Following a warm reception at the airport with fresh floral garlands by a representative or guide, guests will be transferred to their hotel. The representative will assist with check-in procedures upon your arrival at hotel. (Check-in times differ by hotel, but are typically between 1400 and 1500 hours.)

Set on a magnificent estuary, serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travelers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese and Dutch colonial-era houses, and the crumbling remains of the colonial British Raj. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal and Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. It’s a delightful place to explore, laze in arty cafes and relax at some of India’s finest homestays and heritage hotels. It's also an important centre for Keralan arts (traditional and contemporary) and a standout place to see Kathakali and Kalarippayatu.

Overnight at the hotel in Cochin.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Hotel Presidency
• Deluxe: Casino Hotel, CGH Earth
• Premium: Eighth Bastion - CGH Earth

Breakfast at the hotel. Start with the tour for Fort Kochi area & Mattanchery. 

Visit Dutch Palace in Mattancherry, also know as Mattancherry Palace, is one of the finest examples of the Kerala style of architecture interspersed with colonial influences. The Jewish Synagogue or Paradesi Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. Walk to the Chinese fishing nets which are huge cantilevered fishing nets, believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese trade.

Free time in Fort Kochi area to walk and relax. 

 

Evening enjoy the Kathakali Dance show. 

Witness the world famous Kathakali dance at a local theatre, a traditional art form of Kerala. Kathakali artists wear elaborate, billowing costumes with intricately painted faces, flowing scarves, detailed ornaments, and magnificent crowns. This classical Indian dance performance tells stories of Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata through footwork and hand gestures.

Overnight at the hotel in Cochin. 

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Hotel Presidency
• Deluxe: Casino Hotel, CGH Earth
• Premium: Eighth Bastion - CGH Earth

Breakfast at the hotel leisurely check out and drive to Munnar. 

The rolling hills around Munnar, South India's largest tea-growing region, are carpeted in emerald-green tea plantations, contoured, clipped and sculpted like ornamental hedges. The low Western Ghats scenery is magnificent – you’re often up above the clouds watching veils of mist clinging to mountaintops. Wander just a few miles out of town and you'll be engulfed in a sea of a thousand shades of green. The

town is located at the confluence of three mountain streams-Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kudala-and is known for its clean, neat, and brightly painted ambience. The beautiful landscapes, cosy weather, and the smell of tealeaves make Munnar one of the most sought-after destinations in South India.

On arrival check in and overnight at the hotel in Munnar. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Abad Copper Castle Resort Munnar
• Deluxe: Abad Copper Castle Resort Munnar
• Premium: Abad Copper Castle Resort Munnar

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit tea plantations and tea factory. 

Walking in the tea plantations with your tour guide, immersing into the process of how tea reached from the hills to cups in your homes. You arrive at the tea factory where to see the process happeing in front of your eyes. 

Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. 

Note: From November - March, we can organise visits to Eravikulam National Park as well, chargeable extra. 

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Abad Copper Castle Resort Munnar
• Deluxe: Abad Copper Castle Resort Munnar
• Premium: Abad Copper Castle Resort Munnar

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Thekkady. 

On arrival, visit Spice plantation & Periyar Tiger Reserve on a shared boat. 

The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spreads across the entire district are the picturesque plantations and hill towns that nestle beautiful trails for treks and mountain walks. It is one of the oldest tiger reserves in the country and the forests of Periyar is embellished by the presence of endangered species.

Later, check in to your hotel. 

The wealth of spices of India, especially Kerala have lured foreigners for centuries. The appetizing flavors and the intoxicating aroma of spices need to be experienced to see the reason for the temptation. Thekkady cultivates spices in their blissful weather and location. Owing to a number of lush green spice plantations, it is undoubtedly the heartland of spices. Enjoy a spice tour in Thekkady, in the Western Ghats, close to Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Proceed for the boat ride at Lake Periyar for wildlife viewing. Herds of Elephants, bisons are common sights here. This reservoir is famous for its water birds which can be observed from close quarters when you go boating on the lake. Periyar Lake is inside a protected area and contributes to the conservation of plants, fowl, fish and wild animals, some of which are rare, endemic and also endangered.

Evening, witness the Kalaripayattu Martial Art show in the local theatre. 

Kerala’s martial art form, Kalaripayattu, is well-known worldwide. Most of Kerala’s art forms are influenced by Kalaripayattu. In the past kalaris (combat arena or battle field) formed an integral part of the lives of ordinary citizens. Having no gender bias, boys and girls of all ages would be taken to the Kalaris for practice in their early years. The status and sway of Kalaris shifted along with the social climate.

For example, there is ‘Meipayattu’ (physical training), ‘Vadipayattu’ (fighting with sticks or swords), ‘Valpayattu’ (fighting with knives), and ‘Verumkaiprayoga’ (fighting with brooms) (bare hand exercise).

One gets to experience the legendary martial art form in all its glory with exercises being presented by trained fighters. The audience will also get a deeper understanding of the techniques used to showcase this ancient practice.

Overnight at the hotel in Thekkady. 

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Hotel PepperVine Thekkady
• Deluxe: Cardamom County by Xandari
• Premium: Spice Village – CGH Earth

Early breakfast and drive to Alleppey. 

Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always enjoyed an important place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. One of the most delightful experiences while in Alappuzha is the houseboat cruise. The houseboats you find in the backwaters of Alappuzha are in fact a reworked version of the Kettuvallams of olden times. Kettuvallam is a Malayalam word, ‘Kettu’, which refers to dwelling structures and ‘Vallom’ means boat. In the olden days, 'Kettuvallam' or a boat with a thatched roof that covers wooden hulls was used to carry tons of rice and spices. Of late, houseboats come equipped with all the comforts of a good hotel room including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cosy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. An uninterrupted view of life in the backwaters can be enjoyed while you are on a houseboat.

On arrival, embark on your houseboat. Sail through the backwaters in your houseboat. 

Lunch, evening snacks, and dinner are to be served onboard housboat. 

(Note: All houseboat don't serve alcohol onboard, hence, you can take your own.)

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Breakfast onboard houseboat, disembark at 09am and then drive to your beach stay. 

Ovenright at the beach resort. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Superior: Abad Harmonia | Resort in Kovalam
• Deluxe: Abad Turtle Beach | Beach Resort Marari Alleppey
• Premium: Marari Beach a CGH Earth Experience

Breakfast at the resort. Day free for leisure.
Overnight at the beach resort.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Superior: Abad Harmonia | Resort in Kovalam
• Deluxe: Abad Turtle Beach | Beach Resort Marari Alleppey
• Premium: Marari Beach a CGH Earth Experience

Departure transfer to airport for flight back home or onwards destination. (breakfast subject to time availability)

Note: Tranfer to the nearest airport

• For Kovalam/Varkala: Trivandrum Airport (TRV)
• For Marari: Kochi Airport (COK)

Meals: Breakfast