Spice of India
A flavour of Kerala, staying at luxury heritage hotels and on a houseboat
In brief:
Flight - 1 night. Cochin - 1 night. Periyar - 2 nights. Kumarakom - 1 night. Houseboat - 1 night. Mararilkulam - 3 nights.
Day 1 Depart from your selected airport on the flight to Cochin via Dubai.
Day 2 Morning arrival in Cochin and transfer to 3-star Hotel Bruton Boatyard. Half-day sightseeing of Cochin visiting the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace and exploring the old centre of Fort Cochin. In the evening enjoy a sunset cruise of Cochin Harbour.
Day 3 Morning drive to Periyar, one of South India’s prime wildlife parks for two nights at 4-star Hotel Spice Village. Evening Kathakali dance performance.
Day 4 A morning elephant ride followed by afternoon boat cruise with bird watching and possibly sighting the Indian elephant in the wild.
Day 5 Late morning departure to Kumarkom, and the 5-star Hotel Coconut Lagoon, set directly on Lake Vembanad, a huge expanse of water which resembles an inland sea. Visit to a spice plantation en route.
Day 6 Join a houseboat at noon and a enjoy rest of the day cruising the backwaters of Kerala. All meals are provided on board.
Day 7 Disembark after breakfast and proceed to Mararikulam and a 4-star luxury resort located directly on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Spend three nights at the Marari Beach Resort.
Days 8 & 9 At leisure to enjoy the facilities of this property on the Malabar Coast.
Day 10 Morning transfer to Cochin airport for the return flight to UK via Dubai arriving later the same day, or continue to Munnar.
Extension to Hill Station
A three-night extension at the 4-star Windemere Estate. With 19 guest rooms, this property is located 5 kms from Munnar amidst 60 acres of cardamom plantations and surrounded by the Western Ghats. At an altitude of 1600 metres, the cool temperatures attracted the British to the region during the time of the Raj and the Old Munnar Club is still frequented by tea planters.
Accommodation is in valley view rooms with breakfast.
There is an included half-day excursion to Mattupetty with its lake, panoramic views and tea museum. Return to Cochin for a final night at the Bruton Boatyard before the flight via Dubai to the UK.
