Captivating Kerala - 8 days

Saturday. Welcome to India! You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for a Welcome meeting at 14:00 - where you'll meet your guide and fellow group members. This evening be mesmerised by a traditional Kathakali dance performance. Be prepared for vibrant costumes, make-up, facemasks, lively dancing and a show of a lifetime.

Kochi - Munnar. On the morning of day 2 we enjoy a guided tour of the Fort Kochi neighbourhood. Examine intricate Chinese fishing nets and wander the winding streets of the old town. We immerse ourselves in local culture with a visit to the European-influenced St Francis Church, the Parsi Synagogue and a Dutch palace. After the tour we continue to Munnar - a town and hill station nestled in beautiful scenery and surrounded by tea plantations.









On day 3 we take a guided walk through one of these tea plantations and visit a local market, before the rest of the day is free to explore. Perhaps pay a visit to the stunning Eravikulam National Park (closed Jan - Mar). The park is home to endangered species including tigers, sambar deer and the Nilgiri Ibex - found only in this part of the world.

Munnar – Periyar. A drive south to Periyar, South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary and home to bison, antelopes, sambar, wild boar, birds and even the odd tiger! Kumily, close to the sanctuary and where we'll stay, is a pretty little town dotted with small spice and handicraft shops. There is plenty to do in and around Periyar, so we leave the choice to you for the remainder of the day.



On day 4 we will enjoy an included boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot herds of wild elephants, spending the remainder of the day at leisure to explore on own. You can opt for an optional visit to explore the spice plantation or enjoy a kalaripayattu dance performance Periyar.

Periyar - Alleppey - Keralan backwaters. Today we leave Periyar and take a scenic drive to Alleppey. Here we board our private rice boat for a voyage through the famous Kerala backwaters. Our rice-boat takes us sedately along the enchanting palm-fringed backwaters, covering a distance of some 20 kms, during which time the boat glides past local villages and fascinating scenes of everyday rural life. Watch a beautiful sunset over the backwaters and enjoy tasty meals (starting with lunch) prepared by the on-board chef using fresh local produce.

Kerala Backwaters - Kumarakom. On the morning of day 5 we disembark the rice boat at Kumarakom, built on a cluster of islands in Lake Vembanad - one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes. Enjoy two days at leisure in this vibrant region and watch as local fishermen go to work in their small vallams (fishing boats). The nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is also worth a visit - it’s home to many species and is an important stopover for migratory birds, including the critically endangered Siberian Crane.

Kumarakom – Kochi. Formerly a princely state, Kochi is also fondly referred to as “The Queen of the Arabian Sea”. The rest of the day is at leisure exploring Kochi on its own.This evening you can opt for an optional tour to watch an entertaining and traditional Kathakali dance show. Kathakali performers are known for their elaborate costumes and makeup and they always put on a fantastic show.

Saturday. Our South India adventure comes to an end today with an included departure transfer to Kochi airport.