Rustic Kerala Private Tour

Upon arrival at Cochin International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by your Authentic India Tours representatives who will transfer you to your hotel, located in the city’s historic district, Fort Cochin.

The port city of Cochin (also known as Kochi) offers a captivating mix of cultures and is a wonderful place to explore.

In the evening, enjoy a boat trip past Cochin’s island shores. As the sun sets, you’ll see the famous cantilevered fishing nets. It’s fascinating to watch the fishermen skilfully dip the hammock-like nets into the water, silhouetted against the orange and pink sky.

Accommodation: Hotel Forte Kochi, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, you get to explore Cochin, a melting pot of cultures, religions and nationalities. You’ll see St Francis Church, which is the oldest European church in India, as well as the lavish 16^th century Jewish Synagogue. Then you can explore the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace due to its colonial influences. It also houses colourfully painted murals depicting the ancient Indian poem Ramayana.

The afternoon is at leisure, so you may wish to wander around the quaint cobbled streets which house a number of interesting antique shops.

This evening it’s time to experience a traditional Kathakali performance, a Kerala classical dance famed for its colourful costumes and athletic movements.

Accommodation: Hotel Forte Kochi, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

After a leisurely morning you will be taken to Alleppey to board your own private houseboat for your overnight stay on the Kerala Backwaters.

Sit back and relax as an expert crew steer you across the Kerala backwaters, catering to your every need. You will cruise down a network of coconut palm-fringed backwater canals and across the famous Vembanad Lake. As you drift past traditional villages and paddy fields, keep a look out for birds such as kingfishers, snake birds and herons. Meals are served on board and cooked using fresh ingredients

Accommodation: Private Houseboat

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

It’s worth waking up early, to catch a sight of the morning fishermen setting out to seek their haul for the day. This is an experience you will never forget after your leisurely breakfast on-board, disembark and meet your driver who will take you to Teekoy in the Western Ghats.

Once you arrive at Vanilla County and meet your hosts, you’ll have some time to wander around the spice plantation, go bird-watching or visit the natural springs before a dinner of local specialties.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours, 90 km

Accommodation: Vanilla County, Teekoy

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today, you have the choice to spend time taking in the spectacular surroundings of Teekoy or making a short trip to visit the picturesque hill station of Vagamon.

If you stay in Teekoy, you could take a dip in one of the natural springs, walk down to the village with your hosts, enjoy a tour of the grounds and plantation or even try the exceptional bird watching the area has to offer.

Vagamon lies untouched by modern influences and the grassy hills, expansive pine forests, velvet lawns offer a natural beauty. You can hike the zig zagging paths up the hillside or the more adventurous can catch the most spectacular views while paragliding.

Accommodation: Vanilla County, Teekoy

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, its a lovely scenic drive to gorgeous Munnar, the Kashmir of Southern India.

Once you’ve arrived and settled in, you can take a relaxing evening stroll to stretch your legs and watch the sun set over the glorious lush hills.

Approximate travel time and distance: 4 hours, 100 km

Accommodation: Ambady Estate, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today be prepared for stunning views and scenery.

After breakfast, you have the opportunity to take a walk through the Lockhart Tea Estate which offers gorgeous views of the green, carpeted tea fields with misty mountains in the background.

This is followed by a visit to a tea museum and factory, where you’ll gain a fascinating insight into the region’s tea production, from crop-picking to flavour adjustment.

A scenic drive or a visit to Munnar and its busy market can also  be arranged.

Accommodation: Ambady Estate, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast

Your adventure continues with a scenic drive to Arattupuzha on the banks of Karuvannur river, a little village only a short drive from Trichur.

In the evening, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset cruise on the serene Karuvannur Puzha with views of the verdant landscape, local vegetation and village life to be enjoyed.

Approximate travel time and distance: 4 hours, 150 km

Accommodation: Neelambari, Thrissur

Meals included: Breakfast

A guided nature walk through the beautiful countryside around Neelambari is a great way to start the morning. Farms, orchards, the riverside and paddy fields all come together to present a charming vision of the Kerala countryside.

In the afternoon, it’s a short drive to the backwaters near Chettuva where you can go on a country boat for a beautiful sunset cruise. As the sun sets, thousands of birds will flock into the mangroves offering an unforgettably experience.

