Prices from £1140 per person. This small group tour is available from Cochin.
Copied!
ShareThis amazing Kerala holiday provides a 10-day group tour of Kerala including historic Cochin, misty Munnar, the wildlife of Periyar and the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey.
Experience stunning sunsets, traditional dance performances and learn about spices and tea on plantation tours. Go wildlife-spotting in Periyar Tiger Reserve, cruise the Kerala backwaters on a private houseboat, and meet the villagers in Kumarakom before concluding your tour with leisure time in Alleppey.
Please see 'Dates, Pricing and Inclusions' for available dates.
We hope this group tour has inspired you, but if you would like to tailor it slightly, or are looking for something more bespoke, please contact us so we can try and meet your exact requirements.
Discover Kerala God's Own Country on our small group tour, where you will be shown the must-see sights and hidden gems of Kerala by an expert guide.
You'll explore cosmopolitan Cochin, the misty mountains and vibrant tea plantations of Munnar, spices and wildlife in Periyar and the tranquil backwaters in Alleppey.
Stay in a range of boutique properties including a magical night on a private houseboat.
Day
1
Day
1
Your Authentic India Tours representative will be waiting at Cochin International Airport to welcome you to Kerala and to transfer you directly to your hotel.
In the evening, cruise along the harbour past Cochin’s island shores in a motor boat to see the majestic cantilevered Chinese fishing nets silhouetted in the orange and pink sky as the sun sets.
End your first day in style with a delicious welcome dinner hosted by your tour leader in the hotel.
Day
2
Day
2
Today you’ll have the chance to explore fascinating Cochin, where a variety of cultures, religions and nationalities collide. Visit St Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, and the lavish 16th-century Jewish Synagogue. Afterwards, head to the Dutch Palace to learn about the history of Cochin and to see colourful painted murals of the ancient Indian poem Ramayana.
In the evening, watch a Kathakali dance show, the traditional expressive dance drama of Kerala performed in vibrant costumes. Take your seat early and watch the dancers apply their bold makeup!
Day
3
Day
3
After breakfast, we will head to majestic Munnar, a stunning hill station amidst the magnificent mountains of the Western Ghats. Along the way, you’ll pass vibrant green tea plantations and striking sandalwood forests.
We will stop for a home-cooked lunch at a traditional estate bungalow set in over 100 acres of multi-crop plantations. The rest of the day can be spent at your leisure, relaxing in your room or gazing across the captivating landscape.
Approximate travel time and distance: 4 – 5 hours, 150 km
Day
4
Day
4
Experience the beauty of Munnar and learn about the tea-making process from crop picking to flavour adjustment on a visit to a tea estate. Follow the tea trail through green carpeted tea fields, meet the tea pickers, and visit the tea factory. We can arrange the walks to be at your own pace, from 30 minutes to up to four hours.
Before heading back to the hotel, you can enjoy a hot picnic lunch at the plantation, accompanied by a cup of tea if you wish!
Day
5
Day
5
After breakfast, the tour continues to Periyar, home of amazing spices and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India’s best-kept wildlife reserves. Along the journey, you will pass through winding mountain roads that wrap around emerald-green tea plantations and fairytale forests.
Learn all about the different spices grown in the local area including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, nutmeg, pepper and vanilla on a tour from the owner on their private plantation. Let the heady aromas of the spices stun your senses and inspire your culinary skills!
Approximate travel time and distance: 3 - 4 hours, 100 km
Day
6
Day
6
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in South India to spot wildlife, and if you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse of elephants, Sambar deer and Indian bison.
Early in the morning, we will head to Lake Periyar, where you can try bamboo rafting and have a go navigating a raft whilst looking out for elephants at the shore having a drink or bathing. Then grab your binoculars and camera and spend time in the Reserve where there is an abundance of wildlife you might see.
Spend the evening at your leisure, perhaps trying the local cuisine in the hotel or in a wide choice of nearby restaurants.
Day
7
Day
7
After breakfast, we will drive through the hills and visit tea and rubber plantations on the way to Alleppey, known as the 'Venice of the East' for its narrow canals, lagoons and Vembanad Lake.
