Unity in Diversity ( A Journey through the Soul of Kerala )

On Arrival at Calicut International airport you will be meet assisted and transferred to Thalassery. On arrival check in at Ayesha Manzil. Which is a beautiful, old colonial style mansion overlooking the Arabian Sea. The bungalow was built in 1862 by Murdoch Brown , an Englishman who came to Tellicherry as a trader of the East India company. Murdoch Brown set up a 300 acre Cinnamon plantation, 10 kms away from this house, which still exists and is the only one of its kind in the country. Formerly known as Judges Bungalow the present house was renamed as Ayesha Manzil in 1900 when it was bought by T.M. Moosa a local Muslim trader.
Today his grandson C.P. Moosa invites you to stay with them and taste the warm hospitality, fantastic traditional cuisine with the emphasis on the fresh seafood and the local culture
All the rooms boast of period furniture and have been furnished with family heirlooms and antiques collected and restored by the present owner... hey have a unique private swimming pool reminiscent of the traditional Kerala temple pools. There is fantastic 6 km long unpolluted beach..Relax and feel the hospitality of Trade. . The hostess Ms. Faiza Moosa who will teach you the secrets of making good, authentic curries, is a well known culinary expert in Kerala Muslim cuisine and a week long holiday here will turn you too, into a Gourmet – Curry chef. Overnight at Ayesha Manzil

Today after breakfast proceed for the visit of Thalassery. Also Known as Tellicherry –is a small town in the North Malabar, was once the largest and most famous trading centre for spices, especially Pepper the most favored and sought after spice in Europe. Tellicherry Pepper can still be bought of the supermarket shelves in Europe and is renowned for its pungency and flavor
The Kerala coastline, especially Malabar being rich in Spices and fresh Seafood and no other community makes better use of this natural bounty than the "Mopillahs" - the Muslims of the North Kerala. Fresh Prawns, Shrimp, Crab, Mussels & Oysters are served up in sumptuous sauces and spicy curries.
Options to visit the local fish market, Parasinnikadavu Temple, Snake Park, Beedi rolling units - small, local, pungent smelling cigarettes which are hand rolled, Handloom weaving units.
Enjoy the Malabar cuisine at Ayeshmanzil , with a wide variety of rice and meat dishes - all delicately flavoured with the famed spices and coconuts of Malabar. Last but not least are the wide variety of unusual Desserts and snacks without which no Malabari feast would be complete.
Overnight at Ayesha Manzil.

Morning breakfast and check out from the Ayesha Manzil . This Muslim family has obviously proved you a different definition for hospitality . Drive to Palakkad to get the next experience of your holiday with a Hindu Family. On arrival Check in at Olappamanna Mana, one of the centuries old feudal Namboothiri (Kerala Brahamin) Illam (house) , have a glittering cultural heritage in the field of Kathakali (classical dance form) , Carnatic Music, Melam and Thayampaka (classical percussions) , Literature and Rig Veda.
You will be welcomed by the Host Mr. O.N. Damodaran and his wife Mrs. Sreedevi. This Mana situated in a a 20-acre eco-friendly atmosphere, would be an interesting place for tourists who want something out of the ordinary, for those who want to explore the Kerala countryside and the way of life there, for those who want to know more about the cultural heritage of the State, and for those who want to learn the nuances of Kathakali as performing art form. Olappamanna Mana is for those on the look out for a real heritage home-stay as different from star hotel accommodation. Olappamanna Mana is also for those who want to savor the nuances of wholesome, delectable vegetarian cuisine, as only the traditional Namboothiri household can deliver .
There are certain restrictions here to preserve the sanctity of the Family Deity. Foot ware is not permitted in side the Main Building. Smoking is not permitted in the Main Building. Non-vegetarian foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited in whole Mana premises
Relax and Rejuvenate at the Mana…
Overnight at Olappamanna Mana.

After breakfast set out to see the archeological specialties of the Mana. One can see the architectural marvel of the old construction mainly using rosewood, teak wood and Jackfruit tree wood. They can understand the specialties of construction used to safe guard from summer heat/ from thieves etc.
They can see the large Bathing tank, the Snake temple, the old utensils used, the old large Chinese porcelain pots, the old wet grinders, the elephant costumes, the bronze large lamps, swards, old balances, old fire proof iron Safe etc. Every thing will be explained well so that the tourist can really imagine the life style we had.In the early morning, they can see a lot of different kinds of birds here, depending up on the season.
Certain portions of the main building of the Mana Complex (House Complex) are older than 300 years. Truly speaking the Mana Complex cannot be called a home, it is rather an institution with many people staying there, in addition to the owners, with specific duties for each one. There were arrangements for food and stay for students and teachers and to study Kathakali, Music, Vedas and Sanskrit in the Mana
Enjoy the ambience at this Royal retreat. Overnight at Mana.

