We Love —
- Explore Kerala and discover its tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, ayurvedic health, historical moneuments and exotic wildlife.
- Enjoy an 8 day private tour visiting many wonderful sights of this magical place, staying in 4* and 5* accommodation during your adventures.
- Embark on a trip on a house boat, a truly enchanting escape as you glide along the tranquil waters and soak up the surrounding natural beauty.
Book Now, Pay Later —
Booking 90 days in advance and spending over £500 per person? No need to pay in full today! Just select the 30% deposit option on our payment page (terms & conditions apply)
Your Itinerary —
This morning you will arrive at Cochin International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a SITA representative will meet you as you exit the arrival terminal building (please keep a look out for a SITA placard with your name on it) and transfer you to your hotel, where you will proceed for check-in. The standard check in time at the hotel is 1400hrs.
Kochi, or more familiarly, Cochin is a city of many parts. Around for a long, long time, Kochi played a pivotal role in the development of shipping and trade in the region. Kochi's prime location on the west coast, its fine bay and protected harbour made it popular with seafarers and merchant ships who made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood en-route to the rich markets of Europe and West Asia. And so down the ages, Kochi prospered as a busy port city and commercial centre. Its seafront is still extremely relevant to Cochin and to India: it houses a Naval Base and one of India’s busiest ports.
Today afternoon you will start with a half day city tour of the city. You will first proceed to visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India, built in 1568; it was destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later. From Jewish Synagogue you will visit Chinese fishing nets. The cantilevered fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the 14th century although, today parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names. You will then visit St. Francis Church, originally named after Santo Antonio and dedicated to him as the Patron Saint of Portugal, St. Francis Church is the first church to have been in the new European influenced tradition.. You will also be visiting The Dutch Palace (Closed on Friday) at Mattancherry, which was built in 1555 and its coronation hall and murals at Ramayana are noteworthy features.
You will spend 2 nights in Cochin at Crowne Plaza Hotel on Bed and Breakfast Basis in Deluxe City View Room
Today proceed for a walking tour of Matancherry followed by a tuk tuk ride. During the tour the guide will take you to spice warehouses, artists, painters, photographers, hidden shrines, boutiques doing intricate hand embroidery work, cafes and restaurants.
In the evening witness a classical Indian dance show - Kathakali. Kathakali (Katha means story and Kali means play) is the classical dance drama of Kerala, which dates from the 17th century and is rooted in Hindu mythology. It has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. Kathakali is a traditional ritualistic art forms used for centuries to preserve the stories of Vedas. Elaborate costumes and gesture makes the Kathakali dancers something special to be hold.
Among the vestiges of Kerala's colonial past, boys play cricket on parade grounds, fishermen sell their catch along a shoreline dentellated with cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, patients queue for the potions of Ayurvedic practitioners in the shade of umbrella trees, and a snake-charmer entertains passers-by.
This morning you will drive to Periyar. On the way you will do a Tea Trail programme (closed on Public holidays & Sundays). This program includes a guided trip through the garden, an interpretive slide show, a guided factory visit, an opportunity to experience the different flavours of Connemara tea.
Periyar forest of Thekkady is well known for wild life sanctuary, situated on the banks of Periyar Lake and also known for diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, which attracts visitors from all over the world. It is situated on the high ranges of the Western Ghats which is covered by dense evergreen forests and savannah grass land. The Periyar wild life sanctuary offers a fairy good chance to seeing the herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques & Nilgiri langurs in its natural habitat.
Spread across an area of 777 sq. km of which 360 sq. km is thick ever green forest. In 1978 Periyar wildlife sanctuary was declared a Tiger reserve. Interestingly Periyar is often referred to Thekkady and as Kumily. These names are used interchangeably for the same area, however this can be a little confusing. To put it clearly The Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve lie in Thekkady which is an area in the town of Kumily.
Tthe travelling distance from Cochin to Thekkady is approx. 140 Kms / driving time approx. 04 hrs
In the morning proceed for a guided walk through spice plantation to see the cultivation of cardamom, pepper, vanilla and coffee.
