We are so excited to launch Trek Kerala 2012! Leaving the UK on 5th October 2012 and returning on 14th October, this is set to be the challenge of a lifetime.
Registration fee - £350, early bird registration until 30th November 2011 is £275.
Minimum sponsorship amount - £3500.
(£2500 of which must be with us by 31st August 2012.The remaining £1000 must be received by 26th September 2012.)
The cost of the trip is £1725, which we pay for from your sponsorship.
Included: Flights, all accommodation, all meals except during free time and a great support team out in Kerala.
Not Included: Alcoholic drinks, travel insurance, items of a personal nature, single supplement, tips for staff, visas and the local departure tax.
Fitness: This challenge requires a good level of fitness to walk the route. Trekkers must be experienced in off path walking.
Accommodation: 7 nights twin/triple share 4* hotel/resort accommodation, 1 night superior tented camp.
Itinerary:
This stunning trekking challenge takes place in Kerala, one of the undiscovered jewels of India. Its sunbleached seashore, famous backwaters, lush green coconut groves, lagoons, tiger reserves, tropical forests and refreshing highlands are all part of the essence of Kerala. Only when you have been to Kerala can you understand why it is named "God’s Own Country".
DAY 1 DEPARTURE
Overnight flight to Cochin via Abu Dhabi.
DAY 2 MUNNAR
Arriving in the early hours, we transfer a short distance to an airport hotel where we have a few hours to rest and freshen up. After a late breakfast we journey by road climbing high into the Western Ghats – the highest mountain range south of the Himalayas. We arrive into the hill town of Munnar and check in to our hotel which will be our base for the next two nights. This evening we have a chance to meet our local guiding team and be briefed on the challenge ahead over a welcome dinner.
DAY 3 LETCHMI TEA ESTATE 4 HRS / 9KM
After breakfast in the hotel we split into our trekking groups and walk through the bustling and vibrant town of Munnar, following the river for 3km before climbing up through the famous tea estate of Letchmi. 6km of wide, open tarmac winds its way gently up through the plantation where we can stop to watch workers and enjoy the terrain. Arriving at a local government school we take lunch, and enjoy a game of football with the children from the estate who are schooled here. Our support vehicles then transfer us back to our hotel in Munnar where we have the remainder of the afternoon free to explore the town.
DAY 4 MEESAPULIMALA 7-8 HRS / 14KM
Today is a long but rewarding day. An early start followed by a one-hour transfer by bus brings us to he trailhead at Silent Valley. From here we commence our trek initially climbing up hill along the 4x4 track of the tea estate before entering the sholas (high altitude cloud forest) on single track mud trails. We then emerge onto the grasslands with stunning views of Lake Anaiyrangal, and continue steadily upwards to Meesapulimala - at 2630m the second highest peak in the Western Ghats. We take pack lunch atop the summit before descending and traversing across grassland and trail to Kolukkumalai – the world’s highest tea estate. Here we enjoy a guided tour of the Tea Factory and sample the fine brew which results! Then we board 4x4 jeeps for an exciting transfer through the tea estate and onto our new accommodation in Siena village overlooking the Lake at Anyaiyrangal – “The Lake where elephants come down”.
DAY 5 SHANTANPARA 8 HRS / 18KM
This morning we board our bus transport and are conveyed 20 minutes to the dam at the head of Anayirangal. From here we commence our walk along easy 4x4 trail towards the small village of Thondimali where we stop for tea after 4km. Refueled we head into the grasslands on single track, and after a few kilometres start a gradual climb through cardamon plantations – tasting and learning about the various spices found alongside the trail! We descend out of the plantations to our water and lunch stop, before commencing a steady climb up through plantation and grassland until arriving at our camp – Shantampara for an evening of fully supported camping and exquisite dining under the stars!
DAY 6 CHANTARANGAPARA 6 HRS / 16KM
After breakfast we break camp and descend into the opposite valley and an area known locally as the Cardomon Hills. After 8km we cross a roadhead and are met by our support team with water and snacks. We then continue on 4x4 trail for 3km before climbing through thick vegetation and grassland across lush green valleys. We take lunch high up in the hills before traversing through grasslands and descending to our support vehicles at Chantarangapara. Our transfer by road to Periyar (home to India’s finest wildlife sanctuaries and Tiger reserve) takes 2.5 hours – where we check into a fine resort.
DAY 7 GAVI & KODAIKANAL 5 HRS / 14KM
And so to the final day of our Keralan trekking challenge. Boarding our support vehicles we head deep into the forest at Gavi, where our trail takes us through lush forest and jungle, an area rich in biodiversity and wildlife. Accompanied by expert local guides our forest walk is an opportunity to learn more about the local exosystem – and it is likely that we shall spot elephants grazing today. We take lunch at the forest eco-lodge before transferring to KodaiKanal where we stay the night in stately splendour.
DAY 8 ICT PROJECT VISIT
After a good breakfast we make our way to spend a full day at the Arunodhaya project. Where we will see their work on preventing children leaving home prematurely, as well supporting those children already living and working on the streets. By mid afternoon we board our bus that will take us back to Periyar and our hotel.
DAY 9 FREE DAY - DEPARTURE
Another early start to make the most of the empty roads to get all the way to the coast and the delights of the deserted white sand beach at Marari. Early evening we will be lounging in hammocks under the palms and swimming in the Indian ocean. This evening we have a celebratory meal to mark the end of an amazing challenge.
DAY 10 ARRIVE HOME
We depart Cochin in the early hours sleeping through to Abu Dhabi, before connecting with a direct flight back to London.