Touring Tranquil Kerala $6,795/£5,435*

Day 2

Kovalam Sightseeing

Kovalam is a small coastal town in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Spend a leisurely day at this beautiful beach destination.

STAY

Niraamaya Surya Samudra (D)

Day 3

Kovalam to Kumarakom

Travel to Kumarakom, a beautiful city criss-crossed with canals. Pay a visit to Kumarakom’s bird sanctuary, home to many species including cuckoos and Siberian storks.

As you check in at your lovely hotel, submerge into the tranquility of the nature. Rest of the day at leisure.

STAY

Kumarakom Lake Resort (B)

Day 4

Kumarakom

Take a canoe into the canals and spend the morning on the river bird-watching. Look out for many species of migratory and Indian birds. You will also witness the local life around the backwater communities as you float through the canals.

STAY

Kumarakom Lake Resort (B)

Day 5

Kumarakom

Enjoy the morning at leisure before embarking on a houseboat that will be your home for the rest of the afternoon.

STAY

Kumarakom Lake Resort (B)

Day 6

Thekkady

Travel to Thekkady, South India’s most popular wildlife reserve. This vast expanse which became Kerala's first tiger reserve in 1978 shelters wild boar, sambar, bison, langur, 2000 elephants and 35 to 40 hard-to-spot tigers. It's firmly established on both the Indian and foreigner tourist trails and known for its scenic lake cruise. Take the sunset cruise around the Kochi harbor.

STAY

Spice Village

Day 7

Thekkady

Early morning boat ride in the lake to witness the wildlife around. As the boat moves through the lake you will witness the diverse wildlife by the banks of the lake. Return to the hotel for breakfast and rest through the afternoon. Later on your in-house naturalist will take you for a short walk around the village to showcase the spice plantation. Later this evening join the chef for a cooking class. Here you will learn the secrets of traditional Kerala cooking. And of course, you will enter the magical world of Indian
spices.

STAY

Spice Village

Day 8

Munnar

Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s Kerala state. A hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it's surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. Unwind at the hotel for the rest of the day.

STAY

Spice Tree

Day 9

Munnar

You will meet your guide this morning and he will take you on a tea-tour, from the plucking of leaves (seasonal activity) to the factory where some of the finest tea in the world is manufactured. You will also taste some of the best teas here. A relaxed afternoon.

STAY

Spice Tree

Day 10

Munnar

This day is free to unwind at your own pace. You may choose to take the different activities all from the resort directly.

STAY

Spice Tree

Day 11

Kochi

Travel to Kochi. Set on a magnificent estuary, serene Kochi has been drawing travellers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450 year old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese and Dutch era houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal and Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. Take the sunset cruise around the Kochi harbor. 

STAY 

Brunton Boatyard

Day 12

Kochi

This morning your guide will meet you and take you for a tour of the twin cities of Fort Kochi & Mattancherry. From the Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, English, Dutch amongst others, both places have seen many foreign and colonial influences.

Known for its openness and hospitality, Fort Kochi and Mattancherry have more than 30 different communities from across India who are living here. Abandoned spice warehouses have been transformed into internationally acclaimed art galleries, and some of the ancient buildings have been converted into hotels and restaurants. These day trips give an insight into the past, present and the future engagements of these quaint towns that are an ideal gateway to the cultural richness of the land Kerala.

STAY

Brunton Boatyard

Day 13

Mararikulam

Transfer to Mararikulam which is a beach village. After a short drive, check in at your hotel and enjoy the beautiful beaches here.

STAY

Marari Beach Resort

Day 14

Mararikulam

Enjoy at leisure.

STAY

Marari Beach Resort

Day 15

Mararikulam

Enjoy at leisure.

STAY

Marari Beach Resort

Day 16

Mumbai

Drive back to Kochi airport for your flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival in Mumbai you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the evening is free.

STAY

Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

Day 17

Mumbai

This day's tour with an expert tells the story of the transformation of Mumbai from a monocultural sleepy fishing hamlet into a melting pot that is today the commercial capital of India. The tour will showcase all aspects of Mumbai: the narrow geographical layout; the coastline; the daily commuting; the various communities that make up the city; the old heritage district; the old commercial and residential districts; and the upcoming districts. The tour includes a short walk through the Heritage District and the Kala Ghoda Art Precinct. The afternoon is free for you to do as you please. 

STAY

Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai  

Day 18

Mumbai

Today you will meet your expert who will take you on the local trains to experience the local life and also to meet the Dabbawalas. The Dabbawalas constitute a lunchbox delivery and return system that delivers hot lunches from homes and restaurants to people at work in Mumbai. The lunchboxes are picked up in the late morning, delivered predominantly using bicycles and local trains, and returned empty in the afternoon. The system has been used as a model of service excellence by Harvard Business School.

STAY

Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai  

Day 19

Depart Mumbai