Undiscovered Northern Kerala

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, Portuguese mansions, and ancient mosques. After you've checked in at your charming boutique hotel, you'll head to the harbour for a 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 massive 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 Cochin towards the Thattekad bird sanctuary, nicknamed 'cuckoo paradise', this is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in India. 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 a 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 three days exploring this beautiful area of the western ghats. Your bungalow style accommodation sits among lovely 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 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 (once called 'the Paris of Malabar'); its importance as a spice port in bygone days has left a fascinating 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 journey a few hours upstates will take you to your houseboat which you'll board for a three day/two-night exploration of the Northern Keralan backwaters (which are a lot less touristy than the well-trodden waters 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 lounging on the boat reading your favourite novel watching the world.

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 three 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.