Discover Kerala on a 13-day journey through its tea plantations, spice-growing hills, peaceful backwaters and rich cultural heritage. Explore Munnar’s tea country, hike through the Letchmi Hills and visit Eravikulam National Park before continuing to Vandanmedu for cardamom plantations, a jeep safari and boating. Experience Kerala’s famous waterways with a Shikara cruise in Kumarakom and an overnight houseboat journey through Kuttanad, followed by the historic sights of Cochin and a traditional Kathakali performance. Conclude with a five-night stay at Sreechithra Ayurveda, combining Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and cultural activities for a relaxing finale to the journey.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Munnar: Located in the “valley of tea”, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery at an altitude of 1,524 m, with the old Devikulam road, the Lockhart Tea Factory and the Tea Museum.
Letchmi Hills & Eravikulam: A half-day easy hike through the tea plantations, and a visit to Eravikulam Park, declared a national park in 1978 and spread over 97 sq km (subject to the park being open).
Vandanmedu: A region renowned for its spice plantations, with a visit to a cardamom maturation centre, a jeep safari to the top of the valley and boating and fishing on a private lake.
Kumarakom: A charming village on the banks of Lake Vembanad, the largest lake in Kerala, with a cruise aboard a Sikhara, a traditional Kerala boat.
Kerala Backwaters (Houseboat Experience): A cruise on Lake Vembanad and through the Kuttanad backwaters, nicknamed the “Green Venice of India”, with lunch and dinner served on board and an overnight on board.
Cochin: The Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, the Synagogue and a free stroll through Fort Cochin, with a tasting of crispy banana chips and a Kathakali dance show.
Sreechithra Ayurveda (Thrissur): A five-night stay with 4-day Ayurvedic treatment, yoga sessions, walks on the beach, an Ayurveda discovery workshop, cultural activities and a boat ride on the Kanoli canal.
Day 1: COCHIN ARRIVAL
Upon arrival in Cochin, receive a personalised welcome with a Rudraksh. The Rudraksh, from the Sanskrit Rudra-Aksha, meaning “eye of Rudra”, is the seed of Elaeocarpus angustifolius, a tree found throughout India. Traditionally associated with Shiva, it is believed to help balance the body’s vital forces and offer protection from negative energies and unfamiliar surroundings. You will be welcomed and assisted by our local representative before transferring to the hotel. Settle in and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Cochin.
Day 2: COCHIN – MUNNAR (120km – 3.5hrs)
After breakfast, depart by road for Munnar, nestled in Kerala’s beautiful tea-growing region. Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery and formerly known as the High Range of Travancore, Munnar lies at an altitude of approximately 1,524m. On arrival, head along the Old Devikulam Road, one of the most picturesque routes in Munnar, winding through terraced tea plantations, misty valleys and lush green hills. Continue with a visit to the Lockhart Tea Factory, founded more than 150 years ago during the colonial era and still in operation today. Discover the traditional orthodox method of tea processing and see the historic machinery used for withering, rolling and drying the leaves, as well as the manual packing of different tea varieties. Enjoy a picnic lunch amid the tea plantations before visiting the Tea Museum, where you can learn about the history of the plantations, the arrival of the British, the evolution of tea-making techniques and the lives of plantation workers. Later, return to Munnar and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the town centre, with its charming mountain-town atmosphere, small stalls, bustling bazaars and tea shops. The day concludes with dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 3: MUNNAR
After breakfast, set off on a half-day easy hike to Letchmi Hills. Beginning at an altitude of approximately 1,420m, the hike leads through tea plantations for around 30 to 40 minutes before reaching the top of the hill, where there will be time to pause and take in the beautiful surroundings. The trek offers panoramic views across meadows, rocky mountain slopes and tea plantations. On a clear day, you may be able to see Anamudi, the highest peak in South India, as well as the reservoir of the Idukki Dam. Refreshments or a picnic will be provided during the trek, while the route also offers an opportunity to discover some of the region’s characteristic crops and spices, including coffee and cardamom. At the end of the hike, your vehicle will be waiting a few kilometres from Munnar, towards Mankulam Road. Continue to the home of a Kerala family, where you will enjoy lunch featuring local specialities.
