Kerala Adventure

Although in recent years Kovalam has had an influx of tourists, it still retains much of its original charm being made up of a series of sandy bays and rocky promontories. The day is free for you to explore this area at leisure. You may decide to walk along the sandy beaches or wander round Kovalam village. In the evening you can sit in a beachside cafe, enjoying the vista of local fishermen sailing out for their evening catch with a back-drop of a setting sun. Kerala is particularly renowned for its herbal care, and you may choose to try out an ayurvedic massage.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we drive to Alumkadavu, situated just north of Kollam. Here we board our houseboats and begin our journey into the network of the Kerala backwaters, travelling north via Kanyankulam Lake to Thottappally. The traditional houseboats are simple vessels, with en-suite twin rooms. The pace is relaxed – enabling us to see riverside village life in its entirety. The industrious villagers survive on narrow spits of land, keeping cows, chickens and cultivating vegetable gardens. Even the shells from the fresh water mussels are burnt to make building lime, and the fibre from the coconut palm has many uses including coir products made from coconut fibre. The gardens are generally well tended often with brightly coloured flowers, such as hibiscus, contrasting sharply with the tropical greenery.

Overnight Basic Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We continue our trip along the palm-fringed waterways to Thrikunnapuzha. Our accommodation is superbly situated on its own beautiful island within this stunning lagoon. The afternoon is left free to explore at your leisure. You may choose to walk to the nearby villages or along the golden beaches. Alternatively, you could hire a bike to explore the local area or take a rickshaw to visit the Snake Temple at Manarasala. In the evening, we have the opportunity to try some of the tasty food, typical to this area.

Overnight Standard Bungalow / Chalet Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We continue travelling through the backwaters this morning but exchange our houseboat for a motorlaunch, one of the many types of craft to be seen here. The style of boats varies immensely depending on the area of backwater. On the more open canals, you can see boats with large sails – the bow often carved in the shape of a dragon. The boats are the lifeline for the villages, acting as taxis, mail deliverers – even the harvest is carried in boats. You may see great pyramids of coconuts or even spot the odd buffalo being carried by boat! In days gone by these waterways were once the scene of postharvest water wars, which have now evolved into great water pageants. Boat race crews will often live together and visit a shrine to make their peace with the Almighty. Interestingly, all women teams compete in their own boats. Tonight we stay with local families within a village, and your tour leader will brief you on local customs and traditions.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we leave the tropical backwaters and head inland to Periyar situated close to the border with Tamil Nadu. Kerala was first visited by King Solomon and over the centuries it has been noticeably influenced by overseas traders. This unique balance of people from different religious backgrounds (Hindus, Christians and Muslims) living together, is unseen in other parts of India. We shall see much evidence of this when we pass pastel coloured churches and shrines. Our route to the Periyar wildlife sanctuary takes us past many rubber plantations, and through the varied spice gardens of this part of India. We include a visit to a spice garden at the edge of Periyar. This afternoon is left free for personal exploration and relaxation. You could even opt for a relaxing ayurvedic massage.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Periyar is one of 16 tiger reserves in India, although it is probably better known for its elephants. There are about 40 tigers living in the 777 sq km park but, as they are solitary creatures, the chances of seeing them are very slim. This morning we go for a walk in search of other wildlife such as the wild boar, giant malabar, porcupine and the flying squirrel. The Park itself is made up of a variety of habitats, open grasslands, deciduous, semi-evergreen and tropical forests all of which have different animal species. The ecosystem of the tropical evergreen jungle is very interesting as the trees grow up to 40m, and the dense canopy only allows in limited sunlight. Therefore at ground level, there are abundant ferns, orchid and airplants- plants which need little light to survive. This afternoon you may want do an optional cookery course and learn how to cook some traditional Indian food.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive to Munnar through an area of many spice and tea plantations. Kerala has been renowned for its spices for at least 2000 years, the coast had been known by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and Chinese for its sandalwood and spices. There was also a flourishing trade in ‘black gold’ – pepper – which, along with the spices was sent to Europe by the Jewish and Arab traders. In return, copper, brass and gold coins came to Kerala. It was this trading link which brought Christianity and Islam into Kerala – the first place in India to host these two faiths. In the afternoon we drive to Eravikulam National Park, watched over by Mt Anamudi, and walk through the excellent scenery. We might even see the rare Nilgiri Thar mountain goat. (Please note the park closes during the calving season, usually Jan- Feb, in which case the tour leader will organise an alternative excursion). Our drive back to Munnar takes us through rolling hills, where tea plantations cover the hills like a thick green carpet. Munnar is a pleasant place to spend time, with its green tropical forests, fresh mountain air and neat tea plantations. It is hardly surprising it has become a favourite for Indian honeymooners. You may see tea being picked and learn how it is processed. It is the women who usually pick the tea because of their nimble fingers. Their brightly coloured clothes contrast sharply with the greenery of the plantations.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we make our way back to the coast and drive on to Kochi. This place has been a gathering place of merchants since antiquity and is full of bustling traders. A half day tour by boat is planned for today. Fort Kochi is the oldest European settlement in India (1500), and has a mixture of English, Dutch and Portuguese influence. The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but extensive renovations by the Dutch some hundred years later earned it the name ‘the Dutch Palace'. It has some of the best murals in India, depicting scenes from the Ramayana and other great legends. On our tour we visit the Jew town synagogue where Kochi’s surviving Jewish community come to worship. Nearby are the interesting cantilevered Chinese Fishing nets.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Our last day in Kochi is left free for personal exploration. Alternatively, you could visit a nearby SOS village with your tour leader. These villages are for orphaned children throughout the world. There is the option of visiting Tripunithura Hill Palace, the impressive former residence of the Maharajas of Kochi. Alternatively you may prefer to do some last minute shopping or wander around the fish market. Kochi is also home to the famous Kathakali dancers, which is thought by some to be the very essence of the culture of Kerala. Its origins may have come from traditional temple rituals and from an art form known as Koodiyattam. It is the face make up which makes this dancing so unique. The dancers can take up to three hours painting their faces – the features are heavily emphasised as it is the facial expressions and co-ordinated eye movements which are important in the dance. The dances usually portray events from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, great Indian epics. This evening there is the opportunity to see these dancers (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We catch an early morning train to Trivandrum and then drive onto Kovalam. We will have the afternoon and the following day free for relaxation, shopping, a South Indian cookery class (optional) or to take an optional excursion to Kanniyakumari at the southern extremity of the subcontinent.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Today we are free to explore Kovalum. Your leader will be on hand with suggestions on places to visit and to help with travel arrangements. Alternatively relax on the beach and watch the fishermen bring in their catch.

Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast