Home » Regional Tours to India » Classic Kerala Tour

Duration: 08 Nights / 09 Days
Destinations: Kochi - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Kerala Backwaters - Kochi

Day 1: Kochi
Welcome to India and the start of your holiday! Arrive Kochi, included transfer to hotel. Overnight - Kochi

Day 2: Kochi - breakfast
Formerly a princely state, Kochi is also fondly referred to as “The Queen of the Arabian Sea”. This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of the town including the beautiful Parsi Synagogue built in 1568, the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1555 and St Francis’ Church. A walking tour of Fort Cochin takes you through streets still graced with traces of Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture. Afternoon/evening free. Overnight - Kochi

Day 3: Kochi - Munnar - breakfast
A drive east to to Munnar - a quaint hill station nestled on the verdant slopes of tea plantations, that exudes a rare old world charm and reminds one of the days of the Raj in its elegant splendour. At a height of 1525 metres, Munnar offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. Dinner and overnight - Munnar

Days 4 - 5: Munnar - Periyar - breakfast
A short drive south to Periyar, South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary and home to bison, antelopes, sambar, wild boar, birds and even the odd tiger! Kumli, close to the sanctuary and where you’ll stay, is a pretty little town dotted with small spice and handicraft shops. There is plenty to do in and around Periyar, so we leave the choice to you. Enjoy an included boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot herds of wild elephants or visit the lush nearby tea estates. Overnight (2) - Periyar

Days 6 - 7: Periyar - Kumarakom - breakfast
A drive to Kumarakom. Perched sleepily on the eastern banks of the mighty Lake Vembanad in the heartland of Kerala’s famed backwaters, Kumarakom has changed little since the Middle Ages but for it’s string of exotic resorts, making it the perfect point to explore the backwaters. Although right in the thick of a tangle of lush tropical waterways, Kumarakom is technically an island on Lake Vembanad. This is an ideal place to chill-out for a few days. There is also a wonderful bird sanctuary, winter home to many migratory birds which is worth a visit. Lunch, dinner and overnight (2) - Kumarakom

Day 8: Kerala backwaters - Alleppey - breakfast
This morning board a simply furnished private rice-boat for a journey through the backwaters in and around Alleppey. Crewed by a poler to push the rice boat through the water, a distance of some 20 kms will be covered, during which time the boat will glide past colourful local villages. As for dining, the on-board cook will prepare meals using fresh local produce. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Rice boat

Day 9: Keralan backwaters - Kochi
Disembarking at Alleppey, you’ll be driven the short distance back to Kochi. Consider extending your stay in Kochi or elsewhere in Kerala. Alternatively, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.