A 13-Day Journey Through Serene Kerala

Kerala is known for its expansive lush green scenery, traditional art, and remarkable culture. This beautiful destination is known as ‘God’s Own Country’. Your 13-Day tour will start on arrival in Kochi – the gateway to Kerala. The city is known for its British, Dutch, and Portuguese architecture and the only place outside of China to see the Chinese fishing nets. From here you travel to Munnar and Thekkady – known for its lush tea and spice plantations. Then comes the backwaters experience in Kumarakom and Alleppey, where you will admire interesting life while sailing on a traditional Houseboat. Your final stop will be in Mararikulam – a charming beach destination.

 

Itinerary

Day 1: Kochi Arrival

Arrive at Kochi’s International airport.

Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel by private vehicle.

Spend the day at leisure to get over jet lag.

Set on a cluster of islands and a peninsula, Cochin (now, Kochi) is a blend of medieval Portugal, Holland, and an English country village.

Here you can see the oldest church in India, winding streets crammed with 500-year-old Portuguese houses, and a palace built by the Portuguese and given to the King of Cochin.

Kochi can unarguably be the most ideal point if you wish to see the unfathomable beauty of the state of Kerala.

Overnight at the hotel in Cochin

Day 2: Kochi Tour

Explore the Fort Kochi and Mattancherry Visit the Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays)

Visit the Paradesi Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays), one of the oldest and very few functional synagogues, built by the European and Middle Eastern Jews in 1568.

Unlike The main highlights of this place are the Scrolls of the Law, several Gold Crowns, Belgian Glass Chandeliers and a brass-railed pulpit and the floor that has hundreds of 18th century Chinese hand-painted porcelain tiles.

Explore the Spice Market – where most of the spices were traded. It is dotted with antique shops.

Also visit the St. Francis Church (closed on Sundays). Started in 1503 and completed in 1516 by the Portuguese this is the oldest European church in India.

In the evening proceed to witness Kerala Kaleidoscope – Showcasing quintessentially magnificent vignettes of Kerala’s rich cultural traditions, uniquely choreographed repertoire of live classical dance and music performed in a heritage theatre with legendary ritualistic folk invocations and martial arts.

OPTIONAL TOUR OPTIONS: Validity: – 01st Oct ‘23 – 30th Sep’24

BLUE BUS TOUR: A fun tour in Cochin to enjoy all the local vibe done using public transport – Bus, Tuk-Tuk, Ferry. GBP 30 Per Person

ANGLO INDIAN COOKING LESSON: Anglo-Indian cuisine embraced everything that was Indian and mixed it up with all that was European. GBP 20 Per Person

Overnight at the hotel in Cochin

Breakfast included.

Day 3: Kochi – Munnar

Travel onto Munnar – home to the beautiful tea estates in Kerala Today, leave for Munnar- the famed hill station of Kerala that boasts of thick forests, scenic valleys, sprawling tea plantations and winding walkways.

Arrive Munnar and check in at the hotel – spend rest of the day at leisure.

There are various plantations: tea, coffee, cardamom, and other spices.

A perfect opportunity to turn on the adventure streak in you as it offers an array of exhilarating activities that range from rock climbing, rappelling to paragliding and even cycling.

Overnight at the hotel in Munnar

Breakfast included.

Day 4:  Munnar Tour

Day to explore the beauty of the winding tea estates of Munnar.

Later proceed to walk through the Tea Plantations.

During this visit learn plucking of Tea Leaves from the workers & also interact with local people and learn about their life & cultures.

Also visit the famous Tea Museum, which shows miniature functions as that in a tea factory.

The Tata Tea Museum (Monday Closed) diligently portrays the growth of Munnar tea estates.

Spend the rest of the afternoon in the hotel or explore the surroundings on an easy hike.

OPTIONAL TOUR OPTIONS

Munnar: Top Valley Trek: One of the best treks at Kottagudi, Munnar, to view the landscape and explore some of the endemic birds of the region. GBP 39 Per Person

Kolukkumalai Trek: One of the highest growing estates in the world. The trek begins at Suryanelli, which is approximately 25km drive away from Munnar town. This is a Hard Trek. The Jeep ride is through highly rugged terrain.  GBP 43 Per Person

Overnight in Munnar

Breakfast included.

Day 5: Munnar – Thekkady

Travel to Thekkady – home to spice plantations In Kerala Today you will drive to Thekkady located in Idukki district. Lying close to these plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world’s most fascinating natural wildlife reserves – the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Arrive Thekkady and check in at the hotel.

In the evening experience a boat ride on Lake Periyar.

Since boat travel is the only means of transport in the park, large areas can be covered in a short time.

Overnight at the hotel in Munnar

Breakfast included.

Day 6: Thekkady Tour

Start the day with the guided spice plantation tour – an opportunity to meander through cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and many other varieties of spices and medicinal plants that gives you an insight into how these are grown, harvested, and processed.

After the visits, return to hotel.

OPTIONAL TOUR OPTIONS

Periyar bouquet by jeep :- Thekkady is one among the rare 25 Biodiversity hotspots in the world. GBP 30 Per Person

Trekking and Bamboo rafting program :- Take a bamboo rafting program through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. GBP 42 Per Person.

Overnight in Thekkady

Breakfast included.

Top Tips:

• Get Fine- tuned – the Ayurveda Center at Spice Village offers a range of herbal massages and therapies, a great way to unwind.
• An Introduction to Spices – Enter the magical world of Indian spices. Learn the secrets of traditional Kerala cooking with a master chef at Spice Village during the cooking class.
• Make your own paper: – At the Spice Village. The pulp used for papermaking is from all the paper waste collected from the resort. Stuff like notepads, menus and luggage tags are made from this centre.

Day 7: Thekkady – Kumarakom

Drive to Kumarakom to board a traditional Houseboat- explore the famed backwaters of Kerala Today, you will leave for Kumarakom to board a traditional Houseboat that will take you through a memorable backwater cruise experience. Your luggage travels with you onboard.

Lunch, snacks, and dinner will be served onboard.

The boat would then be stationary for the night.

Overnight on a Houseboat

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 8: Kumarakom Tour

Disembark the Houseboat in Kumarakom after breakfast and spend the day at leisure at a charming resort The cruise ends this morning.

You will be transferred to a charming property in Kumarakom to spend the day at leisure.

Kumarakom, or the ‘Venice of the East’ is a veritable paradise in the lush backwaters of Kottayam.

Overnight at the hotel in Kumarakom

Breakfast included.

Day 9: Kumarakom – Mararikulam

After breakfast transfer drive to Mararikulam and check in at the resort.

Mararikulam is a quiet fishing village ideal for an enjoyable and relaxing time by the beach after the Kerala holiday. The sun, sea and sand apart, while at Mararikulam, learn more about the life of the simple fishermen, hear their songs as they haul in their catch or the amazing simplicity in the way they thatch their roof with palm fronds.

Overnight at the hotel in Marari

Breakfast included.

Day 10, 11, 12: Mararikulam Free Time

Spend the day at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel in Marari

Breakfast included.

Day 13: Mararikulam – Kochi

Transfer to Kochi International airport for your departure flight home.

Breakfast included.

Price

Price per person based on two-people group size: £1,547
– The price is subject to availability, based on twin or double room sharing
– Peak season surcharges may apply during local public holidays

Please note, this package is an example of our many exciting daily offers. We are happy to check up-to-date prices for the dates and times that suit you for your perfect package holiday, or to tailor or upgrade elements of any package. Please feel free to contact us at enquiry@asiara-holidays.com or call us on 01473 356 000.