This Guy’s Mad Staycation in

(7 Nights, 8 Days OR 9 Nights, 10 Days)

Route: Cochin – – – – Cochin

Tour Duration: 7 Nights or 9 Nights

Estimate travel dates: Dec 12 - 21

BRIEF ITINERARY:

Dec 12: to Munnar transfer. Check into our secret farm.

Dec 13: Sunrise trek in the morning followed by a secret waterfall trek as well.

Dec 14: Free Day/Work day or, Munnar sightseeing –

Dec 15: Free Day/Work day

Dec 16: Transfer to Vagamon

Dec 17: Paragliding in Vagamon

Dec 18: Adventure Camp visit

Dec 19: Airport transfer or drive to Kumarakom. Evening visit Lake for shikara ride.

Dec 20: Beach day at

Dec 21: Airport transfer. Trip ends.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Dec 12: Cochin Airport to Munnar. Check into our secret farm. O/N Munnar

The idea is that you all fly to Cochin and land before 11 AM, so that the day does not get wasted. Upon your arrival at the airport, a cab will transfer the group to our secret farm camp located in the outskirts of Munnar. We will be staying in tents here overlooking a pretty village.

The view from the campsite

It’s a beautiful private property and only their guests have access to the trekking trails, waterfalls and viewpoints in the forest area.

Munnar is a beautiful hill station, surrounded with tea plantations, mountain streams, falls, home to the rare and more. The route is beautiful. Kerala’s beauty lies in its nature and the route will be littered with streams and other photogenic spots.

The essence of road trips, and of travelling is to not just rush from one point to another, not just check list every possible place, but to stop, pause whenever one sees something beautiful, to spend more time at places where we are having fun, and to absorb the moment, to live in the moment. And so, we shall go to this quaint hill station, trying to enjoy to our fullest.

As mentioned, the moment we start going uphill, tea plantations will spring out of nowhere. The gang will get out at some such points, wherever we can cross over into the tea plantations, and click photographs with the local tea pickers.

Check into the campsite by late afternoon.

After freshening up, let’s go for a walk.

Feel the mountain breeze on your face, talk to someone you just met on the trip, get to know them a little, and let them know you a bit as well.

Come evening, we have a little treat waiting for you. Bonfire! Because nothing says getaway from the city life like a nice golden flame lit up, leaving all of us a little warm and leaving its glow on our faces too. Let’s huddle up in a circle and get set for a night to remember?

Dec 13: Sunrise Trek followed by a secret waterfall trek and jeep safari in the secret farm site. O/N Munnar Today is my personal favourite day of the trip! Wait, I might have more, but today is quite special too!

We are going for a sunrise trek today. We will probably be the only people in the area, as one needs to stay in the farm for access to the viewpoint. The meadows and woods, coupled with the early morning mist and fog, create a magical experience.

Wear a warm pullover or jacket because it will be chilly out there. And we shall be going on a trek up a gorgeously green peak.

The green carpeted meadows, imposing misty mountains, frothy clouds and the chilling Munnar breeze create a magical experience for you. You will walk through lush green grasslands, tea estates and get to explore the beautiful hills!

Hop, skip and jump in this virgin mountain and head to the top of the peak from where you’ll witness one of the most gorgeous sunrises ever.

Once at the top, sit by yourself for a while. Let the breeze hit your face and do its own magic to you. Forget about the world, life back at home, and just be in the moment. Pick a quiet spot for yourself, and you will hear only birds for miles around you. Think about what it means for you to be in this place, in that moment.

Once we are back in the resort, we will have lunch. Later, carry your swimming costumes, or trunks, or shorts, for we are going to a small waterfall tucked away in the jungle.

The forest is seductive and tempts you to go deeper. The trees look down upon you and they guard the secrets of the forest for thousands of years. Sunlight reduces as you go deeper, and even in the afternoon, it might be dark inside.

You can hear the music of the crickets and the cicadas as they buzz in the forest. After a hike of 20 minutes, we shall finally reach the waterfall.

Who all can swim! Dive into this deliciously cold water. It will make you yell with joy! Those who don’t swim can sit on the rocks and put their legs in the water.