On arrival, it’s time for the magical experience of staying overnight on a luxury houseboat. After boarding your private houseboat, you can sit back and relax as your crew steer you across Vembanad Lake and along the narrow backwater canals. As you cruise by, you can catch glimpses of village life and maybe spot electric-blue kingfishers, snake birds and herons.
Dine on Keralan delicacies infused with spices, aromatic curry leaves and fresh coconut served up by your onboard cook, who will cater for your every need. When the boat moors for the night, you can gaze at the stars in the clear skies before the sound of water and the gentle rocking of the boat will send you blissfully to sleep.
Day
8
Day
8
After a leisurely breakfast, you will disembark from your houseboat at the boat jetty for the Uday Backwater Resort.
You can spend the remainder of the day at leisure to relax by the backwaters, or enjoy the facilities at the hotel.
Day
9
Day
9
Spend a fascinating morning on the Village Life Experience tour at Kumarakom. This fantastic tour gives you an authentic taste of village life, as well as showcasing community-based tourism products and services. The slow ride through the narrow canals on a country boat operated by the local villagers, lets you see everyday life along with way, including workers in the paddy fields, children swimming in the lake, people fishing and women weaving coconut palm fronds. You might get the chance to try your hand at fishing, weaving leaves or spinning coconut yarn!
Later, take a stroll through the narrow village paths to visit an 'Anganwadi', a government-run school and see villagers engaged in traditional jobs like screw pine weaving, broomstick making and 'toddy tapping' (collecting coconut sap). You can also visit the handicraft unit run by the villagers who specialise in Snake Boat models. After lunch, you can return to the resort for a final afternoon of relaxation.
In the evening, a farewell dinner will by hosted by your tour leader to reminisce about your holiday and share memories.
Day
10
Day
10
In plenty of time, you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport to board your return flight.
Approximate travel time and distance: 3 - 4 hours, 100 km
Meals included: Breakfast
If you would like to extend your holiday by staying 2 nights or more at the Mararikulam Beach please let us know.
Price starts from £340 per person for two nights on twin sharing at Xandari Pearl Marari Beach and £375 per person for two nights at Marari Beach Resort.
Please contact us for more details and to discuss your individual requirements.
The accommodation on this group tour of Kerala comprises superior city centre and boutique hotels and a private houseboat.
Thought of as one of the most sought after hotels in South India, Fragrant Nature is located within the offices of the East India Company, a landmark building in Fort Kochi due to its distinctive facade and clock tower. This boutique style hotel offers modern rooms with harbour views, a gym and Ayurveda treatments whilst the roof top infinity pool delivers majestic views of the surrounding landscape.
Enveloped in mist covered mountains, Fragrant Nature offers accommodation with impressive panoramic views. All rooms benefit from a fireplace, to keep out the mountain chill, as well as a private terrace or balcony and ensuite facilities. For a unique dining experience guests can enjoy the unrivalled scenery from Glass House, a restaurant specializing in grills and steaks, where the views are endless and even more spectacular under starry skies.
Greenwoods is a superior resort set in six acres of forest where guests can embrace nature whilst relaxing under a canopy of exotic trees. Offering elegant private rooms with balconies, this romantic and beautiful setting is ideal for a South Indian honeymoon! Fresh local cuisine crafted from recipes handed down over generations ensure visitors enjoy a culinary delight. With performances of traditional Kerala art forms and a multitude of activities on offer, there is plenty to enjoy.
Described as the 'Venice of the East', Allepey is a dreamland of interlinking canals and rivers and what better way to explore the exquisite Kerala backwaters than on a Houseboat? Offering an enchanting experience the houseboats are constructed from local and natural materials including bamboo, ropes and coconut fibre and are up to 120 feet long. With an onboard crew to cater to your needs you can sit back, relax and enjoy the cruise.
The beautiful Uday Backwater Resort is a serene sanctuary to explore Alleppey at your leisure. Experience glorious views over the waters of Punnamada Lake from private balconies in your stylish room, dine on Keralan and international cuisine indoors or alfresco, or relax and unwind in the Ayurveda spa. It's the perfect place to experience the backwaters and unwind after a day of exploring.
On this group tour of Kerala you will discover wonderful port cities, breathtaking national parks, stunning scenery, the Kerala backwaters and much more.
