Pokkali Rice and Backwaters Experience (PRIVATE TOUR)

POKKALI RICE & BACKWATERS EXPERIENCE
A  journey through India’s Incredible Backwaters

As seen in Traveller and Sydney Morning Herald…

HIGHLIGHTS:

Go behind the scenes and witness a unique community – based project to conserve a saline resistant rice, considered climate change resistant.

Explore the backwaters of Kerala on a traditional thoni boat, winding through lakes, lagoons and canals.

Interact with the farmers, and community members and enjoy exploring the area by foot and canoe, then enjoy a lunch cooked by the village women.

Visit Chendamangalam, a weaver village with an inspiring story  (Chekutty Dolls)

Stay at the heavenly Kayal Island Retreat. (See our video here!)

Enjoy a 4 hour backwaters cruise with your own chef, cooking a sumptuous lunch.

FULL ITINERARY

Your life changing journey starts in Kochi. Soak up richness of this culture, history, and landscapes. The fragrances and taste of the food will seduce even the most experienced gourmet travellers.

On Arrival you will be met by our representatives and transferred to your hotel in Fort Kcohi

Brunton Boatyard (Sea Facing Room)

After breakfast we will enjoy a full day tour Kochi with a local storyteller.

This tour is a walking exploration of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, with the use of a local rickshaw.

Experience vibrant market places, quaint streets, art galleries,  and beaches.

Optional evening experience of Broadway Bazaar walk and ferry ride or home cooking in Kochi.

Overnight at Brunton Boatyard (Sea Facing Room)

Pokkali – The Story of a Rice – This is a unique community-based initiative to preserve and conserve a one of its kind, the saline-tolerant strain of rice, threatened by extinction. In a stunning backwater setting, this tour gives an opportunity to understand one of the oldest known crops cultivated through a symbiotic farming tradition. It’s known for its tolerance to salinity and hence positioned as a climate change resistant food. The highlight of the day excursion involves interaction with farmers and community leaders who sustain the tradition against many constraints. We will explore the area on foot and canoe and have lunch cooked by the village women.

Afternoon on the way back visit Chendamangalam, interact with the weavers.

Overnight at Brunton Boatyard (Sea Facing Room)

Morning breakfast.

Transfer to Kayal Island Retreat by car then thoni boat.

Canoe through narrow waterways and villages in a traditional country boat. See local fishermen cast their nets. (organized by the resort)

Overnight :Kayal Island Retreat (Standard Room)

Enjoy private yoga and meditation lesson and rest of the day to relax or explore as you desire.

Overnight :Kayal Island Retreat (Standard Room)

Morning at leisure at property, afternoon board a houseboat at noon and cruise the beautiful backwaters. Lunch and will be cooked and served fresh on board. (Please note the boat is moored at 5.00 p.m. approximately.

Overnight at Kayal Island Retreat (Standard Room)

Morning breakfast

Transfer to Kochi Airport (1.5 hours drive)