It is hard to identify a single memorable moment. It was the whole experience that made this holiday so enjoyable. Our trip with Blue Yonder was unlike the typical tourist experience. Although we were in Kerala for only a few short days, we felt that even in that short time we were able to connect with people and develop a better understanding of their land and resources. As we sipped from fresh coconuts and drifted in the luxurious houseboats we felt relaxed and refreshed.

Our sunset boat trip on the River Nila helped us develop a deeper appreciation of the river as a life-source to the region and an understanding of the urgency of protecting its diminishing waters. Our afternoon spent with local musicians was unlike any musical performance we had ever experienced. We developed a deeper appreciation of the way that music, family, religion, and the environment are so intertwined. Our trip would not have been complete without our final afternoon of ayruvedic massages. It was the way that each of our experiences in Kerala was different yet interconnected that made this holiday so memorable.

Tips to other travellers?
Don't hesitate! The Blue Yonder are not kidding when they say this is a "tailor-made" holiday experience! They worked hard to accommodate our schedule and our interests. If you want a relaxing vacation or an activity-packed adventure, they can make it happen for you!

Benefiting local people, and minimized impacts on the environment:

Without a doubt, the Blue Yonder is committed to fostering tourism that is environmentally and socially responsible. Although their tour operation clearly benefits the local people with a focus on preserving the environment, the most powerful impact of our experience at the Blue Yonder was how it shaped our own understanding of responsible tourism.

As frequent travelers, the Blue Yonder helped us to understand how tourism (when responsibly managed) can be a powerful agent for environmental protection and local economic growth. We value all the work that the Blue Yonder is doing within the communities along the River Nila, but we also believe their impact is more than on the local level.

Now that we have seen how powerful an experience traveling can be when it is organized in a way that benefits the environment and the local people, we will search out more experiences like this in our future trips abroad! Gopi and the Blue Yonder certainly deserve the accolades that have recently received for their commitment to responsible tourism.

Well we’re back! Thank you all so much for such a brilliant time.
The whole holiday was a fantastic experience and far surpassed my (already high) expectations. It was our first experience of a holiday officially recognized as “responsible tourism”, although the holidays we usually organize for ourselves would probably fit most of the criteria. Nigel had been rather less enthusiastic (being quite happy with our usual trips to France and Italy) but he too was totally bowled over by it all. You made us feel that we had made real friends with you all – and we were so sorry to leave you. There were so many incredible experiences in just 3 weeks – and we felt really privileged to have been able to have them, so thank you for making it all possible. The programme you devised for us, just could not have been better, fitting what I had told you about us so perfectly.

If forced to summarize the 3 things that stick in my mind most:

The Keralan people: smiles everywhere and of course meeting you guys – you really made all the difference.

Syam’s totally irrepressible enthusiasm during our 3 days in Periyar, especially seeing the wild elephants – and the need to recover once we got to Haritha Farm (it was just the perfect sequel)!

Those activities where we felt that we were seeing the hidden Kerala around the Nila – the Pulluvar, the music trip, the Kalari, the 2 Brahmin homes and the boat trip. Having said that, the experience was far better because you had already ensured we understood a bit of the basic philosophy from our visits in Arunmula and to the various museums. Thanks to Arun for his interpretation and his (and Dipu’s) fearlessness at the Kalari session!!! I think you organized the things the right way round for us, seeing the museums etc. first before heading up to the Nila.

A bit more detail..

We ADORED Karikkathi. I had a funny feeling when we heard we were staying there after all other places were booked that it was just meant to be. I just hope that the bay does not get over-developed. I suggest you check regularly before sending future guests there.

The houseboat trip was fun – and I’m glad we did it. Perhaps give future guests a warning that it is getting rather commercialized to manage expectations – is there an option elsewhere which is more environmentally sensitive? I guess you use one of the more environmentally aware providers – perhaps note this in your briefing?

