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Highlights: Explore Fort Cochin by bike; Visit the Chinese fishing nets; Discover Kochi by tuk tuk
As soon as you’ve touched down in the Malabar coast you’ll be whisked away to enjoy a sunset cruise arranged by your hosts for the first couple of nights. The Brunton Boatyard hotel has been resurrected from a Victorian ship building yard on Kochi’s historic harbour. On day two, you’ll experience the city by bicycle, including its vibrant local art scene, before finishing off the day with a culinary journey thanks to Brunton’s in-house chef.
Embark on a full day adventure setting off to discover the Ancient Landscape of the Muziris, the first communities to settle in this corner of India as far back as 1000BC. Amazingly, Kochi was the cradle of religion in India with the first Jewish, Christian and Muslim settlements springing up here. The afternoon will bring an altogether different experience setting off by tuk-tuk to discover the old fort area which passed through the hands of various European powers until independence. Today, the legacy of European influence is still evident through architectural landmarks which your expert guide will explore with you along the way.
Highlights: Visit a tea factory; Go for walks on plantation paths
After breakfast you’ll set off deep into Keralan tea country. Munnar is a serene hilltop town nestled amongst the green Kannan Devan hills. The Windermere Estate gives you incredible views of the valleys and is ideal for birdwatching and encourages quiet relaxation time. On your second day here you’ll be taken to the Lockhart tea factory for a day with tea pickers, finishing the day sipping on a nice, warm brew.
Visit a tea factory to learn about the processes behind the nation’s favourite drink and, of course, have an opportunity to sample the golden nectar.
Venture into the plantation: a morning stroll in the crisp mountain air is invigorating, and it is all the more interesting, when you get the opportunity to try your hand at tea plucking (subject to the growth of the leaves) and interact with the workers who do this as their daily work.
Highlights: Private safari; Visit working spice plantations
You’ll then head deeper into the wild, to Thekkady, a district within the incredible Periyar National Park, where you’ll see natural spices and might even spot some exotic wildlife. Staying at Spice Village will make you feel like you’re hunkering down with a traditional tribe, but of course with all the mod cons and comfort you could need. Activities offered at the hotel are equally in tune with local tradition, and include outdoor nature interpretations, handmade paper making and sari demonstrations.
In the morning you’ll venture out on foot for a nature walk into the Periyar tiger reserve. The walking trail will last about 2.5hrs and you’ll encounter an exotic array of flora and fauna along the way. In the afternoon, your senses will be awakened as you discover the rich, and delicate, spices native to this part of India on a plantation visit. Nutmeg, pepper, cloves and cinnamon grow in abundance and the aromas perfume the air of Kumily.
Highlights: Cruise the backwaters; Overnight on a houseboat; Stunning nature
Of course no trip to Kerala would be complete without experiencing the backwaters, and on this tour you’re treated with the opportunity to cruise the palm-shaded canals aboard an eco-friendly houseboat courtesy of Spice Coast Cruises. With an onboard chef and cane loungers on the foredeck, you can enjoy taking in the passing rice fields and quaint villages.
Board a private houseboat for an overnight cruise on Lake Vembanad and in the backwaters. Your personal crew will tend to your every need, and produce your meals, as they navigate this unique waterway ecosystem ensuring you can relax and savour this very special overnight experience.
Highlights: Beautiful beach; Complete R&R
What better way to finish your Keralan adventure than swaying in a hammock on Marmari beach, in the charming coastal town of Mararikulam? Marmari Beach Resort is set in a sandy coconut grove among flowering plants and herb gardens and, if you feel like moving, offers a range of activities from Kalari demonstrations to a guided temple trail tour.
Cochin
Formerly the shipyard of Geo Brunton and Sons on the seafront in Fort Forth Kochi. Now beautifully restored, this period building of the British Raj is a boutique, five- star…
Kerala
Colourful, charmingly traditional, and in harmony with the beautiful landscape that surrounds it, Kumarakom Lake Resort offers unparalleled comfort, serenity and peace in which to enjoy your luxury holiday in…
Mararikulam
Set within 30 acres of coconut groves, lily ponds and fruit trees, Marari Beach Resort is a fusion of gentle, fisherfolk-inspired wellbeing and the seaside environment in which it effortlessly…
Periyar National Park
Traditional tribal homes, crafts and community meet ethical, minimalist and understated comfort in an award winning experiential hotel.
Munnar
Nestled amongst the tea plantations of the Western Ghats, near the hill town of Munnar, sits Windermere Estate – a place to slow down, take a step back and discover…
Duration: 11 Days | Price: From £3,400
Contact us now to customise this itinerary.
This itinerary would typically cost from £3,400 inclusive of international flights staying in the specified hotels and having the services of a private chauffeur and guide.
The costs vary based on season, flights, room type and board basis. All our holidays are tailor-made and can be created around your budget.
Every Yonder itinerary is uniquely created to suit our individual clients. Destinations, hotels, lengths of stay and even modes of transport are all decided by you, with the help of our local knowledge and expert guidance.
All Yonder holidays include flights, carefully curated hotels. private drivers, expert guides and local concierges alongside 24/7 support from Yonder should it ever be needed so you know you are in safe hands.
We are immensely proud of our unique and in-depth expertise of the destinations we offer. Unlike some travel companies, each hotel we feature is handpicked and personally experienced by us so we can give you the inside story. We also carefully choose our guides based on their their exhaustive knowledge and professionalism to ensure you have a perfect holiday.
We love to chat. Tell us about your Yonderlust, your travel tastes, your wishes and desires. The more we know the better and we will make a few suggestions based on extensive our first-hand experience.
Once we‘ve glimpsed your travel soul we will start crafting your unique itinerary. And then we will refine it until you’re as excited as we are.
When you are ready to go Yonder you can make your reservation. We usually take a 30% deposit (but this can vary depending on your holiday). The balance payable 90 days prior to departure. Best of all, booking with Yonder really is headache free. You have complete financial protection for all holidays which include flights through our ATOL licence (11237).
And once you’ve booked, you can be absolutely sure that you’ll have someone to turn to whenever you need to. We will be there for you 24/7.
Please get in touch by phone, by email or by filling in our simple enquiry form so that our travel experts can get in touch to discuss your perfect tailor-made holiday.
Take in ‘The Venice of the East’ on this luxury cruise boat, spacious enough to allow you to enjoy a slightly longer stay on the Keralan backwaters, offering two and three night itineraries.
Formerly the shipyard of Geo Brunton and Sons on the seafront in Fort Forth Kochi. Now beautifully restored, this period building of the British Raj is a boutique, five- star hotel with a unique charm.
Colourful, charmingly traditional, and in harmony with the beautiful landscape that surrounds it, Kumarakom Lake Resort offers unparalleled comfort, serenity and peace in which to enjoy your luxury holiday in Kerala.
Set within 30 acres of coconut groves, lily ponds and fruit trees, Marari Beach Resort is a fusion of gentle, fisherfolk-inspired wellbeing and the seaside environment in which it effortlessly sits.
Contemporary hotel with a unique conceptual style that draws inspiration from the seafaring history of Fort Kochi. Beautiful rooms and fantastic dining.
Traditional tribal homes, crafts and community meet ethical, minimalist and understated comfort in an award winning experiential hotel.
Nestled amongst the tea plantations of the Western Ghats, near the hill town of Munnar, sits Windermere Estate – a place to slow down, take a step back and discover the loveliness that surrounds it.
