An Introduction to Kerala

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An Introduction to Kerala

Travel in Style though God's Own Country

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. Exploring fishing villages where colourful boats stand in the harbour against a backdrop of Chinese fishing nets, unwind aboard your private traditional kettuvallam houseboat (a converted rice barge) as you sail through the uniquely quiet backwaters, and discover a world of exotic spices.



Day 1 - Kochi
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Kochi (or Cochin) is set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas and has one of the best natural harbours in the world. It is one of the most unique and fascinating towns in India.

Day 2 - Kochi
Morning tour of Fort Cochin and a cruise through the harbour. In the evening you can watch a performance of Kathakali Dancing.

Day 3 - Thekkady
Transfer to Thekkady in the scenic foothills of the Western Ghats. Coffee and tea plantations spread across the hills and there are acres of rubber plantations. Thekkady is the ideal place to stay for a visit to Periyar Wildlife Reserve.

Day 4 - Thekkady
The Periyar Wildlife Reserve is one of the largest in India with elephant, sambhar, wild pig, flying squirrel and over 260 species of bird life. Today you will take a guided walk into the park in search of the wildlife.

Day 5 - Allapuzha
A short transfer takes you to the starting point of your houseboat cruise through Kerala's waterways and lagoons. This is the most romantic way of seeing one of the most beautiful areas of Kerala and you can relax and watch the world go by, sipping from a tender coconut and enjoying the sheer peace of the palm-fringed waterways. You spend the night on board the houseboat.

Day 6 - Allapuzha
Your next stop is a wonderful old heritage home on Kerala's backwaters with a very hospitable young host who believes passionately in preserving his family's traditions. Time can be spent watching the toddy tappers climbing the tall trees, walking among the paddy fields or along the river banks, or rowing through the narrow canals in a country boat.

Day 7 - Mararikulam
Transfer to Mararikulam, a village just south of Kochi with a beautiful white stretch of beach.

Day 8 - Mararikulam
The beach is still quiet and it is still possible to watch the fishermen bringing in the night's catch if you visit the beach in the early morning. Marari is an excellent place to soak up the sun and enjoy the sea.

Day 9 - Kochi
Tour ends. Transfer to Kochi airport for your onward flight.

Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including:

  • Where you would like to stay
  • Dates that best suit you
  • Experiences or activities that you fancy
  • As long as you want in each place

Just get in touch and we will start advising and planning with you.

Email us at info@travellers-palm.com or use our online form to get in touch.

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Price Guide

  • From EUR 963 per person based on two people sharing.

Inclusions

    • Accommodation on twin share basis at selected hotels.
    • Stay on bed & breakfast basis; full board on the houseboat.
    • Transport by private chauffeur-driven airconditioned car.
    • English-speaking local guide for tour of Kochi.
    • Kathakali dance performance.
    • Boat trip on Periyar Lake.
    • Park entrance fees in Periyar National Park.
    • All transfers as per the itinerary.

    Tour price excludes

    • Tips and gratuities.
    • Services, Meals and Drinks other than those mentioned in the itinerary.
    • Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature.
    • Entrance fees (unless specifically mentioned in the inclusions) and extra charges for camera and video.
Make an enquiry

Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including:

  • Where you would like to stay
  • Dates that best suit you
  • Experiences or activities that you fancy
  • As long as you want in each place

Just get in touch and we will start advising and planning with you.

Email us at info@travellers-palm.com or use our online form to get in touch.

Get in Touch

Kochi A port city full of historical landmarks

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.

Thekkady The base for visiting the Periyar National Park

Thekkady is the place to stay when you want to visit Periyar Wildlife Reserve. The journey to Thekkady affords some beautiful views of the highest mountain range in India south of the Himalaya. Periyar Sanctuary is open all year round. The best time to visit is between October and April. During April and May, when water gets low and grass dries out, there is a greater chance of spotting the elephants near the lakeside.

Allapuzha Gateway to the backwaters of Kerala

Allapuzha (or Alleppey) is a bustling town south of Kochi, and a major trading centre for the coir industry. It is also the centre of Kerala's backwaters with many interesting homestays in villages around the town. Caressed by the Arabian Sea in the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh-water rivers crossing it, this backwater country shelters some unique animal and birdlife.

Mararikulam A sea-side village with a pristine wide sandy beach

Situated 56 km south of Kochi and just a few kilometres north of Allapuzha, Mararikulam offers one of the most fabulous stretches of soft sandy beach fringed with swaying palms. In the village life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. It is an idyllic retreat for those who want to "get away from it all".

Kochi A port city full of historical landmarks

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.

1

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2

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This is the time to make tweaks or revisions. Is it more expensive than you had anticipated? If so, let us know and we will be able to make suggestions to reduce the price. Is it cheaper than you had anticipated? If so, perhaps you might want to upgrade to a snazzy hotel for your last night?

3

Confirming the arrangements

Once you are satisfied with all the arrangements, we ask you to complete a booking form and pay your deposit, at which point we start to confirm all the arrangements.

It is quite likely that you may think of some questions or clarifications anytime between booking the holiday and leaving home for it. No problem - just get in touch with us and we shall be happy to answer any question or simply to have a chat! That's the beauty of a tailor-made holiday. Our travel specialist will always be there for you.

Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including:

  • Where you would like to stay
  • Dates that best suit you
  • Experiences or activities that you fancy
  • As long as you want in each place

Just get in touch and we will start advising and planning with you.

Email us at info@travellers-palm.com or use our online form to get in touch.

Get in Touch

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