10 Tips for an Affordable Family Vacation

Keep costs under control -- and still have lots of fun

HOLIDAYS, it is already here before you. So it is time to kick your vacation planning into high gear -- especially if there are kids in the equation. That’s because you have to find a locale that offers not just what you want but what your children will find fun and interesting, too. On top of that, it has to be affordable. And that can be tough when you’re buying multiple plane tickets, staying in hotels, dining out and shelling out cash left and right for rounds of mini-golf, and kids’ souvenirs.

Don’t despair. It’s actually a great time to find a good travel deal. Every place has something special these days. All that you need to do is to identify the specials in each of those places. The following will be some great ideas to plan your family vacation during this season.

1. Use the Web to find the best 
bargains in air travel and the 
cheapest rates for car rentals,
hotel rooms and vacation
packages, whether you travel
in the U.S. or internationally.
Many travel sites and web
pages will help you get great
deals. You can try our portal wwwsholatours.com with special packages tailored to your taste. Also check sites that specialize in family travel. Some of them list promotions each month, as well as deal with major resorts, and has loads of vacation ideas and tips. also is a good place to find a big list of bargains.

2. Visit off-the-beaten-path destinations. You can save up to 70% -- and avoid the crowds -- by picking a vacation spot that isn’t a tourist mecca. Check out these spots from our website www.sholatours.com where we organize tourist car operators or friends to explore places by themselves.

3. Do Disney on the cheap. Okay, so maybe you really want to travel to a major tourist destination, perhaps even one of the most popular family-vacation spots: Disney World and many other theme parks are round the corner. But you’ll have to pay a pretty penny to spend your holiday with Mickey Mouse, right? Not necessarily. There are neighbouring tourist spots which are recreated to make them look like the popular and costly dream destination for tourists. You can take the family there and still get a feel of being in the Disney World.

 4. Travel after peak season. This might not be an option if you have school-age children. But families with infants and toddlers can take advantage of discounted rates by traveling after the peak season. If you want to head south of India- be it Ooty or Kodaikanal or to the other side of India – be it Darjeeling or Sikkim, off-season comes conveniently during the
summer months. You will
do well to enjoy the scenic
beauties without having to
hurry up from place to place.
You will have all the time
in the world when you travel after the peak season. The cost of travel and room rents are also relatively cheaper during the off-season.

5. Be flexible. You can save money by letting the avail- able deals on flights and lodging determine where and when you’ll go rather than picking a location and timeframe then trying to find affordable flights and lodging there. Many web sites let you see the best airfares departing from your city, and you can sign up for e-mail notifications for deals from the airport nearest to you. Some sites also predict whether fares will go up or down, have a flexible search option that let you see a range of prices for flying on different dates and from dif- ferent airports. Enter your itinerary and the site will say whether you should buy your ticket now -- or if an even better fare is probably on the way.

6. Don’t fear flying with infants. Gone are the days when airlines offered discounted
rates for all children. But
 most airlines still let you hold a child younger than 2 yrs 
on your lap for no charge -
- or pay a discounted infant
fare for a seat for your tot. Attending to a baby is not
all that difficult, which in
fact will help you kill time better and enjoy your journey with the new expressions of your baby.

7. Pick spots within driving distance. Driving is a good way to save money. But it can be as expensive as flying if you drive a gas- guzzling vehicle and have to pay for a hotel room on the way to your destination. So the key is to pick a destination that’s just a few hours’ drive away. In addition to saving money, you’ll minimize the times you’ll hear that inevitable question coming from the back seat: “Are we there yet?”

8. Consider camping. If you’re really 
pinching pennies -- or just want 
to keep your kids away from a
 computer screen for a week -- pitch
 a tent rather than book a room.
It’s a great way to experience the 
national parks. You may even 
want to send the whole family to a summer camp, which can be a great value vacation. Look out for the advertisements in the big malls to find a camp that’s right for your family.

