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Classic Kerala Holiday

12 Days / 11 Nights from £1475/ $1918 per person

The Classic Kerala Holiday is a well-paced private tour designed to showcase this beautiful slice of tropical paradise complete with its breathtaking mountain vistas, tumbling waterfalls, tranquil backwaters, tea estates, spice gardens and miles of virtually deserted sandy beaches. From the delightful port city of Cochin (Kochi), where you’ll visit the colourful spice markets and discover the fading British and Portuguese colonial heritage, the Classic Kerala holiday strikes inland into the foothills of the Western Ghats, where your base is a working spice farm turned comfortable homestay. After experiences including picking black-pepper alongside estate workers and mastering your culinary skills during a cookery workshop, you’ll climb up to the Hill Station of Munnar to enjoy the sight of its stunning emerald green hills and sample the lifestyle of a tea planter. Walks in the hills and tea on the lawn are followed by some downtime in Kumarakom beside the idyllic palm-fringed shores of Lake Vembanad. Then, board a privately chartered traditional houseboat (kettuvallam) and sail slowly through the timeless and sublimely beautiful backwaters that are the very essence of tropical Kerala’s magic. The Classic Kerala Holiday concludes in style on the golden tropical beaches that fringe the Indian Ocean.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day Location/Route Overnight Sapphire Hotels Diamond Hotels
Day 1 Arrive Cochin Airport. Afternoon at leisure. Evening sunset cruise. 2 nights Cochin Old Harbour Hotel Brunton Boatyard
Day 2 Morning tour of Cochin’s historic Fort District. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 3 Drive to Dewalokam, an organic farm that is tucked amongst the foothills of the mighty Western Ghats. Afternoon guided village walk. 2 nights Kodikulam Dewalokam Dewalokam
Day 4 Pick black-pepper and other spices, then assist the resident-chef in an interactive cooking lesson. Afternoon is at leisure.
Day 5 Drive to the lush hill country of Munnar, which was once a British summer retreat and is an ideal base for scenic walks and soft treks. The afternoon is at leisure. 2 nights Munnar Talayar Valley Bungalow The Windermere Estate Plantation & Retreat
Day 6 Enjoy a guided treak to the small yet scenic Lakkam falls. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 7 A morning's drive will bring you to Kumarakom, a superb base to explore the alluring Keralan backwaters. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

 2 nights Kerala Backwaters Purity Kumarakom Lake Resort
Day 8 Explore Manchira village, a typical backwater village and witness the slow, unhurried pace of life in rural Kerala. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 9 Drive to Alleppey and board your private traditional-style houseboat. 1 night Backwater Cruise Kumarakom Traditional Houseboat Kumarakom Traditional Houseboat
Day 10 Disembark from your houseboat and drive to the coastal village of Mararikulam. 2 nights Marari Marari Beach Resort Marari Beach Resort
Day 11 Today is at leisure.
Day 12 Transfer to Cochin Airport. Farewell to India.
Tour Highlights
  • Discover historic Fort Cochin.
  • Watch a traditional Kalaripayattu martial arts performance.
  • Learn the nuances of Keralan cuisine.
  • Pick pepper and other exotic spices alongside estate workers at Dewalokam
  • Visit a working tea estate and trek to the scenic Lakkam falls.
  • Walk through scenic villages.
  • Cruise through Kerala's enchanting backwaters and stay overnight on a traditional houseboat.
  • Relax in a stylish beach-front resort.
Extend Your Stay
  • 2 nights: Explore Cardamom Hills.
  • 3 nights: Discover the temple city of Madurai.
  • 5 nights: Gaze on the Taj Mahal & explore India's Golden Triangle.
Route Map - Classic Kerala Holiday
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