Tea Trails and Backwaters of Kerala

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to India. 

Arrive at the international airport of Kochi, meet your local Tour Manager and after a traditional welcome ‘Swagat’, we head to the hotel. After check-in you will have time to freshen up, and you might like to have some lunch through room service or at the hotel restaurant/coffee shop. This afternoon we head to Old Kochi and explore its Jewish heritage visiting the Parades Synagogue, the oldest in India. We then make our way to the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese as a gift to the then Maharaja of Kochi. We will wander down a historic narrow lane filled with antique shops, spice markets, art galleries and colonial-era architecture. 

Late afternoon we take a sunset cruise on the historic harbor. We will pass iconic landmarks such the towering Chinese fishing nets. After this relaxing way to see Kochi, we return to our hotel for dinner.

After breakfast we will tour Fort Kochi which is known for its colonial-era architecture. We will visit St Francis Church and marvel at the Chinese Fishing nets up close. We will stop at the Dhobi Khana, a historic laundry station and a spice market. We get back on our coach for the drive to the serene island village of Poothotta for an exclusive experience which is part of a community based Responsible tourism initiative. Our local host will greet us on arrival, and we will travel by canoe through narrow canals and watch village activities as we float by. We will enjoy a home-cooked lunch provided by local families. This is an exclusive experience for our groups. Return to the hotel and relax before dinner.

Distance: 2.5 miles (4kms) 

This morning we’ll drive from Kochi to Munnar. Once the summer resort of the British administration in South India, Munnar is a beautiful Hill Station on the Western Ghats that still retains its old-world charm. Famous for its tea plantations, the town is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams Mudrapauzha, Naliathanii and Kundala. With its sprawling estates, rolling hills, sparkling waterfalls, picture-postcard hamlets and undulating valleys, Munnar is a spectacular place to explore. 

Along the way, we’ll stop at the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary for a nature walk where we’re in with a chance of spotting kingfishers, storks, and hornbills. Afterwards, we’ll continue to Munnar, check into our hotel, and spend the rest of the day at leisure or visiting the local market.

Distance: 5 miles (8km) 

Ascent: 300m (985ft)

Descent: 215m (700ft)

After an early breakfast, we’ll drive through the old town of Munnar and arrive to a tiny village of Nagarmudi, where we start our trek accompanied by a local guide. The trail commences with a gradual ascent through the tea plantations and then climbs into Seven Malai hills. Walking through cardamom and coffee plantations, we’ll reach the top and be rewarded with spectacular views over Annamudi Peak, Changulam Lake, Chittrapuram Dam, Munnar and & local villages. We’ll descend on the same route before joining another route which finishes close to Old Munnar from which we are transferred to our hotel.   

Distance: 6.2 miles (10km)

Ascent: 350m

Descent: 420m 

Departing the hotel after breakfast, we'll drive to Ellapetty where we'll start our walk to the top valley, a panoramic viewpoint at an elevation of 2,200 metres above sea- level. Led by a professional guide, this trek takes us through grasslands, evergreen shola and montane forest, and across many ridges of the Western Ghats.  Along the way, we'll be rewarded with spectacular views over the lowlands of Tamil Nadu, plus the chance to spot some of the region's endemic bird species. 

After breakfast, we leave Kerala’s hill country behind and drive east across the plains to Madurai (around 4–5 hours), one of South India’s oldest and most culturally important cities. On arrival, we check into our hotel and take time to freshen up before heading out for an afternoon visit to Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. Built in the 17th century, its grand arches and lofty pillars offer a glimpse of the Nayak rulers’ former splendour.

After breakfast, we set out early to see Madurai waking up. We begin at the city’s flower market, a feast of colour and fragrance where garlands of jasmine, marigolds, and roses are woven for daily temple rituals. If time allows, we’ll also take a look at the nearby banana and vegetable market, where lively trading offers a real insight into local life. 

Next, we visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, housed in Tamukkam Palace, once the summer residence of Rani Mangammal, a queen regent of the Madurai Nayak kingdom. From here, we continue to Mariamman Teppakulam, a vast temple tank with a shrine at its centre. Later, there’s the chance to sample some of Madurai’s best-loved local delicacies before an evening at leisure. 

Distance: 2.5miles (4km) 

This morning we’ll make our way to the bustling village of Thekkady, one of India’s most important spice-growing regions. Enjoy a wonderfully scenic drive which climbs through the Western Ghats with fantastic views across Tamil Nadu before arriving at our hotel. Once we’ve checked in, there’ll be a tour of a spice garden where we’ll learn all about growing cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla, peppercorns, chilies, and more. There will also be information about the spices uses in cooking and health therapies.

Your Local leader will take you on an orientation tour of Thekkedy then the afternoon is free for you to choose where to eat for lunch and have a wander. This evening, we attend a Kalarippayattu martial arts performance which demonstrates an ancient tradition including acrobatics, unarmed combat, displays of the use of weapons and poses to represent strong animals like lions.  You sit on benches overlooking a sunken arena so you can see all the action.

Distance: 3 miles (5km) 

Embark on an early morning jungle walk in Periyar National Park, one of the largest in Southern India, for the chance to spot wild Indian elephants, wild boar, buffalo, and more with an expert guide. In the afternoon, there’ll be a boat ride on Periyar Lake, with opportunities to spot rare riverbank wildlife. Later, we’ll participate in a cooking demonstration with a local Keralan family and dine on our creations for dinner. It’s a fun beginner course where you'll be taught how to cook Indian food and use Indian spices—all while getting acquainted with family members of a traditional Indian home. 

We’ll make our way from Thekkady to the coast for one of the highlights of the whole tour today. Climb aboard a traditional Keralan houseboat and cruise the backwaters of Allepey for an authentic snapshot of local life. Built of Anjili wood and bamboo, these enchanting houseboats, were the traditional mode of transporting goods across Southern India for centuries. Now they have been carefully converted into cruise boats. On board, you can try your hand at fishing, grab a drink from the bar or just sit back and savour the peace and quiet of this tranquil waterway. We’ll drop anchor on the beautiful Vembanad Lake and be served a delicious dinner before overnighting in your comfortable cabin.  

After waking to the sounds of birds on the riverbank, we’ll enjoy breakfast on the houseboat, before a drive to beautiful Marari Beach and the fisherman’s village of Mararikulam. We’ll check into our hotel where you can enjoy the coastal setting before dinner.

Our final day is free for you to spend relaxing at the beach or joining your guide for a morning walk along the coastline. Our hotels have Ayurvedic spa treatments which you might like to experience. (pay locally) Along the seafront are some delightful cafes and restaurants often relaxing hut-style premises under palm trees with views of the ocean. They offer fresh seafood, traditional Kerala cuisine, juices, and some international options. Later this afternoon we’ll transfer back to Kochi for our final evening and dinner.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.