9. Don’t write off all-inclusives as too expensive. If you head south, you can score big deals at hotels and resorts that offer everything -- food, drinks, transportation and a room -- as part of the package. Sometimes the deal even includes airfare. Within Europe people have said the air fare can be very cheap if you book early. This also saves time for you and give you more time for amusement.

10. Don’t be afraid of luxury locales. So may be you want to treat yourself to a luxurious vacation but you’re worried that your children won’t be welcome. “Even luxury places are welcoming kids. Over the past ten years there is a trend toward accommodating families at hotels and resorts that once were the domain of adults only. It’s hard now to find a place that doesn’t cater to families. But, remember, many hotels don’t refund your money if you cancel.

Nilgiris riches

The Nilgiris is mainly a Plantation District. 

Tea Industry

The soil and climatic conditions are highly favorable for Tea cultivation. Tea industry here, is over 100 years old and is the backbone of the Economy of this District. It is an agro based export oriented industry. Of the total cultivated area, Tea is grown in nearly 70% of the area. As per the recent data available Tea is grown in over 45,974 hectares and the production is around 60,000 tons.

Tea manufacturing in the Nilgiris are mainly marketed in the auction centre at Coonoor. Apart from this, Nilgiris Teas are also exported through Cochin Port. The Tea offering consists of Cut-Twist-Curl leaf, Cut-Twist-Curl dust, Orthodox leaf and Orthodox dust.

Essential Oils

EUCALYPTUS OIL (Nilgiri Oil for Cold, Cough, Head - Ache)

Antiseptic and deodorant, used externally for common cold, cough, head ache. Inhaled with steam, relieves cough in chronic bronchitis and asthma. Two drops of this oil mixed with a teaspoonful of sugar taken internally relieves cough and sore throat and fever.

LEMON GRASS OIL (Tea Oil)

Lemon Grass oil is used for cramps and gastritis, it is used as a mosquito repellant and in some soaps for scenting. A drop in hot tea gives it a lemon flavour.

OIL OF WINTER GREEN (Gaultheria Oil)

One teaspoonful of this oil mixed with one teaspoonful of warm coconut or gingelly oil used externally relieves pain in joints, gout, chest pain etc. Highly effective for rheumatic pains and Arthritis. CAMPHOR OIL

Two teaspoonful mixed with 25 grams of warm coconut oil used externally relieves muscular pains, inflammation of joints, effective used as a vaporub in chest cold and cough.

CAMPHOR OIL (Chest pains and Asthma)

Two teaspoonful mixed with 25 grams of warm coconut oil externally relives muscular pains, inflammation of joints, effective used as a vaporub in chest cold and cough. A accepted remedy for asthma

CLOVE OIL (Tooth Ache)

A drop of this applied with a swab of cotton relieves tooth ache. A few drops mixed in toothpaste and used is good for teeth and gums it helps in removing stains on the teeth.

JAVA CITRONELLA OIL (Mosquito repellent)

It is used to import perfume to soaps, and agarbathies. A powerful insecticide against flies, mosquitoes, bed bugs, fleas etc. mixed with water it can be effectively used as a spray to ward off insect and house flies.

CITRIODORA OIL (Hair Oil)

25 grams of this oil mixed in 100 grams Coconut oil or other oils, aids to check premature falling and greying of hair. It helps to grow new hair, it makes the hair smooth and soft, it prevents and cures dandruff' and helps to keep the scalp cool, when sprayed mixed in water it wards of mosquitoes. It has a strong lemon note.

ALMOND OIL (Skin care oil)

Direct application below the eyes clears black round the eyes. It clears pimples and black heads on the face. Best massage oil. It is special skin caring natural moisturizer makes your skin softer, smoother and lovelier.

GERANIUM OIL (Nilgiris attar pure extracts free from alcohol)

It has a lingering fragrance two drops of this oil on a small ball of cotton will emit fragrance to room place. Also used in hair oils and as a perfume in both water.

