10Days Splendid Kerala

Arrive in Cochin and transfer to your hotel.

Take an afternoon tour of Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, with its wealth of historical associations and its magnificent setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. Of special mention is the older parts of the Fort Cochin area. This part of the city reflects an unusual blend of medieval Portuguese, Dutch and English country life grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. The 16^th century Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, is a fascinating fort with elegant buildings and interesting collections from the Royal traditions of the region. The unique feature of Cochin is the unexpected and isolated Jewish community, whose origins date back to AD 52. They are self-contained in Jew Town and have their own Synagogue.

A special treat awaits us this evening as we proceed to witness the strength and vigour of Kathakali dance drama, as it enacts episodes from great Indian epics. The extremely stylized gestures, the elaborate make-up, the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male dancers, recreate an incomparable sense of pageantry.

Today you drive to Munnar, the highest town of Kerala with a cool, bracing climate exuding old-world charm and popular for extensive tea and cardamom plantations on lustrous rolling hills.

This morning, take a walk through the tea plantation. Some of the plantations here lie at an altitude of 2100 m making them among the highest in the world. Visit a Tea Museum. This museum basically is a demo model of a working tea factory and show the basic processes of tea making. This museum was established by Tata Tea and features rare exhibits and photographs that trace the tea industry, right from its formative years to the modern times. Trek through cardamom forests and landscaped tea shrubs.

Drive to Dewalokam. Afternoon explore the village of Dewalokam meeting locals, observing their homes and their lifestyles. Dewalokam is a very special place, a farm with luxuriant vegetation on the banks of a small river, where life is celebrated with good food and friendly environment.  Completely cut off from the cities and ‘madding crowds’ it is located in the lap of nature, lulled by a murmuring river and birdsong, unlike any touristy place, it give you an experience of real-life Kerala. There are heaps of sporting and cultural activities at the village, that you can participate in.

Drive this morning to pier to board a Houseboat. A houseboat cruise is the best way to explore the beauty of the backwaters; sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwater canals that take you through nearby villages. Cruise on the backwater canals in a personal, luxurious kettuvalam (houseboat), watching the paddy fields painted rich greens, rice barges and village life along the slim canals of Kerala.Enjoy your evening on the sundeck away from polluted cities and maddening crowd. The only disturbance will be the twinkle of a shining star or the leap of a fish near you.

Late morning, disembark at Alleppey, also known as “Venice of the East” for its narrow canals. Proceed towards Varkala for your beach break.

Day at leisure.

Day at leisure

Transfer to Trivandrum airport for your onward flight.

Note: Contact us if you require more options on Hotel categories.

Private program - can start any day of the week and can be customised

Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotels, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned private car, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes.