Activities at manayath Heritage

We're incredibly diverse!

'Listen to the call of the night Herone'

So profuse are the birds of this area.(new explorations for a serious bird watcher, also wonderful beginning for a novice)

Flickr Slideshow by VisualSlideshow.com v1.6

Farm walk / guided spice tour, herbal garden visit.

These 15 acres of land is our ancestral property (hence the name Manayath Heritage). It is our father, late Mr.Thomas, who undertook development on the farm by bringing in a system of inter-crop farming. The working farm, which practices on sustainable/ organic methods of farming, has pepper, cardamom, coffee, vanilla, banana, vegetables, fruits, ayurvedic herbs, etc. The farm also has few cows, goats, hens and geese. It provides employment to few of our neighbours, free grass for the livestock, plenty of firewood as fuel is available. We slowly geared to organic and bio- dynamic practices of cultivation, hence succeeded to eliminate all sorts of chemical inputs to the farm. We do organic cultivation in association with Peerumedu Development Society (PDS), a voluntary Non Government Organization, affiliated to the Catholic Church of this area.. They have facilitated a group certification from SCAL international.( There are almost 30 members of farmers like us in this neighbourhood).

The farm is maintained as a holistic unit, biologically complete, balanced, living and ecologically stable. The rich and varied agro-climatic conditions and zones in Kerala offers vast scope for commercial production of a variety of spices like cardamom, pepper, vanilla, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, clove etc. Here in this Periyar river valley we experience a micro climate which is very suitable for almost all tropical spices, fruits, vegetables and herbs.

The Periyar and its surroundings are the heart land of spices in the country. Government of India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has identified Anakkara village (from which we hails from) in their Spice Tourism Circuit Project. This aims to support spice growing communities by providing tourists a first hand experience of spice cultivation and its processing. The enchanting spice farms are treasures of this region (called periyar spice valley) and worth visiting!. Do a farm walk with any of us around our property and learn about the farming activities, inter-crop (poly culture) farming, spice cultivation and its processing.

The tree house and panoramic view.

Being settled in the high lands of Kerala, it may be interesting you to visit a Tree house- exceptionally high and it invokes us a reminiscence of past!. Many of the early settlers to this virgin land (in 1950's or before) sheltered on tree houses to safe guard themselves from the possible charges of wild tuskers!.

The elevated walk through the wooden walkway atop the perched tree house is a breath taking experience. From here a mesmerizing valley view unfolds before you!.

The estate shop

The estate shop offers a variety of home brewed products and spices. Products include plantation honey, fruit preserves in syrup, fruits wines (low in alcohol percentage, sweet/bitter), spices such as cardamom, pepper, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, coffee, nutmeg, etc.

Trekking /village walk

"far from the madding crowds.."

Atop on the Western Ghats in Kerala, Chellarkovil village borders with the Tamilnadu State. Long stretches of uninhabited bush land demarks the two states where one can overlook into the unmatched scenic beauty of Tamilnadu plains as a birds eye view. At times nothing can be seen around , except the whiteness of the mist and the next moment a wind would sweep it unveiling the green valley almost 3000 feets down below.

This program is designed partly like a border hiking. There are nature trails to follow. Here nothing comes before you other than freshness of nature as you walk along the beautiful landscape consisting of rare plants, wild flowers, bushes, cliffs, brooks and streams. Its terrains commune with nature at its tranquil best and a casual walk along its plantations or a rugged jungle trail will be rejuvenating.

The other side of the village are country roads passing through different terrains. This contoured land is verdant with plantation of pepper, cardamom, coffee, turmeric, ginger, clove, nutmeg, vanilla etc. and long stretches of high altitude paddy (rice) fields. There are small land holdings of high land farmers around the village. The practice of inter cropping (poly culture) and rearing live stock in their home premises provide them organic farming inputs which is the secret behind the freshness, flavour or aroma of their wonderful produce!. An interaction with the local people will help to know more about their life and culture.

Wider site seeing and Exploration Trips

Do wider site seeing and exploration trip of the countryside; a sketch of the region can be provided and you can enjoy the pepper farms, cardamom hills, high altitude paddy fields, the bush and cliffs etc. Here most of the roads are flat or with little gradient.