OLIVE OIL (Massage oil)

Rubbing this oil on body prevents from dryness and skin diseases. On face it cleans and prevents pimples and makes the skin delicate and lovely. It is very safe for babies of all ages massaging. It is also used for oil bath for babies.

ROSEMARY OIL

This oil is used infood as spicy flavour. 4-5 drops of this oil can be taken internally with warm water for proper live function and digition 1-2 drops with sugar for flatulence.

THYME OIL

It is antiseptic, antiviral, anti-fungal, antispasmodic, upper respiratory aid. Used in bath, massage, diffuser, mouthwashes, gargles, toothpastes & cough ozenges. Used for insomnia, nervous debility & stress related complaints.

SPICES

The spices grown in the Nilgiris are very famous and popular. They command a very good price in the market. The spices require very delicate growing conditions which are suitably availably in the Nilgiris. The spices plantations and trade are a thriving industry in the Nilgiris. The commonly grown spices are as follows:

FRUITS

A variety of fruits are grown in the Nilgiris. Most of the varieties are developed and introduced by the Pomological Research Station under the Horticulture Department. Some very rare varieties with medicinal values are also grown. Temperate fruits like peaches, pears, strawberries, etc., are grown extensively and in good demand. Some of the Fruits grown in Nilgiris are :

 

Vegetables and Cereals

The British were keenly interested in Horticulture. They introduced many varieties of vegetables which had their origin in Europe. The vegetables were suitable to the European Culinary dishes and these vegetables now become very popular in India. The vegetables of Nilgiris are sourced by many traders from the cities and they are often transported in cold vans to ensure freshness. Vegetables Grown are :

There are many cereals which are the staple food of the local population and the tribals. The cereals grown here are consumed locally and there is not enough to send out from Nilgiris. The cereals are mostly rainfed and grown organically.

Coonor Fruit Show

The Fruit Show in Coonoor is one of the most colorful event marked by razzle and dazzle. The event is witnessed by a large number of tourists and local people. The Fruit Show is organized in the last week of May at the picturesque Sim’s Park. It is celebrated with great pomp and show only for a day. This beautiful event showcases more than 50 varieties of fruits grown in the region. The event aims at spreading awareness among various farming societies to indulge in the cultivation of fruits. The most colorful feature of the event is the Fruit Garden Competition where 20 gardens of the Nilgiri district participates.

The Fruit Show is a huge platform for the farmers to display various varieties that are grown in their orchard. Products are sold at competitive price. Various techniques employed in the production of fruits are also shown to the entrepreneurs. Award are given to the best fruit garden and the best exhibits of fruits. Several fresh and delicious fruits of the region that are displayed such as peaches, plums, apricots, lemons, pomegranates add more colour to the event.

A variety of fruits are grown in the Nilgiris. Most of the varieties are developed and introduced by the Pomological Research Station under the Horticulture Department. Some very rare varieties with medicinal values are also grown. Temperate fruits like peaches, pears, strawberries, etc., are grown extensively and in good demand. Some of the Fruits grown in Nilgiris are :

 

Catherine Falls

Catherine Falls is about 8 kilometres from Kotagiri, named after Catherine, the wife of Mr.M.D. Cockburn. This couple was among some of the first Europeans to settle in Kotagiri and they lie buried side by side in the cemetery there. The Falls are at a distance of 8 km. from Kotagiri and consist of an upper and a lower fall. The upper fall, which is the second highest in the Nilgiris, takes a leap of about 250 feet. From above the falls, one can see the magnificent view of Dolphin's Nose and the surrounding country.

The first coffee estate was planted by M D Cockburn in 1843, in Kanhutty. Regular planting took off soon after and several plantations were opened. But planting seems to have been around for years before that. Several small attempts were made around the area, with Pope and Magrath opening in Kotagiri, M.D. Cockburn on the Kotagiri ghat, his son George Cockburn in Kotagiri, and Bannerman and Haldwell in Totapolliam.

