A Taste of Kerala 2013

Day 1- Fly to Cochin with Emirates via Dubai.

Depart Heathrow this afternoon, flying Emirates, via Dubai (6 hours 50 minutes) to Cochin (4 hours).

Day 2- Day at leisure to explore Cochin.

On arrival this morning transfer to the Brunton Boatyard Hotel for 3 nights. The rest of the day is free and your hotel is ideally situated for exploring the streets of Old Cochin.

Day 3- Sightseeing of Fort Cochin and the Mattancherry Palace.

Known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Kochi, formerly called Cochin, is a city founded on trade and its streets still harbour a rich mix of cultural influences and styles. A morning sightseeing tour today takes in Fort Cochin, the oldest European settlement in India, as well as the Church of St. Francis, where Vasco de Gama was buried for a short while. In the Portuguese built Mattancherry Palace you will find some of the finest murals in India, and returning to the hotel via the cantilevered Chinese Fishing Nets. A walking tour of Mattancherry with ex Tuk Tuk driver Markose opens up a world of spice warehouses, artists, hidden shrines and craftsmen. The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure with an optional visit to the Kerala Kaleidoscope in the evening.

Day 4- Culinary class and plantation tour at Mundackal.

Early morning drive from Cochin to Mundackal (85 kms / 04 hours drive one-way). At Mundackal enjoy a culinary class and lunch followed by a plantation tour. Late afternoon drive to Old Bhoothathan Kettu (8 kms / 30 minute drive one-way) for bird watching experience before returning to Cochin.

Day 5- Spice plantation visit.

Travel by road towards the Cardamom Hills today (200 KM/approximately 5 hours), for 2 nights at the Spice Village. Thekkady, the town boarding the Periyar National Park is in an area of outstanding natural beauty and is also famous for its spice and tea plantations. This afternoon take a jeep ride to a spice plantation farm affording you the opportunity to discover crops such as cardamom, nutmeg, pepper, coffee and tamarind in their native environment and learn about their varied uses.

Day 6- Jungle walk through Periyar National Park.

This morning take a jungle walk through the Periyar National Park. The reserve is home to wild elephants, bison, sambar and a variety of birdlife. Whilst officially being called a tiger reserve these magnificent animals are rarely spotted. The emphasis for the walk is on enjoying the botanical delights of Periyar. We recommend comfortable footwear for this walk (trainers or walking boots) and full length trousers. The afternoon is at leisure with the option to visit the Elephant Junction.

Day 7- Relaxing stay in the Keralan backwaters.

Continuing by road, you head for Kumarakom today (145 KM/approximately 4 hours), for a 2 night stay at the Coconut Lagoon Resort in the beautiful and tranquil Kerala backwaters.

Day 8- Day at leisure.

A free day to soak up the captivating ambience of this most serene of settings. Occupying the alluvial plains that separate the Western Ghats from the Indian Ocean, the backwaters are made up of a vast expanse of lagoons and canals that crisscross the landscape for nearly 2,000 kilometers.

Day 9- Overnight on a houseboat on the Keralan backwaters.

After a leisurely morning board your houseboat, the exclusive Spice Coast Cruise for an unforgettable journey through the fascinating palm fringed landscapes of the backwaters, where the locals and the river enjoy an almost symbiotic existence and where life on the water continues as it has for generations. Overnight on the houseboat in comfortable cabins with private en suite facilities.

Day 10- Return flight via Dubai.

Transfer to Cochin (100 KM/approximately 1 hour 30 minutes) for the morning Emirates flight to Dubai (4 hours) and connect to the Emirates flight to London Heathrow (7 hours 45 minutes). Arrive in the UK later this evening.

Brunton Boatyard Hotel

Small and intimate, Brunton Boatyard in Fort Cochin recalls the colonial elegance of the Dutch and Portuguese architecture of the Malabar Coast. Infused with a rich and colourful history, this charming harbour front hotel is ideally located to explore the delights of Fort Cochin and most of its 26 beautifully appointed rooms and suites look out onto the captivating harbour setting. Decorated throughout in Dutch colonial style, the rooms boast wooden flooring and carved wooden beds, with en suite bathrooms that offer exquisite views out across the water. Two restaurants offer the best in fine dining, with a superb range of dishes available that perfectly reflect the diversity of cultural influences that have left their indelible mark on Kochi. A swimming pool overlooking the harbour and an excellent Ayurvedic centre complete this most tantalising of packages, affording the best in comfort, service and old world charm.

Spice Village Hotel

Inspired by traditional jungle construction and blending seamlessly into its forested surroundings, the Spice Village in Thekkady is a tranquil haven located close to the rich wilderness of the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. Offering comfortable chalet style accommodation in the heart of a fragrant spice garden that lies deep in the Cardamom Hills, this hotel affords the perfect spot to immerse oneself in a landscape of dappled forest canopies, rubber and tea plantations and the rolling highlands of the Western Ghats. 52 thatched cottages, with verandas overlooking the gardens, create the perfect ambience, and with a range of facilities that include a swimming pool, tennis court and Ayurvedic centre, there is everything to soothe the body and soul. Activities around the village include trips to the nearby wildlife reserve, plantation visits and walks amongst the verdant forest landscapes.

Coconut Lagoon Resort

A former coconut plantation, the Coconut Lagoon Resort features traditional wooden bungalows with garden courtyard bathrooms. The hotel features a swimming pool and a restaurant specialising in Keralan food.

Marari Beach Extension - 3 nights

Extra Days:4Cost:from £ 375

Set in 25 acres of coconut palm groves leading down to a magnificent beach overlooking the Arabian sea, Marari Beach Resort, Mararikulum is built in the style of a traditional fishing village and has 62 air-conditioned thatched cottages. It is the perfect hideaway with no televisions and a relaxed and welcoming ambience. Yoga and ayurvedic treatments work their magic in this peaceful setting. Float in the swimming pool or take part in a cooking lesson. Kerala is renowned for its colourful local festivals and there will undoubtedly be the opportunity to immerse yourself in their sound and colour.

Emirates - Business Class

Cost: from £ 1400

Emirates has at least six types of business class products currently flying, a result of its rapid expansion, frequent upgrading of quality on old aircraft and better seat designs on new aircraft. The first three (oldest three) types are cradle style seats with slightly different degrees of recline. As each type of seat came out, small improvements were made, most noticeably in the angle of recline. These seats are comfortable, and to make room for the extra recline a row of seats was taken out of some aircraft.Complimentary chauffeur-driven cars are available for First Class and Business Class passengers in many of the cities we serve.