Kerala highlights and Maldives holiday

Planet

This holiday is arranged on an individual basis and a vehicle of appropriate size will be used. All the accommodation owners are committed to operating in an environmentally friendly way.

Dewalokam: The lovely staff are from the local area and your fantastic hosts Jose & Sinta live onsite to look after you. They have their own farm, grow some of their own products and spices. Very much into going digital to save paper, switch lights off to save energy, reuse before recycling, solar and using biodegradable plastic.

Spice Village: An environmentally sensitive resort owned by CGH Earth. They have dry and wet waste management with micro-organism composting and a biogas plant. Also effluent treatment plant, photo voltaic system, handmade paper making as well as many other eco polices.

Lakes & Lagoons Houseboat: Our houseboats are operated by Lakes and Lagoons - one of the original and best houseboat companies. They are ISO 9001-2000 certified and were the first houseboat tour company to attain this. Kerala Tourism have a rating system for houseboats and we are pleased to report that the air-conditioned boat used on this cruise has been awarded a Silver Star. The stars are awarded based on safety, quality and service.

Kettuvallams are country boats and were originally used for the transport of goods. The advent of roads and bridges throughout the Kuttanad region of Kerala (known as the backwaters) meant that these traditionally made boats were being phased out. But tourism has brought them back and the artisan boat-makers are busy again. The boats are still made in the traditional way from natural materials - wood (mostly anjili), coconut and bamboo.

Kayal Island Retreat: To have minimal impact on nature, we used reclaimed and recycled material to recreate our cottages. At Kayal, we truly believe we owe our existence to nature and the community we live in. We believe in growing together with the local community and we hope our guests can support us in our endeavours.
We’ve used reclaimed wood, bricks to build Kayal, compost food waste an use hand-rowed canoes for sunset boat ride.

Secret Garden: This property takes an eco-approach practicing rainwater harvesting and has solar power. Also using glass bottles for water, paper straws and provide soaps covered in Areca leaf sheath.

Makunudu Island: “What we consider the hidden gem of the Maldives” - Hummingbird Travel. Refreshingly uncomplicated: One restaurant, one bar, one room category. 36 villas, no water villas. Area of outstanding natural beauty with excellent living house reef. No night time light pollution and accessible by boat - no seaplane required. They take care of the reef around the island and the Island’s vegetation regularly. Also they have a coral nursery where guests can take part and once they plant a new coral the guest receives a certificate to take home.

People

Dewalokam is a working farm in the foothills of the Western Ghats of Kerala. It is set on the banks of a river and the host family are delightful. This retreat has eleven guest bedrooms. The ten acre farm includes spices and fruits as well as an Ayurvedic herbal garden. On the opposite side of the scenic river is pristine tropical forest that provides ideal terrain for forest treks and nature walks. Other activities include rafting and river swimming. Food is a highlight (cookery demonstrations may be offered) and Ayurveda and yoga are available

Spice Village: Clients staying here will definitely get a feeling they are in a resort that cares about its environment - from the drinking water bottling plant, visiting the eco areas to see them in action and dining at the 50 mile diet restaurant - all ingredients sourced within a 50 mile radius which reduces the carbon footprint.

Lakes & Lagoons is a purely Indian owned company and all their staff are local people. Each Houseboat has a crew of three – a guide/cook and two boatmen. All the furnishings & equipment on board is sourced and purchased locally and all the food served is bought in the local markets and cooked on board. The food is ethnic home cooking (most recipes handed down through the family of the cook) and may include curries made from locally grown organic vegetables and fish caught in the backwaters themselves.

Kayal Island Retreat: For decades, the people of our island, Kakkathuruthu, have lived in harmony with nature and with each other. When we created Kayal, we chose to embrace this life of the island folk. To promote sustainable living, we strive for greater local participation. We involve and engage the islanders in every way we can – from employing them and making them a part of the everyday functioning of Kayal, to encouraging them to share their stories with our guests. For our authentic recipes, we source our produce from local farmers and fishermen. To garner greater awareness and respect for these local communities, we encourage our guests to partake in the island's traditions and culture. Our interactive theatre and art shows with the locals are not just expressions of creativity, but also identity.
• 90% of our staff is local (from the same island).
• 80% of our staff are women.
• Source our produce from local farmers and fishermen.
• All village activities are led by locals like: fishing with locals, classical song on the boat, Kol-Kali dance.

Our local agent in South India is also a family owned business and our lovely team of drivers (most of which have been with us for many years) are dependent on our company for their business. We have an unusual arrangement with our drivers who are paid a monthly wage. This helps them to budget as work in South India is very seasonal and during the low season drivers typically have no work and therefore get no salary and no tips. Our drivers have a contract of employment too which means they know that they still have a job at the beginning of the next season. The drivers and their families were also given a ‘free’ holiday. Many people in India do not take a holiday as such – rather they visit family members. Our agent negotiated with the hotels and houseboat operators we work with and arranged a holiday for 36 people with transfers, accommodation and meals all included. The highlight was to return from Cochin to Trivandrum by air. None of them had stayed in a hotel or flown before so this was a tremendous experience for them. We know of no other local agent who has provided their staff and family with a holiday.

Makunudu Island is an original, authentic gem and showcases the Maldives as they used to be. With just 36 villas and only quiet watersports allowed. The island has lush established vegetation and an excellent house reef. The island is independently owned and employs local Maldivian people.