The first tea plantation however owes its existence to a lady, the daughter of M.D. Cockburn, who opened an estate in 1863, followed by Kodanad. Tea soon took over, and coffee growing was given up. There was a steady growth of tea planting. By the end of the 19th century, it was in around 3,000 acres (12 km2), and today it is almost 30,000 acres (120 km2).

Kotagiri has seen the growth of many hi tech cut flower farms in the past three years. Many enterprising farmers have put up climate controlling greenhouses in which high value flowers are grown, carnations, liliums and gerbera thrive in this environ.

Honey hunters of Blue Mountains

The Honey & Bee Museum’ is a novel project at Ooty by the NGO, Keystone Foundation. It depicts information on indigenous honey bees and traditional indigenous tribal people who harvest them. It also has a children’s activity room and a small knowledge resource unit on bees, environment and people. The Bee Museum is first of its kind focusing on traditional knowledge and practices. The museum aims to be a vibrant space with live demonstration units of bees, specimens and tools – both traditional and modern used in beekeeping and honey gathering.

Many of my friends had gone to ooty and none knew there was a bee museum there. If you go there, they play a 20 min documentry of how honey is collected and everything you would like to know abt bees.  We bought bitter medicinal honey. It is really tasty and also bitter at the same time, and lots of products made from bees wax like soaps and candles.

You can visit the Honey and Bee Museum of Keystone foundation in Ooty. Watch the spectacular documentary on ‘Honey hunters of Blue Mountains’ that captures the honey harvest of Kurumba tribes.

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in South India harbours rare wild bees and honey combs of the rock bee Apis dorsata are a common sight.


The Kurumba tribals of the Nilgiris earn a living by harvesting this honey; hectic activity usually occurring just before the monsoons. The tribals scale steep precipices to collect honey, braving bee storms, spiders and other unknown challenges. This film by Riverbanks Studios captures effectively the bond between the tribals and nature.

OOTY FLOWER SHOW

The government has taken on the Flower Show in Botanical garden of Agri-Horticultural Society Nilgiris in 1980 by forming a board called the Flower and Fruit Show Committee Nilgiris. The flower show attracts some 150,000 tourists per year worldwide. More than 50 varieties of potted plants, 150 varieties of slash flowers, different types of steamy fruits and moderate vegetables are set by competitors. The floral decorations, flowers and Indian Japanese flower arrangements, statue vegetables, flowers Rangoli, Bonsai etc are the main attractions of the day show in Ooty. This year The Popular Ooty flower show starts on May 20th 2011. Flower show will be remaining opened up to three days. Flower show at the Botanical garden, Ooty in Tamil Nadu is catching the attention of huge number of travelers and flower lovers from all over the country.Probably above one million flowers together with roses, lilies, orchids and daisies are on exhibit in the Ooty Flower Show.

The three-day flower show, which begins on 20th may, is expected to attract over 6, 00,000 tourists. The beautiful flowers in full blossom joined with fine weather conditions are definitely to become an immediate freshness with the tourists.

Come May, with flowers in full bloom, it is celebration time for the tourist retreat, Nilgiris. The 'Queen of Hill Stations' Ooty is all set to celebrate the 'summer festival' in May.

With the temperature having risen lately in the Blue Mountains, preparations have already commenced at the Government Botanical Garden and the Centenary Rose Park in Ooty for the summer tourist season.

While the 10th 'Rose Show' will be conducted on May 7 and 8 at the 'Rose Centenary Park' in Ooty, the 4th 'Vegetable Show' at 'Nehru Park' in Kotagiri will be held on May 14 and 15, according to B Chandramohan, Director of Horticulture and Plantation Crop.


115th 'Flower Show', a three days event, will be inaugurated on May 20 at the 'Government Botanical Garden'. The show will be held up to May 22. The 53nd 'Fruit Show' will run on May 28 and 29 at 'Sim's Park' in Coonoor, said the official. However, the date for the 'Spice Show' introduced last year is yet to be announced. The spice show will be conducted in Gudalur as part of the festival.

