Small group fixed departures for Kerala

Kerala is known as God's Own Country, without exaggeration. This holiday sketches out a unique route to give you a complete sense of Kerala: from highlands to rivers to backwaters to beaches. This takes you deep into the picturesque Kerala – its unknown territories, a culturally rich river valley civilization, green aromatic spice gardens, famed backwaters and endless beaches.

Through out the trip you will be accompanied by natural and cultural interpreters and story tellers who will take you through our traditions, culture, folklore and our way of living. In the two weeks you spent with us and fellow travelers, you will be enjoying folk expressions, musical trail, country boat and traditional house boat cruises, nature trails, farm stays, spice tours and walking safaris in wildlife sanctuaries.

This trip covers, Wayanad, River Nila, Chimmony, Fort Cochin, Backwater regions of Alleppey and Kumarakom and Varkala.

Accommodation option ranges from small heritage properties, farm stays and even 2 nights of camping in the middle of rainforest. We need a minimum of 4 guests to organise this holiday. Maximum of 10 guests. Trip starts in Cochin and ends in Cochin. Hotels on twin sharing. Single supplement extra.

Read the detailed itinerary here
Read the detailed Responsible Tourism benefits of this holiday here
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KTM to be inaugurated in September 2008

KTM is the only tourism event in the sub-continent that brings together the business fraternity and entrepreneurs behind the tourism products and services of Kerala. It is today the largest gathering designed, planned and scheduled to facilitate meetings involving Buyers, Sellers, Media, Government Agencies and others. The Blue Yonder in talk KTM Society's CEO Mr. Mathew Philip.

TBY: In many travel and trade fairs across the country, we hear about Kerala Travel Mart ( KTM) being the bench mark of quality and success. What is the story of KTM? Why/ how did the industry take a pro-active role in organising the first KTM? What is the role of Kerala Tourism department in KTM Society?

Mathew: The success of KTM is always measured by the enthusiasm of the participants(both Buyers & Sellers) at the following KTMs. It has come to a stage where one cannot be without attending KTM. The commitment and the close unity of many of the members of the Society for a common goal leads to the success of KTM.

One day in 2000, a few leading personalities in the Hospitality industry thought of a Travel Mart, showcasing one single tourism destination, Kerala, unlike the WTMS, ITBs and others where anyone could be a Seller. That is how KTM 2000, the first Kerala travel Mart was born. The uniqueness of this event is that only service providers and products in Kerala are eligible to be Sellers. The outcome of this Event was felt only a year later when Kerala Travel Mart Society came into being. This also highlighted the strength of the Private-Public partnership between the KTM Society and the Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of Kerala. Read more

Eyes 2 Market to represent TBY inGermany, Austria and Switzerland

The Blue Yonder is happy to announce the appointment of Eyes2Market as its representative for the originating markets of German, Austrian and Switzerland.

Eyes2market is a dynamic and creative sales, marketing and representation organisation. Their core business is travel industry sales outsourcing, GSA services, marketing representation and maximising of electronic revenue via GDS and ADS channels.

Eyes2market provides a one-stop-representation solution to European feeder markets. Directors Simone Rösel and Gabrielle Alam have worked together for 10 years and share leadership the same values of integrity, ethics as they strive for excellence.

Their combined professional strength and determination has led to the formation of Eyes2market in in the German and British market place, from which European wide marketing programmes are rolled out. Simone and Gabrielle's collective international knowledge and experience, delivered by highly motivated teams ensure they achieve their clients' goals and objectives.

The Eyes2market structure responds to the way travel industry has been changing. Technology, macro-economical events and constant merger of main stream tour operators have evolved into European Conglomerate companies with centralised purchasing structures. Eyes2market provides the infrastructure that can respond the changed sales environment.

Contact Eyes 2 Market for more details .

What are you doing this Monsoon season? Join us!

Monsoon in Kerala is one of the most beautiful times. The cool air, wind and the deluge! Welcome to a time of rejoicing and renewal. Monsoon is such a phenomenon so invigorating and exalting that it has inspired artists for centuries.

Travel with us to enjoy the burst and swell of the rains. As the Monsoon approaches, you begin to feel elated, even slightly intoxicated.

May be it has something to do with charged particles in the air, may be it is because the fragrance of flowers...The arrival of the monsoon itself is quite magnificent. It comes towards you like an orchestra and, not surprisingly, has inspired some of our loveliest music, ragas which evoke distant thunder and falling rain.

Watch how the monsoon bursts lead to streams and rivers all around you. Welcome to Kerala -Where the rain is born!

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Raheem’s Residency – The Blue Yonder Associates in Alleppey

Raheem Residency is a heritage (1868) property, built by an Englishman and thereafter the home of the Raheem family for one hundred years until a small Indo-European company refurbished it in 2003. A classic Indian design showing some colonial influences it has been restored to its former glory with exceptional detail and care. Described by Lonely Planet as a ‘top-end property' it is located across a small road from a white sandy beach which is rarely used except on weekend afternoons. The perfect stop-over for those whose itinerary involves a houseboat cruise. For longer staying guests, an oasis of peace and tranquillity with staff who are attentive but not intrusive.

This heritage hotel has ten rooms in different locations on the property. The Main House has six high-ceilinged rooms and a large airy Main Hall with front and back verandahs for relaxing. A 15 metre swimming pool in a private courtyard adjoins the back verandah. Here a service bell, like olden times, will summon refreshing cool drinks! The Begum's Nook is in a separate courtyard around the corner and an additional three rooms were refurbished from a conference hall, the home of political meetings during the Raheem family's tenure where Gandhiji and Nehru are believed to have attended.

Chagara, a rooftop restaurant looks out to the Arabian Sea while a lower area in the garden serves as a restaurant for residents and non-residents alike. Full-time Ayurvedic staff are on site and outdoor Yoga classes may be booked in advance. An opportunity to meet with local people and to fly kites with children on the beach presents itself at weekends.