A relaxed and luxurious tour of Kerala, covering its major attractions; the vibrant port city of Cochin with its Dutch and Portuguese influences and the…
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Tailor-made Tour 12 days from £1095 per person
Places Visited: Cochin, Periyar National Park, Kumarakom, Maraikulam
A Kerala family holiday is one to be remembered. Kerala offers plenty to keep the whole family entertained, and this carefully designed itinerary combines the comfort of CGH Earth Hotels with the excitement of this south Indian state.
Highlights of the trip include a rickshaw ride around Cochin, a boat cruise on Periyar Lake in search of wildlife, a trip to a plantation to help feed and bathe elephants, Coconut Lagoon's butterfly garden, canoeing on the backwaters and some relaxation time on Marari beach.
Summer Prices from £ 1095 per person
Winter Prices from £ 1695 per person
Holiday Types
Cultural Holidays Wildlife Holidays River Cruising Holidays Luxury Train Holidays Family Holidays Honeymoons Beach Holidays Adventure Holidays
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
Cochin
Arrive Cochin and transfer to your hotel. You'll be met on arrival and transferred to Eighth Bastion, Kochi for a two-night stay. The rest of the morning and the afternoon are at leisure. This evening there is a relaxing sunset cruise around Cochin harbour. This is an ideal way to all the activity around the harbour as well as Cochin's iconic Chinese fishing nets.
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Day 2
Cochin
The day begins with a half-day sightseeing tour of Cochin, a vibrant city on India's southwest coast. This morning's guided tour focuses on the historical and characterful heart of the city, the area of Fort Cochin. Surrounded by a wonderful blend of colonial architecture you'll be taken to Mattancherry Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, St Francis Church and for a close-up look at the Chinese fishing nets. Following the tour you'll hop on an auto-rickshaw to explore the rest of the city - a fun experience that children (and adults) of all ages are sure to love. This evening you'll attend a Kathakali dance performance, where the dancers primarily use facial expressions to tell a story. We'll arrive early so you can see the performers applying their elaborate and colourful make-up.
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Day 3
Cochin, Periyar
This morning they'll be a five to six-hour drive through the picturesque Western Ghats to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for a three-night stay at Spice Village, Periyar. For lunch you'll stop at an estate bungalow and eat with a local family.
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Day 4
Periyar
Periyar is well known for the variety of spices grown in the area. This morning you can take a guided tour of the spice gardens and see how the various spices are grown, harvested and used. Or alternatively, you can join the Pepper Vine programme at the resort and take a tour of the property with a naturalist who will talk you through all the plants, rare herbs, tree and birdlife within the property. This afternoon you will drive to the nearby entrance to Periyar National Park where you will board the boat for your afternoon cruise on the lake. This is a good way to spot wildlife that have come down to the lake edge to drink, and you may be lucky enough to spot deer, gaur (Indian bison), and elephants. An interesting physical feature of this park are the flooded trees that rise eerily from the water. If you are interested in the local style of cooking you could go for a cooking demonstration at the resort that is open for all residents in the evening. There is also a cultural show with local dances performed.
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Day 5
Periyar
This morning there's a chance to get up close and personal with some of Periyar's largest residents! You'll be taken to a plantation where you can join in the washing and feeding of elephants and later take a ride (20-30 minutes). The rest of the day is at leisure.
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Day 6
Periyar, Kumarakom
After breakfast there'll be a four-hour drive as you leave behind the spice plantations of Periyar and head to the backwaters, passing through small villages and paddy fields. Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom will be home for the next two nights.
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Day 7
Kumarakom
This morning you'll set off for a cruise on Vembanad Lake on the backwaters. The rest of the day is at leisure. The resort has a butterfly garden that always proves popular with children and there'll be a naturalist on hand to point out the different species. Coconut Lagoon also has canoes that guests can take out onto the canals or Vembanad Lake; perfect for a leisurely afternoon on the backwaters.
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Day 8
Kumarakom, Mararikulam
An hour drive will take you from Kumarakom to Mararikulam where you'll stay at the Marari Beach Resort, Mararikulam for four nights.
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Day 9, 10 & 11
Mararikulam
Days at leisure.
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Day 12
Mararikulam, Cochin, UK
Early morning you will be met at your hotel and transferred to Cochin airport.
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Tailor-made Tour 12 days from £1095 per person
What's included
✓ 11 nights accommodation
✓ All road travel and transfers by private chauffeur-driven vehicles
✓ English-speaking guides
✓ Breakfast daily
✓ Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary
Places and Experiences in this tour
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