Come this Onam, Kerala's tourism department is pitching beyond the staples and is ushering travellers into villages, with the promise of a new experience — with people, their culture, crafts and food.

The Responsible Tourism Mission (www.rtkerala.com) under the department is anchoring a project titled 'Naatinpurangalil Onam Unnaam, Onasammanangal Vaangaam' (this Onam, let's feast and receive gifts in the villages) in and around five destinations — Wayanad, Kovalam, Kumarakom, Vaikom and Bekal.

The project is designed in two stages — Onam special village tours and festival celebrations. The guided tours will offer a look at Kerala's rural life, important spots and Responsible Tourism ventures around these destinations.

The celebrations will be tagged along with traditional dance performances, archery, shikara rides, activities like toddy-tapping, coconut tree-climbing, fishing, pottery and weaving, and visits to coir manufacturing units.

The project provides an opportunity to families to welcome tourists to their homes and serve them the 'onasadya', the traditional Onam feast.

The one-day packages — priced between Rs 4,500 and Rs 8,000 for a group with a maximum of four members — will feature, apart from the sadya, the experience of rural life, the season's celebrations and traditional games.

Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said the project would help bring in new avenues of income for local communities.

This Onam, Kerala opens up its villages to tourists