Backroads of Kerala: A Story Told Slowly

Arrive at Cochin International Airport, where your driver will meet you for a scenic journey to a hidden island retreat in the heart of Kumarakom’s backwaters.

Philipkutty’s Farm is a family-run homestay set on an organic farm surrounded by coconut groves and canals where the days unfold gently. Enjoy a sunset vallam boat ride, spot rare birdlife, and learn about sustainable farming from your hosts.

You can also learn the secrets of traditional Syrian Christian cuisine during a hands-on cooking session with the family.

Accommodation: Philipkutty’s Farm, a serene island stay offering warm hospitality and true farm-to-table living.

Board your private, air-conditioned houseboat for an unforgettable journey through the backwaters of Kerala.

As the boat glides along Lake Vembanad and into hidden canals, scenes of daily life drift by with villagers waving from the banks, fishermen casting nets and temple spires rising among the palms.

Enjoy freshly prepared Keralan dishes on board and anchor in a peaceful stretch for a dreamy night under the stars.

Accommodation: Private, air-conditioned one-bedroom houseboat with onboard chef and crew.

Travel inland to Teekoy, a region of gentle hills and spice-laden air. Your destination is Vanilla County, a charming planter’s estate near Vagamon offering peaceful trails, cool breezes, and warm hospitality.

Spend your time walking through cardamom groves and butterfly-rich forest trails, dipping in freshwater pools, and simply breathing in the slower pace of life.

Accommodation: Vanilla County – a gracious heritage plantation home wrapped in nature and tranquillity.

Venture into Kerala’s lush midlands to Indian Summer House, a boutique retreat nestled among rubber plantations and riverside villages.

Spend your days crossing the Muvattupuzha River by traditional canoe, exploring pineapple farms and spice presses, and sharing masala tea and banana fritters with locals.

A highlight is discovering traditional crafts and wellness rituals still thriving in this part of Kerala.

Accommodation: Indian Summer House – stylish and serene, with immersive local encounters built in.

Your journey takes you through the Sholayar Reserve Forest to reach the hill station of Valparai, located within the Annamalai Tiger Reserve.

Your stay at Sinna Dorai’s Bungalow, once home to British planters, offers a step back in time. Hike through emerald tea estates, trace secret forest paths, and listen for elephants calling at dusk.

In the afternoon, sip estate-grown tea on the veranda as the mist rolls in.

Accommodation: Sinna Dorai’s Upper Paralai Bungalow – historical charm meets hill station serenity.

Travel to the lush agricultural plains of Palakkad, Kerala’s ‘Rice Bowl,’ where timeless village rhythms endure.

Stay at Nirvriti, a beautifully restored 150-year-old mansion blending Kerala and Tamil architecture that you’ll have all to yourself. Warm hosts Ria and Joseph welcome you like family, and Ria’s cooking demonstrations and carefully curated Kerala meals bring regional flavours to life.

Explore traditional temple towns and Agraharams (Brahmin villages), visit weaving centres where heritage handlooms thrive, and meet artisans preserving age-old crafts.

Accommodation: Nirvriti – an exclusive heritage retreat immersed in rural Kerala’s culture, grace, and hospitality

Travel north to Neelambari, a serene riverside retreat near Trichur (Thrissur) where calm meets culture.

Wander through rice paddies and coconut groves, watch toddy tappers at work, and visit ancient temples steeped in legend.

Enjoy an intimate cultural performance led by classically trained artists, and immerse yourself in Kerala’s rich artistic heritage through storytelling, music, and dance.

Accommodation: Neelambari – a peaceful cultural retreat where tradition is shared with care.

Travel to Calicut, Kerala’s historic trading port, where the legacy of centuries-old maritime commerce still lingers in the air. Along the way, visit Kerala Kalamandalam and Vellinezhi to meet the artisans who carefully craft the intricate Kathakali costumes and masks.

In Calicut, settle in at Raviz Kadavu Resort & Spa, a peaceful riverside retreat. Experience a cooking demonstration of Moplah cuisine, a unique blend of Arab, Persian, and Kerala flavours that tells the story of the Malabar Coast’s rich cultural tapestry.

Discover Calicut’s bustling market life as you wander through lively fish markets and explore SM Street (Sweetmeat Street), one of the city’s oldest and busiest shopping lanes, known for its vibrant spice stalls, textiles, and local crafts.

Accommodation: Raviz Kadavu – a tranquil riverside retreat celebrating the spirit of Kerala’s Malabar coast

Continue north to Nileshwar, a quiet stretch of the Malabar Coast where palm groves meet the sea and time slows to a gentler rhythm. Settle into Neeleshwar Hermitage, a serene beachfront retreat dedicated to rest, reflection, and wellbeing.

Begin your day with guided yoga as the sun rises, unwind with traditional Ayurvedic therapies, or explore nearby temples and coastal villages. Or simply take the time to do nothing at all—reading in the shade, walking barefoot on the sand, or listening to the hush of the waves.

Accommodation: Neeleshwar Hermitage – an elegant beachside sanctuary where wellness, nature, and tranquillity come together

Take a scenic train ride south to Ernakulam and arrive in Fort Cochin, where cultures have mingled for centuries along the waterfront. Check in to the Old Harbour Hotel, a lovingly restored colonial residence at the heart of the old quarter.

With your private guide, trace the city’s layered past—wander spice-scented streets, see the iconic Chinese fishing nets in action, and explore the Dutch Palace, Paradesi Synagogue, and antique-lined Jew Street.

End your journey with a sunset cruise across the harbour and a captivating Kathakali performance, with the chance to watch the intricate makeup ritual unfold beforehand.

Option: For a final, flavourful memory, join a local family for a hands-on cooking class and dinner.

Accommodation: Old Harbour Hotel – heritage charm in the heart of Fort Cochin

You’ll be transferred to Cochin International Airport for your onward journey, taking with you stories, flavours, and memories of Kerala’s hidden heartlands.

Price Guide

From £4,190 per person (October to April)
From £3,590 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.

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 is provided in carefully selected boutique hotels, plantation bungalows, and characterful homestays. In Cochin, Calicut, Trichur, and Nileshwar, your stay will be on a bed and breakfast basis, while elsewhere you will enjoy full board.
• 24/7 in-country support, so you’re always in safe hands.

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 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 Kerala 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.