A relaxing introduction to India's irresistible southern state of Kerala.

Friday, 20 September 2024

Depart the UK on overnight flight to Kochi

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Kochi.

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Saturday, 21 September 2024

Arrive in Kochi

Arrive in Kochi, where you will be met by our local Veloso Tours guide who will transfer you to your chosen hotel for a 3 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.

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Sunday, 22 September 2024

Guided tour of Kochi and Kathakali dance performance

This morning after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Kochi. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastline, at the Harbour’ s mouth, one can also view the unique and still-in-use "Chinese Fishing Nets" which were introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th Century. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old Fort are still amazingly well preserved.

In the evening enjoy a Kathakali dance performance; enjoy India's most spectacular Dance Drama based on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The dancers are elaborately made-up with paint and masks, accompanied with drummers and musicians.

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Monday, 23 September 2024

Villa de Perrai

Today we visit Villa De Perrai, a Unique Heritage Experience in the Kerala Backwaters. Built in 1898 at Ezhupunna in Alleppey District.

Owned by the Syrian Christian family, the 'home' is is a blend of Portugue​​​​se, Roman and Kerala architecture. The history of Parayil Tharakans can be traced back to 250 years when the owners ancestors stepped on the grounds of a small village named 'Ezhupunna'. Ezhupunna mangalamutathu parayil hormise tharakan the mentor of the mansion (1842-1904) was honoured with a Knight commander of the order of saint Sylvester, grand cross knight of the order saint Gregory the great. The house has been passed on from generation to generation with scholars, writers and politicians having lived there. 

Here you can explore the house and grounds, enjoy a village walk, canoe ride on the Backwaters, a cooking demonstration. Lunch is included today.

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

Travel to Munnar

We take a morning drive inland through rolling hills to Munnar, our base for exploring the famous tea plantations. Check into your chosen hotel for a 3 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

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Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Visit a tea museum

Today we visit a tea Museum. Here you will see classic bungalow furniture, typewriters, wooden bathtub, magneto phone, iron oven, manual calculators and EPABX of the1909 telephone system. A demonstration room for tea tasting is another attraction where one would come across different varieties of tea. Those eager to understand the nuances of tea processing can do so at the tea-manufacturing unit at the museum. We then continue to a tea plantation for a walk where you will meet tea pickers plucking the tea with the warm smile in their face and welcoming you. 

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Thursday, 26 September 2024

Make your own tea experience

Close to Munnar town is the Lockhart Tea Factory. After a fresh cup of tea, we explore the tea fields and begin our make your own tea programme including a tea plantation walk, picking the leaves along with the local tea picking ladies, witnessing the weighing process, lunch at estate bungalow. After lunch we process the tea you have collected in one of the oldest factory in this region, which is operated in orthodox method, we also get a chance to work in the factory for about an hour and conclude the program with exclusive tea tasting.

Friday, 27 September 2024

Drive to Periyar

This morning we leave Munnar and drive to Periyar where we check-in at your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

Periyar is 1000 meters above sea level and rich in spice growing. 95% of India's pepper is produced here. Vasco de Gama was the first European to land at the Malabar Coast in 1498 A.D. in search of spices. Pepper in those days was a valuable export, so much so it was referred to in the beginning of 15th century is black gold.

The rest of your day is at leisure.

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Saturday, 28 September 2024

Periyar Lake and Wildlife Sanctuary

Today enjoy an early morning guided nature walk in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The nature walk is an interpretive program offering excellent opportunity to observe birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands.

In the afternoon, we take a wildlife boat cruise on Periyar Lake. Boating on Periyar Lake enables you to have a close look at the wildlife that inhabits the surrounding forests. Groups of elephant, wild boar, bison and sambar can be seen moving along the banks skirting the forest. And water birds, perched on tree stumps with their wings spread, present a delightful sight while boating.

Sunday, 29 September 2024

Kerala backwaters cruise

Morning visit to a Spice garden to watch different varieties of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, clove, vanilla, ginger, tea and coffee growing in their natural environment. Periyar is on 1000 meters above the sea level and is rich in spice growing. 95% pepper in India is produced from here. Vasco de Gama was the first European to land at the Malabar Coast in 1498 A.D. in search of spices. Pepper in those days was exported against the equal weight of gold, so in the beginning of 15th century pepper was called black gold. Rest of the day at leisure, you can also visit the local Spice Market.

We then drive to Kumarakom via a day cruise on the Kerala Backwaters in Alleppey including lunch.

The houseboat cruise takes you through the intricate maze of backwaters, mesmerising and surprising you at every turn with its serene beauty and simple charm. Enjoy the countryside of Kerala at its best. Soak your eyes and soul with array of coconut trees & endless paddy fields.

After the cruise, we check-in to your chosen hotel in Kumarakom for a 2 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

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Monday, 30 September 2024

Village visit in Kumarakom

Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad (‘granary’ of Kerala). The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets.

After breakfast, enjoy a local village experience starting with a tuk tuk ride and then a hand rowed boat on the smallest of the backwaters where your local guide will show you the dwellings of the local community and various local skills such as the art of weaving coconut leaves, rope making as well as toddy tapping watching the local fishermen cast their nets. This is a true insight into the local life.

Tuesday, 01 October 2024

Return to the UK or extend your stay on the beach

Drive to Kochi airport for your return flight to the UK, or extend your stay at a resort on one of Kerala's wonderful beaches.