South India - Explore Kerala

South India - Explore Kerala

Enjoy a short introduction to the beautiful and diverse southern state of Kerala. Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate, a long shoreline with serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, sprawling plantations and paddy fields, Kerala offers huge diversity. 

Itinerary

• Day 01

  Arrive Kochi (Cochin)

  Arrive Kochi (Cochin) by International flight. Our representative will meet you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel for check in. The rest of your day is at leisure to rest and relax. Overnight Cochin.

• Day 02

  Cochin - guided tour and Kathakali performance

  After breakfast today, you'll meet your local guide and begin your sightseeing tour. Visit the Jewish Synagogue (closed Fridays & Saturdays), the St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastline, at the Harbour's mouth, you'll also see the unique and still-in-use "Chinese Fishing Nets" which were introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th Century. Your tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Visit the Dutch Palace (closed on Saturday). Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old Fort are still amazingly well preserved. You'll also have a chance to visit the local market area today. 

  
  

  This evening enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is perhaps India's most spectacular and theatrical form of dance drama based on stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The dancers are elaborately made up with paint and masks, accompanied with drummers and musicians. After the performance the rest of your evening is at leisure to rest and relax. 
  

  
  

  An optional extra available for either lunch or dinner today, is to join a cooking demonstration with Nimmy Paul, a well known cooking instructor in South India, who has run her own cooking school for over 30 years.

• Day 03

  Drive Cochin to Munnar(1600m)

  After breakfast today, you'll be met by your driver for the scenic drive to Munnar, a vibrant town and hill station in the Western Ghats mountain range of Kerala state. Munnar is surrounded by lush tea, coffee and spice plantations and is also know for it's rich wildlife, hiking trails and adventure activities. On arrival, you'll be able to check in to your hotel with the rest of your day free to rest and relax. Overnight Munnar.

• Day 04

  Full day Munnar

  After breakfast you'll be met by your guide to begin a leisurely walking tour of the nearby tea plantations where (depending on times and availability) you may meet the tea pickers busy plucking the tea. The walk will be around 30 minutes, with your guide explaining the history of tea and the plantations. You'll also be able to visit one of the local tea factories to learn more about the production and history and have a chance to sample some local teas.   This afternoon you can relax at your hotel or take a short hike around the Eravikulam National Park. There are many small peaks where you can do short local hikes. Another option available locally is to hire a bicycle and cycle around the Tea Gardens. Evening at leisure to rest and relax.

• Day 05

  Drive Munnar to Periyar

  This morning after breakfast it's time for another scenic drive to reach Periyar and Thekkady, a popular resort and spice trading town next to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Cardamom Hills. The town itself is busy and vibrant and the flora and fauna of the Periyar wildlife sanctuary is abundant and spectacular, home to wide variety of animal species. This afternoon enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Periyar Lake, a great way to spot some of the animal species that live here, without disturbing them. Your evening is at leisure to relax. Overnight Periyar.

• Day 06

  Periyar Spice Plantation tour and optional guided nature walk or bamboo rafting

  This morning visit a local Spice Plantation to watch different varieties of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, clove, vanilla, ginger, tea and coffee growing in their natural environment. Periyar is approximately 1000 meters above the sea level and is rich in spice growing, 95% of all the pepper in India is produced from here and it's been a valuable commodity since the first European travellers arrived in the 1400s. 

  
  

  Your afternoon is at leisure with optional extras available to book including a guided nature walk in Periyar wildlife sanctuary with an expert naturalist or an afternoon bamboo river rafting trip. This evening is at leisure to rest and relax.

• Day 07

  Periyar to Kumarakom - houseboat stay

  Today we'll drive to the backwaters where you'll board one of the traditional houseboats for a relaxing cruise around the backwaters of Kerala. Explore the intricate maze of backwaters, typical of this area, offering glimpses of every day life and beautiful scenery of endless paddy fields and lush coconut trees. You'll also get the chance to take a short stroll through the villages & interact with the locals. On board, enjoy delicious fresh cooked food using local produce. Relax overnight on board the houseboat, on full board basis.

• Day 08

  Kumarakom

  After you disembark your houseboat this morning, it's a short transfer to stay at a relaxing backwater resort in Kumarakom. The rest of today is to rest and relax or you may choose to hire a bicycle from the hotel and visit the local area yourself. Overnight Kumarakom.

• Day 09

  Kumarakom to Kochi and depart

  This morning you'll be transferred back to Kochi in time for your flight home or onward to your next destination.