will be discovering the Kaveri trail by foot and local transport both alongside the meandering canal of the river Kaveri close to Balmuri Falls. This is one of a kind of experience when you get close to Nature and local life. You have Ranganathittu bird sanctuary on the side that makes it all the more an unforgettable experience of breathing the fresh air, beautiful green fields, canals and birds. Enroute will be Somnathpur temple that is known for its distinctive star-shaped platform. It was built by Hoysala rulers during their reign in this region. A visit to the Srirangapatna is also arranged that is an island fortress-city situated in the banks of river Cauvery. The town got its name from Ranganatha Swamy temple situated at the western end of the island.  

MYSORE-WAYANAD (By Train)*

Before we board the train, we drive up to the Chamundi Hills for a stunning view of Mysore. Legend has it that the hills are named after the Chamunda avatar of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife and this is where she killed Mahishasura, the buffalo-demon god in an ordeal of 10 days. We, then take the train from Mysore to Wayanad, which is an experience in itself. Slowly passing by the vast farmlands and local villages between Karnataka and Kerala while taking the memories along gives you a perspective in life.

WAYANAD-OOTY

We will start from Wayanad and cover a distance of 112 km on the bike through the otherworldly views, lush plantations, waterfalls, thriving forest life and winding hills. Ride above 2000 m of sea level and you will be entering Shola Forests. Shola forests are tropical Montane forests that are covered with rolling grasslands found only in South India in the Southern Western Ghats. The trees never grow on the mountain tops here. Even the species of the planets and animals found here are native and cannot be found elsewhere. Such is the magic of Shola forests.  

OOTY

Ooty leaves a childish longing to stay here forever. And, when we say travelling leaves you speechless and then will turn you into a storyteller, we were not dreaming. Because if dreams are real, they look like this. Take the day to yourself because you are right in the centre of bliss – the Nilgiri Hills. Dense pine forests. Towering mountains. Eucalyptus. Lone pine trees. Sparkling water. Serene lakes.

OOTY-POLLACHI

Today, we will be travelling in a car from Ooty to Pollachi, which covers a distance of 150km to Coonoor, second largest hill station in South India after Ooty. You can take a walk in the tea garden, see the mountain views and enjoy the quieter cool environs. We are staying in one of the villages here today. An experience that is bound to bring you closer to life and rejoice peace. You will hear many tales and learn the traditional village style cooking of the Kerala cuisine from the locals.

POLLACHI-MUNNAR

Get on your bikes because we are travelling to Munnar, one of the most serene places in Kerala to be. You will be covering 125 km. The winding and rolling hills of the Western Ghats surround the cool air and the lush green scape makes the perfect setting for a beautiful ride. Later, we will be exploring the ancient Marayoor sandalwood forests in Munnar Hills that consists of more than 65,000 natural sandalwood trees. It is believed that the place exists for as far as 10,000 BC. Discover the stone coffins with underground tunnels that belong to the Neolithic period.

MUNNAR

Someone wrote, “A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in–what more could he ask?”. We are in Munnar today while we reminded once again of how beautiful Nature could be and how man resides beside in harmony, nurturing and in turn nourished. This is the cycle of life that exists in God’s own country. On that thought, you could either take a walk through the aromatic lush green tea gardens or grab your bike and ride to take a look at what is beyond the clouds from the highest point in Munnar at 1700 m. Meet the clouds and enjoy the panoramic view of the Western Ghats.

MUNNAR-THEKKADY

Today, we are going to trek on the mist-clad mountains surrounded by scenic trails of the lush green valleys at Lockhart Gap, 13 km from Munnar, near Mattupetty. The location is also ideal for a walk through the tea gardens and garden of spices. Kerala is known for its export of spices – Pepper, Clove. Cinnamon. Ginger. Turmeric.Tamarind. Nutmeg. And who would better be able to tell more about these spices than the farmer himself?

THEKKADY-KUMARAKOM

Ride 132 km from Thekkady to Kumarakom and take a tour of the longest lake in India that is known as Vembanadu Lake in Kottayam, Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad and Kochi Lake in Kochi. A boat ride in the lake will give you a closer look at the life in the village, get hypnotised by the mesmerising emerald and blue hues that the water of the lake reflects and make friends with the thousand birds that fly around here. It is a living paradise for bird lovers. We suggest you get a bird book ready. Your find Siberian Storks too.

KUMARAKOM

Soak in the day out at leisure the Kumarakom, a thriving village in the backwaters of Kerala. Take a walk between the coconut groves, thousands of species of home and migratory birds and the lush paddy fields.

KUMARAKOM-KOCHI

After an hour ride from Kumarakom to Kochi on our bikes, we take a walk through the historical past and riches of the state. St. Francis which is the first European church in India and Vasco Da Gama was buried here initially; see the hypnotic and magnanimous Chinese Fishing Nets; just past the church goes the road to the Dutch Cemeteries gate engraved with the year 1724 on it. It also happens to be the oldest cemetery in India forming a silhouette against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea by the setting sun. End your evening with a cultural dose of Kerala’s ancient dance drama Kathakali.

KOCHI

Your trip has come to an end. Take back the experience, share stories and encourage others to travel with you when you get back home