Arrive in Cochin (Kochi), Kerala’s historic port city once frequented by Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders. Its cosmopolitan past is reflected in colonial churches, spice markets, and waterfront promenades. Transfer to your hotel and relax amidst the tropical ambiance.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Accommodation:

• Superior: Fragrant Nature Kochi

Discover Fort Kochi, where Chinese fishing nets line the shore and narrow lanes reveal art galleries and cafés. Visit St. Francis Church, India’s oldest European church, and the Dutch Palace with murals depicting Hindu epics. Stroll through Jew Town, famed for antique shops and the Paradesi Synagogue. Evening: engage with a Mohiniattam dance guru, gaining insight into Kerala’s graceful classical dance form, known for its feminine elegance and expressive storytelling.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Fragrant Nature Kochi

Drive into the Western Ghats, winding through lush valleys and waterfalls. Arrive in Munnar, a hill station carpeted with tea plantations and misty mountains. Check in at your hotel. Evening: explore the local market, alive with stalls selling spices, handmade chocolates, and aromatic teas.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Amber Dale Munnar-Kondody Hotels

Embark on a Vehicle ride to Kollukumalai Tea Estate, the world’s highest tea plantation at 8,000 ft. The rugged drive offers breathtaking panoramas of rolling hills and distant plains. Visit the Tea Museum, tracing the colonial history of tea cultivation, and walk through verdant plantations, inhaling the fresh aroma of tea leaves.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Amber Dale Munnar-Kondody Hotels

Journey to Madurai, one of India’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Evening visit to the Meenakshi Amman Temple, a Dravidian masterpiece with towering gopurams covered in colorful sculptures. Witness the evening temple ceremony, where priests perform rituals accompanied by chants and music, immersing you in centuries-old devotion.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Heritage Madurai

Morning excursion to Azhagar Kovil, a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, nestled in the scenic Alagar Hills. The temple’s architecture blends natural beauty with spiritual significance. Evening: embark on a street food tour, savouring Madurai’s culinary delights from crispy parottas and spicy curries to the iconic jigarthanda, a cooling milk-based drink.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Superior: Heritage Madurai

Drive to Thekkady, gateway to the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The region is famed for its spice plantations, where cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon thrive in fertile soil. Afternoon: guided spice plantation walk, learning cultivation secrets. Evening: enjoy a cooking demo, discovering Kerala’s traditional recipes infused with aromatic spices.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks

Accommodation:

• Superior: Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa, Thekkady

Travel to Alleppey, the “Venice of the East.” Explore the village by walk, meeting locals engaged in coir-making and fishing. Later, glide through tranquil canals on a Shikara ride, passing coconut groves, paddy fields, and traditional homes. The backwaters offer a serene glimpse into Kerala’s rural life.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Superior: Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort, Alleppey, Kerala

Check out from your resort and enjoy a relaxed stroll along the beach, soaking in the coastal serenity. Board a traditional Kerala houseboat for a scenic day cruise through tranquil backwaters, accompanied by an authentic local lunch served onboard.

After the cruise, take a short transfer to Marari Beach Resort a coastal haven where rustic charm meets understated luxury. Unwind with a swim in the Arabian Sea, wander barefoot along golden sands, or rejuvenate with Ayurveda therapies. Marari offers the perfect retreat after days of exploration.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Abad Turtle Beach | Beach Resort Marari Alleppey

Transfer to Cochin airport for departure. Bid farewell to South India’s landscapes, temples, and traditions, carrying memories of cultural encounters and natural beauty.

Meals: Breakfast