We Love —
- Visiting a tea museum and plantation to see how the tea leaves are plucked and processed.
- Getting a chance to see wildlife such as elephants, tigers and deer on a boat ride in Periyar.
- Going on a houseboat in Kerala and experiencing National Geographic Traveller Magazine’s top 50 things to do!
- Extending the trip in Madurai to see the Thirumalai Nayaka Palace and the Bronze Gallery of the Government Museum.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Book the trip of a lifetime to India and discover this mystical and fascinating land. Enjoy an 8-night tour through the Kerala region and see all of its highlights.
Extend your trip to Madurai with the 10-night offer: the southwestern part of the country and its coastline await you!
Your itinerary:
8 nights offer
Day 1: Arrival in Cochin (Kochi)
Day 2: Cochin (Kochi)
Day 3: Cochin (Kochi) - Munnar
Day 4: Munnar
Day 5: Munnar - Periyar
Day 6: Periyar - Alleppey
Day 7: Alleppey - Kovalam
Day 8: Kovalam
Day 9: Kovalam - Trivandrum - Departure
10 nights offer
Day 1: Arrival in Cochin (Kochi)
Day 2: Cochin (Kochi)
Day 3: Cochin (Kochi) - Munnar
Day 4: Munnar
Day 5: Munnar - Madurai
Day 6: Madurai
Day 7: Madurai - Periyar
Day 8: Periyar - Allepey
Day 9: Allepey - Kovalam
Day 10: Kovalam
Day 11: Kovalam - Trivandrum - Departure
Please note that the order of activities may be changed without affecting the programme.
Your Itinerary In Detail —
8-night Tour
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN KOCHI BY AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
You will arrive at Kochi International Airport. Following Customs/Immigration formalities and baggage collection, our representative will meet you as you exit the arrivals terminal building. They will then transfer you to your hotel.
Upon arrival at the hotel, proceed to check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
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 is on the west coast and 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 markets of Europe and West Asia. Kochi prospered as a busy port city and commercial centre.
DAY 2: IN KOCHI
Today, you will be able to explore Kochi city thoroughly. You will first proceed to Mattancherry, where you will visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue (closed on 2nd half of Friday & full day Saturday) in India, built in 1568; it was destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later. You will also be visiting The Dutch Palace (closed on Friday), which was built in 1555 and its coronation hall and murals of Ramayana are noteworthy features.
Following your visit to the Jewish Synagogue, you will head to the Chinese fishing nets. The fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the 14th century although, today, parts of the nets are known to have 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. Originally, a wooden building was replaced by the present stone building. Vasco De Gamma died on the site in 1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. 14 years later, his body was removed and sent back to Portugal. The church was renamed to St. Francis in 1663.
In the evening, you will be taken to a Kathakali dance centre, where you will witness the most elaborate of the dance forms in southern India. Here you will see the artists readying themselves up with makeup for the final performance. Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300-year-old classical dance form, which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 3: KOCHI – MUNNAR (120kms / 4h00)
After enjoying a buffet breakfast, proceed to check-out of the hotel. Then, you will be driven to Munnar. Upon arrival, proceed to check into your hotel.
Munnar is the nature-lover’s paradise. Snuggling in the green and serene Kannan Devan Hills lies the quiet and restful resort of Munnar. Panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys make it a pretty little haven with a cool, bracing climate. A little beyond lies Anaimudi, South India's highest peak.
The rest of the day is free for independent activities.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
After visiting the tea museum, proceed to walk through the Tea Plantations, admiring the splendid landscape. During this visit to the Tea Plantations, you will get a chance to learn about the plucking of tea leaves (subject to the growth of the leaves at the time of the visit) from the workers & you can also have an interaction with local people to learn about their life & cultures.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 5: MUNNAR - PERIYAR (90 kms / 3h00 drive)
Drive this morning to Periyar.
Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq kms. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake; it attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants.
On arrival in Periyar, proceed to check into your hotel.
In the afternoon, visit a place where you will learn about the cultivation of cardamom, pepper, vanilla and coffee.
Later, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar. The Periyar Tiger Reserve and National Park - Established in 1934 as the Nelliampatty Sanctuary, 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. Among the birds commonly seen are darters, cormorant, osprey, kingfisher and kite, great hornbill, grey hornbill, hill mynas, orioles and racket-tailed drongos.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 6: PERIYAR –ALLEPPEY (127 kms / 4h00 drive)
In the morning, you will drive through the countryside to Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha). Upon arrival at Alleppey, you will be transferred to the Alleppey Jetty point to board a houseboat.
