Arrive in Kochi

GATEWAY TO KERALA: Your Kerala Backwaters Tour starts in Kochi, a historic trading port once ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Kochi is a popular arrival point for tourists visiting Kerala. There is a time difference of 4.5 hours between Kerala and the UK, so plan your arrival accordingly. Travelers can use a map to get oriented in Kochi and locate key attractions, hotels, and transport options. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and meet your guide who will be with you throughout this trip. Explore at leisure before an optional harbour cruise to see local fishing communities. In the evening, watch a Kathakali dance show where artists transform with makeup and storytelling. This traditional art form is an essential part of Kerala’s cultural heritage. Enjoy your first taste of Kerala’s cuisine before retiring to your hotel for the night.

Cochin

KOCHI COLONIAL HERITAGE: Today you will explore Fort Kochi, a historic town renowned for its colonial heritage and vibrant culture. Your guide will show you the layers of history of this ancient trading hub, which has long connected Kerala to traders from across the globe. Walk past Chinese fishing nets, a sight unique to Kochi outside China. Visit the Dutch Palace with its beautiful murals of Hindu epics. Continue to the Jewish Synagogue, a 16th century architectural wonder and step inside St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was once buried. Engage with the city’s past while experiencing its present. The rest of the day is free to wander or relax by the waterfront and soak in Kochi’s timeless charm.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Cochin

MUNNAR

TEA COUNTRY ADVENTURE: Leave the coast behind and drive to Munnar, a hill station in the Western Ghats. En route, your local guide will show you the changing landscapes—rolling tea plantations, forests and spice farms. Munnar is a highlight of South India, known for its lush, expansive tea estates and scenic beauty. On arrival, check into your hillside retreat and then go for an explorer’s walk through the tea valleys. The evening is free to relax and sip on locally grown tea while taking in Munnar’s misty peaks. This is the transition from coastal heritage to Kerala’s highland wilderness—be sure to visit Kerala to experience its unique highland beauty.

Meals Included: Breakfast

MUNNAR

MUNNAR TEA ESTATES TREK: Put on your boots for a scenic trek across the land of Munnar’s tea estates and Shola forests. Starting at 1,420 metres above sea level, the trek goes through tea fields, ridges and grasslands and offers breathtaking views of Anamudi Peak, South India’s highest point. Your expert guide will point out endemic bird species and share information on the region’s rare flora. Visit a tea museum and learn about tea production and then taste some fresh brews. End the day with a visit to Srishti, a social enterprise that supports local communities through traditional crafts.

Meals Included: Breakfast

THEKKADY

THEKKADY WILDLIFE SAFARI: Drive to the town of Thekkady, surrounded by spice plantations and known as a base for exploring the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Periyar is one of Kerala's top wildlife sanctuaries and is considered one of the best places to see wildlife in Kerala, including elephant herds and diverse birdlife. On arrival, check in and relax before an evening Kalaripayattu martial arts demonstration, an ancient warrior tradition unique to Kerala. Your guide will explain the history and techniques of this combat style. The rest of the evening is free to wander or you can opt for an optional visit to a local spice market where you can see Kerala’s famous cardamom, pepper and cinnamon.

Meals Included: Breakfast

THEKKADY

PERIYAR LAKE SAFARI: Get up early for a Periyar Lake boat safari, a beautiful waterway through dense jungle. Keep an eye out for wild elephants, deer and exotic birds as your guide tells you about the conservation efforts in the region. Later, go on a guided tour of a working spice plantation and learn about Kerala's famous spices—vanilla, nutmeg and cloves. How these spices shaped Kerala as a global trading hub. After a day in nature, relax back at the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

KUMARAKOM

Drive to Kumarakom, a peaceful village on the shores of Vembanad Lake, at the heart of Kerala’s palm-lined backwaters. Set out with your guide on gentle walks through paddy fields and coconut groves, learning how daily life unfolds along these lazy waterways. There are opportunities to interact with local villagers and observe traditional routines, from farming to canoe travel. Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a renowned refuge for resident and migratory birds. Later, unwind with an optional Ayurvedic massage or explore classic ayurvedic treatments, often paired with yoga, local cuisine and wellness rituals. Evening is free for sunset by the lake.

Meals Included: Breakfast

ALLEPPEY

Board a traditional Kerala houseboat (kettuvallam) for a backwaters houseboat cruise through Alleppey’s tranquil canals and lagoons. These beautifully crafted boats blend rustic charm with modern comforts on select vessels, creating a relaxed, scenic journey. Drift past palm-fringed waterways, fishing villages and floating markets, watching fishermen cast nets and tend traps in time-honoured ways. Your guide explains the backwaters’ unique ecosystem and how these waterways ultimately connect to the Arabian Sea. Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch on board as you cruise by communities living at the water’s edge. As night falls, savour a starlit dinner on deck and sleep gently rocked by the water; optional cooking classes add a deeper taste of local cuisine.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cochin

KOCHI & FAREWELL DINNER: After breakfast, disembark and drive back to Kochi for a free day. Spend time in the city's markets or relax by the waterfront. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner and reminisce about your journey through Kerala's varied landscapes. Whether it was the tea plantations, wildlife or houseboat, this trip has given you a deeper insight into Kerala's natural and cultural wonders.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Cochin

Kochi Departure

Your Kerala backwaters, hill stations and wildlife reserves journey ends today. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight and take with you memories of this expertly guided trip.

Meals Included: Breakfast