Marari Beach was good. I thought it was a shame that we were not at the Beach Resort for the 3 days, but Nigel was very taken with the reclaimed doors, windows etc at the Beach Homes(!) – and the guy there was incredibly helpful – even retrieving for us the torch we left on the houseboat! I’m so glad we had one of the rooms in the Resort with our own pool, a real luxury. 3 days at Marari was enough though – discretely done and nicely spread out, but you can’t escape the fact that there were large tour parties there.

Periyar experience was amazing. A “sound bite” would be: “ How fantastic to see the Periyar Tiger Reserve with Syam, a wonderfully knowledgeable naturalist. We packed so much into 3 days and it was so encouraging to be a very small part of a scheme to benefit both the wildlife and the local people and it was superb to track and see the elephants in the wild.” The accommodation there was adequate, but we found it a bit strange not getting the room cleaned during our stay. (Soft Europeans, I know!). Now if Shyam had found us a tiger it would have been perfect…. The night camping was an interesting experience – especially the 1cm of foam “mattress” - again though, wouldn’t have missed it.

Haritha Farm was good fun. Jacob is such an engaging host and the food was predictably great – best of the holiday. His little tuk tuk trips were fun too, to give a feel for the area. We’ll be giving him a few little ideas on what he could do to improve the décor of the rooms though!

We enjoyed Cochin and the Old Courtyard fitted the bill fine for us in view of the attraction of old buildings. It did work well having meals out in different locations.

Our time in Nila was a fantastic experience as I’ve already said. We felt just so privileged to be able to experience the different aspects of your culture and heritage, on such an intimate level. It was again good to think that our visit was in a small way helping you to sustain local customs. The Riverside accommodation was probably not really up to standard though and does need some urgent attention I think. The Ayurveda Mana is wonderful and if I come to the Nila again, I’d certainly like to stay there for a few days. There was something surreal about seeing the guests drifting back to their rooms across the garden after their dinners under their parasols…. 3 massages in 3 weeks was great. I’ve just looked up the prices of a 1 hour massage locally – about 6000 Rs! Oh well – dream on…

The overnight rail trip was an interesting experience which I don’t feel the need to repeat!

Dipu our driver was great, albeit the vehicle was a bit ropey and so our progress was perhaps just a little more sedate and bumpy than we may have liked. Having said that we soon got to trust Dipu’s driving and I think that it may have been a good thing that his command of English was not better, otherwise his concentration on the road may have been affected by us asking lots of questions. I had to open the door of my car myself when we got back to Heathrow – quite a shock! Mind you Nigel was quite relaxed with my driving on the way home after the Kerala experience.

Anyway, we are missing you all dreadfully already! Do keep in touch. Better get on now to earn some money for the next holiday!!!!

Each activity was a puzzle piece to the big puzzle of River Nila. So that each activity provided information that helped you understand other things that you saw and participated in.

Allowed the individual to feel that they were discovering this information for
themselves – instead of just being told. This makes you feel like an ‘explorer’
something you do want to feel.

Both music programs were excellent. The uniqueness of the two groups was their endearing feature. For example, the more ‘professional’ performance qualities of the drumming group was a beautiful contrast to the folk group.

Having local knowledge – with the guide meant you felt more connected to the experience.

The cruise on the river was the connecting feature of the program. Cruising down the river, seeing, feeling, smelling allowed you to rasp how this environment has influenced its people & villages.

Visiting the artisans was great. It would have been nice to actually see them at work, as well as seeing the different steps they take. Even for just 15 minutes, so that the visitor can truly appreciate the time, effort and skill required for these crafts.

The small visits along the river were fantastic. If there was a possibility for more of these I think it would be beneficial.

The entire program was well put together relaxing & energising. The only small tiring part was the large amount of car travelling. I understand this was probably due to my extremely short visit though!

Accommodation is excellent. In a longer program you could allow the visitors some free time to explore the house, surrounding land & villages – it’s a great location (so peaceful & so quiet) with delightful hosts.

Although the landscape, people and the couture are what people come to see, it is the guide that makes it possible for you to feel.

