Life along the River Nila

per person

Explore the communities that live along the River Nila, the second-longest in Kerala, in an appreciation of local culture and traditions that converge near the source of life, water! Appreciate traditions, music, food and life skills, and make time to reflect on all that you experienced in a relaxed extension at a beach.

This southwestern coastal state is full of natural beauty, exotic beaches, fresh air and charming locals. Don’t be surprised if you hear it being referred to as “‘the land of greenery and natural beauty” as it’s exactly that. Unlike some regions in the north, this state is peaceful and has less of a tourist influx. It’s the ultimate Indian destination for outdoor lovers.

The Keralan way of life is particularly unique having its own culture and traditions. Alongside the enchanting scenery, Kerala’s heritage is rich and is commonly renowned for its arts, dances, music, jewellery making, metal carvings, wood carvings, handicrafts and farming.

On this journey, travel at a slow and steady pace whilst interacting with charming locals from different communities. Gain a deeper insight first hand to the Keralan way of life and learn from local artisans who make traditional basket weavings and instruments. Listen to the wonderful percussion-based music and witness the talented musicians. As well as leaving your mark and giving back to the environment planting saplings in a travellers project area.

Trip Highlights:

Visit the 200-year-old Keralan ancestral home of the Kandath family
Watch a Kaniyar Kali performance
Relax on a boat trip in a relatively unknown area of Tirur
Visit a coconut processing centre
Dine a local house for lunch
Visit an organic farm
Experience a musical trail programme
Visit travellers forest project area and plant saplings

Interested? Enquire with us today. Want to know more? Click on the trip plan above for further information!

7 Days

India

Local Travel

Destination

India
Included

Life along the River Nila

Transportation

Bed & Breakfast
Not Included

Local Guide

Dinner

Lunch

FROM OUR GALLERY

Day 1: Welcome to Kerala!

Welcome to Kerala, today you will arrive at Cochin airport. Here at the airport, you will be met a guide to be assisted with your luggage and then transferred to the ancestral home of the Kandath family. The home is 200 years old and its intriguing architecture is built from mud and leak. Whilst here delve into the history and see the past still in place by fine preservation. Five generations have lived here! You should arrive here this morning at around 7:55 AM. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the home and surroundings.

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Included:

Airport Pick up

Day 2: Visit villages and explore traditions

Wake up and have your breakfast. Afterwards, you have the vehicle for the day at your disposal. If you wish we can visit the weaver’s village. This is a unique way, talented weavers are promoted for their skills to the local community and preserving gorgeous handloom traditions. Depending on the time and availability this evening, visit the stunning Thiruvalathur temple for a lamp liting ritual.

Included:

Village visit

Day 3: Visit villages and explore traditions

Today visit a village where percussion musical instruments are made. Here you will see traditional Indian drums being crafted and if you’re lucky you may get to have play on one. This evening visit the Palliyil heritage home to watch a Kaniyar Kali performance. This is a traditional folk dance ritual martial arts form of dance. This is commonly performed in courtyards of traditional houses.

Included:

Village visit
Kaniyar Kali performance

Day 4: River Nila country boat cruise

Enjoy a tasty breakfast and then transfer to Tirur for a country boat cruise (Thoni cruise). On the boat, you will pass through mesmerising landscapes comprising of small canals, rivers and alluring backwaters. You will be cruising in a relatively unknown area of Tirur and whilst doing so enjoy a tasty cup of chai. The boat you will be cruising on across Tirur aswell as the local oarsmen are from local communities. This cruise is an alternative form of income for them. This employment has prevented them from engaging in disruptive activities such as illegal sand mining from the river-bed. During this journey, you will also stop off at a coconut processing centre. Then we will pause for lunch at a local household. The boat journey this morning and the lunch will allow you to learn, experience and connect with local communities understanding their way of life. Once the boat trip has finished, you will transfer to an organic farm that hosts a 400-year-old heritage home. Inside this home, you will find a typical display of a traditional living area and learn about local life. Afterwards, you will witness a short presentation of the traveller’s forest initiative and visit the project area where you will plant saplings.

Included:

Country boat cruise
Lunch
Visit to organic farm and heritage home
Introduction to travellers forest initiative

Day 5: Learn the percussion culture of the river valley

Have your breakfast and then visit a village where you will encounter a music trail. This is a programme that showcases the percussion culture of the river valley civilisation. The programme is run by one of the lower castes musicians including females and who play more than 15 instruments. Greet the musicians, visit the one-room music school and learn about their work. Discover how they play an important role in preserving local music culture. Then enjoy lunch with the musicians family and return back afterwards. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 6 and 7: Free days

The next few days are at your disposal. Choose to do watch you wish before you return home on day 7. We’d recommend visiting a local beach and spending time there. In Kerala the beaches a renowned for their beauty and calming environment. On day 7, return back to the airport for your flight home.

TOUR LOCATION

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