Essence of Kerala

A leisurely exploration of the lush and tropical state of Kerala, ‘God’s own country’.

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Group Tour

Duration8 Days
Flights IncludedNo
Prices From £ 1085

Places Visited : Cochin, Periyar National Park, Alleppey (Rice Boat), Kovalam

At the southern tip of India lies the oblong state of Kerala, aptly referred to as “God’s Own Country” for its miles of golden sandy beaches dotted with coastal villages, verdant landscapes of the Western Ghats, fragrant spice, tea and coffee plantations and its own vibrant culture.

Our Essence of Kerala tour commences with sightseeing in the historic Fort Cochin and Jew Town to see influences left by the Chinese, English, Dutch, and Portuguese settlers. It also enjoys sweeping views of beautiful tea country, National Parks, spice plantations, and sandy beaches. The highlight is so often an overnight cruise on the backwaters on traditional rice barges.

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Suggested itinerary

Day 1

Cochin

Greeted on arrival in Cochin and escorted to the Fragrant Nature Hotel or similar for two nights.

For centuries the hub of India’s spice and tea trade, Fort Cochin occupies the northern tip of a peninsula dividing the mouth of the Vembanad Lake from the Arabian Sea. Its low-rise, red-tiled skyline bears the imprint of its former colonial residents: Lusitanian chapels, Jewish synagogues, Dutch burghers’ houses, Armenian mansions, and British bungalows and godowns (warehouses) all survive in the Fort’s grid of narrow lanes – the largest collection of early colonial buildings in Asia.

Visitors can savour the atmosphere of bygone eras by staying in one of the beautiful heritage hotels that have opened around the waterfront. Watch the container ships, oil tankers and local fishing boats chug past the famous Chinese fishing nets over a gin and tonic on your own verandah, then dine on spicy Keralan coastal cuisine in some of South India’s finest restaurants.

Accommodation Options

Fragrant Nature

Day 2

Cochin

Spend the morning taking in the sights of historic Fort Cochin. Explore the colonial streets and St Francis, the oldest church in India. Visit the Dutch Palace, with its murals of the Ramayana. In the evening take a sunset cruise on the harbour, a signature Kerala experience, for views of the landmark Chinese fishing nets, which provide a spectacular photo opportunity at dusk.

Your guided tour of the city’s chief landmarks takes in the beautiful Dutch Palace in Matancherry, famed for its traditional Keralan murals, followed by a visit to the old Synagogue in nearby Jew Town. This district holds several huge, and very well stocked, antiques emporia that are well worth a browse. In the evening, the group will be driven up to Fort Cochin for a sunset cruise around the harbour, where you’ll see the iconic Chinese fishing nets in action, along with a variety of craft, both large and small, from dugout fishing canoes to giant container ships.

Accommodation Options

Fragrant Nature

Day 3

Cochin - Periyar National Park

Drive along meandering roads through lush, green countryside ascending into the ‘Western Ghats’ at Periyar (5 hours). Enjoy lunch at a rubber plantation. Stay at the Cardamom County Resort or similar for two nights. In the evening attend a Kathakali performance, a traditional dance drama in which the dancers wear elaborate costumes and make-up to enact the story of the Mahabarat epic.

The mountains of inland Kerala, which run the entire length of the state, are one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Tea, coffee and spice plantations dominate many areas, but abundant forest also survives, and the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses one of the most readily accessible of these. Centred on a flooded valley system, the park is among the largest in India, famous first and foremost for its herds of wild elephant, which congregate in the dry season around the shores of Periyar Lake.

Accommodation Options

Cardamom County, Thekkady

Day 4

Periyar National Park

This morning take a walk in Periyar Nature Reserve with tribal trackers, in search of wildlife. In the afternoon visit a spice plantation which offers an interesting insight into how various spices such as cardamom, cloves and cinnamon are grown, cultivated and processed.

Boat safaris on Periyar Lake are fun, but too noisy for serious wildlife spotting. A better option is to take to the footpaths in the company of a local guide, who can track and identify the many creatures who live in this well-preserved tract of forest. Malabar giant squirrels, palm civets and sambar deer are commonly encountered, as are hornbills and other spectacular birds. Elephants may be sighted around the water’s edge and are best viewed from the safety of a boat or safari raft.

Accommodation Options

Cardamom County, Thekkady

Day 5

Periyar National Park - Alleppey (Rice Boat)

Drive down through the hills and plantations towards the backwaters to board a rice boat for an overnight cruise through Lake Vembanad and the backwaters. This is a region that not only shelters unique animal and bird life, but also lush paddy fields. This is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.

Up until the 1980s, large barges made of oiled jackwood and canopies of plaited palm leaves were used throughout the Kuttinad region to transport rice and other produce through the backwaters. Now, trucks do the haulage work, but the boats – known as kettu vallam in Malayali – take visitors on cruises around the canals, rivers and lagoons of this fascinating region, where most of the population still live in island villages. A far cry from the oily craft of old, kettu vallam are today fitted with comfortable en-suite, air-con bedrooms, galleys, and viewing decks from which you’ll be able to watch the watery world slip past. Four-course meals of delicious Keralan curries are served by liveried staff in the evening.

Accommodation Options

Rice boats

Day 6

Alleppey - Marari

Drive to the southern coastal town and the inviting beaches at Marari. Stay at Abad Turtle Beach Resort or similar for two nights.

Accommodation Options

Travancore Heritage

Day 7

Marari

On this penultimate day of the tour, you’ll be free to enjoy the beach and hotel facilities at your own pace. A number of optional excursions are on offer.

Accommodation Options

Travancore Heritage

Day 8

Marari - Cochin

Travel to Cochin airport for your onward flight.

What's Included

✓ 7 nights accommodation
✓ Arrival & departure transfers. Internal travel by road
✓ English-speaking guides. Accompanying tour escort when minimum group size is achieved
✓ Breakfast daily. Lunch on days 2, 3, 5. Dinner on day 5
✓ Entrance fees at monuments. Escorted walks in Periyar

2025 tour prices for Essence of Kerala

DEPARTURE DATE	PRICE PER PERSON	SINGLE ROOM supplement	AVAILABILITY
Wed 22 Oct 2025	£1175	£665	12
Sat 15 Nov 2025	£1175	£665	12
Sat 29 Nov 2025	£1175	£665	12
Sat 13 Dec 2025	£1175	£665	12
Sat 24 Jan 2026	£1175	£665	12
Sat 14 Feb 2026	£1175	£665	12
Sat 28 Feb 2026	£1175	£665	12
Sat 21 Mar 2026	£1175	£665	12
Sat 11 Apr 2026	£1085	£575	12

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