Kochi (or Cochin) is set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas and has one of the best natural harbours in the world. The famed `Malabar Spices' were exported from this very port, bringing to Kochi visitors as varied as the Arabs, the Dutch, the Portuguese and, finally, the British. All of them have left their mark on the architecture, making Kochi one of the most unique and fascinating towns in India.

Strewn with rivers, lagoons and meandering backwaters, covered in coconut groves and flanked by sunny, palm fringed beaches, Kerala truly is a small slice of paradise. Explore Periyar Wildlife Reserve by boat or on foot, unwind aboard your private traditional kettuvallam houseboat (a converted rice barge) as you sail through quiet backwaters, and laze on the beach of Marari.

There is plenty on offer for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts in the bio diverse, natural wonders that are the Western Ghats of Kerala. This safari takes you through the lowland forests at Thattekkad to the high altitude cloud forests of Munnar and the rain forests of Periyar. You round off your journey with a visit to Kerala's backwaters, an ornithologist's paradise.

This captivating tour gives you an authentic experience of Kerala. By staying with local Keralan families in their traditional homes you can sample local fare, customs, and social activities all at the leisurely pace of pastoral Keralan life. Set in picturesque surroundings on the coast, the midlands and on tea and rubber estates, these homes offer a true understanding of Kerala and its people.