Lunch will be served on board.
Climb aboard a traditional Kettuvallam (Rice-boat) converted into houseboats with bedrooms and attached toilets. Originally, these boats were used as ferries to carry rice.
Cruise through the backwaters of Kerala. The houseboat experience is one of the 50 “must do” things as described by the National Geographic Traveller magazine.
Cruise through the narrow canals that criss-cross a typical Kerala Village, rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees - it is a thrilling experience. The boat cruise takes you to small islets tucked away amidst the water, where you get glimpses of the village at the best of its serenity and innocence. Watch village belles picking mussels, while their men folk collect sand from the bottom of the canal. Watch the village folk make the golden fibre called coir from coconut husk and transform it into various coir products. Rustling coconut groves abound. Stop over to drink calm fresh coconut water and watch the toddy-tapper tap at work.
Dinner & overnight stay on the houseboat.
DAY 7: ALLEPPEY – KOVALAM (175 kms / 4h00 drive)
Breakfast will be served on board of the Houseboat.
Disembark the houseboat in the morning and drive to Kovalam.
Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
Kovalam was brought to the public eye by the Maharaja of Travancore. The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potentiality of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination in the 1930s. However, Kovalam shot into the limelight in the early seventies with the arrival of hippies. That started the transformation of a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in all India - the Kovalam beach. It is a beautiful place in Kerala.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 8: IN KOVALAM
Today, you have the whole day to enjoy at your own leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 9: KOVALAM – TRIVANDRUM (13 kms / 0h30 drive) – DEPARTURE BY AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
You will be transferred to Trivandrum International Airport in time to board your flight.
10-night Tour (Extension in Madurai)
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN KOCHI BY AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
You will arrive at Kochi International Airport. Following Customs/Immigration formalities and baggage collection, our representative will meet you as you exit the arrivals terminal building. They will then transfer you to your hotel.
Upon arrival at the hotel, proceed to check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
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 is on the west coast and 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 markets of Europe and West Asia. Kochi prospered as a busy port city and commercial centre.
DAY 2: IN KOCHI
Today, you will be able to explore Kochi city thoroughly. You will first proceed to Mattancherry, where you will visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue (closed on 2nd half of Friday & full day Saturday) in India, built in 1568; it was destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later. You will also be visiting The Dutch Palace (closed on Friday), which was built in 1555 and its coronation hall and murals of Ramayana are noteworthy features.
Following your visit to the Jewish Synagogue, you will head to the Chinese fishing nets. The fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the 14th century although, today, parts of the nets are known to have 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. Originally, a wooden building was replaced by the present stone building. Vasco De Gamma died on the site in 1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. 14 years later, his body was removed and sent back to Portugal. The church was renamed to St. Francis in 1663.
In the evening, you will be taken to a Kathakali dance centre, where you will witness the most elaborate of the dance forms in southern India. Here you will see the artists readying themselves up with makeup for the final performance. Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300-year-old classical dance form, which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 3: KOCHI – MUNNAR (120kms / 4h00)
After enjoying a buffet breakfast, proceed to check-out of the hotel. Then, you will be driven to Munnar. Upon arrival, proceed to check into your hotel.
Munnar is the nature-lover’s paradise. Snuggling in the green and serene Kannan Devan Hills lies the quiet and restful resort of Munnar. Panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys make it a pretty little haven with a cool, bracing climate. A little beyond lies Anaimudi, South India's highest peak.
The rest of the day is free for independent activities.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 4: IN MUNNAR
After breakfast, proceed for the visit of the famous Tea Museum. The Tata Tea Museum (closed Monday) allows visitors to witness the various stages of tea processing, and also learn a thing or two about the production of black tea.
After visiting the tea museum, proceed to walk through the Tea Plantations, admiring the splendid landscape. During this visit to the Tea Plantations, you will get a chance to learn about the plucking of tea leaves (subject to the growth of the leaves at the time of the visit) from the workers & you can also have an interaction with local people to learn about their life & cultures.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 5: MUNNAR - MADURAI (155 kms / 5h00 drive)
You will drive to the temple town of Tamil Nadu Madurai which is located a 5-hour drive from Munnar. Arrival and check into your hotel.
Madurai is a flourishing market town since at least the 2nd century BC. It is the centre of power for many dynasties and a seat of divinity. In a city that has been so much to so many, is it any wonder that you stumble upon stories wherever you go? Join us on a short walk through this ancient city and learn about its history through the telling of fascinating stories.
