God's Own Country Kerala Group Tour

Upon arrival at Cochin International Airport, you will 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 will 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.

End your first day in style with a delicious welcome dinner hosted by your tour leader.

Accommodation: Eight Bastion*, Cochin

Meals included: Dinner

Today, you get to explore Cochin, a melting pot of cultures, religions and nationalities. Included in your tour is 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 and souvenir shops.

In the evening, watch a Kathakali dance show, the traditional expressive dance drama of Kerala performed in vibrant costumes. It’s a good idea to arrive early and watch the dancers apply their bold makeup.

Accommodation: Eigth Bastion*, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, the tour continues to Periyar, home of amazing spices and Periyar National Park, 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. There will also be a stop for lunch with a local family at a plantation bungalow.

There will be some time at leisure to explore the small town and the beautiful ground of the resort. Let the heady aromas of the spices stun your senses and inspire your culinary skills!

Accommodation: Spice Village*, Periyar

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

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. Then grab your binoculars and camera and spend time in the Reserve where there is an abundance of wildlife you might see.

Later learn all about the different spices grown in the local area including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, nutmeg, pepper and vanilla on a plantation tour and let the heady aromas of the spices stun your senses and inspire your culinary skills!

Spend the evening at your leisure, perhaps trying the local cuisine in the hotel.

Accommodation: Spice Village*, Periyar

Meals included: Breakfast

Your adventure continues with a scenic drive through the rolling hills of the Western Ghats visiting tea and rubber plantations before arriving at the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom.  In the evening sit back and enjoy a sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake.

Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon*, Kumarakom

Meals included: Breakfast

After a leisurely morning, it’s time for the highlight of the tour staying overnight on a wonderful 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.

Accommodation: Private Houseboat

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

It’s a good idea to rise early to witness life on the backwaters as people go about their everyday business. After breakfast, you will disembark from your houseboat for the short drive to Mararikulam and the Marari beach hotel.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax on the beach or enjoy the facilities at the hotel which includes a pool, extensive gardens and spa facility

Accommodation: Marari Beach Resort*, Mararikulam

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is another day of leisure to soak up the sun.

Alternatively enjoy an optional trip to learn more about the village life or visit one of the nearby temples.

Accommodation: Marari Beach Resort*, Mararikulam

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

In plenty of time, you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport to board your return flight or onward destination.

Meals included: Breakfast

Dates, Pricing and Inclusions

This God’s Own Country Group Tour of Kerala is available from Cochin on the following dates (prices per person):

Meal Plan: Breakfast throughout, Houseboat on full board. Lunch on day 3, Dinner on day 1.

Best Season: October to April.

Clothes: Cottons.

* Alternative accommodation of a similar standard may be offered to the hotels listed.

This tour can also be taken privately on a date of your choice. Please contact us for more details.

Included in the price:

• Accommodation for 8 nights in hotels and 1 night on houseboat
• All internal road travel by an air-conditioned with driver and guide
• All scheduled sightseeing with an English speaking guide
• Entrance fees at the monuments
• Bamboo rafting on Periyar Lake
• Sunset cruise on Cochin harbour
• Sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake

Not included in the price:

• International flights
• India visa
• Travel Insurance
• Meals not included in the meal plan
• Expenses of personal nature (like room service, laundry, drinks, phone calls etc)
• Camera fees at the monuments

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.