Discover the vibrant culture and scenic beauty of Kerala, known as  "God's own country," with our 9-day tour. Explore the bustling city of  Cochin, cruise through the serene backwaters of Alleppey, and spot  wildlife at Periyar National Park. Enjoy leisurely days and convenient  airport transfers for a stress-free trip. 

This you will arrive into Cochin. A trading port since at least Roman times, Cochin is on the main route between Europe and China. With a relaxed seaport lifestyle, it has changed little over the centuries. Guests experience the bustle of commerce in and about the city's go downs (warehouses) and open courtyards heaped with betel nut, ginger, peppercorns and hanks of coir (coconut husks). The air is filled with the scent of exotic spices and the shouts of vendors pushing heavy carts. It is easy to forget that one is in the 21st century. 

Arrive and proceed to your hotel.

Later this afternoon you will proceed to a local theatre and witness this dance performance. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. It originated in the area of southwestern India now known as the state of Kerala. It is a well-developed dance-drama, where the actors depict characters from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Kathakali dance performance is very dramatic and is enacted with elaborate masks and costumes. Kathakali recitals are emotive and narrative, and combine dance with dialogue to bring myth and legend to life in the temple courtyards of Kerala.  

A traditional Kathakali performance begins in the evening and continues throughout the night, culminating at the auspicious hour of dawn, when Good finally conquers Evil. Today, however, this dance performance has been modified for the stage and the audience can witness this ritualistic theatre experience in the comfort of a plush auditorium, within the span of a couple of hours.

Overnight at the hotel.  

Most of Cochin’s historic buildings are in Fort Cochin, constructed by Portugal's Alfonzo de Albuquerque in 1500. Albuquerque arrived with half a dozen ships bearing settlers and five friars, and built the first European church in India, St. Francis Church.  The simply styled building is enhanced only by the beautiful floor tiles that line the main aisle.  A holdover from colonial days is the continued use of punkahs, large swinging cloth fans suspended above the congregation, and manually operated from outside the church.  On the same square, and in striking contrast, is the flamboyant décor of the 20th century Santa Cruz Cathedral – in an Indo-Romano-Rococo style.

Visit the Pardesi Synagogue, a tiny but delightful structure built in 1568. They then continue to Mattancherry or “Dutch Palace” which houses a remarkable series of murals rich in color and with painstaking detail. In the royal bedroom alone are 45 paintings illustrating the Ramayana – every inch of space covered with rich colour and painstaking detail.  There is also an interesting collection of Dutch maps of old Kochi, coronation robes belonging to the maharajas, royal palanquins, weapons and furniture. 

The surrounding area still called Jew Town. Spend time is spent in exploring a fascinating mix of so called antique shops, warehouses, and spice auction rooms.  Signs for N.X. Jacob’s tailor shop, and the offices of J.E. Cohen serve as reminders of a once thriving community – now consisting of about seven families. One tradition states that the first Jews settled near Cochin in 587 BC, after fleeing the occupation of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. Another legend claims that they came much earlier – in the 11th century BC, as part of a trading fleet sent by King Solomon. The earliest concrete evidence of their presence is a copper inscription dated AD 388. Whatever the truth of their arrival, they became and remained respected members of Kerala society.

 The large, graceful Chinese fishing nets that line the shore of Fort Cochin are probably the single most familiar image of Kerala. Chinese Fishing Nets were actually introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan.  They cantilever over the harbor, and operate by a system of weights and levers.  The nets, on wooden frames, are raised periodically to check the catch.   

Late this afternoon depart for an idyllic sunset trip through the waters of the city. In the comfort of your boat glide along shimmering waterways past the Gundu and Vypeen islands. Get a glimpse of the large, graceful Chinese fishing nets that line the shore of Fort Cochin are probably the single most familiar image of Kerala. They are said to have been introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan. They cantilever over the harbor, and operate by a system of weights and levers. The nets, on wooden frames, are raised periodically to check the catch. Observe rural Kerala lifestyles as you go past old harbor buildings and private homes.  

Return to your hotel.

This morning you depart Cochin and you will pass through one of the India's most beautiful and serene landscapes   a rural riverine expanse of the verdant coconut groves and rice paddies. In Malayalam, the language of Kerala, this region is known as Kuttanad - the land of the short people, a reference, perhaps, to the fact that the farmers are often seen working knee deep in the paddy fields. 

The term "backwaters" actually refers to the extensive network of rivers, lakes, canals and lagoons that lace together the coast and interior south of Kochi. For centuries these canals have provided a safe and efficient means of transportation for goods and people moving between the heartland and the port towns along the coast. Even today, coconut, pepper, coir (coconut husks), rice and other goods are carried along the waterways in traditional longboats called kettuvallam.

In the comfort of your boat glide along shimmering waterways lined with dense tropical vegetation, and observe rural Kerala lifestyles that you would never see from the road. Views range from narrow canals walled in with thick greenery to open vistas of brilliant green paddy fields. Papaya, mango, jackfruit and cassava grow along the palm-lined banks.

Along the way you will see the coconut harvesting and coir factories that make up the main industry of Kerala.  Churches, mosques and temples can be glimpsed among the trees, and you might catch the blue flash of a kingfisher, or the green of a parakeet. Villagers bathe and wash their clothes, and sometimes their buffalos, at the water’s edge.

Disembark and proceed to your resort.

Overnight at the hotel.

This morning you will drive to Thekaddy - the heart of ‘God’s own country’ and home to India's largest wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 777 sq. km and in the centre of the reserve is an artificial lake, which covers 25 Sq. kms which is an important source of water for the many wild animals. Thekkady is a paradise on earth for nature lovers! With its vast and bountiful treasures of tropical flora and fauna it is the ultimate reservoir for many an endangered species. The forests around the lake were declared as a reserved area in 1899 and its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty attracts visitors from all over the world.

Upon arrival proceed to your hotel.

This afternoon you will visit a Spice Plantation! Columbus went west to find the sea route to the land of spices but found America. Vascodagama, the Arabs and other explorers and traders came to India for the same purpose and stumbled on the spice rich south western tip of India, now known as Kerala. Spices have always been an important part of life in Kerala. Here the masters of Ayurveda, the science of life, discovered the use of spices for medicinal purposes. Spices also play an important role in the Kerala cuisine, non-ayurvedic medicine and cosmetics. Periyar due to its location in the lower mountains around 1000 metres above sea level, is blessed with numerous types of spices. Consequently, the spice plantation tour is in one of the most important activities outside the reserve that a visitor can engage in. It is an opportunity to see why the Kerala cuisine is so different from most of the other Indian cuisines. The tour gives you a chance to enjoy cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and many other varieties of spices and medicinal plants. 

Return to your hotel. 

Overnight at the hotel. 

Kumarakom is the charming emerald peninsula jutting into the ever-effervescent Vembanad. Proceed to embankment point for boat cruises on an unforgettable journey passing through the coconut-palmed canals. Your cruise takes you through serene landscapes, coconut grooves and paddy fields. The term "backwaters" actually refers to the extensive network of rivers, lakes, canals and lagoons that lace together the coast and interior south of Kochi. For centuries these canals have provided a safe and efficient means of transportation for goods and people moving between the heartland and the port towns along the coast. Even today, coconut, pepper, coir (coconut husks), rice and other goods are carried along the waterways in traditional longboats called kettuvallam. 

Relax back in your boat as you glide through waterways lined with dense tropical vegetation. As you pass by the small villages you can observe the rural lifestyles of the people who bathe and wash their clothes at the water’s edge.  Your views change frequently as you go past papaya and mango trees, coconut harvesting, coir factories and paddy fields. Glimpses of small churches, mosque and temples are testament to the many religions that co-exist peacefully. The occasional flash of a kingfisher or a parrot add color to the vista.  

Return to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure. 

Overnight at the hotel. 

This morning you will return to Cochin from where you will board your flight to Goa! 

Occupied for 450 years by the Portuguese, “Golden Goa” became well known as a great source of spices, as well as for providing an important link in the Indian Ocean trade routes. While silks and spices, porcelains and pearls were passing in and out of Goa's harbours, its lands were being settled by Catholic priests, among them St. Francis Xavier, who would leave a lasting influence upon the character of this small, but rich region.  What remains today beyond the 82 miles of Goa's golden coastline, are fingers of deep river estuaries that flow through 500 years of history, reflected in the fine architecture of its baroque churches and tombs, as well as in the unique blend of cultures found in the faces of its people. 

Panaji (previously called Panjim) is the new city, once only a suburb of the old, where you can find churches, mosques and temples – representatives of the various historical periods, and the cultures of the rulers who held sway.  Goa is the ideal getaway for sun and sand! 

 Arrive and proceed to your hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel. 

The day is at leisure. 

Overnight at the hotel. 

The day is at leisure. 

Overnight at the hotel. 

This morning proceed to the airport for your flight into Mumbai.  The city of Bombay originally consisted of seven islands and in the 500 years since its “discovery” by the Portuguese. These islands, home to communities of fishing colonies have since been joined together by a series of reclamations. Now a sprawling metropolis of over 10 million people and the money capital of India! Renamed as Mumbai in 1995, it is a magnet for entrepreneurs, the home of many important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Upon arrival proceed to your onwards destination.