Do your own thing! Be the new Liril model in the water, or do a Mandakini in it, be a monkey and go mad – it’s your holiday people and we can’t be cooped anymore!

Once we get back to the resort, rest for a bit. Later in the evening, we are going to do a short sunset trek.

Once we get back to the resort, rest for a bit! It’s our last night at the resort, so let’s play silly games, let’s all share stories and make the night count! :)

Dec 14 and 15: Free Day/Work Day. Or, visit Mattupetty Dam O/N Munnar

After a leisurely breakfast, we shall check out of our secret farm and make our way to Munnar. We will be staying in a cozy villa for the next 2 nights.

Since it’s a staycation, these two days have been kept free for you. Those who’d like to work, can do so during the day and then later, we can all sit together and chill in the evenings.

Meanwhile, others can do their own thing. Got a book you’d been wanting to read? Bring it out. Have an urge to sleep in the grass under the open sky? Go for it. Wanting to let the budding photographer in you finally get that camera clicking in 2020? Click away! (And, click us too, duh :p) Made a friend you want to talk to for hours? Yap away! It’s the week of YOU and whatever you wish to do.

Also, if you’d like, we have included an optional visit Mattupetty Dam one of the days. Not many think of dams as sightseeing places but Mattupetty is different. Located in the of Kerala, the Mattupetty Dam is more than just a water storage facility. The green valleys and pleasant ambience make up for a captivating site. The reflection of the tea gardens into the water is the most beautiful part of the dam.

In the midst of the hills, lies a beautiful lake, just a few kilometres away from the dam. You have endless options – either you can go for boating in the lake or you can sit by the shore enjoying the tranquillity here. Adventure lovers also have the option of trekking in the Shola forest.

Dec 16: Transfer to Vagamon. Evening stroll. O/N Vagamon

Today morning has been kept free for you to wrap up your office work. Around noon, we will leave for the pretty town of Vagamon.

Vagamon is a beautiful sleepy town surrounded by tea gardens and beautiful meadows. The drive to the hill town is scenic with winding roads, fresh mountain air, the sound of gurgling streams and chirping birds.

The drive is about 75 kilometres from Munnar and we shall reach the town late afternoon.

After freshening up, we can go for a walk in the nearby area and take in the beauty of the place. Vagamon skies look prettiest during the sunset with hues of deep violet and bright orange that will make you feel like you have stepped into a painting. Let’s click pictures, admire nature, and enjoy our time here. Dec 17: Vagamon Sightseeing, Paragliding. O/N Vagamon

Today is my personal favourite day of the trip. We are going Paraglidinggggg!

Your trip to Vagamon is incomplete if you didn’t go Paragliding here. This is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling gliding experiences you can have in South , as you fly over the lush green tea estates and meadows, dams and misty hills that is sure to take your breath away. So, if paragliding has been on your bucket list, it’s time to get your pen out and strike it off!

Soar over meadowy hills and majestic mountains, and capture the beauty of nature with your eyes.

@picture credits: georgein.momentics

Back to the resort by evening. Play some games, munch on local delicacies and share some laughs with your fellow trippers. The night is still young and a lot more awaits you.

Dec 18: Adventure Camp Visit for some fun activities. O/N Vagamon

Today, we are going to an adventure camp in the middle of the hills, next to a beautiful lake.

Once we reach the adventure camp, lunch will be served. Post that, we can proceed to try out rope/bridge games, paintball or archery.

The camp is beautiful. It is on the banks of the lake, and you can go for a nice, long walk. It is flanked by mountains on all side, and is perfect for an idyllic weekend.

We shall go for kayaking. Don’t worry even if you are afraid of water. There will be life jackets, the lake is calm, and you have Captain Nero as well as some camp guides with you :) Kayaking is a beautifully peaceful and calm sport, and you will love it.

Adventure lovers can also try ziplining and rock climbing here. There’s something for everyone!

Those who want to swim in the cool waters can do that as well. In the evening, we can go for a short hike, and then there will be bonfire, barbeque and music. The camp is green, the ambience is cosy, and we hope you love this pretty place!

