Kerala - A Taste Of Southern IndiaEscorted Tour, India

Peaceful backwaters, aromatic spices and some of India’s best beaches, this is what you’ll find in Kerala, alongside a lush landscape and incredible wildlife. You’ll spend the night on a houseboat and you may even spot the elusive tiger.

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Return flights

Use of an airport lounge in the UK

Dedicated representative to greet you at selected UK airports

8 nights in 4 and 5-star hotels plus 1 night in flight

Cruise: 1 night on one of Kerala's famous houseboats cruising the backwaters

21 included meals: 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 9 dinners including a welcome drink & farewell get-together

Tour Manager as your host

Overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage

INCLUDED HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Cochin tour

Cooking demonstration & lunch with a local chef

Traditional ‘Sadya’ dinner

Kathakali dance show

Spice plantation visit

Game viewing by boat

Local village tour in Kumarokam

ITINERARY

DAY 1 UK TO COCHIN

Today you'll fly to India.

DAY 2 COCHIN

Kerala's cosmopolitan capital Cochin is known as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' thanks to the beauty of its natural harbour. The city is made up of a series of picturesque islands and boasts unique houses built on stilts and tranquil backwaters.

On arrival you will be met by a local guide who will transfer you to your hotel for check in. After settling in at your hotel, you will be met later this evening by your Tour Manager, where you will get to know your travelling companions over dinner this evening.

Meals included: Dinner

DAY 3 COCHIN

Today begins with a morning tour of Cochin. You'll head to the centre of Jew Town, a bustling port area and centre of Cochin's spice trade, where you will see the oldest Jewish Synagogue in the commonwealth, dating back to 1568.  Next stop is the Mattancherry Kerala Palace, renamed the Dutch Palace after Cochin was taken from the Portuguese by the Dutch. Admire the splendid murals that adorn some of the rooms, said to be amongst the best in India. You’ll round off your tour with a visit to St Francis Church, where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama died and was buried.

At lunchtime you are invited to a cooking demonstration in the home of a well-known local chef and food journalist. Here, you'll learn how to use Kerala's aromatic spices in your own cooking and get to sample the dishes you create.

Another speciality of Kerala is Kathakali dance and you'll learn about this unique art form this evening before enjoying a 'Sadya' vegetarian feast with the group. This shared meal will take you on a gastronomic journey through Kerala as you try a tempting selection of dishes from many different regions. Each is served following local customs and come in an order which is said to help digestion. You'll eat from a banana leaf, which points in a certain direction, with rice served on the bottom half, and other items placed in clockwise order. You'll find that your hosts serve dessert mid-way through the meal.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 4 COCHIN - THEKKADY

A long but rewarding drive is on the cards today as you head to Thekkady. There's a treat for all the senses as you journey past rice paddies, tea and rubber tree plantations and aromatic gardens of coffee, cardamom and pepper plants, while the Western Ghats mountain range provides a beautiful backdrop to the surrounding rainforests and backwaters.

As the sun goes down, you'll head to a spice plantation where you'll enjoy a tour. Superb peppers are grown here on the Malabar Coast and as such are referred to as 'black gold'.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 5 THEKKADY

You're heading into Periyar Game Reserve today. A boat trip will give you the chance to look for elephants, bison and deer on the shoreline, as well as all manner of exotic plants that, if you're very lucky, may be hiding the elusive tiger.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 6 THEKKADY - ALLEPPEY

Your drive this morning takes you to Alleppey, where you'll board one of Kerala's famous houseboats for an overnight stay with a difference. Your 'kettuvallom' – modelled on the area's traditional rice boats – offers an unforgettable experience for you and your travelling companions. Head on deck for a cruise through the backwaters to see how the locals live, then enjoy a tranquil evening as your boat anchors in a quiet spot.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7 ALLEPPEY - KUMARAKOM

Breakfast served on your houseboat is a great start to the day. You'll then take to the road and head to Kumarakom, cutting a route through coconut farms and fragrant spice gardens. A village tour and stop for lunch gives you a chance to stretch your legs before arrival at your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 8 KUMARAKOM - KOVALAM

The final leg of our journey takes you to the Kovalam beach area today – a stunning location with magnificent beaches on which to relax and soak up the sun.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 9 KOVALAM - AT LEISURE

You've another full day to relax in the beautiful coastal resort of Kovalam. You could choose to stay put and enjoy the facilities at your hotel, which include three swimming pools, a spa and health club.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 10 KOVALAM - AT LEISURE

The day is yours to do as you please. Be sure to head to the beach to see the fishermen pulling in the huge Chinese fishing nets for which this area is famous. Join your fellow travellers this evening for a farewell dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 11 KOVALAM - UK

You'll transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Meals included: Breakfast

PLEASE NOTE

Due to the nature of these holidays, other travellers will join or leave the tour at different times.

Kerala - A Taste Of Southern India is located in Escorted Tour, India. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 29/06/2020