Day 1 UK - In flight
VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your flight to Kochi.
Day 2 Kochi
On arrival in Kochi, you'll transfer to your hotel before a walking tour of the town to see the historic St Francis Church, the Santa Cruz Basilica and the age-old Chinese fishing nets still in use in the bay. You’ll visit the Synagogue and Dutch Palace, built in traditional Kerala Nalukettu style. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area, with its well-preserved Dutch and Portuguese buildings.
Tour of Kochi (morning)
Day 3 Kochi - Munnar
Today you'll journey through captivating countryside to the verdant slopes of tea country, where you'll stay in Munnar for three nights. This stunning location begs to be explored during your afternoon at leisure. This evening, you'll take a walking tour of the small but vibrant colourful local market, selling fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, and homemade treats.
Day 4 Munnar
Munnar is a quaint little town that exudes a rare olde-worlde charm, evoking memories of the days of the Raj with its elegant splendour. The morning includes a sightseeing tour, passing some of the old colonial homes. The afternoon includes a visit to a tea plantation and tea museum. You'll also visit the beautiful areas of Mattupetty Dam; Echo Point; Kundala Lake; Jungle Honey Bee Nest and, if open, Rajamalai National Park - natural habitat of the rare mountain goat.
Tour of Munnar and its surroundings, including tea plantation and museum (all day)
Day 5 Munnar
Today is free for you to relax or enjoy this scenic region further.
Day 6 Munnar - Periyar
You'll depart Munnar this morning, swapping views of tea plantations for spice plantations. Sitting a kilometre above sea level, Periyar boasts the perfect natural environment for growing cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, cloves, vanilla, ginger and coffee. For centuries, Periyar has produced much of India’s pepper. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure.
Day 7 Periyar
Today, you'll head to a spice garden to learn about their harvest. Afterwards, you’ll take a boat ride on Lake Periyar for a chance to see various species of wildlife, including perhaps deer, boar, otters, birdlife - or even elephants, tigers and Indian wild dogs.
Visit to a spice garden (morning)
Boat ride on Lake Periyar (afternoon)
Day 8 Periyar - Alappuzha
This morning you'll head to Alappuzha and board a beautifully crafted deluxe houseboat for an unforgettable overnight cruise. These elegant crafts were once common cargo vessels along the backwaters of Kerala, poled by one or two men. They have been restored as extremely eco-friendly houseboats that glide through the 1,500km maze of waterways that link small lakes and lagoons.
Houseboat cruise (afternoon/overnight)
Day 9 Alappuzha - Kollam
After your magical overnight cruise, you’ll transfer to Kollam, the ‘dreamland of Kerala’ for a relaxing two-night stay. Your hotel is located on Mala lake, amidst landscaped gardens and coconut groves.
Day 10 Kollam
Your time here is free to spend as you wish, relaxing or maybe exploring the old seaport town, which has led the way in the spice trade since medieval times. The remains of Fort Thomas and the British Residency highlight its historical importance to Europe.
Day 11 Kollam - Kochi
You'll transfer back to Kochi and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening you’ll watch a traditional Kathakali dance performance, based on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Kathakali dance performance (evening)
Day 12 Kochi - UK
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