Cardamom hills.

Tea garden captured.

Tea gardens in the neighbourhood.

‘harvesting, threshing and winnowing’- a shot from the high altitude paddy fields from the neighbourhood.

A typical Syrian Christian procession in the village.

‘a close encounter'

Bullock cart Discoveries

Visit the farmlands of a village hidden in the valley behind the mountains of Periyar Tiger Reserve in a bullock cart.

With vineyards, diverse agricultural crops of mangoes, tamarind, onions, sunflower, jasmine and a score of other vegetables, the village will take your breath away when the guides start to interpret how farming has woven delicately with the culture and the life of the natives.

To feel the slow pace of the village life, to be part of the innocence, to take away you between cock and stick fights, to quench the thirst with the nectar from tender coconuts.

The programme starts at 6 am in the morning and at 2.30 pm in the afternoon and is a half -day package

Elephant Ride

We have an exciting package of elephant ride for interested tourists. This ride would be through countrysides with stop over at intermediary places. The duration can be stretched to any length of time as per actual requirement of the tourist. At a time only two tourists can take the ride while the others in a group could trek along and change over accordingly. Thekkady offers facilities for elephant rides through the jungle also.

to impel, inspire and find new expressions..

We offer an ideal setting! inspiring for artists and ardent nature lovers!!.

A Day in my school...

Interact with our budding stars.. children from the nearby school.

Other village activities

Women Self Help Groups are active in this area who are trained and equipped to prepare various home made products like chips or wafers, fruits jam/ squash/ syirups, mushrooms etc.

A training session in progress.

The Park centred (Periyar Tiger Reserve) site seeing trips.

The Periyar wildlife sanctuary at Thekkady in Idukki district is one of the world’s most fascinating natural wildlife reserves. Spread across 777 sq.km, of which 360 square kms. thick evergreen forest, Thekkady Tiger Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world.

The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however, is the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. Frequent boat cruises are conducted by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) or by Kerala Forest Department.

Distance-16Kms. from Manayath Heritage

The varied flora and fauna is sure to enthrall the nature lovers.

There are community based ecotourism programmes like trekking through the forest, border hiking, bamboo rafting, tiger trail etc. undertaken by the Forest Department.

For more details, visit. www.periyartigerreserve.org

Trekking trails..

Tour Package

The following programe is being conceived bearing in mind the convenience of our staying guests and it is arranged like 2 staying nights and 3 days at Manayath Heritage. But same time it is flexible according to your taste and tim

Day 1:

Guided spice/herbs tour in the property to familiarize with spices and herbs grown in this area.

Wider sightseeing and exploration trip of the countryside.

Visit the Chellarkovil ecotourism community centre.

Border hiking or village walk- trekking en route through Kerala-Tamilnadu state border. There are nature trails to follow to cliffs, caves, brooks and bushes. The trek path passes through the high altitude paddy fields and extensively intercropped spice farms of this village.

Or

Visit the nearby Periyar Tiger Reserve at Thekkady; frequent boat cruises are conducted by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) or by Kerala state Forest Department.

Shoping in Kumily (the home town of Thekkady), elephant safari, Katha kali (a temple art) or kerala martial arts. etc. are other activities you can attend.

Visit an ayurvedic centre nearer for consultation. Tryout rejuvenating massages.

Day 2:

Explore Periyar.

Community based ecotourism programme in Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Nature walks: (The guided day trek- forenoon and afternoon)

Border hiking: (A conservation oriented hard trek; starts 8 o’clock in the morning and ends in the evening).

Tribal Heritage: (trekking through the tribal hamlets, a 2 hour programme available on all days, forenoon and afternoon.) www.periyartigerreserve.org

Day 3:

Site seeing trips arranged to Ramakkalmedu, a maiden highland picnic spot: breathtaking view to Tamilnadu valley. 28 kms. from Manayath Heritage.

Ottakathala medu(Camel Head).

A picturesque view point, (8Kms away from Manayayh Heritage).

A tea plantation visit and a tea factory visit is arranged.