Travel beyond the ordinary and treat your soul to an enlightening voyage through the spellbinding treasures of Kerala in tranquil southern India. Behold the treasures of Cochin, Queen of the Arabian Seas. Leisurely explore the lush jungles and tea estates of Munnar. Go on elephant safaris and sample spices in Thekkady. Embark on a private 3 night cruise through the mangroves of Kumarakom stopping at local villages along the way. Conclude this dreamlike escape with a couple of days on the heavenly beaches of Kovalam. Featuring spice tastings, elaborate Kathakali dance performance and luxury hotels, this magical journey showcases a whole other side of India.

Kochi (Cochin) has a powerful lure for tourists. Its location between the blue waters of the Arabian Sea and Kerala’s emerald backwaters, rich medley of Indian and foreign architecture, unusual sights like the Chinese fishing nets, and quaint localities like the Jewish Quarter, all draw the attention of visitors. Kochi played a pivotal role in the development of shipping and trade in the southern region with its prime location on the west coast, fine bay, and protected harbor. Merchant ships made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood, en-route to the rich markets of Europe and West Asia. The city was alternately controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, whose influences are evident in the architecture of city buildings.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver and English-speaking assistant.

Situated on Willingdon Island with a magnificent view of Cochin harbour, the Taj Malabar combines old-world elegance with modern day convenience. In its heritage wing, built in 1935, graceful Victorian interiors aptly reflect the inherent beauty of Cochin. Its tower wing houses newly renovated guestroom suites, each a delicate mix of the classic with the contemporary. Dine at the onsite restaurant that explores the nuance of the finest Indian and international cuisine, serving traditional and contemporary favourites. After a tiring day, unwind at the bar with a glass of fine drink. Drop in at the Jiva Spa where the 4000-year-old art of Ayurveda is faithfully followed through a range of treatments designed to soothe the mind, body, and soul.

Overnight at Taj Vivanta Malabar Heritage (5*).

Private guided tour of Kochi (Cochin). The first stop is the Paradesi Synagogue, built in 1568, it is the oldest synagogue in Commonwealth of Nations. The synagogue is magnificently decorated with Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. The Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. A short boat ride to Bolghatty is the Dutch palace offering a fantastic view of the city. This palace is notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, particularly in the bed chambers. In that room one can see the entire story of Ramayana on the walls. The palace also contains rare examples of traditional Kerala flooring, which looks like polished black marble but is actually a mixture of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices and egg whites.

Avail a vehicle and driver at your disposal around Southern India.

Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance. Dating back to the 17th century, it originated in the south Indian state of Kerala. The word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play". It is known for its large, elaborate makeup and costumes. Usually performed only by men, the actors rely heavily on hand gestures to convey their story.

Overnight at Taj Vivanta Malabar Heritage (5*).

Munnar is a town located in Kerala state in the southern Western Ghats in South India. The name is often used to refer to the whole tourist area of Idukki District of which the town forms a part. The area is surrounded by vast jungles and remains wet and cold during most of the year. The Mattupetty Dam is nearby. The area is most noted for its vast tea plantations spread across the rolling lush hills.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Munnar.  

One of the best Hotels in India, Windermere Estate in Munnar is the perfect accommodation option for business and leisure travelers. Ranking high among the Hotels in Munnar in India, this hotel is buttressed with the finest possible amenities for the visitors. Perched atop the mountains 3 km from Munnar, the convenient Location of Windermere Estate in Munnar helps the tourists to explore the land of Munnar with ease. The hotel, set on a cardamom plantation 1600 meters above sea level, is 95 km away from Cochin International Airport.

Overnight at Windermere Estate .

This beautiful hill station is popular for its cool climate and tea plantation. This quiet little town boasts of many colonial bungalows, tea factories, wildlife sanctuaries and many lakes. Tea estates and thick forests primarily occupy Munnar. Tea production, manufacturing and selling are therefore the main source of employment here. The Tata Group of companies owns the majority of these tea estates.

