Rustic Kerala Private Tour

Arrive at Cochin International Airport.

You will be met on arrival at Cochin International Airport by our representative and proceed to Muvattupuzha (1 hour).

Located near the meandering Muvattupuzha River, this remote town is the perfect place to relax, slow down and recharge. Agriculture is the primary source of local income, with the region being renowned for its cultivation of pineapples alongside bananas, coconuts, and peppers.

Accommodation: Indian Summer House, Muvattupuzha

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Walk around the local village and the nearby temples or go on an adventure to India’s largest pineapple market.

Enjoy a canoe ride across the Muvattupuzha River and take a short walk through the rubber and tapioca fields to a local tea shop for a freshly prepared cup of tea and some Kerala snacks.

Accommodation: Indian Summer House, Muvattupuzha

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Drive to Alleppey (90 minutes). Known as the ‘Venice of the east’, this gateway to the Kerala backwaters contains an intricate network of lakes and waterways.

Around lunchtime, you will board your private houseboat for an overnight cruise through the famous Kerala Backwaters. For many, this is the highlight of their holiday.

Enjoy a relaxing cruise through the tranquil Kerala backwaters, gliding across Lake Vembanad, through narrow canals heading South and passing low-lying rice fields, churches, temples, schools and village life. Lunch, evening tea and dinner will be served on board the houseboat by your exclusive crew. The houseboat anchors at sunset to prevent getting tangled in the fishing nets. Experience a truly magical moment of being rocked gently whilst counting stars before finally going to bed in the middle of nowhere.

Stay overnight aboard the Houseboat.

Accommodation: Private Houseboat

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

It’s worth waking up early, to catch a sight of the morning fishermen setting out to seek their haul for the day. This is an experience you will never forget after your leisurely breakfast on-board, disembark and meet your driver who will take you to Teekoy in the Western Ghats.

Once you arrive at Vanilla County and meet your hosts, you’ll have some time to wander around the spice plantation, go bird-watching or visit the natural springs before a dinner of local specialties.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours, 90 km

Accommodation: Vanilla County, Teekoy

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today, you have the choice to spend time taking in the spectacular surroundings of Teekoy or making a short trip to visit the picturesque hill station of Vagamon.

If you stay in Teekoy, you could take a dip in one of the natural springs, walk down to the village with your hosts, enjoy a tour of the grounds and plantation or even try the exceptional bird watching the area has to offer.

Vagamon lies untouched by modern influences and the grassy hills, expansive pine forests, velvet lawns offer a natural beauty. You can hike the zig zagging paths up the hillside or the more adventurous can catch the most spectacular views while paragliding.

Accommodation: Vanilla County, Teekoy

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, its a lovely scenic drive to gorgeous Munnar, the Kashmir of Southern India.

Once you’ve arrived and settled in, you can take a relaxing evening stroll to stretch your legs and watch the sun set over the glorious lush hills.

Approximate travel time and distance: 4 hours, 100 km

Accommodation: Windermere Estate Hotel, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today be prepared for stunning views and scenery.

After breakfast, you have the opportunity to take a walk through the Lockhart Tea Estate which offers gorgeous views of the green, carpeted tea fields with misty mountains in the background.

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

A scenic drive or a visit to Munnar and its busy market can also  be arranged.

Accommodation: Windermere Estate Hotel, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast drive down the hills visiting the tea and rubber plantations en route to Athirapally which will take about 4 hours. Nicknamed the ‘Niagra Falls of India’, the imposing Athirapally Falls is 80 feet tall and 330 feet wide.

Approximate travel time and distance: 4 hours, 150 km

Accommodation: Rainforest Resort, Athirapally

Meals included: Breakfast

A short drive will take you to Arattupuzha (1 hour 30 mins) on the banks of Karuvannur river, a serene little village short drive from Thrissur.

In the evening, go for a beautiful sunset cruise in the serene Karuvannur Puzha. Verdant landscape, local vegetation and village life you can see from the river offer an engaging experience.

Accommodation: Neelambari, Thrissur

Meals included: Breakfast

A guided nature walk through the beautiful countryside around Neelambari is a great way to start the morning. Farms, orchards, the riverside and paddy fields all come together to present a charming vision of the Kerala countryside.

In the afternoon, it’s a short drive to the backwaters near Chettuva where you can go on a country boat for a beautiful sunset cruise. As the sun sets, thousands of birds will flock into the mangroves offering an unforgettably experience.

Accommodation: Neelambari, Thrissur

Meals included: Breakfast

It’s another scenic drive today, to Wayanad, a picturesque mountainous plateau in the Western Ghats. On arrival the rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the peaceful plantation.

