Classic Kerala

Day 1 - Kochi

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Day 2 - Kochi

Today's tour will take us through the town’s nooks to see the historic St Francis Church, the Santa Cruz Basilica and the age-old Chinese fishing nets still in use in the bay. We’ll visit the Synagogue and Dutch Palace, built in traditional Kerala Nalukettu style. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area, with its well-preserved Dutch and Portuguese buildings. This evening we’ll watch a traditional Kathakali dance performance, based on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Day 3 - Kochi - Alleppey

This morning we head to Alleppey and board a beautifully crafted deluxe houseboat for an unforgettable overnight cruise. These elegant crafts were once common along the backwaters of Kerala, used as cargo vessels, poled along by one or two men. They are now restored as extremely eco-friendly houseboats that glide through the 1,500km maze of waterways that link small lakes and lagoons, surrounded with an array of coconut trees and endless paddy fields. Take this opportunity to relax to the sound of nature and gently rippling waters, and to step ashore for short strolls through riverside villages, interacting with the locals.

Day 4 - Alleppey - Munnar

After breakfast we make our way to Munnar where the rest of the day will be at leisure.

Day 5 - Munnar

Munnar is a quaint little town that exudes a rare old-world charm, evoking memories of the days of the Raj with its elegant splendour, soothing sunshine and invigorating scent from the tea gardens. We take a sightseeing tour this morning, passing some of the old colonial homes. This afternoon, we’ll visit a tea plantation and tea museum, where you can watch a documentary narrating the interesting history of tea in Munnar. We also visit the beautiful areas of Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, a natural echo phenomenon; Kundala Lake; and Jungle Honey Bee Nest.

Day 6 - Munnar to Madurai

This morning, we leave Munnar for Madurai. The afternoon is at leisure, and late evening there is a free optional excursions to experience extraordinary ‘Going to Bed Ceremony’ at Sri Mennaskshi Temple (please note, this is subject to crowd levels and you will need to enter the temple before 9pm).

Day 7 - Madurai to Thekkady

This morning, we enjoy a morning tour of Madurai before heading to Thekkady. Sitting a kilometre above sea level, Thekkady boasts the perfect natural environment for growing cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, cloves, vanilla, ginger and coffee. Through millennia, Thekkady has produced much of India’s pepper and became an important part of the 15th-century spice trade, when black pepper was equal in worth to its weight in gold. We check in to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax into your surroundings.

Day 8 - Thekkady

We head to a spice garden to learn about their harvest. Afterwards, we’ll take a boat ride on Lake Periyar (also known as Lake Thekkady) for a chance to see various species of wildlife. In the midst of a sanctuary that bears its name, where elephants, tigers and Indian wild dogs roam; deer, boar, otters and a great array of birdlife are more readily spotted on this adventure.

Day 9 - Thekkady to Kochi

This morning we may our way back to Kochi, where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 10 - Kochi

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.