Avail a vehicle and driver at your disposal around Southern India.

Overnight at Windermere Estate .

Thekkady. The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hill and spice scented plantations. Picturesque plantations and hill towns hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. The Thekkady sanctuary is one of the best in the country for watching and photographing wild life.

Private guided tour of a Kerala spice plantation, where you can see natural pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and nutmeg. The spice plantations in Kerala are captivating farms to wander in, since different spices are cultivated in different sections of each plantation. While exploring the Kerala spice plantations, you can go for nature walks, bird watching treks, taste the various spices and breathe in the fragrant air.

The Land Where Pepper Grows. Spice Village is located in the Periyar wilderness, high in the western ghats of Kerala. For centuries, the area attracted voyagers and adventurers, mercenaries and empire builders, kings and merchant princes. Men and women drawn not only by the lure of spices, but by the romance and wild beauty of the land. The Portuguese and the Jews of Cochin visited as traders, turning the natural bounties of the area into wealth. Pepper and cardamom, cinnamon and ginger, nutmeg, mace and anise the Periyar hills became nature's taste factory in the 14th century, as Cochin became nature's harbour, the port of lading for a spice-hungry world. Today, it's the rainforests, the animals and the vast silences that attract the modern visitor.

Overnight at Spice Village.

Kumarakom - An invigorating, fascinating paradise. The slender coconut palms, never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties. The charming emerald peninsula juts into Vembanad Lake where you'll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Kumarakom.

Pick up from Alleppey Finishing Point Jetty at 1200 hours. Cruise through Pallathuruthy, Karimpavalavu, Kanjippadam, Karumady Canal (long stretch of narrow canal) Visit Karumady Kuttan and reaches Thottappally.

No trip to Kumarakom is complete without a backwater cruise on a houseboat. Kettuvalloms are large country boats, often measuring 80 feet and more, made from planks of Anjili wood, stitched together using coir ropes, and coated with a black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. Modern houseboats are a tribute to traditional design, aesthetic values and commitment to the environment - equipped with solar lighting, chemical toilets, air conditioning and outboard engines. Cruise the backwaters of Kerala in a leisurely laid-back manner, relaxing in comfort, as your weather beaten poleman gently glides the boat across the waters.

Overnight at Houseboat.

Thottappaly, Thondapra, Thakazhy, Pullangady to reach Champakulam. Visit Champakulam Church and the famous snake boat Champakulam Chundan and continue through Nedumudy, Moonnatumugham and reaches Moncompu. Visit Moncompu temple.

Overnight at Houseboat.

Onnamkara, Pulincunnu. Visit Pulincunnu Church and local market. Puthenthodu (narrow canal), kavalam, Liziu, to reach Chithira Kotha.

Overnight at Houseboat.

Kovalam is a beach town on the Arabian Sea in Kerala, a state in south India. It is located around 16 km outside Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) City. Kovalam has three crescent shaped beaches separated by rocky outcroppings. Shallow waters stretching for hundreds of metres are ideal for swimming. The beaches have steep palm covered headlands and are lined with shops that offer all kinds of goods and services.

Cruise through Vembanadu Lake to reach Kumarakam at 1000 hours.

Meet your driver and English seaking guide for a private transfer to Kovalam.

A short drive from Trivandrum Airport unfolds The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach, Kerala. With 182 rooms and suites dotted over many verdant acres, Kerala’s largest beachside resort is cradled between two sweeping beaches. Perched on a rock-face, this 5 star deluxe resort offers the most panoramic views of the famed Kovalam shoreline. Along with spoiling you with a host of impeccable dining and entertainment options, The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach, Kerala also has Divya, an authentic Ayurveda Wellness Spa.

Overnight at Leela Kempinski.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Leela Kempinski.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Leela Kempinski.

Meet your driver and English speaking guide for a private transfer to Cochin.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).