Destination Covered : Periyar- Cochin– Periyar
Duration : 03 Nights / 04 Days
DAY 01 : COCHIN - PERIYAR BY ROAD
Arrive at Cochin. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to Periyar by noon and check into Bamboo Grove Ecolodge. Bamboo Grove is arguably the only eco-lodge in India run by local communities. After lunch, visit the tribal heritage Museum followed by a walk through the Mannan village. The museum is a veritable treasure trove of artifacts from their traditional agricultural practices, marriage ceremony, rituals, costumes, arts and crafts. On display are fishing gear, weaponry, indigenous medicine, vessels, cereals, medicinal herbs, musical instruments, bamboo furniture, etc. Evening go for a boat cruise in Lake Periyar to spot wildlife. Back in Bamboo grove after the cruise, attend an audiovisual presentation on Periyar Tiger Reserve followed by a discussion with the Ecologist / Education officer. Overnight at Lodge
DAY 02 : PERIYAR
After breakfast, go for a day-long bamboo raft ride, the most popular Ecotourism activity in Periyar. Your hosts are poachers turned protector of PTR. You trek for a few kilometers and then ride a bamboo raft that seats 6 visitors. Packed lunch, Tea/coffee, and snacks are served by your hosts. You can explore some remote inlets of Periyar lake with your hosts and an armed park guard. You have good chances of spotting wildlife. The raft ride ends at Evening and you trek back to Thekkady. Overnight at Lodge.
DAY 03 : PERIYAR
Wake up early with Tea and snacks and go for an early morning trek. After breakfast visit a spice plantation. Have lunch and go shopping for spice, artifacts, souvenirs, Kumily, and Thekkady. After an early dinner go shepherding the night (7 pm-10 pm). Unique night trek through the jungle with a patrolling party designed to protect the eco-development zone of PTR from illegal activities. While you get a fair chance to spot nocturnal animals and birds. Overnight AT Lodge.
DAY 04 : LEAVE PERIYAR
After breakfast drive to your Onward destination.
