The Essence of Kerala Tour

Upon arrival at Cochin International Airport, you’ll 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’ll 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.

Accommodation: Old Harbour Hotel, Cochin

Today, you get to explore Cochin, a melting pot of cultures, religions and nationalities. You’ll see 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 shops.

This evening it’s time to experience a traditional Kathakali performance, a Kerala classical dance famed for its colourful costumes and athletic movements.

Accommodation: Old Harbour Hotel, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

The second destination on your Kerala tour is Munnar, a hill station perched high in the Western Ghats mountain range. Its cool, refreshing climate made it a popular summer retreat for colonial settlers generations ago. On the drive to Munnar you’ll be surrounded by a carpet of greenery with emerald green tea plantations and sandalwood forests, while the aromatic spice plantations gently infuse the air with the scent of cinnamon and cardamom.

This evening, either stay at the Ambady Estate where you can take a stroll around the plantation and learn about the history, cultivation and processing of the spices or stay at the modern Fragrant Nature Hotel which offers stunning views over the neighbouring countryside.

Approximate travel time and distance: 4 – 5 hours, 150 kms

Accommodation: Ambady Estate or Fragrant Nature Hotel, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today be prepared for stunning views and scenery. In the morning you can enjoy a Lockhart tea trail experience. Lockhart tea estate is situated 8 kms from Munnar town and will take about 30 minutes to reach

Depending  on what you choose, you can take part in walks lasting from 30 minutes to 4 hours. As you explore this area, you’ll be rewarded by breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. There may also be an opportunity to interact with the ladies picking tea leaves.

A scenic drive or a visit to Munnar and its busy market can easily be arranged if you prefer.

Later you can visit a tea museum and tea factory, where you’ll gain a fascinating insight into the region’s tea production, from crop-picking to flavour adjustment.

Accommodation: Ambady Estate or Fragrant Nature Hotel, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning your Kerala tour takes you to Periyar National Park, home to one of India’s best kept wildlife sanctuaries. As you are driven down winding mountain roads, you’ll be greeted with the sight of undulating emerald tea plantations and misty forests.

This afternoon there’s time to explore the spice town of Periyar or relax by the pool at your hotel. Then, in the evening learn more about the spices grown in this region with a fascinating visit to a local spice garden. For the animal lovers among you, there is also an optional visit to see elephants.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours, 92 kms

Accommodation: Cardamom County, Periyar

Meals included: Breakfast

If you are interested in heritage you may wish to add an extra night to visit Madurai. It takes approximately 4 hrs from Munnar to Madurai and from Madurai to Periyar the following day but you will experience the contrasting state of Tamil Nadu, amazing scenery and the ancient monuments of Madurai.

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

Its an early start to head to Lake Periyar, where you can try bamboo rafting and have a go navigating a raft. Then grab your binoculars and camera and spend time in the Reserve where the’re is an abundance of wildlife to discover.

There will be time this afternoon to discover the local town or hotel facilities, and then in the evening perhaps try the local cuisine in the hotel or take part in one of the hotel activities.

Accommodation: Cardamom County, Periyar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you leave the biodiverse mountain region of the Western Ghats and travel towards the picturesque village of Kumarakom, located on the South Eastern shore of Vembanad Lake.

Kumarakom is an oasis of calm, hidden in the Kerala backwaters, a network of canals, lakes and coconut groves. The calm waters, verdant surroundings and abundant wildlife makes it the perfect spot to unwind. In the evening you can enjoy a range of (free) activities organised by the hotel including a sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake, where you will see birds gliding across the calm surface of the lake.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours 30 mins, 125 kms

Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom

Meals included: Breakfast

Spend a laid back morning going on a gentle stroll around the lake, relaxing by the pool, or indulging in any of the other activities that your hotel has to offer, such as yoga classes or bird watching.

After that it’s time for a once in a lifetime experience – an overnight stay on a luxury houseboat. You’ll board your private houseboat from the hotel’s jetty, then just sit back and relax as an expert driver navigates you across Vembanad Lake and down the narrow canals of the backwaters. As you drift along the water, keep an eye out for electric-blue kingfishers, snake birds and herons and take in glimpses of village life on the backwaters.

An on-board cook will cater for your every need, serving up Keralan delicacies, dishes infused with spices, aromatic curry leaves and fresh coconut. You’ll be lulled to sleep by the sound of the water and the gentle rocking of the boat.

Approximate travel time and distance: 1 hours, 38 kms

Accommodation: Private Houseboat, Alleppey

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning the cruise continues to Alleppey, known as the ‘Venice of the East’ due to its network of narrow canals. After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll disembark from your houseboat at Alleppey Boat Jetty where you’ll be met by your driver and continue on to Kovalam, the last stop in your Kerala tour.

It normally takes about 4-5 hours to travel to Kovalam. If you prefer we can arrange accommodation at Marari beach and the transfer is less than an hour.

At Kovalam for two nights you’ll be staying at the Travancore Heritage, a superior beach resort with stunning views overlooking the Arabian Sea. Alternatively at Marari Beach we recommend the Marari Beach Resort or the Xandari Pearl Hotel

Approximate travel time and distance: 4 – 5 hours, 180 kms

Accommodation: Raviz Leela Kovalam Resort & Spa, Kovalam

Meals included: Breakfast

The last couple of days of your Kerala adventure gives you the opportunity to while away sun kissed hours on the beach, interspersed with refreshing dips in the ocean.

The hotel’s Ayurvedic centre offers relaxation therapies and massages to help you completely unwind before the journey home.

There will also be time to indulge in some retail therapy. Visit Kovalam town to search the shops for some Indian handicrafts, unique jewellery or colourful clothes. And why not end the day at one of the restaurants overlooking the sea, sampling the freshly caught fish of the day.

Accommodation: Raviz Leela Kovalam Resort & Spa, Kovalam

Meals included: Breakfast

On the last day of your Essence of Kerala Tour, you will be collected by your Authentic India Tours driver, who will transfer you to Trivandrum International Airport for your return flight.

Approximate travel time and distance: 30 minutes, 20 kms

Meals included: Breakfast

If you wish to return from Cochin International Airport this is a longer transfer of about 6 hours which can easily be arranged. Alterntively you can take an internal flight.

Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and this Kerala tour is just an example to help inspire you.

This tour can be combined with a range of options such as a stay in Marari Beach, a tour of the Golden Triangle or a visit to some of the World Heritage Sites in Tamil Nadu or Karnataka. For more information please email info@aitholidays.com or call our India specialists on 01792 315499.

ABTA and ATOL Protected Kerala 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.