Overview

Discover the best of Kerala on this 10-day journey from Kochi to Trivandrum. Begin with Kochi’s colonial heritage and spice-scented markets before travelling into the misty hills of Munnar, where tea plantations carpet the slopes. Spot elephants and exotic birds in Periyar National Park, then unwind on the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom and enjoy a houseboat cruise to Alleppey. End your adventure on the golden beaches of Kovalam, with time for Ayurvedic relaxation and a visit to Trivandrum’s grand temples and art galleries.

June to September (£1395pp)

October to May (£1470pp)

Inclusion

• 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 1 dinner
• 8 nights 3 star hotels & 1 overnight houseboat (Alleppey)
• Airport arrival and departure transfers
• All relevant transfers and transportation in private, air-conditioned vehicles
• Services of local, English-speaking guides for included sightseeing & activities
• Guided sightseeing in Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom & Trivandrum
• Tea Plantation tour in Munnar
• Boat ride in Periyar National Park
• Spice Plantation tour in Periyar National Park
• Complimentary drinking water
• Return flights from London to Kochi and from Trivandrum to London

Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly from London to Cochin

Fly from London to Cochin

Day 2 - Arrive in Kochi

Arrive in Kochi, where you will receive a warm traditional Swagat (welcome). A representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Kochi, often referred to as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, has long been a vital hub of maritime trade. For centuries, it connected India with merchants from the Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, and the Dutch. Your first evening in the city is at leisure.

Overnight:Kochi

Day 3- Exploring Kochi

This morning, at 9:00, set out on a full-day city tour of Kochi. Begin with a visit to St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, followed by the Dutch Palace - originally built by the Portuguese and later renovated by the Dutch. You then explore the Jewish Synagogue. Built in 1568, it’’s one of the oldest active synagogues in the Commonwealth.

A stop at the bustling spice market offers a sensory experience, with the air rich with the aroma of cardamom, cloves, and pepper. You also see the iconic Chinese fishing nets, a legacy of Kochi’s long-standing trade links with China.

A stop at the bustling spice market offers a sensory experience, with the air rich with the aroma of cardamom, cloves, and pepper. You also see the iconic Chinese fishing nets, a legacy of Kochi’s long-standing trade links with China.

Overnight:Kochi

Meals:Breakfast

Day 4- Kochi to Munnar

Kochi - Munnar. Leaving Kochi at around 10:00, you’’ll head to Munnar. The journey takes approximately four hours and offers breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls, mist-covered mountains, and drifting clouds along the way. On arrival, check in to the hotel for your overnight stay.

Nestled at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala - Munnar is one of India’s most beloved hill stations. Perched at an altitude of about 1,600 metres above sea level, it was once the summer retreat of the British administration in South India. The town is surrounded by endless tea plantations, charming colonial-era lanes, and scenic trekking trails. Spend your first evening in the hill station at leisure.

Overnight:Munnar

Meals:Breakfast

Day 5- Exploring Munnar & Eravikulam National Park

Munnar - Eravikulam National Park - Munnar. After breakfast, set out on a half-day sightseeing tour of Munnar. Visit some of the world’s highest tea estates, where endless slopes of emerald-green plantations blanket the hillsides. Continue to Eravikulam National Park (please note the park is closed during January and February), home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat found only in this region.

The afternoon is free for you to relax or explore Munnar at your own pace - perhaps visit a local tea museum, stroll through the markets, or simply enjoy the cool mountain air.

Overnight:Munnar

Meals:Breakfast

Day 6- Munnar to Periyar National Park

Munnar - Periyar National Park. Today, make the four hour drive to the Periyar National Park, South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, set around a picturesque lake.

Periyar offers a wonderful opportunity to experience nature at its best. The sanctuary is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild boar, monkeys, and, with some luck, even tigers or leopards. The area also attracts numerous bird species, making it a paradise for nature lovers. To see some of this wildlife, consider an optional boat ride on Periyar Lake, where you may spot herds of elephants or deer.

Overnight:Periyar National Park

Meals:Breakfast

Day 7- Periyar to Kumarakom

Periyar National Park - Kumarakom. You begin today with a visit to a local spice plantation, where you can see how Kerala’s famous spices such as cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon are cultivated. Later, enjoy an included boat ride on Periyar Lake before you make the 3.5 hour drive to Kumarakom.

Kumarakom, one of Kerala’s most renowned backwater destinations, is a serene village set on the banks of the Vembanad Lake. The area is dotted with graceful coconut palms and vibrant birdlife, and its calm waters are best explored aboard traditional houseboats and canoes.

Overnight:Kumarakom

Meals:Breakfast

Day 8- Kumarakom to Alleppey Overnight Houseboat Cruise

Kumarakom - Alleppey. This morning, visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, haven for a wide range of species throughout the year - between October and February you may spot cormorants, teals, and various ducks, while from February to July darters, night herons, egrets, and Siberian storks are commonly seen. Other resident species include the golden-backed woodpecker, crow pheasant, white-breasted waterhen, and treepie.

Later, transfer to the jetty to board your traditional kettuvallam (houseboat). Enjoy a leisurely cruise across the tranquil Vembanad Lake, surrounded by lush greenery and swaying palms. The cool breeze and gentle rhythm of the water make this a perfect way to unwind.

As you continue towards Alleppey through the scenic backwaters, observe village life along the canals - fishermen at work, women washing clothes by the banks, and children waving from the shore. Lunch and dinner are included onboard today.

Overnight:Alleppey (Houseboat)

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9- Alleppey to Kovalam

Alleppey - Kovalam. This morning, disembark from the houseboat in Alleppey and drive to Kovalam. Located at the southernmost tip of India, Kovalam is renowned for its beautiful beaches. The town features two main beaches, divided by a steep cliff and lined with coconut palms. In recent years, Kovalam has gained renewed popularity as a centre for Ayurveda, with numerous wellness resorts and treatment centres offering traditional therapies focused on relaxation and rejuvenation. On arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight:Kovalam

Meals:Breakfast

Day 10- Kovalam at Leisure

Today is at your leisure to enjoy independent activities. You may choose to relax on Kovalam’s white-sand beaches or indulge in an Ayurvedic therapy session at one of the local wellness centres.

Overnight:Kovalam

Meals:Breakfast

Day 11- Trivandrum

Kovalam - Trivandrum. This morning, set out on a half-day sightseeing tour of Trivandrum. Begin with a visit to the revered Padmanabhaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This ancient temple, held sacred by Hindus for centuries, features a grand gopuram and a large temple tank used for ritual bathing.

You then visit the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, which houses an impressive collection of Indian art ranging from early to modern styles. The gallery displays works by Raja Ravi Varma, along with exquisite Mughal and Rajput miniature paintings and ornate Tanjore pieces embellished with semi-precious stones.

Your final stop is the elegant Kuthiramalika (Horse) Palace, known for its intricate wood carvings and traditional Kerala architecture. After the tour, transfer to Trivandrum Airport where your tour comes to an end - Flights departing in the late evening from Trivandrum Airport to board the flight for your onward journey.

Meals: Breakfast

Cost of Package does not include

• Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips. Liquor, boating & joy rides.(which is not mentioned in inclusion list)
• Any other item not specified in “Cost Includes”.
• Additional sightseeing or usages of vehicle not mentioned in the itinerary.

Extra Meal Supplement (Optional)

Half Board meal supplement with 3* hotels £ 40 Per Person

Full Board meal supplement with 3* hotels £ 72 Per Person