Beaches, Boats and Working with Children in Kerala, India

  India

Kerala

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: On this sizzling four week adventure in Kerala, you will have a chance to really feel the heat. Kerala boasts both some of the hottest food and weather in all of India. Push your taste buds into overdrive as you tour this fantastic Southern paradise filled with beautiful beaches, pristine jungle wilderness, endangered wildlife and friendly faced children in need of some love and attention. You will even spend a night floating gently along the backwaters in a converted antique house boat!

*Day 1: Kochi
Welcome to Southern India. You will be met at the airport and brought to your home stay in Kochi. Meet your new family and take in the warm, thick air of the tropics. Dinner is included.

*Day 2: Kochi Tour
Today you will take a tour of historic Fort Kochi. There is plenty to see including the Santa Cruz Basilica, one of the most impressive churches in all of Kerala, and the home of Vasca de Gama, a famous Portuguese explorer. Be sure to stop in to one of the many antique shops where bits and pieces of India's colonial heritage are bought and sold to the highest bidders - and don't miss the 'Chinese' fishing nets (great photo opportunity). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 3 to 6: Working with children
The next few days you will spend working with children in need. Activities may include teaching English, singing songs, playing games, arts and crafts and music. Your main task will be to keep the children happy, healthy and learning. Your work schedule will vary according to your specific placement. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 7: Athirapally waterfalls
Look up in awe at the staggering 80 ft tall waterfalls that flow into the raging Chalakkudi River. Breakfast is included.

*Day 8: Kochi
After breakfast you will head back to your home stay in Kochi. This evening will be something really special because you will get to see a real, live Kathakali, the famous dance drama of Kerala. Breakfast and dinner are included.

*Day 9 to 13: Work with children
This week you will continue your work bringing smiles and giggles to the children of Kerala. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 14: Fishing village
Today you can look forward to fresh fish curry, friendly fisherman and a variety of smells you won't soon forget as you enjoy your tour of a quaint fishing village. Breakfast is included.

*Day 15: Visit to Guruvayoor / Kodanad (Elephant camp)
Visit an elephant training camp today where you will learn how these wild creatures are trained to perform in religious ceremonies. You will also visit the beautiful Guruvayoor temple. Breakfast is included.

*Day 16 to 20: Work with children
This is your last week at the project so make the most of it! Keep your energy high and your creativity flowing as you spend your days playing with these very special children. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 21: Souvenirs anyone?
Today you will have plenty of time for some last minute shopping when you visit Ernakulam, the bustling commercial capital of Kerala. Breakfast is included.

*Day 22: Kochi to Munnar
After an early breakfast you will take a break from the heat by travelling n the mountains of Munnar, the former summer resort of the British colonial rulers. You will arrive in the early afternoon with plenty of time to visit Eravikulam National Park, take in the gorgeous scenery and have a delicious cuppa at the Tea Museum. Breakfast is included.

*Day 23: Munnar to Thekkady
After breakfast, you will travel on to Thekkady, home of the elephants. You will spend the afternoon feeding and riding the elephants through the beautiful forests. In the late afternoon you will take a boat cruise down the river to view the plethora of wildlife meandering along the river banks.Breakfast is included.

*Day 24: Backwaters Thekkady to Alleppey (Overnight house boat)
Board your house boat and start drifts down the idyllic backwaters. Enjoy a scrumptious evening tea on board. Watch the fisherman casts their nests as the sun sets silently behind the lush hills. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 25: Alleppey to Trivandrum to Kovalam
Your backwaters adventure continues as you cruise down to Alleppey. You will hop on a bus to Kovalam, stopping at bustling Trivandrum on the way. In Trivandrum you will be visit the fantastic Padmanabhaswami Temple, Kuthiramalikai Zoo and Napier Museum. After a day of culture you will head off to the beautiful beaches of Kovalam. Breakfast is included.

*Day 26 to 27: Kovalam and the beach
Enjoy this sun worshipers paradise with plenty of dips in the sea, naps on the sand and curries in your belly. Breakfast is included.

*Day 28: Travel back to Kochi
Bid goodbye to the golden shores and ride back to Kochi. Rest at your home stay or get in some last minute shopping. Breakfast is included.

*Day 29: Transfer to Nedumbassery Airport
It's time to say goodbye and board your flight back home or on to your next adventure. Breakfast is included.

Highlights:
* Cruising down the backwaters of Kerala, passing villages unchanged by the tides of modernity
* Visiting an elephant park
* Riding an elephant through the forests
* Smiling with the bright and enthusiastic children
* Feeling the cool spray from under an 80ft waterfall
* Relaxing on the fantastic beaches of Kovalam

Qualifications: Who is it for?
This project is ideal for anyone interested in children, teaching or special education and wanting to experience the beauty of Kerala's backwaters and beaches. Kerala has a wonderful gentle pace of life and a warm and welcoming population - an ideal combination to see some of the best of what India offers.

Cost in US$: USD 2305.00 for 4 weeks

* Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse, home stay and on a house boat.
* Food: All breakfast; lunch and dinner when stated on itinerary
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, local in-country team and 24 hour emergency support

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to India Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994