Spices of Kerala

Upon arrival at Kochi International Airport, your driver will greet you and bring you to your hotel. Spend the evening relaxing or set out for the first steps of your Kerala tour. Kochi (otherwise called Cochin) is a city in southwest India's beachfront Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341 when a flood cut out its harbour and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European shippers. Destinations mirroring those impacts incorporate Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled provincial homes and diverse places of worship.

Today, you set out for some sightseeing. Winding through the streets lined with mosques and old Portuguese houses dating back 500 years, you discover the oldest church in the country, a sixteenth-century synagogue and a palace built by the Portuguese. In the evening, attend a Kathakali show, an ancestral art which is an appealing combination of dance and theatre with a touch of martial art.

Today, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and bring on a one-hour drive from Kochi to the Backwaters of Kerala. Sit back and relax as you discover the countryside of Kerala, passing rice paddies, coconut trees and numerous canals. Overnight at your hotel.

You take a short drive to the pier of the houseboat. The boat team welcomes and helps you settle down before setting off on a highlight of you Kerala tour. You sail along the most famous canals of India and admire their amazing and unique ecosystem: plants, birds and fish are numerous here. Surrounded by water, paddy fields and coconut trees, you discover tiny villages scattered on narrow strips of land. Meals and overnight on board (double cabin with bathroom). 

Today, thank the crew and wave goodbye to your houseboat as you set off for Periyar, the region known for its spice plantations. Drive past beautiful countryside scenes before arriving at your hotel in the heart of the Kerala countryside. Check in and set off to visit a spice garden and coffee plantations where, accompanied by a guide, you learn about the origin of plants and their significance in the principles of Ayurvedic medicine. Overnight at the hotel.

Today discover Lake Periyar by boat and try your luck at spotting animals that come to drink at the lake. For a fantastic experience, we suggest you take the first boats that start at sunrise. Later go for an elephant experience and learn the visible language of elephants. Discover all the secrets of communication between the mahouts and their elephants. In the evening, why not try a traditional Ayurvedic massage? Periyar is an ideal place to pamper yourself. Overnight at the hotel.

Today, you have a free day to explore the Periyar Reserve. The park's altitude ranges from 900 to 1800 meters above sea level. The park is home to buffaloes, antelopes, sambars, wild boars, elephants and many more. A range of activities are possible: boat trips on the lake, jeep tours or hiking in the jungle. Bamboo rafting is also available for the more adventurous or you can also choose to relax with an Ayurvedic massage.

Continue your Kerala tour and head to the neighbouring State of Tamil Nadu. You stop at your destination, Kodaikanal, also known as the « Elephant Valley », a spectacular and unique place in South India. Stay at an eco-lodge surrounded by jungle, coffee plantations, waterfalls, traditional villages and wild animals. Overnight at the eco-lodge.

After breakfast, you can relax at the hotel or explore the beautiful landscapes of the Western Ghats. The eco-lodge offers activities such as hiking, horse-riding, yoga, exploring the surrounding plantations and the small coffee factory of the property and waterfall hikes. Overnight at the eco-lodge.

In the morning you leave Tamil Nadu to return to Kerala through a landscape of hills and mountains. You reach Munnar, a hill station that was once the summer resort of the former British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. You spend the day exploring Munnar, strolling through tea plantations, visiting view points, and discovering the Tata Tea Museum. Overnight at your hotel.

You spend the day exploring Munnar and its surroundings, enjoying beautiful view points. You go up to the Top Station, where you will discover the Annamudi, the highest peak in India after the Himalayan peaks and a beautiful view over the plains of the neighbour Tamil Nadu. You can also spend your day exploring the Ervikulam Park, located around 20km from Munnar. This natural park is home to diverse and unique fauna and flora. You may be lucky enough to spot Nilgiri Thar, a small endangered mountain goat. You can choose between a walking tour or visiting with a jeep; you are always accompanied by a guide. Back to Munnar and overnight at hotel.

Drive to one of the most beautiful beaches on the Malabar coast, Marari Beach, a stunning white-sand beach that has been very well preserved, hardly modified by the hand of man. You settle in to one of the hotels, the perfect place to bask in the sun while relaxing on your journey. In addition to relaxation and swimming, we suggest a stroll along the beach, lined with fishing villages. Or perhaps, go fishing in a traditional dugout canoe surrounded by waves and blue sky. Overnight at the hotel.

Today you have a free day without a driver - why not devote it to total relaxation? Enjoy the Indian wellness heritage that combines techniques and ingredients of Ayurveda: massages or beauty treatments, they aim to harmonize the health of your body and your mind. These methods of energy rebalancing provide relaxation, flexibility and appeasement. The beach of Marari offers an ideal setting for well-deserved relaxation. Let your whole body savour all the benefits of your stay in India!

Your stay in Kerala is coming to an end. Before heading back to Kochi International Airport, you may have some last-minute cravings. Whether it concerns a last site to view on the way or some souvenirs to buy, your driver will listen to you and will provide you with the travel time needed to arrive in time for your flight. Transfer to Kochi airport. Your Travel Expert and your driver wish you an excellent return, hoping to introduce you soon to a new destination in Asia, as relaxing as thrilling.
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