Kerala Invitation
Kerala is rich in natural beauty and has an aware population, ranking among top societies in the world in social development.
In this short one week tour, designed for first time visitors, we show you the most popular sites – the port city of Kochi with its cosmopolitan past, the famed backwaters with their unique ecosystem, the tea country of Munnar, the wildlife sanctuary at Periyar with its wild elephants and the rare lion-tailed macaque, ending at a resort on a white sandy beach.
Recommended Itinerary
DAY 01 - FLIGHT
Fly to Kochi (all flights are indirect with a change of plane en route)
DAYS 2 & 3 - KOCHI (COCHIN)
Arrive Cochin in the morning and transfer to the Tower House (or stay at Xandari Harbour/Brunton Boatyard) in the Dutch quarters of Fort Cochin; 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 4 - KUMARAKOM/RICEBOAT
A short drive to Alleppey where you board your private riceboat for the night. Cruise along Vembanad Lake in the afternoon taking in the village life along the banks and a variety of birds on the backwaters.
DAY 5 - MUNNAR
Disembark after breakfast for four-hour drive up the hills to the tea country of Munnar, stay at Ambady Estate (or stay at Windermere); visit the Eravikulam Sanctuary, home to the rare Nilgiri Tahr; see the Tata Tea Museum.
DAY 6 - PERIYAR
Drive on the hill road to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and stay overnight at the Tree House or Cardamom County (or stay at Shalimar Spice Garden/Spice Village); enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Periyar, ideal for spotting herds of elephants and other wild animals.
DAYS 7 & 8 - MARARI
Option of a nature walk in the morning; descend the Western Ghats through rubber, banana and coconut plantations to the inviting beach at Marari. The next two days are at leisure to soak in the sunshine at the Marari Sands Beach Resort (or upgrade to Beach Symphony/Marari Beach Resort).
DAY 9 - RETURN
Transfer to the Kochi airport for the return flight.
Gallery
Testimonials
“By now I hope you have met our friends and heard first-hand what a great trip you arranged for us. It was truly memorable and Tom and I are already talking about where to go next in India”