Around 7 pm, we will head back to our hotel for the night.

Dec 19: Trip Ends Today. Or, travel till Kumarakom. Staycation continues for two more days.

The trip ends today people! If you want, a cab can be arranged at an additional cost for you drive back to the Kochi Airport. This isn’t currently a part of the inclusions.

There is an option to extend the trip by two nights, and spend it in the beautiful backwaters town on Kumarakom. If you choose to extend, then we shall start our journey from Vagamon to Kumarakom today after breakfast. It is about a 3 hours long drive and one that’ll be full of games, music and conversations. We will be staying in a beautiful lake side property here for the next two days.

Once we reach, we will freshen up and after lunch, go on a cruise through Kerala’s famous backwaters.

Now, there are many tour operators who conduct backwater excursions into the vast expanse of Vembanad lake. But the best way to see the backwaters is through smaller boats that go into canals and channels, dotted with palm trees lined up on the banks on both sides. We will be on one such sojourn and we shall take a shikara ride through these waters and pass through fishing villages.

We will be back by sunset, and spend the evening together.

Dec 20: Mararikulam day trip – Beach Day! O/N Kumarakom

It’s beach day today!

After breakfast, you shall road trip your way to . Marari is a beautiful little town located about 22 kms from Alleppey. Marari is full of beaches and greenery, serving to be the perfect getaway from hectic urban life. If you are looking for some quiet, peaceful time, Marari is the place to visit.

Let’s make it funner, eh! You could do a fun photo shoot among yourselves on the beach. Make way Mallya and Kingfisher – you are no longer the only ones doing a beach shoot or calendar, so are you!! So, boys and girls, more motivation to work out a bit before the trip starts!

Later in the evening, we shall make our way back to the resort in Kumarakom.

Once we’re back at the property, keep in mind that there shall be no sleeping on this night! It’s the last night after all, let’s make it an unforgettable one. Let’s dance the night away, let’s converse till the night turns into morning and let’s just sit around with each other for one last time before our staycation comes to an end.

Dec 21: Trip Finally Ends!

Sigh. The last day arrives! We’ll be packing up our bags full of memories and making our way to Kochi Airport from where everyone departs for their respective cities. Here’s hoping that this staycation was the escape you so dearly sought and that we all get to meet again super soon!

Inclusions: 7 nights, 8 days

• Accommodation for 2 nights in camps in a secret farm for 2 nights in Munnar • Accommodation for 3 nights in a beautiful private villa for 3 nights in Munnar • Accommodation for 3 nights in a 3-star property in Vagamon • All breakfasts from Dec 13 to Dec 19 • Dinner on Dec 12 and 13 • Waterfall and Sunrise Trek fees and all necessary permits • Bonfire, Nature Walk, Jeep Safari • Local Transport in Munnar and Vagamon for sightseeing and resort transfers • Kochi Airport to Munnar Farm transfer in a private vehicle • Munnar to Vagamon transfer in a private vehicle • Local guide for the treks and hikes • Mattupetty Dam visit • Adventure Camp visit in Vagamon

Inclusions: 9 nights, 10 days

• All of the above inclusions • Accommodation for 2 nights in a beautiful lakeside property in Kumarakom • Breakfast on Dec 20 and Dec 21 • Kumarakom to Kochi Airport Transfer • Vagamon to Kumarakom transfer in a private vehicle • Local transport for sightseeing • Vembanad Lake shikara ride • Mararikulam Day Trip

Exclusions:

• All lunches • Dinner from Dec 14 - 20 • Paragliding in Vagamon • Flight tickets • If you opt for 7 nights package, then Vagamon to Kochi Airport transfer. (This can be done by us at an additional cost. If yes, then please contact Neeraj for the same.) • Any personal expenses, or anything not mentioned under Inclusions Total cost:

• 7 nights, 8 days: Rs 25,000 per person • 9 nights, 10 days: Rs 32,000 per person

Cancellation Policy:

Between 30 and 14 days of trip start date: 50% refund

Between 14 and 7 days of trip start date: 25% refund

Less than 7 days of trip start date: No refund