Description
Begin your journey in Cochin, once the thriving hub of the spice trade and steeped in colonial history. You are based in a small boutique hotel in the heart of the city, from where all the family can wander out and explore the local markets. Spend a day with a handpicked guide who will help you discover the more unique side to the city.
Next, drive into the hills known as the Western Ghats towards Periyar National Park which is home to a wide variety of wildlife. You can head out on a walk through the jungle before visiting a local tribal village for an experience of the unique Mannan people. Finish your day by stopping at a spice plantation and showing the children where all those exotic spices come from which end up in little jars in the kitchen.
Your next experience is spending a couple of hours with your own personal elephant wandering through a rubber plantation. The children will love taking it down to the river for a quick bath before returning to the main bungalow for sumptuous Indian curry and rice pudding.
Head to the backwaters, which weave out from Lake Vembanad and is the iconic vision of laid back Kerala. Purity is a quiet retreat on the banks of the lake from where you can sit back and put your feet up for a couple of days. We suggest a little trip to a local farm where you can do a cookery course and see rural India in all its colour and charm.
A night on a traditional houseboat is a must for all visitors to Kerala; you spend the day drifting down the backwaters seeing local Keralan life as you pass by before docking in a quiet location for the night. Your crew will prepare delicious Keralan dishes as you escape the hustle and bustle.
Finally, drive down to Kovalam for three or more nights of R&R on the beach. The Leela is an excellent hotel to let the peaceful atmosphere of Kerala come to the fore before you fly home. Alternatively, some families like to hop over to the Maldives for a beach stay, and some choose to break the journey home in the Middle East. This is of course only a taster of what is possible, and we can tailor the itinerary to suit your family’s individual tastes and interests.
Guide price
£7,340 Per Family
£7,340 Per Family based on 2 adults and 2 children travelling on a B&B basis (except FB on the houseboat). Includes car and driver, experiences as mentioned and entrance fees. Includes flights with Emirates.
Itinerary
Location and directions
Kerala
