Tales of Vembanad, a new experiential tour designed by WanderNow, promises to turn a simple trip into a meaningful experience.
It explores the Vembanad Lake with a curated trip through Alappuzha and Kumarakom, providing real-life experiences, and helping tourists discover the lake through activities provided by the community that inhabits the banks.
“We have involved the local community who act as our guides and chefs. It is our initiative to help the people rebuild their lives after being hit severely by the devastating floods. The whole tour hinges on them, their homes, culture, food and support,” says Nebu Sam John, co-founder, WanderNow.
The tour includes a heady toddy-tasting session, complete with a demonstration of extraction and production.
“Like the popular beer or wine-tasting tours across the world, we have brought in toddy tasting. Toddy is a perfect ‘social lubricant’ and such a tour is the best way to meet people, party with your fellow travellers and locals, and enjoy folk songs and performances,” says Nebu.
KOCHI, 15/04/2010: Wading birds make the best use of the shallow waters in Vembanad Lake for finding their food, in Kochi. Photo: H. Vibhu 15/04/2010
The tourists get a chance to watch toddy tappers climb up coconut trees, sometimes walking from one to the other on tightropes, in search of budding flower stalks. They slice these stalks open and collect the liquid in mud pots; it almost immediately begins to ferment, turning it into a mildly alcoholic brew. This is then taken to the toddy shops , where one gets to experience lip-smacking food. There’s a variety of fish, crab, mussel, duck, meat and more, offering the traveller a true taste of Kerala.
Other experiences include a day in a traditional canoe. Tourists sail through the canals, eat lunch on board; walk through the muddy paddy fields and meet with the villagers. They can also take a class on learning to make products from water hyacinth or spend a day painting shells with the guidance of local artists.
Tales of Vembanad was launched in September and had members of the Australian World Orchestra as its first guests. For Lucy, the coordinator of the orchestra, the tour provided a “lovely day, delicious food and an incredible experience.” For Sagar, the only Indian member of the orchestra, the tour was a revelation, “I can’t wait to come back. I really got the true Kerala experience.”
For details, contact hello@wandernow.in, or 9961612390, 8921419075.