The rest of the day is free to do as you please.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
In the evening, you will proceed to Meenakshi Temple to witness “Going to Bed Ceremony”. With lots of noise and commotion, the fish-eyed goddess and her husband are carried from their separate daytime places to the inner sanctum, and placed together, for a night of love.
Note: non-Hindus are not allowed inside the inner sanctum of the temple.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 7: MADURAI - PERIYAR (90 kms / 3h00 drive)
Drive this morning to Periyar.
Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq kms. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake; it attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants.
On arrival in Periyar, proceed to check into your hotel.
In the afternoon, visit a place where you will learn about the cultivation of cardamom, pepper, vanilla and coffee.
Later, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar. The Periyar Tiger Reserve and National Park - Established in 1934 as the Nelliampatty Sanctuary, 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. Among the birds commonly seen are darters, cormorant, osprey, kingfisher and kite, great hornbill, grey hornbill, hill mynas, orioles and racket-tailed drongos.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 8: PERIYAR –ALLEPPEY (127 kms / 4h00 drive)
In the morning, you will drive through the countryside to Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha). Upon arrival at Alleppey, you will be transferred to the Alleppey Jetty point to board a houseboat.
Lunch will be served on board.
Climb aboard a traditional Kettuvallam (Rice-boat) converted into houseboats with bedrooms and attached toilets. Originally, these boats were used as ferries to carry rice.
Cruise through the backwaters of Kerala. The houseboat experience is one of the 50 “must do” things as described by the National Geographic Traveller magazine.
Cruise through the narrow canals that criss-cross a typical Kerala Village, rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees - it is a thrilling experience. The boat cruise takes you to small islets tucked away amidst the water, where you get glimpses of the village at the best of its serenity and innocence. Watch village belles picking mussels, while their men folk collect sand from the bottom of the canal. Watch the village folk make the golden fibre called coir from coconut husk and transform it into various coir products. Rustling coconut groves abound. Stop over to drink calm fresh coconut water and watch the toddy-tapper tap at work.
Dinner & overnight stay on the houseboat.
DAY 9: ALLEPPEY – KOVALAM (175 kms / 4h00 drive)
Breakfast will be served on board of the Houseboat.
Disembark the houseboat in the morning and drive to Kovalam.
Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
Kovalam was brought to the public eye by the Maharaja of Travancore. The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potentiality of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination in the 1930s. However, Kovalam shot into the limelight in the early seventies with the arrival of hippies. That started the transformation of a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in all India - the Kovalam beach. It is a beautiful place in Kerala.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 10: IN KOVALAM
Today, you have the whole day to enjoy at your own leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 11: KOVALAM – TRIVANDRUM (13 kms / 0h30 drive) – DEPARTURE BY AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
You will be transferred to Trivandrum International Airport in time to board your flight.
Your Hotels —
HAND-PICKED JUST FOR YOU
Maximum room capacity
Relax in our selection of 4* hotels during your trip to India:
Your accommodation:
In Kochi: Hotel Casino or similar in a Standard Room
In Madurai (if you choose the 10-night package): Courtyard By Marriott Hotel
In Munnar: The Tall Trees / Amber Dale
In Periyar: The Tall Trees / Amber Dale
In Alleppey: Houseboat Deluxe
In Kovalam: Travancore Heritage
In case of unavailability of the hotels listed above, you will be accommodated in hotels of similar category.
IMPORTANT:
Your Dining Choices
This offer is based on a Bed and Breakfast stay throughout the trip. On the Houseboat, you will enjoy a Full Board basis (breakfast, lunch and evening meal - excludes drinks).
Upgrade to a Half Board (breakfast and evening meal served in the main restaurant - excludes drinks) or Full Board Basis (breakfast, lunch and evening meal served in the main restaurant - excludes drinks) at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee. Please note: some dining outlets/menu items and premium, branded and international drinks may not be included and may incur a surcharge payable locally. Meals, snacks and drinks may be available at selected times only.
Your Options —
Christmas Dinner Supplement
Guests staying on Christmas Eve (24th December) will have an additional fee added to the cost of their booking, payable for mandatory gala dinners on these dates.
New Year's Eve Dinner Supplement
Guests staying on New Year's Eve (31st December) will have an additional fee added to the cost of their booking, payable for mandatory gala dinners on these dates.
Your Journey to India —
Flights:
You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process. The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
