Kerala Highlights & Backwaters
Kerala, a state on India’s tropical Malabar Coast, is known for its palm fringed beaches and backwaters, a network of canals. Inland are the Western Ghats, mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations
South India Highlights
• The beautiful historic Portuguese and Jewish town of Fort Cochin
• The green and lush backwaters of Allepey & Kumarakom
• The tea & spice plantations in the mountain district of Munnar
• Beautiful beach resorts overlooking the Arabian Sea such as Varkala & Kovallum
• Large array of wellbeing Ayuredic resorts, clinics & Ashrams
Daily Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 – Fort Kochi – Arabian Coast
- Arrive from Australian into Cochin International airport. Taxi pickup and transfer to Fort Kochi hotel and relax
- The colonial charms of Fort Kochi with arrays of traditional European bungalows and alleys
- Kochi has a cosmopolitan culture, highly influenced by historical trading partners, the Portuguese, Dutch, Arab, Chinese, and Japanese
- Kochi is the seat of the Latin church of Kerala and has many ornate Catholic churches
Day 3 – Munnar – Tea & Spice Plantations
- Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s Kerala state
- A hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it’s surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century
Day 4 – Munnar
- After breakfast, embark on some local sightseeing in around Munnar, including a tour of a tea & spice plantation
- Enjoy a lunch over the looking the hills and afternoon relax
- Evening, visit the Pundarjani Traditional Village and enjoy a Kathakali Classical Dance
Stay 2 nights Munnar
Day 5 – Allepey (Backwaters Houseboat)
- Depart in taxi south to the gateway of the famous Kerala Backwater canal
- Embark on a wonderful overnight backwaters cruise, in your own private houseboat, complete with your own chef, all meals included
- Stopping at local villages along the way to purchase local seafood
1 overnight Luxury Houseboat
Days 6 & 7 – Kumarakom Village
- Disembark the houseboat and continue onto village of Kumarakom
- Kumarakom is a village on Vembanad Lake in the backwaters of Kerala, laced with canals, where houseboats ply the waters
- Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to many species including cuckoos and Siberian storks
Stay 2 nights Kumarakom Resort
Days 8 & 9 – Kovalam Beach
- After breakfast depart to Kovalam beach, a sleepy Lakshadweep seaside fishing village
- Enjoy time wandering around beach, local markets and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere
- Take a hike up to the spectacular coastal lighthouse, painted in bright red and white stripes
Stay 2 nights Kovalam Resort
Day 10 – Trivandrum
- Enjoy your last day relaxing around your Kovalam resort
- After lunch check and transfer in taxi to Trivandrum international airport for flight back to Australia
Tour Package Includes:
- Tour Escort for whole journey – minimum 6 pax
- All airport, train station and hotel transfers in Private taxi with driver
- 10 days Private group Vehicle, as per itinerary, inclusive of drivers expenses, road tolls, fuel, insurance, parking & AC (different sized cars for size of group)
- Hotels – 9 nights – mix of 3* & 4* hotels & guest houses & daily breakfast
- Meals – 1 main vegetarian meal per day (either lunch or dinner)
- All sightseeing excursions, including tea plantations
- Fully inclusive private house boat cruise (3 meals a day)
- Bottled Mineral Water & Wet wipes – for car journey
- Tour Contact in Sydney & Varanasi offices – Mr. Sunit Tiwari
Tour Package excludes….
- International Airline tickets
- Comprehensive Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Indian tourist visas
- Any shopping or items of personal nature
- Any meals food or drinks outside included meals as per itinerary
- Entrance fees to sightseeing
- Tipping to local staff and drivers
- Any costs associated with changing of the itinerary, such as cancelling hotels and re-booking