Favoured by the hilly terrain and the weather conditions in the Nilgiris, spices such as cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper are grown in the hills. A display of all varieties of spices was held at Devala Horticulture Farm in Gudalur for the first time last year.

The whole garden is being improved by renovating the existing fountains and the ponds. Over 15,000 flower pots of various varieties are also getting ready for display in the show, according to officials.

Display of lilium flowers in over 500 pots will be an added attraction during flower show. About 500 pots have been planted with lilium flower saplings.

Planting of 3,00,000 flower saplings of 145 types out of 45 varieties in the Botanical Garden have already been completed. Similarly, pruning operations in the Rose Park are already over.

With about 25,000 rose plants of 3,800 varieties, the Rose Park has always been a fabulous attraction. The pruned rose bushes will start blooming in about three weeks.

The tribal research center (T R C)

The tribal research center (T R C) was constituted on second October 1983 at Udhagamandalam and is functioning on its own 25 acres of hill terrain at M Paladin, 10 km away from Ooty bus stand. His Excellency, the then President of India, Thiru Gyani Zail Singh had very kindly laid the foundation stone for the Tribal Research Centre, listed at present with Ministry of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. This center is funded by both State and central Governments on 5050 basic and it is the youngest of the 14 Tribal Research institutes in the country. The relevance of Tribal Research Centre is very much identified as 'Tribal Essential Institute' for the welfare of the 36 Scheduled Tribes of Tamil Nadu

Major objectives of the Tribal Research centre are

To conduct studies on tribal Communities
To import training and proper orientation on tribal cultures and development.
To record Social, Economic, Religious, political and Psychological changes among the Scheduled Tribes.
To recommend weaker community
Thus the Tribal Research Centre is acting as an integral part of the planned Development of the Tribals. It is concentrating more on Nilgiris district because all the six Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) identified by the Government of India like Todas, Kotas, Irulas, Kurumbas, Paniyans and Kattunayakans are exclusive inhabiting since ages in Nilgiri hills.


Facilities Available at Tribal Research Centre
Library with books and journals on tribal studies
Well furnished Guest house
Tribal Map on the land
Audio-video system to entertain tribal festivals and tradition of dance and song
Indoor and open Air Tribal Museum.
Special Cultural heritage Attraction
The Tribal Museum is function in the campus of Tribal Research Centre since 1989 depicting various tribal cultures of Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Recently carved fier-made tribal statues are attracting more number of tourists from India and abroad

The Tribal Museum is functioning in the campus of Tribal Research Centre which is located at Muthorai Palada, 10 km away from Ooty town. Tribal Museum is placed on the hillock depicting rare artifacts and photographs of primitive tribal groups of Tamil Nadu as well as Andaman and Nicobar Islands and developed on the interests of Anthropological and Archaeological primitive human culture and heritage. Tribal Museum is also having an open air tribal houses belongs to Toda, Kota, Paniya, Kurumba and Kanikaran. Popular six sculptures are exhibited inside the museum depicting the life size physical anthrop models of Todas, Kotas and Paniya.

The Tribal Museum is part of the campus of Tribal Research Centre which is in Muthorai Palada (10 km from Ooty town). It is home to rare artifacts and photographs of tribal groups of Tamil Nadu as well as Andaman and Nicobar Islands and anthropological and archaeological primitive human culture and heritage. The Tribal Museum also displays houses belongs to Toda, Kota, Paniya, Kurumba and Kanikaran.

It’s hard to say why you should love this museum more: for its decently executed exhibits on Nilgiri and Andaman tribal groups, or the decomposing corpses of badly stuffed local wildlife, including a rotting mongoose that just arrived from hell’s deepest pit and a ‘python’ apparently made from several socks, a blanket and those googly eyes you buy at the local crafts store. OK: seriously, the artefacts are fantastic – you may never get the chance to hold a Stone Age bow in your life again – and descriptions of the tribes are good, if written by anthropologists with no filter from academia to normal English. The guides are either researchers who can give you an enthusiastic account of their expeditions, or some hapless local staffer who shouts ‘Spear! Spear!’ while gesturing at a spear. The museum is just beyond the village of M Palada, 11km from Ooty on the way to Emerald. Catch any of the frequent buses heading to M Palada and walk from there, or hire a rickshaw from Ooty for around Rs300 return.

