Kerala in Style
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

Two weeks travelling through Kerala in top notch hotels, well balanced in terms of site-seeing and relaxation, but moving enough to keep it interesting. Relax for 3 nights at the beach at the end, with a shortish transfer to the airport to keep things simple. It’s got some fantastic wildlife spotting opportunities, glorious Vemabanad Lake and of course, lovely hotels throughout. 

Highlights:

• Ease into your holiday with the seaside town of Kochi (Cochin).  
• Experience staying in a lovingly resorted planters bungalow on a pepper and cardamom plantation.
• Incredible scenery and views in Munnar with a traditional tea factory visit.
• Relax on a peaceful beach in a stunning hotel - a perfect place to escape.

 As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive ‘Journey Planner’ here.  

Privately guided tours and experiences

Hotels on minimum B&B basis

Private vehicle and driver

Domestic flights

International flights from the UK

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart and fly to Delhi or Mumbai and connect to Kochi. 

DAY 2 & 3 KOCHI Bustiling seaside city

Arrive in Kochi and you’ll be picked up by your driver who will remain with you till the beach part of your trip. They’ll take you to your hotel on the harbour side of this charming seaside city.

Today you will take a guided tour of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry in local style – on board an auto rickshaw. You can explore the lesser visited lanes and alleyways that aren’t accessible by car, and really get under the skin of the city. In the afternoon, you’ll take a ferry across to Ernakulam, the business hub of modern day Cochin. It’s fascinating exploring the contrasts between old and new.

DAY 4 & 5 MUNNAR Tea planters paradise

You’ll drive through dramatic scenery towards the lovely hill station of Munnar, established by the British and with over 30 estates. Your accommodation is a stunning boutique hotel in the hills with incredible views and ideal base.

You will spend a full day exploring around the tea country with its sloping hills and plantations stretching as far as the eye can see.

DAYS 6-8 PERIYAR Keralan wildlife

Today you will rise early and drive towards Periyar National Park and wildlife sanctuary, which houses a board range of species from elephants, bison to the ever elusive tiger. On arrival at your planter’s bungalow you’ll have the chance to relax after lunch, before a 4-5km afternoon walk through well-defined tracks. It will be led by a tribal tracker.

You’ll get to experience a cooking class whilst as the bungalow, visiting the market to buy fresh ingredients and then use them to cook a meal with your host. Afterwards you’ll take a short walk around the spice plantation.

A day of leisure awaits to do as you please whilst staying in the bungalow. 

DAYS 9-11 KUMARAKOM Lake side living

After a scenic four hour drive you will reach Kumarakom with its small cluster of palm fringed islands next to Vembanad Lake. It’s the perfect place to relax for a few days and take in the laid back lifestyle of the Keralans. You’ll stay in the lovely Kumarakom Lake Resort with fantastic views. Here you might like to leary about Ayurveda or cycle around local villages or meet with local chefs to learn about cuisine in this region. The next few days are yours as you wish.

DAYS 12-14 Kovalam Relaxed beach

This morning you will be picked up by your driver and taken to Kovaalam which will take around 4 hours. Well worth the drive, although a more developed beach resort in this region, you’ll be staying at the stunning Niraamaya Surya Samudra for the next few days.

DAY 15 FLY HOME (OR STAY!)

Depending on your flight time, you’ll take the short 30-minute drive to Trivandrum airport for your onward journey. If you’d like to extend the beach, then just let us know. Every trip to India is tailormade, so the itinerary is completely flexible. Do give us a call on 0207 924 7133 for a tailored quote.