Splendours of Kerala Tour

Depart with Etihad Airways from London Heathrow. Flights from Manchester may also be available, but may involve a longer connection in Abu Dhabi. Please call for details.

All flights will travel via Abu Dhabi. On arrival into Cochin, we transfer to the four star Fern Ecotel Hotel for our first two nights in India. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink with our Tour Manager and fellow travellers to learn more of our forthcoming travels.

Cochin, the colourful port city of Kerala, has been drawing travellers to its shores for over 600 years. We journey first to Mattancherry Palace, also known as the ‘Dutch Palace’, to admire its exquisite murals. Continue to enchanting Fort Cochin, where Chinese fishing nets line the shore and whose narrow lanes filled with colonial architecture are a delight to explore. This evening, experience a 2,000 year old traditional Kathakali dance performance.

This morning, we begin our scenic journey to Thekkady, home to the renowned Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy two nights at the wonderful Spice Village, a lovely rustic eco-resort within a spice garden, overlooking the cool highlands of Periyar in Thekkady. This evening, enjoy a performance of Kalaripayattu – the oldest and most ancient form of Indian martial arts.

Following breakfast, we explore a spice plantation, where the mystery and history of the Indian tea and spice industry will be revealed. Later, enjoy a tranquil cruise on Periyar Lake (subject to water levels) through the scenic Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, where the surrounding forests are thriving with a range of colourful birdlife and wildlife, including elephants and sambars.

We leave Periyar behind and journey to Madurai, a lively and ancient city on the Vaigai River, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Home for the next two nights is the Gateway Hotel Pasumalai, with beautiful panoramic views of the famous Meenakshi Temple and Madurai City. Following an afternoon at leisure, this evening, we experience the unforgettable ‘Going to Bed Ceremony’ at Madurai’s famous Meenakshi Temple.

Tour Highlight

We begin our morning’s sightseeing in the Old City of Madurai, including visits to the ornate facade, colonnades, shrines and towering gateways, known as Gopurams of Meenakshi Temple. We’ll also experience traditional ceremonies, devotions, and the animated markets within the temple. Visit Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahall, a dazzling 17th-century palace erected in 1636 AD by King Tirumala Nayaka. Later, ride rickshaws to the local market of Madurai, and explore the quaint, narrow streets of this fascinating city. This afternoon is reserved for leisure, whether it be furthering your adventures through Madurai or relaxing by the hotel pool.

Departing Madurai, we begin our spectacular drive high up into the Western Ghats mountain range. Part of India’s Kerala state, our destination is the small town of Munnar, situated at 5,200ft above sea level and home to South India’s largest tea-growing region. Our accommodation is the unique Tall Trees hotel, situated under 600 tall trees on 66 acres of unspoilt shola forest. The remainder of our day is at leisure to enjoy the stunning and peaceful surroundings of our hotel.

This morning, we visit a tea plantation and tea factory to experience the tea making process, including the intriguing process of segregating, drying and threshing. We later visit Tata Tea Museum, displaying machinery and photographic records of the integral part the tea industry has played in this captivating region.

Tour Highlight

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Munnar, returning to the lowlands and towards the backwater canals of Kerala. We transfer to Alleppey Jetty for another of our tour’s many incredible highlights. Here we board a traditional, thatch-roofed ‘kettuvallam’ houseboat for a lazy day cruise through a labyrinth of canals, waterways, coconut groves, rice fields, hidden temples and tiny islands. Enjoy the unique experience of a night aboard, enjoying lunch and dinner, and indulging ourselves in the soothing sights of the slowly passing, and distinctly beautiful, Keralan backwaters. This once in a lifetime experience is something we will be reminiscing about for many years to come.

We wake to the stillness of Kerala’s backwaters and enjoy our breakfast onboard before we disembark and continue our journey to Coconut Lagoon, our hotel for the next two nights. This afternoon, we have the opportunity to explore our new surroundings as we please. Prior to dinner, enjoy a relaxing cruise in a beautifully restored kettuvallam, sailing to the middle of Lake Vembanad, to watch the sun go down.

Ayurveda, which means the science of life, originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and is one of the world’s oldest holistic medicines. Still a prominent practice in India to this day, today we will experience our own Ayurveda rejuvenation body massage at the hotel. The remainder of our day is free to spend as we please. Perhaps continue your adventure around Kumarakom, or take some time out to enjoy the calm surroundings of our hotel.

Our day is free until we return to Cochin Airport in the afternoon for our overnight Etihad Airways flights.

Keralan Beach Stay?
Why not spend a few more days relaxing in Kerala by extending your Splendours of Kerala holiday with our 3-night Keralan Beach Stay?

Our flights travel via Abu Dhabi, and arrive into the United Kingdom this morning.