Kerala Budget Tour

With a beautiful natural harbour that earned it the title of Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi, as you might expect, was founded on trade, originally with the arrival of Jewish and Arab spice traders in the first century AD. Its prosperity and importance increased even more with the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, to be closely followed by the Dutch and the English, an eclectic heritage that helped produce a fascinating mix of styles and influences. This fascinating city is the starting point for our captivating journey through ‘God’s Own Country’.

Overnight Basic Hotel (H)

Today we will have free time to explore Fort Kochi, travelling by rickshaw and on foot as we explore India’s oldest European settlement. With its rich mix of English, Dutch and Portuguese architecture, you can find India’s oldest church and the oldest synagogue amongst its winding streets. The city is full of the architectural charm of the Church of St Francis, where Vasco do Gama was buried for a while, as well as the port’s famous cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. There is time to visit the Mattancherry Palace, home to some of the best murals in India, depicting scenes from the Ramayana and other great legends. Built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the palace was later extended by the Dutch (hence its more commonly known title - The Dutch Palace). In the late afternoon we have organised a sunset cruise in Kochi's impressive working harbour, an altogether different view of the city. In the evening there should be the option to attend a performance of Kathakali dancing, one of Kerala’s cultural highlights. Portraying events from the great Indian epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Kathakali dance has its origins in traditional temple rituals and in an art form known as Koodiyattam and represents, for many, the very essence of Keralan culture.

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Turning our back on the Arabian Sea for a while, we head next towards the lush landscapes that lie along the border with the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. It's a region long famed for its spices, particularly black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and clove. Indeed, it was to the spice rich shores of the Malabar coast that Christopher Columbus was heading when he bumped into America by mistake. This afternoon we will pay a visit to a spice plantation with a local guide, enjoying an aromatic journey of discovery.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we take a walk in the company of park guide through the natural beauty of Periyar National Park, set around the picturesque shores of Lake Periyar. One of India’s 16 Project Tiger Reserve’s, Periyar is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife including elephant, tiger, sambar, wild pigs, bisons, monkeys and langurs. It also boasts some 112 species of butterflies and 246 species of birds including cormorants, darters, ospreys, kingfishers, hornbills and kites. Made up of a variety of habitats, from open grasslands to tropical forest, it provides an abundant haven for animals and plants alike, with its tropical forests towering over 40 metres above a forest floor covered in ferns and orchids. This afternoon we have the option try our hand at creating some traditional Keralan cuisine at a cookery course under the guidance of an experienced chef. Keralan food wonderfully reflects the eclectic mix of the region’s cultural and historic influences; containing elements of Hindu and Christian, Arab and Mediterranean, all blended to create a rich fusion of tastes and sensations. Coconuts and spices play a large part in the creative process, as do sea food and river fish.

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Our journey today takes us on to the intricate network of canals and waterways that occupy the alluvial plain between the Indian Ocean and the Western Ghats. Our destination is Kumakorum where we board a flotilla of Keralan houseboats, comfortable vessels that have been cleverly converted from the traditional rice barges. Setting sail, we cruise through the network of canals and channels enjoying the easy paced clamour of riverside life. Our journey takes us slowly towards the town of Allepey, an important region for cashew and coir production. Boats are the villagers’ lifeline, acting as taxis, mail delivery, school buses and even cargo vessels. You may see great pyramids of coconuts or even the odd buffalo being carried along in this time honoured fashion! We spend this evening aboard our houseboat.

Overnight Houseboat (U) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continuing our houseboat cruise along the waterways this morning, we enjoy a little more of this tranquil landscape before disembarking around midday. In days gone by these waterways were once the scene of post-harvest water wars, which have now evolved into great water pageants. The area today is famous for its annual snake-boat racing, where teams of 100 plus rowers race through the waters in highly decorated boats for the honour of the Nehru Cup (named after India’s first Prime Minister). Boat race crews will often live together and visit a shrine to make their peace with the Almighty and, interestingly, there are also all women teams, who compete in their own boats. Those groups visiting the region during our specially planned August departures will get an opportunity to see something of this colourful spectacle for themselves today. At other times of the year, our time is left free simply to relax and enjoy our peaceful surroundings.

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we will depart for the village of Mancombu, where we will spend the day with our host families, learning a little more about life along the backwaters. These incredible waterways cover some 1900 kilometres and meander through some of the most idyllic rural landscapes in southern India. In the late afternoon we take to the waters in traditional wooden canoes. Crafted from Anjili wood, each canoe will be paddled by an expert local so we can just sit back and enjoy the ride! Along theses narrow channels, the industrious villagers survive on narrow spits of land, keeping cows, pigs, chickens and even cultivating vegetable gardens. Nothing goes to waste: the shells from the fresh water mussels are burnt to make building lime and coir is used for just about everything it seems. Returning to the village we then settle down for an evening at our homestays enjoying some delicious home-cooked food.

Overnight Homestay (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we head back towards the Arabian coast today, and the lovely beaches of Varkala. Our first port of call this morning is the remarkable Manarasla Snake Temple near Harippad, an ancient fertility shrine dedicated to the serpent god Nagaraja. Nestling amongst the lush embrace of a forest glade, the temple is the largest of its kind in Kerala and is home to over 30,000 images of snakes, which litter the paths and trees surrounding it. After our visit we continue to the coast and the Paravoor Elephant Camp, where you will get an opportunity to ride elephants and watch them bathe and feed. The final leg of our journey takes us along quiet back roads that bring us into the temple town of Varkala. On arrival there should be time to relax and enjoy the glorious beaches of the Arabian coast, or perhaps take a wander amongst the palms and paddy fields.

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Today is free to enjoy Varkala at your own leisure. This laid-back resort has a number of distractions that should appeal to both culture vultures and sun worshippers alike. The beach is long and golden and offers some stunning panoramic sunsets, as well as a chance to enjoy the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. There are also Ayurvedic treatments and yoga on offer. Varkala is also famous for its 2000 year old Janardhana Swami Temple, a major Hindu pilgrimage centre that lies close to the holy waters of Papanasam Beach, whilst occupying a hill overlooking the town is the Sivagiri Mutt, a famed ashram built by the philosopher and social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru.

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Transferring to the railway station this morning we board a train back towards Kochi. Our destination is Ernakulam, which encompasses the eastern part of Kochi and derives its name from a famous temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva. We should arrive in the city late this afternoon, in ample time to enjoy a final evening enjoying the cuisine of India’s Malabar coast.

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast