As India is 5 hours, 30 minutes ahead of the UK, most flights will arrive next day.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.’

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This morning you disembark your houseboat and we drive along the coast to Varkala for a three night stay.

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.

More time to relax, enjoy the restaurants and the Indian Ocean

Today drive north and back to Cochin for our final night and included farewell dinner.

Today we take you to the airport for your flight home.

B&B = Bed, Breakfast, HB = Half Board