Accommodation: Neelambari, Thrissur

Meals included: Breakfast

It’s another scenic drive today, to Wayanad, a picturesque mountainous plateau in the Western Ghats. On arrival the rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the peaceful plantation.

Approximate travel time and distance: 6 hours, 210 km

Accommodation: Tranquil Plantation Homestay, Wayanad

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

One of the most exciting places to visit while staying in Wayanad are the Edakkal Caves, where you can see drawings carved into the cave wall dating back to roughly 6000 BC. On your return you could also stop at one of local tribes, who benefit from controlled and carefully organised tourism.

Alternatively, spend some time walking quietly through the wood of the plantation trying to spot one of the 127 bird species can be found around the grounds of the Homestay, including the majestic Crested Serpent Hawk.

Accommodation: Tranquil Plantation Homestay, Wayanad

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Today, you’ll make the trip to Nileshwar, a small coastal village in North Kerala, where you’ll find plenty of coconut groves and long stretches of sandy beaches to explore.

Approximate travel time and distance: 5 hours, 180 km

Accommodation: Kanan Beach Resort, Nileshwar

Meals included: Breakfast

It’s a day of leisure to enjoy your glorious surroundings

Have a swim in the sea, hire a small sailing boat, sign up for an ayurvedic massage, try your hand at yoga or go cycling along the backwaters – there are numerous possibilities.

Accommodation: Kanan Beach Resort, Nileshwar

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, you’ll be taken south along the coast to Tellicherry. Like Nileshwar, Tellicherry is fairly unknown to most tourists, so you can experience the charms of a Keralan seaside town without the hubbub of tour operators.

Your hosts at Ayisha Manzil take hospitality seriously and are keen to show you the best their region has to offer.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours, 90 km

Accommodation: Ayisha Manzil Homestay, Tellicherry

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Wake early to join your host and walk down to the local fish market, a hive of morning activity. Afterwards, wander around the spice shops, beedi-making and handloom weaving units, where your capable host will be able to explain the local industries.

Or treat yourself to a lie-in and then visit the famous Parassinikadavu Temple and witness the rich Hindu ritual Theyyam.

Later, why not join your hostess for a cookery lesson; she is an expert in local cuisines and by now you will have experienced her exceptional cooking!

Accommodation: Ayisha Manzil Homestay, Tellicherry

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

This morning you will be taken to Tellicherry station for a train to Aluva. You will be met at Aluva and taken to the Athirapally Waterfalls, Kerala’s most famous and largest waterfall at over 80 ft high.

Your overight stay is at the Rainforest Resort, a boutique resort conveniently located overlooking the waterfalls, so if you choose you can take a short walk to the foot of the falls this evening.

Accommodation: Rainforest Resort, Athirapally

Meals included: Breakfast

Your driver will pick you up in good time to transfer you to Cochin International Airport for your flight home.

Or, if you’re lucky enough to have some extra time, why not extend your stay in Cochin and continue to explore the rich history of the surrounding area and taste more of the delicious food.

Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing and Inclusions

The price guide for this 17 day Kerala tour is

• £2595 in low season (May – September inclusive)
• £2895 in high season (October – April inclusive)

The prices do not include flights.

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.

This is a private tour and can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements. Prices will vary depending on the number of people, length of tour, accommodation & season. Reductions are normally available for groups of three or more. Some hotels operate an additional peak pricing rate during busy times which is normally from mid December to mid January.

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

Included with this Kerala tour package are the following:

• Authentic India Tours meet & greet assistance on arrival
• All transfers and sightseeing tours using air-conditioned Toyota Innova
• Accommodation for 16 nights on twin sharing basis
• Standard category rooms at all hotels unless otherwise mentioned
• Meal Plan: Houseboat, Teekoy, Wayanad and Tellicherry on Full Board; Bed & Breakfast elsewhere
• Sunset cruise by private motorboat along the Cochin harbour
• Tickets for Kathakali dance show in Cochin
• English speaking guide for sightseeing tour of Cochin
• Entrances at all national parks, museums and monuments as per the itinerary
• Mineral water on all days of travel

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

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.

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.