God's Own Country Kerala Group Tour

Upon arrival at Cochin International Airport, you will be welcomed by your Authentic India Tours representatives who will transfer you to your hotel, located in the city’s historic district, Fort Cochin.

The port city of Cochin (also known as Kochi) offers a captivating mix of cultures and is a wonderful place to explore.

In the evening, enjoy a boat trip past Cochin’s island shores. As the sun sets, you will see the famous cantilevered fishing nets. It’s fascinating to watch the fishermen skilfully dip the hammock-like nets into the water, silhouetted against the orange and pink sky.

End the first day of your Kerala group tour in style with a delicious welcome dinner hosted by your tour leader.

Accommodation: Forte Kochi*, Cochin

Meals included: Dinner

Today, you get to explore Cochin, a melting pot of cultures, religions and nationalities. Included in your tour is St Francis Church, which is the oldest European church in India, as well as the lavish 16^th century Jewish Synagogue. Then you can explore the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace due to its colonial influences. It also houses colourfully painted murals depicting the ancient Indian poem Ramayana.

The afternoon is at leisure, so you may wish to wander around the quaint cobbled streets which house a number of interesting antique and souvenir shops.

In the evening, watch a Kathakali dance show, the traditional expressive dance drama of Kerala performed in vibrant costumes. It’s a good idea to arrive early and watch the dancers apply their bold makeup.

Accommodation: Forte Kochi*, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning we take a scenic drive to majestic Munnar, home to lush tea plantations in the mountainous Western Ghats. The journey will take about 4 hours and we will stop for lunch on the way.

The evening is free for you to enjoy a leisurely walk in the tea plantations.

Accommodation: Fragrant Nature*, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, embark on a 2-3 hour tea plantation walk in Lockhart Estate. Learn tea leaf picking from locals, witness the meticulous weighing process, and explore one of the oldest tea factories in the region, constructed by the British in 1936. A guide will lead you through the entire tea leaf processing journey, concluding with a tasting of freshly made tea.

The afternoon is free to explore the town or visit Eravikulam National Park to see the endangered Nilgiri Thar species.

Accommodation: Fragrant Nature*, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast

The next destination on this Kerala group tour is Periyar. After breakfast, we will drive through the winding ghat roads for around 3 – 4 hours to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, South India’s best kept Tiger reserve.

Enjoy a spice plantation visit with an expert who will introduce you to spices grown in that area such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, pepper and vanilla.

Accommodation: Blanket Hotel & Spa, Thekkady

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in South India to spot wildlife, and if you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse of elephants, Sambar deer and Indian bison.

Early in the morning, we will head to Lake Periyar, where you can try bamboo rafting and have a go navigating a raft whilst looking out for elephants. Then grab your binoculars and camera and spend time in the Reserve where there is an abundance of wildlife you might see.

Spend the evening at your leisure.

Accommodation: Blanket Hotel & Spa, Thekkady

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Your adventure continues with a scenic drive through the rolling hills of the Western Ghats visiting tea and rubber plantations before arriving at the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom.

Enroute, we will stop for a home-cooked lunch at one of the old estate bungalows set on a plantation.

In the evening sit back and enjoy a sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake.

Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon*, Kumarakom

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

This morning, the Village Life Experience tour provides an authentic glimpse into local life, featuring community-based tourism products and services. A country boat, operated by villagers, takes you through narrow canals, offering a close look at daily activities. Try traditional fishing methods, stroll through the village paths to visit an ‘Anganwadi’ school, and observe traditional jobs like screw pine weaving and ‘toddy tapping.’

The afternoon is free to relax by the backwaters.

Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon*, Kumarakom

Meals included: Breakfast

After a leisurely morning, it’s time for the highlight of the tour staying overnight on a wonderful houseboat. After boarding your private houseboat, you can sit back and relax as your crew steer you across Vembanad Lake and along the narrow backwater canals. As you cruise by, you can catch glimpses of village life and maybe spot electric-blue kingfishers, snake birds and herons.

Dine on Keralan delicacies infused with spices, aromatic curry leaves and fresh coconut served up by your onboard cook, who will cater for your every need. When the boat moors for the night, you can gaze at the stars in the clear skies before the sound of water and the gentle rocking of the boat will send you blissfully to sleep.

Accommodation: Private Houseboat

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

It’s a good idea to rise early to witness life on the backwaters as people go about their everyday business. After breakfast, you will disembark from your houseboat for the short drive to Mararikulam and the Marari beach hotel.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax on the beach or enjoy the facilities at the hotel which includes a pool, extensive gardens and spa facility

Accommodation: Marari Beach Resort*, Mararikulam

Meals included: Breakfast

In the morning, you can soak up the sun, explore the nearby local fishing harbour or take a walking tour of the temples and markets in Mararikulam and Alleppey.

The rest of the day is yours to relax. In the evening, we will gather for a farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Marari Beach Resort*, Mararikulam

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

In plenty of time, you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport to board your return flight or onward destination.

Meals included: Breakfast

Dates, Pricing and Inclusions

This God’s Own Country Group Tour of Kerala is available from Cochin on the following dates (prices per person):

Private Travel Supplement: £200
Meal Plan: Bed and breakfast through plus lunch on day 7, dinner on days 1, 5, 6, 11 and full board on houseboat.

Best Season: October to April.

Clothes: Cottons.

* Alternative accommodation of a similar standard may be offered to the hotels listed.

This tour can also be taken privately on a date of your choice. Please contact us for more details.

Included in the price:

• Accommodation for 10 nights in hotels and 1 night on the houseboat
• All internal road travel by an air-conditioned with driver and guide
• All scheduled sightseeing with an English speaking guide
• Entrance fees at the monuments
• Bamboo rafting on Periyar Lake
• Sunset cruise on Cochin harbour
• Sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake

Not included in the price:

• International flights
• India visa
• Travel Insurance
• Meals not included in the meal plan
• Expenses of personal nature (like room service, laundry, drinks, phone calls etc)
• Camera fees at the monuments

For more information on this Kerala group tour, please email info@aitholidays.com or call our India specialists on 01792 315499.

ABTA and ATOL Protected Tour Package

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.