Day 1 – Arrival in Cochin: Tighten your seatbelt as you jet off to Cochin for an amazing trip. The red-carpet treatment will be rolled out for you after you arrive, when our friendly representative will welcome and transfer you to your hotel - Eight Bastian. After check-in, you will have time to freshen up before heading out in the afternoon on a walking tour of Mattancherry. The guide will take you passed spice warehouses, hidden shrines, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The tour will be topped off with a tuk tuk ride. Feel the wind in your hair, as you get a taste of how locals travel. After an exciting adventure, head back to your hotel and relax.
Day 2 – Cochin: Today you will unravel the many fascinating layer of Cochin and discover how this captivating city effortlessly combines Indian and Chinese cultures. Your half day city tour will begin with a visit to the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India. Learn how it was built in 1568 but destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later. Next you will visit Chinese fishing nets. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the 14th century, although, today parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names. You will then visit St. Francis Church, originally named after Santo Antonio and dedicated to him as the Patron Saint of Portugal. As you explore the site, discover how St. Francis Church was the first church to have been in the new European influenced tradition. Finally, you will also visit The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry. Get your camera out to snap photos of its intrinsically carved ceilings and mural in the rooms of the palace which was built in 1555. Make sure you see its coronation hall and murals which are especially fascinating. In the evening, you will enjoy a classical Indian dance show known as Kathakali. You will be dazzled as you see this unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. This is the classical dance drama of Kerala, which dates from the 17th century, and is rooted in Hindu mythology. Finally head back to your hotel and relax.
Day 3 - Cochin to Munnar: Start the day with a delicious breakfast before embarking on a drive to your new hotel in Munnar. The four-and-a-half-hour journey to Mannar will give you a great opportunity to see the region’s landscape. Once you arrive, check into your hotel and unwind. You will adore exploring the local area, which is a nature-lover’s paradise. You will enjoy the panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys that make it a pretty little heaven. If you are feeling adventurous, then head out and explore its churches that boast stone-structures with ancient chandeliers and rosewood pews. A little beyond that lies Anaimudi, South India's highest peak.
Day 4 - Munnar: Today you will discover Munnar's heritage. This morning you will learn about teas at The Tata Tea Museum. Here you will have the chance to see everything tea related from a rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory. After this refreshing adventure - you will be free to spend the rest of the day at leisure. You can unwind inside the hotel or venture out and explore the beauty of Munnar's rolling hills that are carpeted in emerald-green tea plantations. Be sure to take in the low mountain scenery, which is magnificent as you’re often up above the clouds watching veils of mist clinging to the mountaintops. Munnar town itself is a scruffy administration centre, not unlike a North Indian hill station, but wander just a few kilometers out of town and you’ll be engulfed in a sea of a thousand shades of green.
Day 5 – Thekkady: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes today as you embark on a busy day of travel. After breakfast, you will hop into a private vehicle and travel to Thekkady. This city is well known for its wild life sanctuary, which sits on the banks of Periyar Lake. The journey takes five hours, which will give you another opportunity to see the region’s stunning landscape. Once you arrive in Thekkady, you will check into the Spice Village hotel. In the evening, you will visit The Kerala Kalari Centre, which is an ideal place to see the ancient Kalaripayattu martial dance performed by local swordsmen. You will be wowed as you watch their skits from mythology as they show off their swordsmanship.
Day 6 - Thekkady: Today will be a highlight of the trip as you will get up close and personal to elephants. However, before you animal adventure, you will enjoy a fragrant walk through a spice plantation to see the cultivation of cardamom, pepper, vanilla and coffee. Then you will head to an interactive session with elephants. Here you will have the chance to finally come face to face with the five elephants that live on a farm. Experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feed and give them a bath. You will also be able to walk with the elephants as they roam the plantations. Be sure to take a holiday snap here – which you will look back on with fondness in years to come. In the afternoon, you will take a boat ride at the Lake Periyar and travel through The Periyar Tiger Reserve and National Park. Keep your camera ready again, because if you’re lucky you can spot game animals, including the world's wild oxen, elephants, wild pigs, barking deer, mouse deer, the rare and endangered lion-tailed macaque, and tigers. Finally, travel to your hotel and enjoy a well-earned-rest.
Day 7 – Alleppey: Enjoy a rare opportunity to live on a houseboat today. Not surprisingly - staying in a houseboat is one of the 50 ‘must do’ activities described by the National Geographic Traveller magazine. Your adventure will start after breakfast, when you will be transferred to the Alleppey Jetty point to board a houseboat. You will fall in love with Alleppy from the moment you arrive. Often referred to as the “Venice of the East”, this pleasant easy-going market town is surrounded by coconut plantations. Its large network of canals, is a major centre for backwater cruises and spectacular snake boat races. Enjoy being at peace with mother nature, once you climb aboard the traditional ‘Ketuvallam’ rice boats, which has been converted into houseboats with bedrooms and attached toilets. Originally, these boats were used as ferries to carry rice. But instead, you will cruise through the backwaters of Kerala, through the narrow canals that crisscross a typical Kerala village, rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees. The boat cruise also takes you to small islets to give you a glimpses of village life. Lunch and dinner will be served on board, so you do not have to worry about anything apart from enjoying yourself. As the sunsets, you can cozy-up in your blanket, close your eyes and relish in the bliss of being gently rocked by the tranquil waves of the canal.
Day 8 – Kumarakom: Wake up to the sound of the peaceful canal water flowing and birds tweeting. Today, you will start the day with a delicious breakfast on the houseboat, before leaving and travelling an hour to Kumarakom. See for yourself how nature has weaved its magic here as millions of coconut palms line the river. It is a sight to behold, and a perfect spot to take an obligatory holiday selfie. Once you arrive, you will check into the Coconut Lagoon Hotel. Then you are free to spend the evening at leisure. Adventure seekers can head out and explore the nightlife independently, but to unwind you can indulge in a Ayurvedic Massage, which Kerala is famous for.
Day 9 – Kumarakom: Today you will be free to spend the day fulfilling your heart’s desires. If it is relaxation you’re after, then this is the place for you. Take a stroll in the butterfly garden where you will be dazzled by the colorful butterflies fluttering past your head. If you’re quick, you can even take photos of them opening their delicate wings and exposing their vibrant colours. You can also unwind in the beautiful guestrooms that allow you to experience the sunset from a most relaxing angle. But if you seek a bit more adventure, then you can go on an optional tour to Kumbalangi village, which is surrounded by back waters and paddy fields. An array of mangroves separate land from water - providing a breeding ground for prawns, crabs, oysters and small fishes. The trip will show you more about the lives of the local villagers and includes motorboat riding and walking. You will visit a crab farm and learn how to catch a crab. There will also be demonstrations on dehusking of coconut and making coir fiber from coconut husk. You will also see Chinese fishing nets in operation before enjoying a traditional Kerala lunch at the backwater front hall. Alternatively, you will also have the option of visiting Phillipkutty’s Farm, which is located on a small island in the backwaters of Vembanad Lake.
Day 10 – Departure: Relish in the last morning of your holiday. As you enjoy your breakfast, your mind will be buzzing with the adventures you’ve encountered. After check-out, you will be transferred in your private car to Cochin International Airport to travel back home. If you would like to extend your stay or travel in a premium class, then please speak with our Travel Specialist who will be happy to assist you.
