Kerala Encompassed

Arrive in Cochin, where your driver and guide will welcome you before making the two- to three-hour journey south to Purity, right on the edge of Lake Vembanad.

During your two-night stay, you’ll have the chance to sink into your surroundings, and explore this tranquil area. Visit nearby intricate temples with your guide, or head to the village of Muhamma to see the traditional coir-making process firsthand.

One of the simplest pleasures here is walking through the rice paddies, breathing in the fresh air as local life gently unfolds around you.

It’s time to board your houseboat from the local jetty and set off on a two-night cruise through the backwaters. We always recommend more than the typical one-night cruise, so you have the chance to venture deeper into the waterways and escape any crowds.

You’ll drift past coconut palms, rice fields, and scenes of everyday village life.

Hop ashore to meet local people, explore pretty churches, or simply relax on deck and watch the world go by.

Back on dry land, your driver will take you into the hills on a four- to-five hour journey to Munnar, where you’ll settle in for a two-night stay.

This pleasant hill station, nestled in the Western Ghats, is a major centre for tea production. With your guide, explore remote estates and see how tea is made, starting from the plucking of the leaves right through to the factory process.

Journey around two hours to the Windermere River House, a blissful retreat set on the banks of the Periyar and surrounded by two acres of tropical forests and flora.

This small Keralan property offers a unique window into rural life in this special part of the world. During your two-night stay, you can simply unwind, or head out to explore this remote region where local communities still live in traditional ways. Depending on your interests, you might fish, swim or canoe in the river, visit a nearby village school or remote forest temple, or watch the sunrise or sunset from some especially picturesque spots. Birdwatchers, bring binoculars: many species can be spotted right from the garden!

Next, it’s on to Cochin, Kerala’s most famous city, where colonial charm meets modern bustle. Over two and a half days, you’ll explore both sides: laid-back Fort Kochi and lively Ernakulam.

Kick off with a sunset cruise, sailing past historic landmarks and sunset at the celebrated Chinese fishing nets. The next day, your guide will reveal Cochin’s layered history, evident in its architecture – from churches to temples, including a basilica and even a synagogue – and refuel with a tasty local lunch.

Spend your final day weaving through the city’s backstreets by tuk-tuk, taking in the spice-scented bazaars and visiting a local launderette where everything’s still done by hand. Then hop on a ferry across the harbour to Ernakulam, Cochin’s bustling business hub, home to one of Kerala’s oldest markets.

Your driver will drop you at the train station this morning, where you’ll set off on the five- to six-hour rail journey to Tellicherry. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed and whisked to Ayisha Manzil, a heritage homestay: your base for the next two nights. You’ll have time to get to know this bustling little town on the Malabar Coast and the banks of the Eranholi River. Once an important spice port, Tellicherry has a rich cultural legacy that still lingers today. Wander through the local market, explore the fort, and – if your visit coincides – experience the mesmerising Theyyam temple dance, a local ritual that’s well worth seeing.

If you’re into food, gain insight into Mopalla cuisine with a cooking class – and a few brilliant recipes too.

After a four-hour drive east, into the spice plantations of Wayanad, you’ll arrive at your charming bungalow amid the scenic plantations at Pepper Trail.

There’s plenty to do here. Take a guided tour of the century-old plantation to learn how coffee, tea and pepper are traditionally grown, processed and consumed, and explore the surrounding area on foot. Follow trails past ancient caves, a natural reservoir, and thriving flora and fauna, and if you’re a keen hiker, you could climb part of Chembra Peak (the highest in the region at 2,100 metres).

With two nights in Nagarhole National Park, you’ll have several chances to spot elephants and, with a bit of luck, tigers! Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, sambar, chital, gaur and wild boar too – along with an impressive array of rare birdlife.

Your lodge offers different types of safaris: by boat on the Kabini Reservoir, in a jeep into the forest and buffer zones, and birdwatching walks. We particularly recommend taking a boat ride to view wildlife from a peaceful vantage point and feel properly immersed.

Time to rest and recharge by the beach! Your driver will take you through the hills on a five- to six-hour journey, to Nileshwar for a three-night stay on Kerala’s quiet northern coast.

This relaxed region is refreshing: its beaches are secluded and its rivers serene. At Kanan Beach Resort, you can explore as much or as little as you like. Visit the historic Bekal Fort, walk scenic trails in the Western Ghats, or cycle through a patchwork of paddy fields, temples, and garden paths. Or, if you’d rather, read your book by the pool or make the most of the beach.