Kerala Vistas

You will stay in Casino Kochi Hotel or similar, Cochin, the Cardamom County or similar, Periyar near Thekkady, the Abad Whispering Palms Resort or similar, Kumarakom and the Travancore Heritage Hotel or similar, Kovalam. All rooms feature private facilities, air-conditioning, telephone and TV. Hotel facilities include restaurant and bar. Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

Accommodation in Alleppey is in a traditional wooden houseboat. Each houseboat features a spacious living/ dining area, sun deck with canopy and two bedrooms with private facilities, accommodating a maximum of four people. You will receive excellent service from the two or three crew members on board. In the evening traditional simple Indian cuisine will be prepared for you by your personal cook.

Day 1: UK/Cochin

Depart on your scheduled flight to Cochin via Mumbai.

Day 2: Cochin

On arrival in Cochin, everyone will be welcomed with flower garlands and then transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Meals: Dinner

Day 3: Cochin

Cochin is the cosmopolitan capital of Kerala. The picturesque harbour, houses on stilts, islands and backwaters give this city a unique atmosphere. No wonder Cochin is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’. A morning city tour is included featuring the main sights such as the Jewish Quarter, the Dutch Palace and St. Francis Church. Also see the amazing Cochin Chinese fishing nets - the only ones of their kind in India. This afternoon we include a boat ride in Cochin harbour and in the evening there will be a special display of Kathakali Classical Dance, the local art form that dates from the 17th century.

Kerala has historically been the spice trade centre for India and is home to an array of religions and cultures, all living in harmony, and each adding something to Keralan heritage.

Today we invite you to have lunch with a cooking demo at Nimmy Paul’s House - famous local chef and food journalist.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 4: Periyar

Morning drive through rice paddies, tea plantations, rubber trees and gardens of coffee, cardomom and pepper plants. The aroma of spices fills the air. The Western Ghats mountain range weave their way through Kerala and provide a glorious backdrop to the rainforests and backwaters. Afternoon arrival in Periyar, near Thekkady, on the edge of Periyar Game Reserve where two nights’ accommodation has been arranged.

This evening you will visit a spice plantation and there will be an optional nature trek in the game reserve with a local guide.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 5: Periyar

We include a visit to explore the fascinating Periyar Game Reserve by boat. The convoluted waterways can afford sightings of elephants, bison and deer. All manner of flora and fauna flourish in this tropical habitat, making it one of the premier reserves of southern India. South Indian food is world-famous, as locally produced spices are used to give meat and vegetarian dishes a most incredible flavour.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 6: Alleppey

Depart Periyar for the drive to Alleppey for an overnight stay on one of the famous houseboats. Kerala’s houseboats, known as kettuvalloms, offer the chance for an unforgettable night in traditional surroundings, with splendid views of the palm-fringed backwaters. Originally converted from rice boats, houseboats are now a mix of tradition and modernisation as many come complete with air-conditioning, the Internet and solar panels for their energy. Cruise the backwaters, seeing for yourself how the locals live, and at night, your boat will be anchored at a quiet spot. It will be a unique and unforgettable experience and one you are sure to treasure as a highlight to your Kerala holiday.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 7: Kumarakom

Leaving the houseboat you will travel to Kumarakom, a tiny settlement nestling on a peninsula in the famous backwaters of Kerala. Kumarakom is made up of several small islands in Vembanad Lake and is home to an important bird sanctuary. It consists of paddy fields, coconut groves and mangrove forest and its waters, which punctuate the landscape, teem with marine life. Two nights’ accommodation has been arranged here and the rest of the day is at leisure.

During your stay in Periyar and Kumarakom, you’ll be able to try the Indian holistic system of Ayurveda. It uses aromatic and medicinal oils to tone and heal the body. You can have an individual consultation with an ayurveda doctor and experience this truly Indian art.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 8: Kumarakom

Today you will visit a fisherman’s village and local market. You will also see coconut farms and fragrant spice gardens. The backwaters are also home to a wealth of birdlife including kingfishers, cormorants and egret. You can also choose to indulge yourself with yoga, meditation, boating, fishing or swimming. You could even take a canoe out onto the lake.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 9: Kovalam

Depart Kumarakom by coach for the drive to Kovalam and its magnificent beach. The name Kovalam means ‘coconut grove’ and you will see why when you get there - coconut trees adorn the landscape and play a soothing tune in the breeze. Either relax and enjoy the serenity of this beautiful place, or have a go at surfing or swimming in the clear waters. It is equally enjoyable at night as the moonlight glistens on the water. Stay here for two nights.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 10: Kovalam

Free to enjoy this stunning coastline. You can stroll on the beach and watch the fishermen pull in the huge nets which lay across the entire bay.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 11: Kovalam

Transfer to Trivandrum Airport for your return flight to Mumbai where you will have an orientation tour of the city followed by a meal in a local restaurant. You will then take your onward flight to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 12: UK

Early morning arrival to the UK.