Having such outstanding and friendly personalities coupled with the local knowledge is what makes the experience truly unique.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have had such a fabulous time – I will be back very soon

Guardian Unlimited travel : The Best Cultural breaks Jan 11 2008 "Audio slideshow: Kevin Rushby goes in search of Kerala's unheard music, played by India's lowest castes"
http://travel.guardian.co.uk/flash/page/0,,2234209,00.html

BBC World Climate Watch 28 April 2007 Global warming and the impacts on River Nila. Read more

Arrival at Calicut, meet our representative outside the airport terminal and transfer to Wayanad by road (3 hours). Lunch at the hotel and relaxation. Late afternoon visit Edakkal caves, listen to the heritage of Wayanad and see the pre historic sites that unveil the mystery of the land called Wayanad. Back to the hotel in the evening.

Overnight in Wayanad.

Leave for Wildlife Safari in Muthanga wildlife sanctuary after early breakfast: 24 kilometer safari through the sanctuary. You could see Asiatic Elephants, Bears, Wild gaurs, Spotted and Sambar deers and even a leopard. Lunch at a local house hold/Uravu. Spice Tour, Tea estate and waterfall visit in the afternoon. Visit plantations enroute to waterfall areas exploring spices of all kinds grown in Wayanad. Trek down through the rainforest and to explore the Meenmutty waterfalls and back to the hotel by evening.

Overnight in Wayanad.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to River Nila (4 ½ hours drive). Stop over at a planter's bungalow and lunch with the host family.Afternoon: Thoni cruise (country boat cruise) in the with a visit to Thunjan Parambu Literature Park and Vakkad beach.Proceed to \ hotel near Nila river.

Overnight in Nila.

Breakfast at the hotel and morning visit Potters workshop and Bell Metal workshop. Guests get to see how potter weaves magic on clay. The sessions gives opportunity to work on pottery. Guests can give orders for small souvenirs and take it back home as a memento. A visit to the bell metal workshop will take you through the unique craft that is confined to few families in the region. Guests can watch the intricate scientific process of creating the bell metal and how they are used so artistically to create materials like traditional tea pots, unique door locks. In the evening spend time with folk artists show casing the folk heritage of River Nila. Return back to the hotel late in the night.

Overnight in Nila.

After breakfast : Day with the Masters at Kalamandalam. An interaction with students and masters of classical dance and music school of Kerala. Return to Hotel for Lunch. Thereafter relax at the hotel.

Overnight in Nila.

Drive to Chimmony .approx 2hrs drive. Trek through the wilderness of Chimmony to the campsite. Light trekking with our naturalist to explore the wilderness and forest area comprise of Tropical Evergreen forest and deciduous forest.

Rainforest Camping at night.

Morning: Go on a birding tour and thereafter leave for Cochin -2hrs drive..Arrive and check into Hotel in Fort Cochin. In the evening attend Kathakali performance in a Theatre at Fort Cochin.

Overnight in Fort Cochin.

This day guided tour of Fort Cochin Jew town, Synagogue, Spice Markets, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church ,Chinese Fishing nets.

Overnight in Fort Cochin.

Drive to Periyar-5hrs drive ..Arrive and proceed to Hotel in Thekkady. Relax till the evening. In the night we start three hours trekking at the fringes of Periyar tiger reserve starting at 7 or 10 at night. Return back to the Hotel.

Overnight in Periyar.

Bamboo rafting: This full day programme is combination of dawn to dusk trekking and rafting on reed raft along the Periyar Lake. Good chance of spotting wildlife in your close vicinity. Return back to the hotel by evening.

Overnight in Periyar.

Drive to Kumarakom - 4hrs drive. Kumarakom is about 10kms from Kottayam; one of most beautiful backwater stretches of Kerala. Proceed to backwater resort in Kumarakom.
Relaxation at the backwater resort and overnight in Kumarakom.

Check out after breakfast and proceed to Jetty to board the houseboat. Backwater Cruise. All meals on board. View the village life while on boat cruise.

Overnight on the Houseboat.

Disembark the houseboat at Alleppey after a short morning cruise and transfer to beach resort in Marari (45minute drive).

Overnight at the beach resort

Transfer to Cochin airport.