Madurai to Kanyakumari via a Mango Orchard
We begin our journey from Madurai to Anantya on road, a drive of 5 hours (270 km). We stop at a Mango Orchard for a traditional plantain lunch at Tirunelveli, two and a half hours from Madurai.
Just about an hour before reaching your destination, we stop for a truly indulging interaction with a local artisan community of jewellery makers; an almost dying art today, this 5th generation of artisans make traditional handmade jewellery that adorns the idols of goddesses in temples, the Bharatanatiyam dancers, and brides on their wedding day.
Arrive in Anantya to begin your slow travel journey into Old Travancore.
Old Travancore and Plantation Walks
It is a story of the illustrious rulers of Padmanabhapuram, the powerhouse of Travancore. Amongst these rulers, the most notable was Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the valiant war hero who consolidated and grew Travancore from a small chiefdom to a formidable kingdom. The tour begins at the Padmanabhapuram Palace and old temples of Travancore. The tour also emphasizes on the matriarchal system and their lifestyle which are a true splendour!
Once the seat of power of the Travancore kingdom, now Padmanabhapuram is just a small town close to Anantya. Visitors come to see the splendor of the largest wooden palace in India and marvel at the craftsmanship.
On Anantya's Travancore Trails & Tales, we present the forgotten human stories of people who lived in the palace and city. How the matrilineal society meant that kings inherited their throne because of their mothers and so having daughters in the family was important. The
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stories of Marthanda Varma, one of the most illustrious kings of the Travancore Kingdom and folklores like the love of a king for a Rajput princess. See, hear, learn and be entertained.
Come back to explore the family’s rubber plantation;
Go back a hundred years with this walk around a 1000-acre plantation, understand the several species of flora and fauna.
The Rubber plantations are the essence of this land, walking in undulating terrains to live the life of a Rubber tapper is a fulfilling slow travel experience. We end the plantation walk with a sundowner at the plantation with a glass of wine and snacks to go with.
Day Tour to Kanyakumari
The tip of South India - Kanyakumari makes for a memorable experience with spectacular Sunsrise and Sunsets, gorgeous ocean views old temples and exuberant coastal life. A drive past the western ghats to Kanyakumari takes about 90 minutes via green paddy fields and wind turbines and ultimately to land’s end!
Trivandrum / Alleppey
Proceed to Alleppey this morning with a stop at Trivandrum to explore the city.
The capital of Kerala, Trivandrum is the land of historical buildings, a great place to shop for local art and furniture, boating on the backwaters and not to miss a Kathakali performance.
While driving to Trivandrum through the countryside of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, one can stop 45 mins before at Balaramapuram - a weaving community of handwoven cloth worn by generations of Maharajas, the royal family of Travancore and the people of Kerala. Here you will meet the weavers who painstakingly create these understated elegant off-white cloth with its beautiful golden zari “dhothi” for men and the “settu-mundu” that a Kerala bride wears on her wedding day.
Alleppey
Check-in to you House boat for a magical backwaters experience
Depart Kochi
Today check out of your houseboat. A day tour of Cochin's main sights are arranged. In the evening you are transferred to the airport for departure.
