Kerala Grand Tour

Tour Information

A truly fantastic 14 night tour of Kerala in all its diversity. Experience the colonial port city of Cochin, the plantations and fauna of the Western Ghats, the traditonal fishing villages and birdlife of the backwaters and, of course, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world!

Known as “God’s Own country”, Kerala is an amazing mixture of landscapes and cultures. There are the bustling cities like Cochin and Trivandrum; the backwaters, a wetlands landscape of lakes rivers and canals; the Western Ghats, a range of hills and mountains with wonderful nature reserves like Periyar; tea and spice plantations abound and, of course, fantastic beaches – some deserted and some with thriving resorts like Kovalam in the south . To come to Kerala and only see the beach would be to miss out on a truly unique experience. Take a few extra days and explore the area by chauffeured car and houseboat. We have some splendid itineraries which we can tailor-make especially for you.

Day 1

Monday: UK - Cochin
Overnight flight to Cochin. On arrival check in to your hotel, the Brunton Boatyard.

Day 2

Tuesday: Cochin
Morning sightseeing tour of city visiting the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastline, at the harbour’s mouth, one can also view the unique "Chinese Fishing Nets" which were introduced by Chinese traders in the 14th Century and are still in use today. The tour ends in the Fort area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old fort are still amazingly well preserved. Witness a Kathakali dance performance in the evening. Overnight stay at the hotel, the Brunton Boatyard.

Day 3

Wednesday: Cochin - Munnar
After breakfast leave Cochin for Munnar, a 3-4 hour drive away. On arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon visit to a tea plantation & tea museum. Munnar, once a royal resort, is lazily nestled in the verdant slopes of tea country. A quaint little town that exudes a rare old world charm, it evokes memories of the days of the Raj with its elegant splendour, soothing sunshine and invigorating scent from the tea gardens. Come the rains, the place suddenly comes alive with a kind of allure that will bewitch the casual visitor.

Day 4

Thursday: Munnar - Periyar
Morning: After breakfast leave Munnar for Periyar, about a 4 hour drive away. On arrival, check in at hotel, the Spice Village. Afternoon visit to a spice plantation to see cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, cloves, vanilla, ginger and coffee growing in their natural environment. Periyar, at 1000 meters above sea level, has an ideal climate making it perfect for spice growing. Vasco de Gama was the first European to land at the Malabar Coast in 1498 in search of spices. In those days, pepper was known as ‘black gold’ because it was exported against an equal weight of gold.

Day 5

Friday: Periyar
A morning boat ride on Lake Periyar to see elephants and other wild animals in the natural surroundings of the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. The flora and fauna of the reserve, with its unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations, are absolutely thrilling and the reserve is home to a wide variety of animal species. The Periyar Lake is also a paradise for birdwatchers. The greatest attraction however are the herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake to drink or take a dip. Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar, bison, Spotted Deer, tigers, leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels etc. There are over 260 species of birds including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, Laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.

Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy some Ayurvedic treatments at the hotel or relax with a drink by the pool. Overnight at the Spice Village hotel.

Day 6

Saturday: Periyar - Kumarakom
Leave for Kumarakom, about a 3 hour drive away, to board a kettuvallam (houseboat). Enjoy a wonderful day cruising on the serene backwaters of Kerala. The backwater cruise takes off through a vast network of canals with a backdrop of villages and coconut trees on the shores. Overnight on the boat.

Day 7

Sunday: Boat - Kumarakom
Cruise to your hotel, the Coconut Lagoon. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the charms of the Coconut Lagoon. Take a butterfly walk with the local naturalist or walk into the nearby village. In the evening there is a sunset cruise on the lake.

Day 8

Monday: Kumarakom
A full day to enjoy the charms of the resort. Take a birdwatching cruise at dawn and see the huge variety of birds in the lake and surrounding paddy fields – Golden Orioles Brahmin Kites, osprey and others. Relax by the pool.

Day 9

Tuesday: Kumarokam - Maraikulum
Leave Kumarakom for a one hour drive to Marari Beach Resort, surrounded by an endless vista of sand and surf. The village of Maraikulam lies on a forgotten shore, midway up the Malabar Coast, where the Indian Ocean merges gracefully with the Arabian Sea. The Marari Beach Resort is a celebration of Kerala’s coastal fishing villages. The resort sprawls across 55 acres of lawns, far-flung lotus ponds and whispering coconut groves, all threaded through with stone- flagged pathways. A windbreak of palms runs the length of the property, a protective cover that reduces even the gustiest sea winds to a soothing breeze. Beyond lies a milky azure ocean, fringed by a beach more ochre than yellow, a sand-meets-sea combination you’re not likely to find anywhere else. Overnight stay at the resort.

Day 10

Wednesday: Maraikolam
Another day of relaxation at the Marari Beach Resort. Visit the spa, soak up the sun or take a bicycle ride to a local village.

Day 11

Thursday: Maraikolam – Kavalam
Morning drive to Kovalam, approximately 5 hours away. Check in to the 5 star Leela Kempinski. Located in the centre of Kovalam this is the most prestigious hotel in town, situated right on a headland with spectacular sea views on three sides. There is a range of bars and restaurants, an exclusive club room area and a private beach reached by buggy. Definitely the place to stay in town with very attentive and friendly staff

Day 12

Friday: Kovalam
A full day at leisure. Do some shopping or choose a beach to relax on.

Day 13

Saturday: Kovalam
A final day of relaxation before returning home. Why not indulge in some more Ayurvedic spa treatment?

Day 14

Sunday: Kovalam - UK
Why not take a morning trip shopping and sightseeing trip to see the temple in Trivandrum before your flight home. Overnight flight to UK.

Day 15

Monday: Arrive back in UK

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