Undiscovered Northern Kerala Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

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Explore beautiful Kerala in a unique way. This itinerary focuses on the northern part of the state rather than the more touristy south, taking you away from the crowds to discover Kerala's distinct charms. There is just as much to see and enjoy up there, if not more: but far less tourists.

Highlights include

Cruise through the backwaters for 2 nights and 3 days on a lovely converted rice barge (much quieter and less touristy than the busy backwaters in the South).
Explore eclectic Cochin with its culturally diverse mix of architecture, cuising and history.
Glamp in a beautiful region, home to some of India's best birdlife.
A few nights R&R at a gorgeous and remote sandy beach before you fly home.

The city hotels included are just suggestions and can be adjusted according to your preferences, travel style and budget. The hotels in rural areas are generally destinations in their own right where there are fewer alternatives.

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.

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Cochin.

DAY 2 COCHIN

Upon arrival in Cochin your guide will meet you and transport you to your hotel by private vehicle.

Cochin (Kochi) is a charming seaside city where you'll find modern development and a cosmopolitan buzz mixed with crumbling colonial buildings, Portugese mansions, and ancient mosques. After you've checked in at your charming boutique hotel, you'll head to the harbour for an evening sunset cruise. From your vantage point on board witness spectacular views of the famous Marine Drive, Chinese Fishing Nets, Bolgatty Island, Willington Island and Cochin Harbour.

DAY 3 COCHIN

Today you'll enjoy a full day tour of Cochin. As the oldest European settlement in India, Kochi (Cochin) features a fascinating blend of architectural styles. There are Portuguese churches,colourful Hindu temples and even a synagogue, built in the 1560s in the old Jewish Quarter. Most sights of interest are found in Fort Kochi, including the Dutch-built Mattancherry Palace, spice markets and dilapidated colonial buildings. You will also see St Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, the Santa Cruz Basilica and the huge cantilevered nets that were brought to the city by Chinese traders and have become an iconic symbol of the city.

DAYS 4 COCHIN

This morning you’ll take a tuk-tuk around the backstreets of Fort Cochin, exploring the side often not seen by tourists. You’ll then take a local ferry across the harbour to Ernakulam which is the business hub of modern day Cochin. Lunch will be at a local restaurant where you can have a traditional banana leaf meal.

DAYS 5 & 6 THATTEKAD (HORNBILL CAMP)

Travel with your chauffeur guide from Cohin towards the Thattekad bird sanctuary, nicknamed 'cuckoo paradise', this is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in India. The sanctuary is home to over 270 bird species, including the rare mottled wood owl, the Malayan night heron, the Sri Lankan frogmouth and, of course, various cuckoos. Accommodation is in simple tented cottages with en suite, electricity and hot water.

Here you'll have chance to explore the beautiful local area with village walks, bird-watching, bicycle trips and kayaking all organised locally.

DAYS 7- 9 Wayanad

This morning drive to Alwaye railway station, which takes approximately two hours. Once there, you will start the three hour train journey to Calicut. When you arrive in Calicut, you will be picked up by your chauffeur driver and taken to Wayanad. Here you will spend the next 3 days exploring this beautiful area of the western ghats. Your bungalow style accommodation is set amidst stunning coffee, spice and pepper plantations. Activities we recommend taking part are the cooking demonstration at the herb garden, an Ayurveda massage in the private pavilion and a coracle ride on the private reservoir.

DAYS 10 -11 Thalassery

A three hour journey will take you to Thalassery a bustling little commercial town on the Malabar coast, The city has a rich cultural heritage and was once called 'the Paris of Malabar'; its importance as a spice port in bygone days has left an interesting legacy. Here you'll stay in a colonial mansion overlooking the Arabian sea and you'll enjoy exploring the local market and fort. If you're lucky, your trip might coincide with a mesmeric local ritual - the Theyyam temple dance - when the priest goes into a trance to perform an eerie dance. You can also learn about Mopalla cuisine, the speciality of the Malabar coast, at a cooking class.

DAYS 12 -14 HOUSEBOAT IN NORTHERN KERALA

A road jourey a few hours up state will take you to your houseboat which you'll board for a 3 day/2 night exploration of the Northern Keralan backwaters (which are a lot less touristy than the well trodden backwaters further south in Alleppey). Your boat is designed in the traditional style, with comfortable bedrooms with a wicker canopy to protect you from the sun. Spend your time stopping to explore ashore and meet local villagers, discovering picturesque churches or simply lounging on the boat reading your favourite novel watching the world go by.

DAYS 14-16 Remote BEACH TIME

After your houseboat experience comes to an end you'll take a short 30 minute transfer to the beach where you'll have 3 days to relax and enjoy swimming, exploring and the Arabian Sea.

DAY 17 FLY HOME

Today you'll travel to Calicut airport for your flight home.

An indicative price for this holiday is £3,545 per person inclusive of flights from the UK. Prices may be less in low season and higher in peak season.

Call our India experts on 020 7924 7133 for an inclusive, personalised quotation for your preferred dates.

As every holiday is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 for an inclusive, personalised quotation for your preferred dates or use the quote request form below...

Inclusions

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
Accommodation as described
Privately guided tours and transfers
Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
Meals as described
24 hour in-country backup whilst away
Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Ayisha Manzil, Thalassery

Ayisha Manzil is an authentic and remote homestay with nostalgic touches, passionate hosts, and loads of charm in beautiful Thalassery.

Brunton Boatyard, Cochin

This relatively new hotel is a painstaking reconstruction of 19th century Colonial life on Cochin Harbour. Great value and fantastic seafood.

Hornbill Camp, Thattekad

Hornbill Camp offers upmarket glamping in the birding paradise Thattekad, designed to blend with its stunning natural surroundings.

Lotus Houseboat, Neeleshwar

Lotus Houseboat is a high-end houseboat experience on the northern Kerala backwaters with lots of privacy and plenty of style.

Neeleshwar Hermitage, Neeleshwar

Neeleshwar is a challenge to reach, but this private fishermans hut experience is worth the trip. Expect comfort, space, and unspoilt beauty.

Pepper Trail, Wayanard

A charming and beautiful renovated bungalow amidst scenic coffee, spice and pepper plantations. Check out the luxurious tree houses â amazing!

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

Cochin Tour and Performance, Cochin

As the oldest European settlement in India Kochi (Cochin) features a fascinating blend of architectural styles.

Explore Thalassery Town, Thalassery

Head into Thalassery to explore the local market and fort. If you''re lucky, you're visit will coincide with a Theyyam temple dance.

Tuk Tuk Tour of Fort Cochin, Cochin

Take an alternative view of Fort Cochin by Tuk-Tuk and explore rarely visited Ernakulam.

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Customer Feedback

Suresh our driver was brilliant! He was very helpful and went out of his way to make the holiday fun and accommodate any requests we made.

- Brian Rusling, September, 2015

Customer Protection

The air holiday packages shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9324. Please see our booking conditions for more information.