Classic Kerala

11 days

Indicative of cost incl. flights:

A typical 4* holiday costs from

£2,990 per person

(Based on two people sharing a room. Christmas holidays and February or 5* hotels can be significantly more expensive.)

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Cochin (Kerala)

Periyar National Park (Wildlife Safaris)

The Backwaters (Kerala)

Kerala Beaches (Kerala)

Day 1

Depart the UK in the afternoon or evening for your flight to Cochin, via Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Mumbai. Alternatively travel from Gatwick with Air India directly.

Day 2

Fort Cochin’s narrow streets with their boutique shops, quirky cafes and burgeoning art scene can be explored on foot. The architecture is a unique blend of Portuguese, Dutch and British styles. In the evening, enjoy a cruise around the harbour and capture the iconic image of the setting sun behind the Chinese fishing nets.

Day 3

Today you will enjoy an exhilirating tour of Fort Cochin by tuk tuk. This is a great way to explore the culture, heritage and local life in this vibrant port. In the evening you may want to watch a traditional Kathakali dance show.

Day 4

Enjoy a scenic drive through rubber, coffee and tea plantations today as you reach Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Visit a plantation enroute. Periyar is one of the best managed forests in Kerala. The evening you may wish to take a boat safari for wildlife vewing. Elephants can often be spotted on the river banks.

Day 5

This morning rise early to walk with the tribal trackers to explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on foot. This is an eco- development activity that provides employment for the tribes that call these forests their home. Later go for a plantation tour into the Cardamom Hills. Kerala grow some of the worlds best quality spices. Enjoy a cooking demo to discover how masalas are prepared and used.

Day 6

Return to the coastal plain, home to the backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom. The backwaters are a unique eco system, and consists of rice fields, rural villages on narrow waterways and large lakes.

Day 7

Enjoy a relaxed backwater village experience. Cruise through the narrow canals and explore local life. Witness age old activities, such as coir weaving, rope making and fishing. See how the "toddy" is collected. For the adventurous why not explore by kayak.

Day 8

Today you may choose to spend the afternoon on your exclusive traditional houesboat. Lunch and high tea will be served and you reach Marari Beach by dusk.

Day 9

Downtime! A variety of activities can be booked locally.

Day 10

For the adventurous, rise early to explore the fishing villages by E- bikes. Witness the fresh catch being frenetically bargained over, before hurried towards inland markets. Later sit with the hotel chef for a cooking demo. If you prefer to chill, enjoy yoga by the sea and Ayurvedic treatments.

Day 11

Transfer to Cochin airport for your return flight home.

Where you'll go
What you'll do
Where you'll stay

Similar Holidays

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

Our Classic Kerala itinerary allows you to explore the highlights of Kerala, one of India’s most friendly and stunning destinations. This is the perfect laid-back introduction to Southern India for anybody short on time. Begin your trip in colonial Cochin, before driving through lush rubber, coffee and tea plantations to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Go on foot with tribal trackers to seek elephants in Periyar. Enjoy a relaxing stay in one of the gorgeous heritage properties or homestays on the backwaters and whilst here, explore the idyllic backwaters on a traditional houseboat for the day, before ending your trip on the wide sandy beaches of Marari.

2 nights Cochin – 2 nights Periyar – 2 nights Alleppey or Kumarakom – Backwater Cruise – 3 nights Marari.