In the afternoon, depart to visit Eravikulam National Park by jeep or car. Established to help preserve endangered species, the park is renowned for its rolling grasslands and shola forests, which extend across approximately 97sq km of beautiful natural scenery. The visit is subject to the park being open. If the park is closed, a walk through the plantations or a jeep safari through the tea plantations will be arranged instead.
Please note: Eravikulam National Park is closed to visitors every year during the Nilgiri tahr calving and breeding season in February and March. Closing dates may be brought forward or extended by approximately 5 to 10 days depending on local conditions.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 4: MUNNAR – VANDANMEDU (70km – 2hrs)
Following breakfast, drive through the mountains of Kerala towards Vandanmedu, a region renowned for its spice plantations. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation, surrounded by verdant hills, misty landscapes and cardamom plantations, and enjoy lunch at the hotel. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the property's activities, shared with other guests in a friendly, authentic atmosphere. Begin with a visit to the cardamom maturation centre, where you will explore one of Kerala’s most emblematic spices and learn about the stages after harvest, including drying, sorting, grading, and storage. Continue with a jeep safari to the top of the valley, travelling along plantation tracks and through the rolling landscapes of the Western Ghats. Along the way, enjoy beautiful viewpoints overlooking the surrounding mountains, forests and terraced plantations. The day also includes boating and fishing on a private lake, offering a relaxing moment surrounded by lush nature. Enjoy a peaceful boat ride and the opportunity to try traditional fishing. Afterwards, return to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight in Vandanmedu.
Day 5: VANDANMEDU – KUMARAKOM (130km – 3.5hrs)
After breakfast, leave the hills behind and depart for Kumarakom, a charming village nestled on the shores of Lake Vembanad, the largest lake in Kerala. Surrounded by calm waters, coconut palms and lush vegetation, Kumarakom offers a wonderfully peaceful introduction to the gentle rhythm of Kerala’s backwaters. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy lunch at the hotel. Later, board a Shikara, a traditional Kerala boat, for a leisurely cruise. Handcrafted from local wood, this flat-bottomed boat glides quietly through the waterways, offering beautiful views of palm-fringed landscapes, lakeside villages and surrounding rice fields. In the evening, there is also the option of booking a traditional Ayurvedic massage at the hotel, payable locally. The treatment uses medicinal oils and traditional techniques associated with balancing the body and mind. Round off the day with dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Kumarakom.
Day 6: KUMARAKOM – ALLEPPEY (40km – 1.25hrs)
After breakfast, transfer to board a traditional houseboat for a leisurely cruise through Kerala’s peaceful backwaters. Once on board, settle in and watch the landscape unfold as the boat moves gently along Lake Vembanad and its network of inland canals. Lunch is prepared with local ingredients and served on board, accompanied by views of the surrounding waterways and abundant birdlife. Continue cruising through the famous backwaters of Kuttanad, often referred to as the “Green Venice of India”. Along the way, discover quintessential Kerala landscapes dotted with coconut groves, rice fields and traditional villages. The cruise also passes picturesque St Mary’s Church, considered according to local tradition to be one of the oldest churches in Kerala. As evening approaches, enjoy dinner on board and spend the night surrounded by the tranquillity of the backwaters.
Overnight on board.
Day 7: ALLEPPEY – COCHIN (65km – 1.5hrs)
Enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking in Alleppey and driving to Cochin for a day of sightseeing. Begin with a visit to the Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays), named after the renovations carried out by the Dutch after 1663. Among its highlights are remarkable murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and Puranic legends associated with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Kumara and Durga. Continue to St Francis Church, the oldest European-built church in India, originally constructed by Franciscan friars. The tour then takes you to the Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays), founded in 1568 and partly destroyed during the Portuguese assault of 1662. It was restored two years later under Dutch rule. In the 18th century, merchant Ezekiel Rahabi commissioned magnificent blue hand-painted floor tiles from Canton, China, and was also responsible for the construction of the clock tower. Following the visits, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before spending some free time strolling through Fort Cochin, where shaded lanes and charming colonial houses reflect the district’s Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. Along the way, sample crispy banana chips, a popular local speciality. In the evening, experience a Kathakali dance performance, a highly stylised form of traditional dance-drama whose stories draw inspiration from the great Indian epics. Conclude the day with dinner at a restaurant in the city renowned for its seafood specialities and pleasant views over the harbour.
