GoPhilanthropic

Kerala Overview

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 ms in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. Ir has n equable climate long shoreline with serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, waterfalls, sprawling plantations and paddy fields, ayurvedic health holidays, enchanting art forms, magical festivals, historic and cultural monuments. And to top this off…an exotic cuisine...

We promote responsible tourism in a sustainable way that is economically, ecologically and socially just. Explore India through river rafting or a country boat cruise, legend trails, rain forest trekking, camping, walking safari, vehicle safari, music trails, marital arts, folk expressions, culinary trails or just lazing...

Kerala: 8 nights/9 days

Tour of Malabar region of Kerala featuring River Nila - Nilambur - Beypore and Fort Cochin

Trip Overview: This trip focuses on offering the traveler a truly authentic experience within Kerala - with a connection to the regions' most beautiful sights but most importantly to its people, their traditions, food music, dance, and artisan workshops. As you will see, the River Nila and the life along its banks play a key role in maintaining the heritage and beauty of Kerala. A portion of the profits made on each tour are used to support the efforts of the Nila Foundation, an organization aimed at preserving and restoring the river and the livelihoods attached to this river.

Arrival and Departure in Cochin International Airport:

Day 1/Nila/Cheruthuruthy
Arrive Cochin. To be met by our representative outside terminal. Transfer to Nila-3.5hrs drive. On arrival check into Hotel. Rest and Relax. Late afternoon 4pm: visit the following:

Activities:

Pottery workshops - Half a day with the traditional potters to understand their background, efforts to sustain their tradition. Guests get to see how potters weave magic on clay. The sessions gives opportunity to work on pottery. Guests can give orders for small souvenirs which they can collect by end of their trip and take it back home as a memento.

Bell Metal Workshops: A visit to the bell metal workshop will take you through the unique craft that is confined to few families in the region. Guests can watch the intricate scientific process of creating the bell metal and how they are used so artistically to create materials like traditional tea pots, unique door locks. We have provided micro-loans to the artisan to purchase raw materials in advance so that he can display souvenirs for travelers from which we makes the profit and re-invest in the micro enterprise that he runs from home.

Folk Expressions - An evening with folk artist in a village to understand the folk traditions of the region. A young team of performers will take you through dance forms, music and percussions that make the region so rich in its cultural tradition.

Once a popular art form and ritual practiced in several places in Kerala and especially on the banks of River Nila, art form is no longer financially viable for people who practice it as there are less and less people who are showing interest in these rituals (change in life style and attitude). This has affected the way of life of these ritualistic performers and have been looking for other jobs based on daily wages. Our intervention has helped some of the community members to continue their lifestyle and earn from what they know for many generations; instead of having to look for a lifestyle they aren't comfortable with.

Accommodation: www.riverretreat.in

Return to Hotel for overnight.

Day 2/Nila/Kooderi

Activities:

0900 - 1200 Day with the Masters at Kalamandalam. 3 hour visit to an art-school on the banks of the river to understand the lifestyle and education of artists. With the help of interpreters, the guests are taken on a tour of the school visiting various classes of music, dance and hand-work. The tour depicts the commitment of the art students and masters in creating an environment of dedicated learning.

Lunch at River Retreat and transfer to www.kodeerifarm.com. About 400 year old heritage house that is representative of sustainable life style. Guest to stay with the family. 3 separate rooms for guests. In the midst of the organic farm, this heritage house is part of the Responsible tourism initiative that is making positive changes to the destination.

Afternoon: Travelers Forest was set up in August 2009 as many villages in Kerala were facing severe challenges of losing their biodiversity. The sacred groves, which once were a microcosm of biodiversity, existed as an integral part of almost every rural household in Kerala. Deforestation in catchment areas being one of the main causes of river depletion, Travellers Forest aims to motivate local communities, as well as travellers, to restore and preserve their valuable ecosystems.

Accommodation at www.kodeerifarms.com

Day 3/Nila/Kooderi

Activities:

1) Thoni Cruise after breakfast starting from Tirur to Ponnani. 3 hours cruise in a simple but sturdy traditional boat through the Tirur river. Stop over in near by islands to see coconut processing and other village activities. These boats were previously used traditionally for transporting fine sand and coconut husks to different locations. (In River Nila, most of the boats are used for illegal sand mining). The owners and rowers were smuggling sand earlier and now these trips are giving them alternative source of income, an income with dignity without indulging in illegal activities.

