As India is 5 hours, 30 minutes ahead of the UK, most flights will arrive next day.

Also known as Kochi, you will be met at the airport on arrival and transported to your hotel. Please note, you may want to travel out a day or more early to enjoy more of this charming town and relax after your long flight. Extra nights start from just £69 per room, please ask on booking. Remember, we pick you up free of charge up to 3 days before the tour starts. Tonight, there will be an included welcome meal.

Today we take you on a tour of the old town. We’ll visit what is known as ‘Jew Town’ with its old synagogue, St Francis Church, the oldest church in India, we’ll see how spices are prepared for export all over the world, as well walk along the traditional Chinese fishing nets that along the beach with market vendors and rustic eateries. Today is charming.

Today we drive over the Cardamon hills up into Munnar, a vista of beautiful undulating hills and tea plantations built by the British. This is a scenic drive, where we’ll find out why Kerala is also known as God’s country, not least with its abundance in growing things from pineapples, to coco, peppers to the ubiquitous coconut.

Munnar is a beautiful setting and we’ll begin our exploration by jeeps. We’ll drive to the crest of hill with an optional short down-hill trek through a tea plantation (if you prefer, you can be driven down and enjoy tea and wait). We’ll also go inside a tea factory to see how tea leaves are processed and enjoy some tasting. Later, we’ll drive the surrounding countryside and stop for free time Munnar.

Today, we venture to the spice town of Thekkady. We will visit a plantation to learn about the spices with the rest of the evening free.  You may like to take part in an optional cookery demonstration this evening. Please note, you could visit Periyar National Park here (public boat trips are offered – there are no private boats) however from our experience we have found the chances of seeing wildlife are limited. The Periyar trip falls outside of our itinerary.

Today we head move to Kumarakom, where we stay in a comfortable hotel with pool near the picturesque Vembanad lake – the second largest fresh water lake in South East Asia. You may want relax by the pool or take an optional and free boat trip along the lake for sunset. Our stay here is peaceful, set in its own grounds and surrounded by natural beauty.

This morning we depart for our drive to Allepy where you’ll board your simple boat for the night. These are converted rice barges with ‘rustic’ 2 to 3 ensuite cabins per boat, air conditioning at night, and your very own chef to prepare your included meals – lunch, dinner, and following day breakfast are all included. Here you can sit out on the deck and watch the world go by on this relaxing experience.

This morning you disembark your houseboat and we drive along the coast to Varkarla for a three night stay. Varkarla is an unusual beach resort along a cliff top with a beautiful beach below. There are an abundance of restaurants to choose from.

Time to enjoy this beautiful setting.

More free time.

Today we make the return drive to Cochi. Tonight we enjoy our included farewell dinner.

We transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

B&B = Bed, Breakfast, HB = Half Board