Overnight in Cochin.
Day 8: COCHIN – THRISSUR (85km – 2hrs)
After breakfast, leave Cochin and drive towards the Thrissur area for your stay at Sreechitra Ayurveda. Upon arrival, check in and settle into your room. Enjoy lunch at the hotel, with the remainder of the day allowing you to settle into your new surroundings before dinner.
Overnight in Thrissur.
Day 9: THRISSUR
Morning session:
06h00 – 07h00: Walk on the beach
07h00 – 08h00: Yoga session for all participants
08h00 – 09h00: Breakfast
09h30 – 12h30: Ayurvedic treatment session – Abhyangam (traditional oil massage)
Afternoon session:
12h30 – 14h30: Lunch
14h30 – 16h00: Ayurvedic treatment session – Nasyam (traditional treatment consisting of administering oil- or herb-based preparations through the nose)
Evening session:
16h00 – 16h30: Tea and snack
16h30 – 18h00: Cultural programme – Ottanthullal, a traditional form of dance theatre and storytelling from Kerala.
18h30 – 19h30: Dinner
19h30 – 20h30: Bhajan – a session of traditional devotional songs for a spiritual and soothing experience.
Overnight in Thrissur.
Day 10: THRISSUR
Morning session:
06h00 – 07h00: Walk on the beach
07h00 – 08h00: Yoga session for all participants
08h00 – 09h00: Breakfast
09h30 – 12h30: Ayurvedic treatment session – Abhyangam (traditional oil massage)
Afternoon session:
12h30 – 14h30: Lunch break
14h30 – 16h00: Ayurvedic treatment session – Nasyam (traditional nasal treatment)
Evening session:
16h00 – 16h30: Tea and snack
16h30 – 18h30: Cultural activity at the centre – Mehendi, the traditional art of hand decoration with natural henna
18h30 – 19h30: Dinner
19h30 – 20h30: Bhajan – session of traditional devotional songs.
Overnight in Thrissur.
Day 11: THRISSUR
Morning session:
06h00 – 07h00: Walk on the beach
07h00 – 08h00: Yoga session for all participants
08h00 – 09h00: Breakfast
09h30 – 12h30: Ayurvedic treatment session – Pathrapinda Sweda (Ela Kizhi) and Shirodhara
Afternoon session:
12h30 – 14h00: Lunch
14h30 – 16h00: Ayurveda discovery workshop to learn its fundamental principles.
Evening session:
16h30 – 18h00: Interactive discussions with the Ayurvedic doctors
18h15 – 19h30: Dinner
19h30 – 20h30: Bhajan – session of traditional devotional songs.
Overnight in Thrissur.
Day 12: THRISSUR
Morning session:
06h00 – 07h00: Walk on the beach
07h00 – 08h00: Yoga session for all participants
08h00 – 09h00: Breakfast
09h30 – 12h30: Ayurvedic treatment session – Pathrapinda Swedam and Shirodhara
Afternoon session:
12h30 – 14h00: Lunch
Evening session:
15h00 – 18h00: Boat ride on the Kanoli canal
18h30 – 19h30: Poolside dinner
19h30 – 20h30: Bhajan – session of traditional devotional songs
Overnight in Thrissur.
Day 13: THRISSUR – COCHIN DEPARTURE (85km – 2hrs)
Enjoy breakfast, followed by a free morning at leisure, with the room available until 12h00. At the agreed time, meet your driver and transfer to Cochin Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your journey through Kerala.
