A week in Southern India: Kerala & the backwaters

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Kochi
• 2 nights Munnar
• 2 nights Thekkady
• 1 night onboard houseboat

Day 1: Arrive Kochi

On arrival in Kochi you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in Kochi, checking in for two nights. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 2: Kochi

After breakfast, your first day exploring southern India starts in the seaside city of Kochi. Beginning at the ancient Mattancherry Palace, adorned with intricate murals depicting the legends of Shiva, Vishnu and Durga you’ll take in the city, stopping in at the oldest church in India, St Francis’ Church and the Chinese fishing nets along the shore. In the evening you'll enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance, a fascinating local art form.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel

Day 3: Travel to Munnar

After an early breakfast you’ll be driven to Munnar, a magnificent hill station in the Western Ghats, around 5,000 feet above sea level. As the centre of Kerala’s tea industry, green plantations, clear lakes and European architecture abound.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, 4* hotel

Day 4: Munnar

After breakfast, you'll head out for a trek in the Letchmi Hills, through the tea plantations along the ridge of the hill. You'll be surrounded by grasslands and spectacular views, passing through cardamom and coffee plantations whilst looking out for endemic birds and enjoying a picnic along the way.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit one of the tea and coffee plantations that are found in the pretty hills of Munnar. Learn about the history of the area and the process of making tea and coffee from the first shoots of the green plants to bagging and distributing all over the world.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel

Day 5: Travel to Thekkady

After breakfast you’ll be driven to Thekkady on the Tamil Nadu border. This region is known as the ‘Spice Village of India’ due to the large fields of spices that are grown here. The road winds through a carpet of tea bushes, estates of tall rubber trees and gardens of coffee, cardamom and pepper. On arrival, you'll check into your hotel for two nights, and head out to enjoy a Kalaripayttu Show, a demonstration of the local Indian martial art. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 6: Thekkady

This morning, you'll head out to enjoy a nature walk, learning about the botany and birds that can be found in this region, before hopping onto a bamboo raft to float along the river. You'll head out to an island to look for wildlife - keep your eyes out for elephants, gaur and sambar deer in the lush landscapes. 

In the afternoon, you'll head to a spice plantation, to learn about the spice trade that dates back three thousand years in Kerala. From pepper and nutmeg to turmeric and cloves, you'll spend the afternoon understanding the way these delicious spices grow and how they are used around the world. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel

Day 7: Alleppey Houseboat

After breakfast at your hotel you’ll be driven back to the coast, to the jetty to board your houseboat which will become your home for the night. Cruise through the narrow lakes and famous canals towards Alleppey where a network of rivers, both manmade and natural wind their way through the marshy lands of Kerala.

“Kettuvalloms” used to be the main way of transporting cargo in the area – large stitched boats made of bamboo matts and wood from arecanut trees. Now they are a way to explore the backwaters and enjoy the quiet living of these dreamy canals and the delicious dishes of white prawns and pearl spotted fish, served on board by a personal cook. You’ll spend the night anchored on a beautiful part of the lake surrounded by the hushed swaying of coconut palms.

Included: All meals, touring, 4* hotel

Day 8: Depart Kochi

After a cosy night onboard your houseboat, you’ll disembark after breakfast and be driven over to the airport, ready for your onwards flight. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers