Holiday in detail
We begin our journey in the colonial part of Cochin (known as Fort Cochin) facing out into the Arabian sea. This will give you a real taste of old Kerala. This is a town that still has a thriving spice trade with Chinese fishing nets lining a rustic beach and architecture that has both 17th century Portuguese and Jewish influences. Old Cochin is safe and pedestrian friendly, with interesting shopping boutiques, outdoor restaurants and a café-culture. We’ll take you on a tour of the sights.
As we help you book your own flights for this holiday, you may want to come out a day or more early, to enjoy more free time in this charming town. We’ll pick you up FREE whenever you arrive – up to 3 days before the tour begins to take you to our hotel (we cannot take you to other locations).
From Cochin, we drive inland, up over the Cardamom hills to spend two nights in Munnar – a tea plantation hill station developed by the British. We’ll explore this area partly by jeep with an optional downhill trek through a tea plantation, as well as a drive into the surrounding areas. We then leave Kerala for two days and travel east to Madurai, featured on Rick Stein’s TV series and seen as the ‘Athens of the East.’ Next, it’s south westwards and back to Kerala, as we visit Thekkady, the heart of Kerala’s spice farms. We’ll visit a spice garden and enjoy a stay in a comfortable hotel. You may also wish to visit Periyar National Park by optional excursion.
Next, we move to beautiful Kumarakom for a night, overlooking one of the largest freshwater lakes in South East Asia. You may also want to enjoy our optional (free) boat trips along the lake for sunset.
The following late morning we begin an overnight cruise on the backwaters by converted rice barge. Boats are rustic but relatively comfortable, with two to three or more, ensuite cabins, and air conditioning at night time. Each barge comes with your own dedicated chef (food is included and you can decide when to eat). You can sit out on the deck and enjoy the spectacle of the backwaters. The next day, we take you along the coast to Varkala, epically placed overlooking the Arabian sea, for a comfortable stay.
This is a relatively slow-paced tour, where you’ll enjoy Kerala at your pace. Like all Angel trips you’ll be well looked after on this fully escorted tour. You’ll eat some enticingly exotic food, enjoy a nice social atmosphere within the group and can relax – with some pampering – such as Ayurvedic massage or just lying by the pool: at the same time you’ll see all the best the area has to offer.
Day 1, Sat 9th Jan 2027, Depart UK
Day 1, Sat 9th Jan 2027, Depart UK
As India is 5 hours, 30 minutes ahead of the UK, most flights will arrive next day.
Day 2, Sun 10th, Arrive Cochin HB, 2 nights
Day 2, Sun 10th, Arrive Cochin HB, 2 nights
Also known as Kochi, you will be met at the airport on arrival and transported to our hotel. Please note, you may want to travel out a day or more early to enjoy more of this charming town and relax after your long flight. Extra nights start from just £79 per room, please ask on booking. Remember, we pick you up free of charge up to 3 days before the tour starts. Tonight, there will be an included welcome meal.
Day 3, Mon 11th, Tour of old Cochin BB
Day 3, Mon 11th, Tour of old Cochin BB
Today we take you on a tour of the old town. We’ll visit what is known as ‘Jew Town’ with its old synagogue, St Francis Church, the oldest church in India and to see how spices are prepared for export all over the world. We’ll also see the traditional Chinese fishing nets along the beach with market vendors and rustic eateries. Today is charming.
Day 4, Tues 12th, The tea plantation hill town of Munnar BB, 2 nights
Day 4, Tues 12th, The tea plantation hill town of Munnar BB, 2 nights
Today we drive over the Cardamom hills up into Munnar, a vista of beautiful undulating hills and tea plantations built by the British. This is a scenic drive, where we’ll find out why Kerala is also known as God’s country, not least with its abundance in growing things from pineapples to coco, peppers to the ubiquitous coconut.
Day 5, Wed 13th, Tour of Munnar and the surrounds.
Day 5, Wed 13th, Tour of Munnar and the surrounds.
Munnar is a beautiful setting and we’ll begin our exploration by jeeps. We’ll drive to the crest of hill with an optional short down-hill trek through a tea plantation (if you prefer, you can be driven down and enjoy tea and wait). We’ll also go inside a tea factory to see how tea leaves are processed and enjoy some tasting. Later, we’ll drive the surrounding countryside and stop for free time Munnar.
Day 6, Thurs 14th, To the adjacent state of Tamil Nadu! And the old city of Madurai BB, 2 nights
This morning we leave Kerala on a wonderful scenic drive through the heart of South India. We’ll be entering Madurai, one of India’s oldest cities, spanning 2,500 years – also known as the ‘Athens of the East.’
Day 7, Fri 15th, A tour of this ancient and bustling city.
Today, we’ll take you on an exploration of the city, not least seeing its extraordinary and gigantic underground temple complex, seen as one of the wonders of India! We’ll take you through it markets to further understand how this became the trading gateway of India.
Day 8, Sat 16th, Thekkady BB, 2 nights
Day 8, Sat 16th, Thekkady BB, 2 nights
Today, we head back south westwards and to the spice town of Thekkady. You may like to take part in an optional cookery demonstration this evening.
Day 9, Sun 17th, Thekaddy BB
This morning we will take you to a plantation to learn about the spices of Kerala. Afternoon is free, or you make like to take part in an optional (chargeable) jeep safari or bamboo rafting inside Periyar National Park.
Day 10, Mon 18th, Kumarakom – Rest day
Day 10, Mon 18th, Kumarakom – Rest day
Today we head move to Kumarakom, where we stay in a comfortable hotel with pool near the picturesque Vembanad lake – the second largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. You may want relax by the pool or take an optional and free boat trip along the lake for sunset. Our stay here is peaceful, set in its own grounds and surrounded by natural beauty.
Day 11, Tues 19th, Overnight backwater cruise (Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast)
Day 11, Tues 19th, Overnight backwater cruise (Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast)
Today you’ll board a simple, traditional boat for the night. These are converted rice barges with ‘rustic’ 2 to 3 ensuite cabins per boat, air conditioning at night, and your very own chef to prepare your included meals – lunch, dinner, and following day breakfast are all included. Here you can sit out on the deck and watch the world go by on this relaxing experience.
Day 12, Wed 20th Varkala BB, 3 nights
Day 12, Wed 20th Varkala BB, 3 nights
This morning you disembark your houseboat and we drive along the coast to Varkala for a three night stay.
Day 13, Thurs 21st, BB Beach time
Day 13, Thurs 21st, BB Beach time
Time to enjoy this beautiful setting. Our hotel will be exotically placed. You might like to be pampered with a massage, swim in the Arabian sea or simply relax. Alternatively, take part in an optional (chargeable) day trip to the southern tip of India.
Day 14, Fri 22nd, Beach time
Day 14, Fri 22nd, Beach time
More time to relax, enjoy the restaurants and the Indian Ocean
Day 15, Sat 23rd, To Cochin HB
Day 15, Sat 23rd, To Cochin HB
Today drive north and back to Cochin for our final night and included farewell dinner.
Day 16, Sun 24th, Home
Day 16, Sun 24th, Home
Today we take you to the airport for your flight home.
CODES
CODES
B&B = Bed, Breakfast, HB = Half Board
