Family Kerala Holiday

This two-week adventure in Kerala features family-friendly properties, a variety of activities and short travel times, a great way to explore the best of ‘God's own country’ without spending all the time in a car. You will get to enjoy a diverse array of landscapes, flora and fauna and rural and urban habitats throughout Kerala, accompanied by your driver and English speaking guides in each place.

Ease into your holiday with a stay along the peaceful River Periyar before making your way to the lush hill station of Munnar for some trekking and visits to the stunning tea and cardamom plantations that make this hills station such a pull. Explore the jungles and water bodies of Periyar National Park and then head to Kumarakom to experience life on the famous and unique backwaters. Your holiday winds up in the historic and cosmopolitan city of Cochin, after time on the beach, visiting its well-known sites and lesser-explored backstreets.

Highlights Include:

Revel in the glorious peace on the banks of the River Periyar - with many activities on offer
Hike or raft along the river in Periyar National Park, looking for wildlife in the surrounding forest-clad hills
Explore the narrow channels of the backwaters to get an insight into village life
Unwind on the palm-fringed, sandy beaches of Mararikulam
Discover Cochin on a tuk-tuk tour of its back streets and narrow lanes - parts of the city not often explored by tourists

These are just a few highlights of what is an extraordinary and action-packed holiday.

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

This is a sample itinerary which we will tailor to suit you. Prices are dependent on destination, flights & dates but ETG holidays always include the following:

International flights (if required)
Guides, drivers & their tips
Accommodation
Specified meals & snacks
Your immersive experiences
Internal & regional transfers

Get in touch with us for your bespoke proposal
or see more on our ETG Pricing Guide

Call for a bespoke proposal 020 7924 7133 1-888-577-8452

DAY 1: DEPART UK

Depart the UK on your flight to Cochin.

DAYS 2 & 3: WINDERMERE RIVER HOUSE RURAL LIFE

You will be met at Cochin airport by your driver who will be with you by the end of the trip. You’ll transfer straight to the Windermere River House on the banks of the River Periyar, a secluded and traditionally Keralan property offering a unique insight into rural life.

Windermere River House is a great base to relax and explore the remote surrounding area where locals still live a traditional way of life. Depending on your interests, during your stay, you will have the opportunity to fish, swim or even canoe in the River Periyar, visit a local village school, a remote forest temple and beautiful spots to catch the sunrise or sunset. Cycling, hiking and cooking classes are also on offer, and, if you’re a twitcher, the variety of birdlife in the area is impressive, so bring your binoculars!

DAYS 4 & 5: MUNNAR TEA & TREKKING

Today you will journey roughly two-and-a-half hours into the lush tea plantations of Munnar where you will stay at Spice Tree for two nights. The hill station of Munnar, a major centre for tea production, sits high in the Western Ghats. Surrounded by rich flora and fauna, here you’ll also find rolling hills of coffee and cardamom.

There are plenty of activities to keep you occupied at Spice Tree. Cooking classes are available to introduce you to the variety of flavours Kerala has to offer, along with tea tasting in nearby plantations where you can learn about the many different herbs and spices of the region. There are plenty of relaxed treks around the grounds and more strenuous ones further afield too.

DAYS 6 & 7: PERIYAR WILDLIFE & ADVENTURE

After a four hour drive, you will arrive in Periyar National Park, a protected area in southern Kerala that is home to a broad range of wildlife. Spend the first afternoon relaxing around your hotel

Here you’ll spend a full day hiking and rafting day through some of the most fertile forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Wander through forests rich in birdlife and arboreal animals like giant squirrels and Nilgiri langur before rafting for about three hours. Spot gaur, sambar deer and a profusion of birdlife at the water’s edge amongst the stunning panoramic views of the forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. If you’re fortunate, you may even get a glimpse of the elephants that reside in the interior of the park!

DAYS 8 & 9: KUMARAKOM BACKWATERS & VILLAGES

On an early morning jungle trek led by tribal trackers, you will traverse the diverse habitats of Periyar, observing birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Later, you will be transferred roughly 4 hours towards Alleppey, for your stay in Kumarakom for two nights. In the afternoon, cruise the backwaters on a houseboat towards the Thottappaly region, revealing the expanse of the waterways and village life alongside the water.

The next morning, take a short cruise on a houseboat along an expanse of Lake Vembanad before exploring the more narrow channels of Kumarakom, passing through hamlets and villages where you can witness fishing and toddy tapping in the heart of the backwaters. You’ll experience two contrasts of the same area, giving you a real insight into local life all from the comfort of a beautiful boat.

DAYS 10, 11 & 12: MARARIKULAM RELAXATION

After just a 30 minute drive this morning, you will arrive in Mararikulam for a relaxing three-night stay. Originally a small fishing village, you’ll find in many ways, the way of life here has hardly changed. Spend the next few days at your leisure exploring the long stretch of beach dotted with fishing communities or relaxing in your hotel, by the pool

DAYS 14 & 15: COCHIN HISTORIC & COSMOPOLITAN

Your driver will transfer you approximately 1.5 hours today to your final destination, Cochin, for a two-night stay. On a sunset cruise, you will be introduced to the city, witnessing the lovely views of the famous Marine Drive, surrounding islands and the Cochin Harbour before ending at the iconic Chinese fishing nets.

The following morning, board a local tuk-tuk with your driver to explore the backstreets and narrow lanes of Fort Cochin, experiencing a side to the city not often seen by tourists. Visit the spice bazaar and laundrette where everything is still done by hand, before taking a local ferry across the harbour to the business hub of Ernakulam. Here you’ll see the former royal offices, markets and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.