Sand miners and sand smugglers are encouraged to be part of the team as our guides, assistants, boat owners and oarsmen. With this we have set about trying to convince them that engaging in tourist assistance could be an alternative source of income as compared to the risky and destructive job of sand-mining. In fact, sand-mining is one reason why the river is dying at a rapid pace. Being part of TBY would ensure that they have a steady livelihood which helps preserve their dignity. We know that our trip is not going to stop sand mining as there is a huge market demand for sand for construction. But we believe that this is a right step in the right direction.

2) Musical Trail: 90 minutes transfer to Mulayankaavu for Musical Trails. This is a 2-hour lecture demonstration of various school of music that evolved and nurtured on the banks of River Nila.

This is a program to showcase the percussion culture of the river valley civilization. The program is organised in the house of lower caste musicians including girls and they play more than 15 instruments. This involves a lecture demonstration of various styles of music and how certain school of music evolved on the banks of the river Nila. Due to many social restrictions, they have no access to perform in temples and courtyards which are otherwise restricted only to musicians of upper caste Hindus. These members from the poor families were making a living out of traditional launderettes and daily-wage jobs have seasonal jobs that is related to music. Now our initiative has shown them an alternative source of income and more than everything, they have gained such a social recognition that many very well known musicians from Kerala have started inviting them to perform together. The one room school that exist in a 20*16 Ft room is now being re-furbished into a larger school for teaching music to students from all segment of the society including girls without take any fee from students of less privileged. Donations from those who can are welcome to the foundation / trust set up by 'Madhava Vidyalaya'.

Accommodation at www.kodeerifarms.com

Day 4/Nilambur

Morning: 1 hour transfer to Nilambur. Accommodation at www.maranatmana.com. Maranat Mana is several hundred years old heritage property reflecting the age old traditions of a Kerala Brahmin family. Focusing on sustainable living, this place strikes an excellent balance between traditional life style and modern living. The two acres of sacred grove inside the farm is a representation of bio-diversity that is still sustained. There are only 4 such structures remaining in the whole of Kerala. Entry of the family into homestay business was prompted by TBY experience in rest of the region.

Day 5/Beypore

Transfer to www.tasaraindia.com. An initiative set up to provide jobs for local weavers and preserve the rich traditional knowledge, Tasara now works closely with us and accommodate travelers who would also like to participate in the weaving workshops. The produce they create during these workshops can be taken back by guests as a souvenir. Overnight in Beypore.

Day 6/Beypore

Continue with the activities...overnight in Beypore.

Day 7/Cochin

5-hour drive to Fort Cochin /210kms. Accommodation at www.malabarhouse.com Fort Cochin was in a state of negligence with the best of the local Anglo-Indian community migrating overseas or to the Indian metros. Even a decade ago, Fort Cochin did not have a single classified hotel, just a few run down lodges. The ownders believed in the revival and 14 years later Fort Cochin is full of small hotels and homestays, all operated by local owners - a quite different scenario from anywhere else in India.

The owners decided to create a place that showcases the diversity of Kerala's and in particular Fort Cochin's composite culture with its wealth of Arabic, European and far eastern influences. The local craftsmen still possessed the inherited knowledge. They designed the project around these skills and worked with a team of local craftsmen for almost 3 years to craft a contemporary hotel that manifests and breathes the inheritance of the place. This - together with the ecological principles they implemented - created a sustainable project.

Day 8/Cochin

Fort Cochin: Sight seeing that covers the beach, Jew Town, Old synagogue and Portuguese square. For those interested in Travelers Philanthropy, we can offer a possibility to work with Christelle Hart, an Anglo - Swiss social worker who started many years ago in Cochin a shelter for street children and has expanded into working with HIV/AIDS affected families. It is a small organization, she as well as her projects are easily assessable and she is directly accountable, possible an advantage for an philanthropic activity during a vacation. www.dilse.ch/english

Day 9/Cochin Airport.

Transfer to the Cochin International Airport for onward journey.