This journey starts at the scenic River Nila.

After settling, we will take you on a leisurely cruise down the Nila on a Thoni (traditional boat). The cruise passes through stunning landscapes comprising small canals, rivers and backwaters of a relatively unknown area called Tirur. This trip goes through several small islands where various communities of toddy (coconot palm liquor) tappers, coir rope workers and fishing communities live.

The boats used for the Thoni Cruise as well as the oarsmen are from the local communities. The cruise is an alternative, supplementary source of income for people who were otherwise engaged in disruptive activities such as illegal sand mining from the river-bed.

Get your hands dirty learning pottery with local artisans, and watch them weave magic on clay. At the bell metal workshop witness the creation of intricate designs such as tea-pots and door locks, a craft confined to a few families in the region.

The visit to the potter & bell metal community is an appreciation of the efforts to rehabilitate the traditional handicrafts in the area. Our visits expand the knowledge about the program and provide them financial support. During a magical evening, young folk artists will showcase the folk heritage of River Nila and you might easily find yourself singing & dancing along.

Evening with the folk artists is part of a movement to revive the dying forms of folk art and music in the River Nila basin.

Spend half of the day in interactive sessions with the masters of classical arts at Performing Arts School “Kalamandalam” and check into a rural farm stay for the evening.

Spend time with a family of musicians. The musical trail is a journey to showcase the percussion culture of River Nila. A clinic on various kinds of musical instruments concludes with a performance extraordinaire by the talented group. After a simple homely lunch, we proceed to a home stay in Nilambur to relax and spend an evening discussing Kerala’s history, art and culture with the host.

Spend a day relaxing at the homestay. (Optional visits to the pottery making center or teak forest can be arranged).

In the morning, move on to Beypore to visit an initiative set up to provide jobs for local weavers and preserve their rich traditional knowledge. The NGO gives opportunities for travelers to participate in the weaver’s workshops.

From Beypore we drive up to Wayanad (two and a half hours) and check into a beautiful hill-side property. Visit of the Edakkal caves to see the pictorial remnants of civilisation dating back to 5,000 BC.

The next day you will spend the morning at lush green spice plantations as part of the spice tour, visiting various farms owned by local communities. After lunch at a local home, we vist Meenmutty waterfalls, which are tucked into a rainforest and can be approached only by a two-hour trek.

Moving on, we check into another cute farm stay in the north of Wayanad. In the evening we take you on a beautiful safari inside the Tholpetty wildlife sanctuary, which is a biodiversity hotspot. The safari is a chance to spot the Asian elephants, bears, wild gaurs (bison), spotted and sambar deers or even a leopard.

Dedicated days of relaxation on a beautiful beach property. Optional activities & visits, such as to the Bekal Fort and some of the many temples of this region, can be arranged.