XCLU01 Incredible Kerala

We take to the road for a journey through captivating countryside to the verdant slopes of tea country, where we stay in Munnar for three nights. Our stunning location begs to be explored during your afternoon at leisure. This evening, we take a walking tour of the small but vibrant local market, with stalls of colourful fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, and vendors selling homemade treats.

Munnar is a quaint little town that exudes a rare old-world charm, evoking memories of the days of the Raj with its elegant splendour, soothing sunshine and invigorating scent from the tea gardens. We take a sightseeing tour this morning, passing some of the old colonial homes. This afternoon, we’ll visit a tea plantation and tea museum, where you can watch a documentary narrating the interesting history of tea in Munnar. We also visit the beautiful areas of Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, a natural echo phenomenon; Kundala Lake; Jungle Honey Bee Nest and Rajamalai National Park (subject to being open), the natural habitat of the rare mountain goat.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Munnar and its surroundings, including tea plantation and museum (all day)

Today is free for you to relax or enjoy this scenic region further.

We depart Munnar this morning, swapping views of tea plantations for spice plantations. Sitting a kilometre above sea level, Periyar boasts the perfect natural environment for growing cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, cloves, vanilla, ginger and coffee. Through millennia, Periyar has produced much of India’s pepper and became an important part of the 15th-century spice trade, when black pepper was equal in worth to its weight in gold. We check in to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax into your surroundings.

We head to a spice garden to learn about their harvest. Afterwards, we’ll take a boat ride on Lake Periyar for a chance to see various species of wildlife. In the midst of a sanctuary that bears its name, where elephants, tigers and Indian wild dogs roam; deer, boar, otters and a great array of birdlife are more readily spotted on this adventure.

Excursions & visits:

Visit to a spice garden (morning)
Boat ride on Lake Periyar (afternoon)

This morning we head to Alappuzha and board a beautifully crafted deluxe houseboat for an unforgettable overnight cruise. These elegant crafts were once common along the backwaters of Kerala, used as cargo vessels, poled along by one or two men. They are now restored as extremely eco-friendly houseboats that glide through the 1,500km maze of waterways that link small lakes and lagoons, surrounded with an array of coconut trees and endless paddy fields. Take this opportunity to relax to the sound of nature and gently rippling waters, and to step ashore for short strolls through riverside villages, interacting with the locals.

Excursions & visits:

Houseboat cruise (afternoon/overnight)

After our magical overnight cruise, we’ll transfer to Kollam, the ‘dreamland of Kerala’ for a relaxing two-night stay. Our hotel is located on Mala lake, amidst landscaped gardens and coconut groves.

Our time here is free of plans, so you can choose to spend another relaxing day as you wish. Or maybe explore the old seaport town, which has led the way in the spice trade since medieval times. The remains of Fort Thomas and the British Residency highlight its historical importance to Europe.

We transfer back to Kochi and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening we’ll watch a traditional Kathakali dance performance, based on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Excursions & visits:

Kathakali dance performance (evening)