The Land Of Black Gold
Soak in the sun on the legendary coasts of Malabar, visit the remnants of vanished kings and conquerors, enjoy astounding temple rituals and exquisite Malabari cuisine
7days | All Year | Malabar | Beaches, Backwaters, Rivers, Medieval monuments, Cuisine, Theyyam
Day1: Arrival
Arrive from Kozhikode or Mangalore Airports around 100km away, or alight at the Kannur, Nileshwar or Kasargod railway stations, else drive down the Konkan coast.
Day2: A Day of Forts and Temples
Drive to the imposing Bekal Fort looming over the ocean. Try to remember the locations in that memorable song sequence from 'Bombay'. Drive to an old and exquisite temple in the countryside situated between vast paddy fields and a huge publicly maintained temple pond carved out of the earth. Visit a little monastery memorializing a famous ascetic from the last century. Stop by a lane of weavers and a puppet theater.
Day3: A Day on the Backwaters
Drive to a boat landing and board a motorboat. Spend the day cruising along the unending backwaters, with occasional stops to interact with fishermen going about their daily life, and stop by mussel and fish farming areas. In the late afternoon drive to a large harbor to board a houseboat. Do a sunset cruise and heave anchor in the midst of the vast backwater to spend the night.
Day4: A Day of Kings and Gods
Get into a train to ride to Kannur in the morning. Visit the well preserved fort steeped in colonial history, and listen to an expert recount the stories. Visit two museums dedicated by the two ruling dynasties of the region, once educating you on the ancient ritual of Theyyam and the other preserving articles from the hoary past. In the evening (during the Nov – Mar season only) visit a nearby temple to witness an unforgettable performance of one of the oldest dance forms, a stunning possession dance unique to this region. If you get hooked you can then return in the early hours of the next day to witness the morning ritual also.
Day5: A Day in the Land of Black Gold
Reach the port city – the ancient center of black pepper and spice trade to Europe. Stop by the couple of monuments from those days gone by. At lunch enjoy the highlight of this day – the traditional Malabari biriyani, a cuisine that has absorbed influences from the Arabs and the Persians to create one of the most sublime tastes that your palate will ever encounter. You will be regaled by Thalasseri legends, how the great grand father of a German Nobel laureate came here to produce the first dictionary of the Malayalam language, and how this place also saw the first Malayalam language daily in Kerala.
Day6: A Day on the Mountains and the Beaches
Overnight at a mountain retreat. Enjoy the early morning walking the plantations and taking in the vistas spreading from the mountains to the coast. Visit a nearby temple, heritage mansion and monastery. After lunch drive down to the coast. Get into a traditional fishing canoe to ferry you from the mainland to an unending stretch of clean and deserted beaches. Spend the afternoon the in shade of the coconut groves by the beach or frolicking in the sand and the surf.
Day7: Departure
Drive to Mangalore or Kozhikode airports, or catch a train from one of the important railway stations.
| Accommodations - Beach houses or heritage mansions for small groups, medium to premium resorts for larger groups, spread across Bekal, Kannur, Neeleshwar, Thalassery. | Cuisine - All meals will be authentic Kerala fare. Delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available. | Logistics - End to end transport covered, with pick up and drop ex-Kozhikode / -Mangalore. |
| Inclusions - All meals from time of Arrival to time of Departure; ex-Kozhikode / -Mangalore transport; accommodation; Performance fees; Knowledgeable Guides. | Exclusions - Personal shopping, entertainment, medications. | Options & Extensions - Extensions into Coorg, Wayanad, Kochi available. |