In the afternoon proceed for common boat ride at the Lake Periyar. The Periyar Tiger Reserve and National Park - Established in 1934 as the Nelliampatty Sanctuary, the park was enlarged in 1950 and is India's southernmost tiger reserve. The lake covers some 10 sq. miles and most of the sanctuary is undulating. Since boat travel is the only means of transport in the park, large areas can be covered in a short time. Among the game found here are gaur (the largest of the world's wild oxen), elephant, wild pig, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, the rare and endangered lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur, the common langur and the bonnet macaque, porcupine, Malabar squirrel, wild dog and tiger.
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Alleppey Jetty point to board houseboat.
Climb aboard the traditional kettuvallams (riceboats) converted into houseboats with bedrooms and attached toilets. Originally these boats were used as ferries to carry rice. Cruise through the backwaters of Kerala. Houseboat is one of the 50 “must do” things as described by the National Geographic Traveller magazine. The backwater cruise through the narrow canals that criss-cross a typical Kerala Village, rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees and is a thrilling experience. The boat cruise takes you to small islets tucked away amidst those waters where you get glimpses of village at the best of its serenity and innocence. Lunch and dinner will be served on board.
You will also visit local the fish market with houseboat crew to experience the local shopping and bargaining in markets, you can buy fish of your own choice on direct payment basis & Houseboat crew will cook it for you in the evening during onboard dinner.
You will spend 1 night in AC Houseboat on Full Board Basis in a Premium Cabin (AC WILL BE OPERATIONAL FROM 09 PM TO 06 AM)
Travelling distance approx. 150 Kms, driving time approx. 4 ½ hours
A houseboat tour on the backwaters of Alleppey, with spectacular palm-lined backdrops, will enchant one and all.
Breakfast on board.
Disembark from the houseboat at the hotel @0900hrs and you will proceed to check in your hotel.
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Kumarakom: Located on the Southern coast of India enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate. Nature has composed its magic to perfection here. A million verdant coconut palms lining the rivers lean to examine its reflections on the glassy rivers. Everywhere, nature is at its best. Blooming forth in perfumes of flowers. In the riot of colours of multi-hued birds. In the fresh, succulent and bountiful freshwater fishes.
You will spend 2 nights in The Zuri Hotel on Bed and Breakfast Basis in Superior Lagoon View room
Day 07 - Kumarakom
Morning after breakfast you will be taken to the local village to experience the paddy filed and the local life around the backwaters. A small walking tour of the village will be organised by the local specialist guide.
Day 08 - Kumarakom to Cochin
In time you will be transferred to Cochin airport where you will be assisted by a SITA representative to board your onward flight to back home.( It is advisable to leave the hotel 4 ½ hrs prior to the flight departure time in order to cater to travel time till the airport and time required for immigration and boarding formalities.)
Travelling distance approx. 80 Kms, driving time approx. 1.5 Hrs
Your Accommodation —
You will be staying in the below accommodation or that or a similar standard.
Sleeps up to:
This upscale, waterfront hotel is 4.7 km from shopping along Mahatma Gandhi Road, 7 km from the 19th-century Hill Palace, and 8 km from the nearest railway station. Your refined room features floor-to-ceiling windows, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers and city views.
In a lush setting bordering the Periyar Tiger Reserve, this upscale safari lodge is a 5-minute walk from performances at the Mudra Cultural Centre and 4.4 km from spices and Ayurvedic products at Abraham's Spice Garden. Country-style rooms and suites in low-rise cottages come with complimentary Wi-Fi, desks and minibars.
These 80 feet long homes on water have been adapted into luxuriously furnished houseboats. Each is wonderfully decorated with coir mattresses on the floor. Houseboats normally have spacious living/dinning area and sun deck. It is attached with toilets, separate toilets for the crew, a spacious passage and a neat kitchen. Clean towel and blankets are provided. Three workers are appointed on the houseboat, one to cook and other two to drive the houseboat.
Set on the shores of Vembanad Lake, this upscale hotel is 5 km from Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and 12 km from Thirunakkara Sree Mahadevar Temple. Featuring lagoon-view verandas or balconies, the stylish rooms include minibars, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus tea and coffeemaking facilities.
Your Journey —
Flights: Included with Jet Airways, 23kg of Hold Baggage and 7kg of Cabin Baggage
Outbound
London Heathrow - Mumbai
21:20 - 11:00 +1
Mumbai - Cochin
13:35 - 15:35
Inbound
Cochin - Mumbai
09:15 - 11:15
Mumbai - London Heathrow
12:55 - 17:55
Transfers: Shared transfers are included. Private tours and transfers can be added at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee.