Journey through Malabar North Kerala Tour

Arrive at Cochin International Airport and transfer to Fort Cochin, your charming base for two nights. Stay in a boutique hotel where colonial heritage meets modern comfort.

Over two days, explore Fort Cochin and Mattancherry with a private guide. Wander spice-scented alleys, watch the iconic Chinese fishing nets, and visit St. Francis Church, the Dutch Palace, and the historic Paradesi Synagogue.

Browse Jew Street’s antiques and crafts, enjoy a private sunset harbour cruise, and experience a Kathakali dance performance with a behind-the-scenes look at the makeup rituals.

For a taste of local life, join a private cooking class and dinner with a local family, sharing stories and traditional recipes.

Accommodation: The Old Harbour Hotel, a first-class heritage hotel nestled in the heart of Fort Cochin.

Leave the coast behind and venture  inland to Arattupuzha, a tranquil village just outside Trichur (Thrissur), Kerala’s cultural capital.

Over two days, set out on a guided walk around Peruvanam Mahadeva Temple, winding through paddy fields, fish farms and coconut groves. Pause for tea with villagers and watch a toddy tapper draw fresh palm wine by hand.

Enjoy a seasonal music or dance performance, then visit Neelambari to meet local artists. Watch live demonstrations and, if you like, join in some of the traditional movements—gaining a deeper appreciation of Kerala’s classical arts.

Accommodation:  Neelambari, a riverside hideaway that combines the warmth of a homestay with the elegance of a boutique retreat.

Journey north to Calicut, stopping along the way to explore Kerala’s artistic heritage. Visit Kerala Kalamandalam in Cheruthuruthy, the state’s renowned academy for classical arts like Kathakali and Koodiyattam. Further on, stop in Vellinezhi to see artisans crafting the intricate headgear worn by Kathakali dancers, a craft that blends sculpture and ritual.

Arrive in Calicut and settle into your riverside hotel on the banks of the Chaliyar River. The next day, discover coastal life at the lively fishing harbour and watch craftsmen building traditional wooden urus once used in Indian Ocean trade. Join a Moplah chef (an expert in aromatic coastal fare) for a private cooking demonstration and enjoy a meal rich in Arab, Persian and Malabari flavours.

End the day with a walk along Calicut Beach and through the bustling lanes of SM Street, taking in the coastal breeze and local colour.

Accommodation:  Raviz Kadavu Resort & Spa, a riverside retreat along the banks of the Chaliyar river.

Drive to Wayanad, a cool, green sanctuary tucked into the Western Ghats, where misty hills and the scent of coffee plantations create the perfect backdrop for two days in nature. Stay on a peaceful 400-acre coffee estate laced with walking trails, from gentle pathways to longer hikes that reveal valley vistas, hidden glades and forested slopes.

Spend your days exploring on foot, visiting nearby villages or simply relaxing under the plantation canopy alive with bird calls. With over 120 species recorded, it is a paradise for birdwatchers, and you may spot the Crested Serpent Eagle, Asian Paradise Flycatcher and Racket-tailed Drongo. For an even richer experience, you can also arrange to walk with a specialist birding guide.

Accommodation: Tranquil Resort, a peaceful plantation hideaway surrounded by coffee plantations and birdsong.

Continue along the Malabar Coast to Tellicherry, a historic port town where colonial-era forts meet temple rituals and spice-scented markets.

Explore old trading lanes and weaving centres preserving age-old crafts. Time your visit to see a Theyyam ritual, with dancers in vivid face paint and towering headpieces channelling ancient spirits by firelight.

Taste the bold flavours of Malabar cuisine, from fresh seafood to the famous Thalassery biriyani. Try Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s ancient martial art, or wander coconut groves and quiet beaches where daily life unfolds at an unhurried pace.

Accommodation: The Heritage 1866, a simple and elegant colonial-era mansion filled with history.

Board The Lotus, your private luxury houseboat, for a two‑night journey through the peaceful backwaters of northern Kerala. Far from the busier southern routes, this stretch offers a quieter, more authentic glimpse of village life and natural beauty.

Settle into your elegant handcrafted boat, complete with a private chef and spacious deck. Drift past emerald paddy fields, coconut groves and waterside hamlets where fishermen cast nets and children wave from the banks. Step ashore to visit local shrines, small temples and markets, or watch kingfishers and herons flit among the palms.

In the evenings, dine under the stars on dishes crafted from the day’s catch and fresh local produce, from classic seafood thalis to Mediterranean‑inspired plates.

Accommodation: The Lotus, a beautifully crafted private houseboat offering the perfect balance of comfort, culture, and nature.

Traditional Ayurvedic massage, Kerala

After leaving your houseboat, take a short drive to your beachside retreat on Kerala’s tranquil northern coast. Set among coconut palms, the resort offers a restful mix of Ayurveda, yoga and unhurried coastal life.

Unwind with traditional therapies, join sunrise yoga, explore nearby temples or cycle through quiet villages. Or simply relax in a hammock, listen to the waves and savour the slow beauty of the Malabar coast.

Accommodation: Neeleshwar Hermitage, a tranquil seaside retreat on Kerala’s northern coast, offering authentic Ayurveda and yoga, sustainable luxury, and a profound immersion in the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

After a restful stay, you’ll be transferred to Mangalore Airport in time for your onward flight. You leave Kerala with a heart full of rich experiences, of ritual and rhythm, of spice and scent, of people and places that will stay with you long after your journey ends.

Indicative Pricing

From £3,590 per person (October to April)
From £2,690 per person (May to September)

Prices are based on two guests sharing and exclude international flights. These are guideline rates and may vary depending on travel dates, room category, exchange rate fluctuations, and peak holiday periods such as Christmas, New Year, or regional festivals.

Please get in touch with your dates and we will be pleased to provide you with your personal itinerary and accurate quote.

What’s Included in Your Tailor-Made Journey with Authentic India Tours

• A dedicated Travel Consultant to plan and manage every detail of your holiday
• Private car and driver at the destination for all your transfers and tours.
• Your own English-speaking local guides for insightful, personal experiences
• A selection of unique and meaningful experiences, handpicked by our expert team
• Entrance to museums, monuments, national parks and key cultural and historical sites included in your itinerary.
• Accommodation includes full board aboard the houseboat and at Tranquil Resort in Wayanad, while all other stays are on a bed and breakfast basis, with carefully selected hotels featured throughout the itinerary.
• 24/7 in-country support, so you’re always in safe hands.

The price does not include:

• International flight tickets
• Travel insurance and visa
• Expenses of personal nature like laundry, tips, beverages etc
• Meals other than mentioned in the above meal plan
• Camera & video fees at national parks, museums & monuments

For a quote based on your dates of travel, any alternative accommodation or changes to this itinerary, please call us on 01792 315499 or email us at info@aitholidays.com

Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and this journey through Malabar North Kerala Tour is just an example to help inspire you.

For more information please email info@aitholidays.com or call our India specialists on 01792 315499.

ABTA and ATOL Protected Tour Package

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.