Holiday Games

Directions for Holiday Pictionary Game

Game Time: approx 15-20 minutes
Materials: 2 sets of game cards containing holiday words , white board and a flip chart on easel, 2 markers, 2 timers

SET-UP


Divide the class into two groups of teams 1 and 2. Within each group, divide the students into two sub-teams (they usually like to do boy vs. girl sub-teams). Teams 1 and 2 will play simultaneously. Each team should have an adult moderator.


Have one group use the white board in the classroom as a drawing board and have the other team use an easel with a flip chart or another white board. The teams should be spaced far enough apart so that they cannot hear each other since the same set of word cards will be used for both Teams 1 and 2. As an alternate, have one team use the white board or easel in the pod.


Each group will be given a set of cards (about 23-25) with holiday words. Since the words are the same on each set of cards, use the cards for Team 2 in reverse order so that both teams aren’t playing the same word at the same time.


Each team should be given a timer or watch to track the time that each sub-team is allowed to draw the clue.

PLAYING THE GAME


Once the sub-teams for each group are established, flip a coin to see which team will go first.


The first player from the sub-team for each group will go to the board or easel and draw the first clue.


Each player gets from 30 seconds to 1 minute to draw the clue for their teammates. The amount of time given for answering the questions should be determined ahead of time by the parents/teachers depending on how much time is dedicated to playing the game.


The teammates may yell out the answers until they get the correct answer within the allotted time.


Once the correct answer is given, the next person from that sub-team gets to draw the next clue and the play continues until that sub-team doesn’t get the answer in the allotted time. Then the cards are handed over to the opposite sub-team for their turn.

Rangaswamy Peak and Pillar

Rangaswamy Peak and Pillar is a tourist spot in Kotagiri, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. It is located at a distance of 20 km from Kotagiri. The hill station of Kotagiri has many tourist attractions spot, which include Kodanad View Point, Catherine Falls, Elk Falls, Long wood Shola, and Rangaswamy Peak and Pillar. The best season to visit is in summer.

The height of Rangaswamy Peak is above 5,885 ft (1,794 m) and it is visible from Kodanad View Point.

Rangaswamy Pillar is found on the north west side of Rangaswamy Peak. The height of the pillar is about 400feet.

The hills are famous for the temple of Lord Ranganatha or Lord Venkatesha which is situated on the highest peak of the hill range, on the 'white cliff' which gives the hill its name. The local form of the deity is called Biligiriranga and is depicted in a unique standing position. The Annual Car festival of the deity held during “Vaishakha “in the month of April, is famous in the region and attracts thousands of pilgrims from far and wide., the ratha festival is celebrated at Biligiriranga Hills. The local tribes present a large pair of slippers measuring 1-foot (0.30 m) and 9 inches, made up of skin, to the Ranganathaswamy once in two years.[10].

The temple consists of the idol of Sri Biligiri Ranganatha and Ranganayaki the Lord's spouse.This temple is of greater significance for many Srivaishnavites. Special pooja to the deities are performed on Fridays.

HOUSE BOATS

Traditionally, the Kerala houseboats been called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievable as it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallam (Kerala Houseboats) . Jack wood planks are joined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells. A Kettuvallam (Kerala Houseboats) usually has one or two bath attached rooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchen and a crew comprising two oarsmen and a cook. Traditional lanterns are used as lights in Houseboats . Your holiday in this tranquil world is the comfortably furnished Kerala houseboats. Come, check into a houseboat for a memorable cruise along the backwaters of Kerala.