Cochin, also known as Kochi, is a port city located on an extensive network of waterways in the state of Cochin. It has been one of the primary gateways to the region for distant merchants and travellers since 1341. Cochin is a great place to start your Kerala holiday offering beautiful hotels, wonderful culture and architecture, friendly people and the opportunity for some retail therapy.
Standing at a heady 1,532m above sea level, the majestic town of Munnar is sure to captivate even the most sceptical visitor, just as it did the British colonial settlers generations ago when they visited each summer seeking reprieve from the heat of the Keralan valleys below.
If you've ever dreamed of seeing elephants roaming free, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve offers the chance of experiencing these beautiful animals in the wild on a walking trek or from the comfort of a covered boat without disturbing their way of life. Unfortunately tiger spottings are extremely rare.
Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Alleppey is the gateway to the Kerala backwaters, an intricate network of lakes and waterways. Here you’ll find thousands of houseboats, converted rice barges with distinctive curved roofs. Float along the backwaters on one of these luxury boats, gazing out onto the lime green paddy fields, coconut palms and tranquil villages that line the water’s edge. Watch the sun set on the water and fall asleep lulled by the gentle rocking motion of the boat.
Hidden in the backwaters off the South Eastern end of Vembanad Lake in Southern Kerala is the small village of Kumarakom. Calm waters, lush greenery and abundant wildlife ensure that this is the perfect spot for total relaxation. The area offers beautiful quality award winning hotels and is ideally located to enjoy the Kerala backwaters.
This Kerala God's Own Country Group Tour is available from Cochin on the following dates (prices per person):
Travel Dates & Tour Prices | ||
Travel Dates | Cost Per Person on Twin / Double Sharing Basis | Single Room Supplement |
17 Oct 2021 - 26 Oct 2021 | £1310 | £560 |
14 Nov 2021 - 23 Nov 2021 | £1310 | £560 |
05 Dec 2021 - 14 Dec 2021 | £1310 | £560 |
30 Jan 2022 - 08 Feb 2022 | £1310 | £560 |
13 Feb 2022 - 22 Feb 2022 | £1310 | £560 |
20 Feb 2022 - 01 Mar 2022 | £1310 | £560 |
03 Apr 2022 - 12 Apr 2022 | TBC | TBC |
04 Sep 2022 - 13 Sep 2022 (Onam Special) | TBC | TBC |
06 Nov 2022 - 15 Nov 2022 | TBC | TBC |
20 Nov 2022 - 29 Nov 2022 | TBC | TBC |
04 Dec 2022 - 13 Dec 2022 | TBC | TBC |
22 Jan 2023 - 31 Jan 2023 | TBC | TBC |
05 Feb 2023 - 14 Feb 2023 | TBC | TBC |
19 Feb 2023 - 28 Feb 2023 | TBC | TBC |
05 Mar 2023 - 14 Mar 2023 | TBC | TBC |
Except for April, all the tours start on a Sunday.
The Kerala God's Own Country Group Tour operates with a minimum number of 4 and a maximum number of 16 travellers.
Single supplements are available and range from £420 to £560 depending on the time of travel.
Price does not include:
Authentic India Tours is a member of ATOL and can provide ATOL protected holidays with flights. We recommend the following flights for these tours.
Suggested Flight | |||
Flight | Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
Emirates | EK 002 | London Heathrow (LHR) 14:20 |
Dubai (DXB) 00:20 |
Emirates | EK 530 | Dubai (DXB) 03:20 |
Kochi (COK) 09:00 |
Emirates | EK 531 | Kochi (COK) 09:40 |
Dubai (DXB) 12:10 |
Emirates | EK 003 | Dubai (DXB) 14:30 |
London Heathrow (LHR) 18:20 |
Call us for AIT specially negotiated flight fares |
Prices mentioned above are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication may be subject to change, based on your date of travel and local market fluctuations. You will be informed of any price differences prior to booking.
If you would like to extend your holiday by staying 2 nights or more at the Mararikulam Beach please let us know.
Price starts from £340 per person for two nights on twin sharing at Xandari Pearl Marari Beach and £375 per person for two nights at Marari Beach Resort.
For a quote based on your dates of travel, any alternative accommodation or changes to this itinerary, please call Authentic India Tours on 01792 315499 or email us at info@aitholidays.com