Tailormade India - Keralan Spice Coast
Tailormade India - Keralan Spice Coast
Discover Kerala, a state in south-west India, on this 10-night trip.
You will arrive in Kochi & from there you will continue on to see the major highlights of this unforgettable region. Highlights include: visiting the Spice Village of India, taking a cruise aboard a houseboat through the narrow lakes & canals. You will end your trip with 3 days on a pristine beach in Kovalam.
Basic Kerala trip itinerary
Days 1–2 Kochi
Day 3 Periyar
Days 4–5 Kumarakom
Day 6 Alleppey
Days 7–9 Kovalam
Day 10 End tour
Detailed Kerala trip itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kochi
Upon arrival in Kochi you will be met and assisted with your formalities before transferring to your chosen hotel.
Stay: 2 nights Taj Malabar, Superior Room (Deluxe) or Le Meidien, Backwater Facing Room (Superior)
Day 2: Kochi
After breakfast proceed for a half-day city tour of Kochi. Visit the Jewish Synagogue (of 1568), which is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. Also visit the ancient Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557. This palace was presented to the ruler of Cochin as a gesture of goodwill. The most important feature of the palace is the astonishing murals that adorn some of the palace rooms, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharta and Puranic legends connected with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Kumara and Durga.
Another stop is made at the St. Francis Church, the oldest European built church in India. Also pay a visit to the amazing Chinese fishing nets operating on principles of physics advanced for their times. This evening, pick up from the hotel and transfer to a local theatre to learn about Kerala’s fascinating art from, Kathakali. The Kathakali performers begin to train for their art at a young age, and their study continues for a lifetime.
Day 3: Periyar
After breakfast drive to Periyar. Located on the Tamil Nadu & Kerala border this region is known as the Spice Village of India for its vast spice and tea gardens. The road winds through mountains, descending through a carpet of tea bushes, estates of tall rubber trees and gardens of coffee, cardamom and pepper. Upon arrival in Thekkady (Periyar) you will check in to your resort. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. This afternoon enjoy a boat cruise to see some wild animals.
Stay:1 night Spice Village, Standard Villa (Deluxe and Superior)
Day 4: Kumarakom
Set in one of the most idyllic locations in Kerala, Kumarakom is a tiny settlement, nestled in the backwaters of Kerala and evokes images of Kashmir. You will drive to a local village where you will board a country style boat to Kumarakom. This is a beautiful paradise of mangrove forest, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies.
Stay: 2 nights Kumarakom Lake Resort, Meandering Pool Villa (Deluxe) or Coconut Lagoon, Heritage Bungalow (Superior).
Day 5: Kumarakom
Enjoy an early morning bird watching tour by boat. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the backwaters around Kumarakom.
Day 6: Alleppey (Houseboat)
Start cruising through narrow lakes & canals towards Alleppey. The coastal town of Alleppey on the Arabian sea, called the ‘Venice of the East’ for the numerous canals that meander through the town.
The backwaters in Kerala are a network of 1500 kms of canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other.
Stay: 1 night Deluxe Houseboat, Deluxe Cabin (Deluxe and Superior)
Day 7: Kovalam
After breakfast on board, disembark the houseboat and drive to Kovalam. The rest of the day is free to relax on the beach. The exotic town of Kovalam is positioned on the Malabar Coast of Kerala. Today, of all the beaches Kerala, Kovalam is one of the most pristine.
Stay: 3 nights The Leela Kempinski,Beach View Deluxe Room (Deluxe) or Taj Green Cove & Resort, Superior Garden View (Superior).
Days 08-09 : Kovalam
Your time here is free to enjoy the relaxing surrounds of Kovalam.
Day 10: Depart Kovalam
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight back to the UK.
More about Kerala:
India’s southern coast, between the Arabian Sea and Western Ghats, is blessed by a perfect climate, where Indian life runs at a slower pace. Liberal and easygoing, the region is unsurprisingly a popular spot with tourists and travellers who come to explore its backwaters, a network of rivers, canals and lagoons. Rice paddies and coconut groves line the banks, while houseboats cruise the waters. The coast’s sandy beaches fill with sun worshippers while the mountains are carpeted in plantations of tea and spices.
Prices:
Deluxe Hotels - from £1,626 pp
Superior Hotels - from £1,476 pp
Price includes:
- Flights
- Transfers
- 9 nights BB accommodation (FB on houseboat)
- Sightseeing and excursions by private air-conditioned vehicle & services of an English-speaking guide.
To book, call 0845 643 6562
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX1313.
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