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 wildlife sanctuary at Periyar with its wild elephants and the rare lion-tailed macaque, the tea country of Munnar, and you have the option to end 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 Tea Bungalow (or stay at Forte Kochi/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.
DAYS 5 & 6 - PERIYAR
Disembark after breakfast and drive up the plantation laden Western Ghats to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary; stay two nights at the Tree House or Cardamom County (or stay at Hills and Hue/Spice Village). Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Periyar, ideal for spotting herds of elephants and other wild animals, take a nature walk early in the morning with a local tribal as your naturalist, visit a plantation, and enjoy a display of Kalaripeyattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala.
DAYS 7 & 8 - MUNNAR
Enjoy a four-hour scenic drive in the hills to the tea country of Munnar, stay at Tea Leaf (or at Windermere/Spice Tree); visit the Eravikulam Sanctuary, home to the rare Nilgiri Tahr; see the Tata Tea Museum; visit a tea estate and factory; ypu have the option of short day treks.
DAY 9 - RETURN
Transfer to the Kochi airport for the return flight (or extend your stay at a beach resort for a few days).
EXTENSION
DAYS 9, 10, 11 - BEACH STAY
Transfer to Mararikulam for a 3 nights' stay at Seclude Kerala Sands (or Xandari Pearl/Marari Beach Resort). Relax with the option of Ayurveda massages before transferring to the Kochi airport for your return flight on day 12.
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”