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This journey has been personally designed by Altaf Chapri,
“Kerala’s is one of my favourite places in India. Northern Kerala ( Malabar) is one of the most unspoiled and picturesque areas of Southern India, offering beautiful beaches, backwaters and stunning Spice and Tea Gardens of Nilgiri Hills in Wayanad. I love the Prawn Curry cooked in coconut milk on Lotus houseboat, Kingfish cooked in Banana leaf at the Neeleshwar Hermitage and Masala Dosa and Coffee at the Pepper Trail!”

This curated journey to the lush rolling hills of Wayanad, through the enchanting tranquil backwaters of northern Kerala and then the palm fringed Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea has been carefully designed to offer unique and unforgettable experiences of Southern India’s best kept secrets.

The journey begins with a scenic rural ramble along country roads past vibrant green rice paddies, forested hills and plantations of cardamom, ginger, betel nut, rubber, tea and coffee as we climb up into the beautiful unspoilt Wayanad District of the spectacular Western Ghats. Pepper Trail Heritage Plantation Retreat is charming colonial era property set on a working spice and coffee plantation.

The journey continues down to the tranquil and rarely backwaters of north Kerala, for a stay aboard the stylish and elegant ‘Lotus’, India’s premier houseboat. Slow rhythm of local life along the shore while gliding through languid palm-fringed canals and lagoons where longboats laden with coir and cashew drift past and fishermen call from paddle boats to sell their catch Spy egrets wading in the shallows as iridescent kingfishers swoop overhead and turtles raise their heads from the watery depths.

The final destination is the heavenly Neeleshwar Hermitage, set in twelve acres of paradise gardens beside the Arabian Sea. This retreat hotel holistic relaxation, with Ayurveda, yoga and meditation wrapped in the warm and welcoming family atmosphere. Spot dolphins diving in the sea while reclining by the infinity pool and on long beach walks and enjoy a rare chance to visit nearby shrines and witness the sacred trance-dances known as Theyyam. Unique to Malabar with spectacular costumes and vibrant atmosphere this dance is the living heart of local religious life, untouched by outside influence.