Check out from the Mana after traditional vegetarian breakfast . Depart from this royal ancestral home with a rejuvenated soul. Drive to Pala, a municipal town 32 km east of Kottayam situated on the banks of the Meenachil River . It is the main gateway to the southern high ranges. There are various versions regarding the origin of the place name. According to one, Pala gets its name from Palazhi (Ksheera Sagara), the mythological ocean of milk from which nectar was churned out. Pala has the largest proportion of Roman Catholics in Kerala. The reason why its so often referred among the Catholic circles as the "Mini Vatican of India” Pala was part of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore, and was ruled by the "Travancore Rajas" for a long time. On arrival check in at Nazrani Tharavadu.
Nazarani Tharavad (Christian Ancestral Home) is the ancestral home of the Kottukapally family. The Kottukapally family’s roots date back 2000 years to the Nampoothiris (Hindu Brahmins) of Kottakavu Illam (Nampoothiri Tharavad) in Paravur who accepted Christ and were baptized by St. Thomas the Apostle in A.D. 52. The houses have been built, expanded and restored in Kerala, Dutch and Spanish styles. The original tharavad is more than 250 years old and the new Spanish style house about 40 years.
Warm Welcom given by the Hosts Mr. John Kotukkapally and his Wife Mrs. Thressi , both belongs to the second generation of patriarchal lineage. Lunch at Nazrani Tharavadu. Later vist The millennium old St. Mary’s Forane Church at Bharananganam. Two hundred meters uphill from the main Church is the Chapel of the Tomb of Alphonsa and the Museum, displaying exhibits associated with the life of the saint. The two-storey structure in front of the Chapel was originally the podium used by Pope John Paul II at Kottayam during the beatification ceremony on February 8, 1986.
Drive back to your home stay . Later in the evening you will be served a 7 course sit down dinner of continental dishes at a beautifully set table with plates changed after every dish. Shepherd’s pie, chicken roast, fish pie, meat loaf, Irish stew, traditional custard pudding are just a few of the dishes of the bygone era that you can relish .
Overnight at Nazrani Tharavadu.

Morning after breakfast set out for the visit of untouched spots in and around Pala.
Poonjar Palace- Poonjar Palace is a magnificent display of the royal opulence of a bygone era. There is an astonishing assembly of antiques and superb furniture including a conch modeled on the Madurai Meenakshi Temple, palm leaf documents, jewel boxes, varieties of lamps, grain measures, sculptures, statues, weapons, chandeliers, palanquin and thoni (made from a single piece of wood and used for Ayurvedic massage). Sculptures on the temple walls depict events from Hindu epics.
Ilaveezhapoonchira - One of the virgin tourist destinations in Kerala. An ideal tourist spot, especially for trekkers. There are four hills with a luxuriant basin in between. Stupendous sights of sunrise and sunset can be seen from atop these hills. Kudayathoor Vindhyan, one of them renders a bird's-eye view of large parts of Idukki, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur district
Drive back to the home stay. Lunch at Nazrani Tharavadu. After lunch relax Relax in the silence of the lush green Mogul Courtyard. Watch and listen to a wide variety of birds as they frolic and chirp even at noon. Options for Fishing in the Pond behind the house using the traditional fishing rod – “choonda” and Special Ayurveda Massage . Visit to Vanilla farm of the host and local artisans can be arranged.
Dinner with the family members which will be a great way to sign off your day at this homestead . Overnight stay at Nazrani Tharavadu .

Today after breakfast, its time to move out from the unique experience offered by the gracious Christian family and drive to Pathanamthitta. Pathanamthitta is a large town and a municipality situated in the central travancore region in the state of Kerala . The temple of Lord Dharmasastha, a world famous forest pilgrim centre, is situated in the beautiful Sabarimala part of the western ghats in the Pathanamthitta district and hence known as the 'Pilgrim Capital of Kerala'. On arrival check in at Mannas veedu.
Mannaas veedu is a Nalukeetu-in the traditional style of architecture of Kerala, wherein a house has a quadrangle in the centre.Nalukettu is evident in the traditional homes of the upper class homestead where customs and rituals were a part of life and we follow the same meticulously in Mannas Veedu

This ecofriendly mansion is created using wood, latrite stone and manglorian tiles, central open courtyard and wondrous architecture. The interiors of the house are tastefully decorated with a wealth of antiques made from teak, and mahogany etc.
After being received by the hosts enjoy the ambience of the homestead. Lunch at Mannas veedu. The adjacent ancestral house 125 years old which is hallmark of tradition is well maintained and is now opened to guests. This house is completely made of hard wood. The cool interiors make air-conditioning redundant. You can have a visit of the farm around the home stay.
Most of the dishes served are centered around fish, farm vegetables and fruits, duck, chicken and occasionally other meats, supplemented with rice and rice based local breads like appam, string hoppers etc. Some of our specialties are karimeen fry (pearlspot fish), fish molee, prawn and scampi preparations, duck roast and curry, and red hot Kerala fish curry to name a few. Dinner at the homestead. Overnight at Mannas veedu.

Today after breakfast proceed to Konni- Elephant Camp.
Konni elephant camp is situated just 2 kms off konni town in pathanamthitta district of Kerala.
You can take an elephant ride along with trained mahouts.Elephant Museum : Houses a display of elephant skeleton, various devices used bu mahouts to control elephants, details of anatomical features of the elephant etcwith prior arrangement you can watch feeding of elephants, bathing of elephants etc. Later drive back to the homestead and you can enjoy the activities inside the resort after Lunch
For the guest who has a flair to cook can learn recipes from the host. Guests can experience various farming methods with the landlord of the house, Mr. Joy Alexander, who is a retired army officer, now dedicated his free time in farming and cultivation. For the adventurous type, try your hand at climbing the coconut tree during the harvest (every 50 days) or learn the skills of toddy tapping under the supervision of experienced people. Cycle around the village and experience first hand the life in this sleepy little village. The Mannaas Veedu also offers an ideal setting and is inspiring for serious writers and artists
Option for Back water cruise at Nedumudi ( which is around 45 minutes drive from the home)
Dinner with the family at Mannas veedu. Overnight at the homestead.

Your sojourn through the soul of Kerala ends today and you will be taken to Trivandrum International airport for departure for your onward journey. By the end of the tour one would definitely underline that Kerala describes the phrase “Unity in Diversity”.