One of 50 "must see places in a lifetime" as per National Geographic Traveller, Kerala is rich in natural beauty and has an aware population, ranking among the top societies in the world in social development. The range of hills on the East and a long coastline on the West shelter a narrow piece of tropical land that is rich and green, interspersed with water bodies. Paddy fields, plantations of pepper, nutmeg, cardamom, rubber, arecanut, coconut, bananas; animals in the wild, an abundant bird life…. God's Own Country is an apt name. Most of our stay is in heritage hotels or with local families, helping us immerse in the local culture and way of living.
Days 1 & 2 - Cochin
Arrive Cochin in the morning and transfer to the Spice Fort or Tower House in the Dutch quarters of Fort Cochin, for two nights. In the evening enjoy a sunset cruise on the backwaters to see the Chinese fishing nets. Visit the sights including the Dutch Palace, with its murals from the Ramayana, the Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry and St Francis' Church. Enjoy a tuk-tuk ride through the spice markets; enjoy a Kathakali performance, a traditional dance form.
Day 3 - Riceboat
A short drive to Alleppey to board a riceboat for the night; we cruise along Vembanad Lake in the afternoon to admire the bird and village life along the banks.
Days 4 & 5 - Periyar
Disembark after breakfast. A four-hour drive through rich, luxuriant plantations on the mountainside takes us to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary; we stay two nights at the Tree House or Cardamom County. Enjoy an early morning nature walk. In the afternoon take a boat cruise on Lake Periyar to spot herds of elephants and other wild animals. The endangered lion-tailed macaque is found here.
Days 6 & 7 - Madurai
To Madurai, descending the ghats, through the plains of Tamil Nadu with vineyards, paddy fields and busy market towns; stay at the Heritage, a charming hotel in ethnic style; visit the famous Meenakshi Temple, a grand spectacle of Dravidian architecture; visit the local handloom weaving units, walk in the bazaars.
Day 8 - Coimbatore
Enjoy a leisurely drive to Coimbatore for overnight stay at the Residency Towers.
Days 9 & 10 - Wayanad
We take an early morning ride on the "toy train" to Ooty in the Nilgirs; after lunch at the colonial Savoy Hotel we drive through the hills to Wayanad for two nights at Coffee County, a charming home stay; we spend a day with our hosts. The Edakkal Caves, with prehistoric paintings, can be visited here.
Days 11 & 12 - Palakkad
Drive on to the paddy rich Palakkad to experience rural life with your hosts at Tharavad; at leisure.
Days 13 & 14 - Beach
Drive to Kalamandalam, to see dance and music classes for young students, preserving the cultural heritage of the land. Carry on to Kodungalur, where Christians, Arabs and Jews first landed in India; see ancient sites of mosques, churches and synagogues; visit the well preserved palace of the royal family; arrive late afternoon at the beach in Marari; stay two nights at Abad Turtle (optional upgrade to Marari Beach Resort); enjoy a full day at leisure.
Day 15 - Return
Transfer to Kochi airport for the return flight.
Kochi (Cochin)
Ambady Estate
Munnar Tea Plantation
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Small Group Tours