Approximate travel time and distance: 6 hours, 210 km

Accommodation: Tranquil Plantation Homestay, Wayanad

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Explore 400 acre coffee plantation that is mapped out through 10 different walking routes, ranging from ½ hour to 02 hours, each with a different story to tell.

Tranquil is a haven for bird lovers, hosting an impressive array of over 120 documented bird species. And who knows, there might be a few hidden gems waiting to be spotted!

If you would like to venture further afield, we suggest the Edakkal Caves where you can see drawings dating back to roughly 6000 BC, or you could also stop at one of local tribes, who benefit from controlled and carefully organised tourism.

Accommodation: Tranquil Plantation Homestay, Wayanad

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Drive down the coastline of Northern Kerala to Tellicherry, a port famous for exporting black pepper.

In the evening, enjoy an interactive cooking session with your hostess to learn about north Keralan cuisine.

Accommodation: Ayisha Manzil Homestay, Tellicherry

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Wake early to join your host and walk down to the local fish market, a hive of morning activity. Afterwards, wander around the spice shops, beedi-making and handloom weaving units, where your capable host will be able to explain the local industries.

Or treat yourself to a lie-in and then visit the famous Parassinikadavu Temple and witness the rich Hindu ritual Theyyam.

Later, why not join your hostess for a cookery lesson; she is an expert in local cuisines and by now you will have experienced her exceptional cooking!

Accommodation: Ayisha Manzil Homestay, Tellicherry

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After breakfast drive to Nileshwar, which will take around 2 hrs 30 mins.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation: Neeleshwar Hermitage, Nileshwar

Meals included: Breakfast

It’s a day of leisure to enjoy your glorious surroundings.

Have a swim in the sea, hire a small sailing boat, sign up for an ayurvedic massage, try your hand at yoga, cycle along the backwaters or visit the nearby Bekal Fort.

Accommodation: Neeleshwar Hermitage, Nileshwar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day at leisure

Accommodation: Neeleshwar Hermitage, Nileshwar

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning you will be transferred to Kasargod Railway Station to Board the train to Ernakulam.

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Fort Cochin.

In the evening, enjoy a motor boat cruise along the harbour to see the Chinese fishing nets

Accommodation: Malabar House Hotel, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, visiting the Chinese fishing nets, the local fish market, St. Francis Church, the Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace. (Please note that the Jewish Synagogue is closed on Fridays, Saturdays and other Jewish Holidays, and the Dutch Palace is closed on Fridays.)

The afternoon is at leisure to take a stroll through Jew Street to hunt for souvenirs and bargains. Look out for spices, handlooms, ethnic wear and antiques.

In the evening, watch a Kathakali dance show, the traditional dance drama of Kerala performed in vibrant costumes. We suggest arriving early to watch the dancers apply their bold makeup.

Accommodation: Malabar House Hotel, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

In good time you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport to board your return flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing and Inclusions

The price guide for this 20 day Kerala tour is

• £3790 in low season (May – September inclusive)
• £4290 in high season (October – April inclusive)

The prices do not include flights.

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.

This is a private tour and can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements. Prices will vary depending on the number of people, length of tour, accommodation & season. Reductions are normally available for groups of three or more. Some hotels operate an additional peak pricing rate during busy times which is normally from mid December to mid January.

Please get in touch with your dates and we will be pleased to provide you with your personal itinerary and accurate quote.

Included with this Kerala tour package are the following:

• Authentic India Tours meet & greet assistance on arrival
• All transfers and sightseeing tours using air-conditioned Toyota Innova
• Accommodation for 19 nights on twin sharing basis
• Standard category rooms at all hotels unless otherwise mentioned
• Meal Plan: Indian Summer House, Houseboat, Vanilla County, Tranquil and Ayisha Manzil on full board; bed and breakfast elsewhere
• Sunset cruise by private motorboat along the Cochin harbour
• Tickets for Kathakali dance show in Cochin
• English speaking guide for sightseeing tour of Cochin
• Entrances at all national parks, museums and monuments as per the itinerary
• Mineral water on all days of travel

Price does not include:

• International flight tickets
• Travel insurance and visa
• Expenses of personal nature like laundry, tips, beverages etc
• Meals other than mentioned in the above meal plan
• Camera & video fees at national parks, museums & monuments

Prices mentioned above are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication may be subject to change, based on your date of travel and local market fluctuations. You will be informed of any price differences prior to booking.

For a quote based on your dates of travel, any alternative accommodation or changes to this itinerary, please call us on 01792 315499 or email us at info@aitholidays.com

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.

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.