27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 11 Aug : A trip to Makuvalli amidst the Idukki Reserve Forest (Kerala) - 2 Day Package - Ex Pazhayarikandam
A trip to Makuvalli amidst the Idukki Reserve Forest
Makkuvalli is a village located amidst the Idukki reserve forest of Kerala, India. This village is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of even a small town or crowded tourist destinations. The immersive rural living experience at Makkuvalli is curated and managed by the villagers of Makkuvalli. The Makkuvalli experience, completely embedded with local culture, nature, traditional food and lovely people, we offer the authentic experience of how a normal day looks like in the life of a villager. This village has the same climatic conditions for most of the year. A visit to Makkuvalli is an all season activity.
Distance from other tourist destinations
Munnar: 47 km
Thekkady: 70 km
Kochi: 90 km
Graamya's Palar: 57 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport
Nearest railway station: Aluva/ Ernakulam
Pick up point of Graamya: Pazhayarikandam (Directions to the pick-up point)
Cost : Rs. 3000 per person + 5% GST (No charges for children upto 5 years of age)
Cost Inclusions: All activities and meals during the stay as per the itinerary
Cost exclusions: Any services and purchases that are not mentioned in the itinerary
Cancellation policy:
Full refund for cancellation of trips 7 days prior to the trip.
50% refund for cancellation of the trip 4 days prior to the trip.
Nil refunds in case of cancellation 3-0 day prior to the trip.
100% refund in case the trip is cancelled by Graamya at any point.
Minimum pax: 1 adult
Itinerary
Day 1
11:00 am - Reach the pick- up point
Reach the village Makkuvalli as per the Google map location. You meet your guide (Graamya's trained guide from the village) at the pick-up point.
Host family welcomes their guests with flowers and a welcome drink (lemon juice or butter milk during summers and black coffee or tea during rainy seasons). The guide introduces the host and guests to each other and orients the guests about their stay in the village.
Farm to plate Experience the Journey of rice from paddy field to the plate in this immersive activity where you are taken to the paddy field (seasonal) and explained the unique traditional method of paddy cultivation at Makkuvalli. Post visit a handful of paddy is pounded to de-husk and use winnowing techniques to separate the rice from husk and grounded the rice grains into flour manually which is used to make a multiple dishes like puttu, pidi (dishes from local cuisine) etc.
1:00 pm Enjoy traditional home-cooked meals of Makkuvalli over lunch. Lunch is served on leaves (banana leaf or leaves of other trees and shrubs like crepe ginger), by your host family to add natural flavors and health benefits to the food. The meals are cooked in coconut oil and most of the ingredients are grown in the farm of your host family. The meals by default are vegetarian. However, with prior intimation non-vegetarian food may be served.
Experience the joy of growing your own food. Farm like a farmer. Interact with farmers and get to know more about the variety of crops they grow. Also, learn how to identify better quality spices and the rural economy prevailing in the remote villages of Kerala.
Get involved in ongoing village activities like opening cocoa pods and tasting the fruits of the cocoa, taking care of farm animals, weaving coconut leaves to make a temporary shelter, climbing a coconut tree etc.
4:30pm Tea and local snack at the village home (Learn how different leaves that we ignore become part of the local cuisine)
Take a guided village, sunset walk and relax by the stream.
Learn to write alphabets of Malayalam language, learn to write your name in Malayalam and also, pick up few Malayalam words from your hosts. Get involved in cooking or listen to Malayalam songs on the radio.
8:00pm Enjoy traditional dinner served by your hosts and exchange thoughts.
10:00pm - Lights off
Day 2
Start you day with a morning trail to the forest at least by 7:00 am
Post the morning nature trail Enjoy breakfast from the local cuisine along with a cup of hot tea/coffee
Visit the local school and the Aanganwadi center of the village, play village games etc. Children can involve in making their own version of Scare-crow.
Become a researcher and learn about plants and their uses, collect the specimen and stick on your album for future reference. Learn to climb trees, draw water from the wells, try your hands on the traditional methods of fishing etc.
Plant a tree Sapling in Makkuvalli (leave your footprints at Makkuvalli)
Visit the village shop to buy organic farm products (spices, coffee etc) as souvenirs.
01:00 pm Lunch at the village home
Check-out by 2pm
To be noted before the trip
Climate at the village is pleasant (approx. 22C to 30C no special preparations required)
The community in Makkuvalli speak only Malayalam Please pre-book a translator if required
The charges include all the activities in the itinerary.
We encourage you to carry the original of at least one identity proof by any governments.
If you want us to arrange for food or/and accommodation of your driver, please pre-book for the services.
Your stay will be arranged in the village homes (clean rooms and bedding accommodating 2 adults in a house, toilets available may be Indian or western-style water toilets, no toiletries will be provided)
All your meals will be arranged in a village home
You will be accompanied by your trained guide from the village for all the activities
We do not encourage TIPs in the village or any kind of financial and non-financial favors offered for the services provided.
There may be leeches in the village and forest if it rains (Necessary precautions are taken by us)
A first aid kit is available in the village, however we advise you to carry any specific medicines you may need.
In case you are comfortable we suggest you to wear flip-flops or floaters as footwear instead of shoes.
Smoking and consumption of alcohol are prohibited in the village.
Please do not carry any form of plastic to the village. We do not encourage bottled drinking water. The water at Makkuvalli as pure as it can be and is tested for safety.
Please fill the client requirement form with confirmation of your trip.
Electricity and network connectivity is erratic, enjoy your time away from the hustle and bustle of your daily lives.
The roads to Makkuvalli are not pakka roads, however the travel is comfortable in any four wheelers and we will arrange the last mile connectivity to the village in a local jeep. A parking space will be arranged for your vehicle.
You are a step head of many others in promoting sustainable tourism and your contribution to the village community is an encouragement for them.
All the activities are subject to the interests of the guests and feasibility.