Kerala is famous for its backwaters & Houseboats cruise - and if you thought that meant stagnant ponds, think again. Here it refers to a beautiful, palm-fringed network of canals, lakes and lagoons linking towns along the Arabian Sea and inland. These waterways are still used today to ferry cargoes of spices, fish and newspapers, not to mention locals propelling little dug-outs to visit friends or tend fields. You can board Allappuzha (Alleppey backwaters dock, and spend a day or several days cruising to your destination, pausing to take a look at the local sites. As a relaxing Kerala Houseboats holiday or honeymoon. The slow pace, so rare in our world, almost forces you to relax. What you can experience in Houseboats is the aquatic scenery of water-lilies, palm trees and colourful Indian villages from the top deck, the excellent cuisine whipped up on board from ingredients purchased en route, being rocked to sleep, and waking up to birdsong- great for extra privacy and cool breezes. The spectacular beauty of Kerala's backwaters needs no introduction and cruising through the backwaters in Kerala houseboats has always been a wonderful experience for one and all who has had an opportunity. But spending a full-day for business conferences on one of the houseboats, enjoying the fascinating beauty of the Kerala backwaters would always be a new experience to the corporate leaders. Since people all over the world were exploring new destinations for doing such conferences the idea of doing it on a multi-deck Kerala houseboats allowing executives enjoy the scenic backwaters is like a dream come true.

The Houseboats / Kettuvallams of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length. The Kerala houseboats that cruise the backwater of Kerala Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Rice boats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns.

With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the kettuvalloms went off the scene. Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction. A house boat is about 67 to 100 feet in length and has a width of around 18 feet to in the middle. The materials that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The main wood used is "Anjili".

The house boats have fully furnished single double triple and five bedrooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with WC. In addition there is also separate rest room.

Each houseboat has a three member crew - a chef, driver & cabin assistants. The cuisine is traditional Kerala flavor with the local specialties; delicious local fish. There are single bedroom houseboats for two people and two bedroom houseboats for four people and 3 bedroom houseboat for 6, and 5 bedroom houseboat for 10 People.

The spectacular beauty of Kerala's backwaters needs no introduction. A cruise along the palm-fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple pleasures, you will skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves.

A guided tour down the backwaters would provide you with a complete and most enchanting experience on the back waters of Kerala and will also reveal to you some interesting facts about the life of local village people. This month's lens view takes you to the backwater stretch of the Vembanad, where one can go for a leisurely cruise on a multi deck boat, allowing you enjoy the scenic backwater life.

Weekend Parties

Tired of your routine and mundane activities of your office and corporate world. Incorporate yourself into the beautiful nature spots where animals, birds and the entire nature, where you actually belong. Relieve all your tensions of the month and rejuvenate yourself for better performance. The Tribals, Hills, Animals, Birds, Waterfalls and the forests have a lot to offer in infusing new and creative thinking within you. You can choose from the above choices by interacting with diametrically opposed ideas of living our human life.

Tailormade Holidays as you like it

A holiday as long or short as you wish

Travel on your own or with friends & family

Book early to get the best deals.

Gift a Shola Holiday.

Choose your accommodation to suit your budget

Shared transfer or your own private car

Choose from unlimited sightseeing activities

Choice of luxurious upgrades

Eco Cultural Wild Life & Health Tourism

Shola Tours 

Eco Cultural Wildlife & Health Toursim in and around
the bio-diversity hotspots of the Nilgiri Hills

Wild Life Tour

The Nilgiri Hill has a rich wild life for many centuries. The eastern slope of Nilgiris has a wide variety of ancient heritage art and history and is declared as the wildlife protected area. The most popular places where people flock to see animals are near Nilgiri Hills namely, Bandipur and Mudumalai. You can have enough animal sighting  as you can once you are there within these animal sanctuaries. ED Media takes you right where these animals can  be sighted. Do not miss the opportunity of enjoying the animal world in and around Nilgiris in a cool environment. 

You can be lucky enough to see tiger chasing its prey or other animals queuing up for a fashion parade