THE BEST OF KERALA A 14 NIGHT HOLIDAY ITINERARY IN GOD S OWN COUNTRY VISITING COCHIN, MUNNAR, PERIYAR, KUMARKOM, THE BACKWATERS AND MARARI BEACH From 3,250 per person including return flights from a choice of six UK airports (flight prices are subject to change) Enchanting, exotic, beautiful Kerala, at the southwest tip of India, is India s cleanest and safest State. Here literacy at 91% is the highest in India and measures of life expectancy, education and standard of living set Kerala quite far apart and ahead of the rest of the country. Our Best of Kerala itinerary is a leisurely and comfortable exploration of this beautiful, friendly place, blending luxury with tradition, and style with substance.
THE BEST OF KERALA ITINERARY DEPART UK FROM A CHOICE OF SIX AIRPORTS (BIRMINGHAM, GLASGOW, MANCHESTER, LONDON HEATHROW AND GATWICK, NEWCASTLE) - TBA Day 1 you will be met on arrival at Cochin [Kochi] airport and transferred [by A/C car with English speaking driver] to Brunton Boatyard Hotel, Fort Cochin. Brunton Boatyard is an elegant 5* hotel situated just 100 yards from the fishing nets and close to Fort Cochin s other attractions, such as the St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried. The Brunton Boatyard, Fort Cochin, Kerala, south India Cochin, also known as Kochi, has one of the finest natural harbours in the world and the Chinese fishing nets, which were introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan, are the landmark of the Malabar Coast. Your first day is at leisure so you can gently ease your way into India. Day 2 after breakfast you have a guided tour of Cochin taking in the Dutch Palace [actually built by the Portuguese in 1555 and renovated by the Dutch in 1653], the Jewish Synagogue [1568] and the Ernakulam Market. In the evening a dance/mime kathakali performance. Kathakali is the traditional ritualistic artform used for centuries to preserve the stories of the Vedas. Elaborate costumes and gestures make the kathakali dancers something special to behold.
Day 3 transfer [in an A/C car with English speaking driver] to Munnar, a hill station high in the Western Ghats. The 4hr journey from sea level to 6,000ft takes you through the fantastic range of Keralan vegetation and landscapes. You will see, as you ascend, the cultivation of coconuts, pineapples, rubber, coffee, pepper, cardamom, vanilla and emerge eventually in the landscape of tea. Lunch is taken along the way. Munnar literally means three rivers and is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams. Here the temperature will be 8-10 0 C lower than the coast and in January and February a light sweater will be needed for the evening. You will stay at Windermere Estate a family run hotel set amongst 60 acres of working tea plantation with stunning views over the Ghats. The five deluxe rooms and five cottages are very comfortably furnished and there is a small dining room catering for guests only. Walks through the estate are organised daily. Windermere is intimate and tranquil, the perfect place to relax and unwind and explore the tea plantations and hills. Windermere Estate and the Western Ghats Day 4 After breakfast pay a visit to Eravikulam National Park to walk the green hills and possibly see the Nilgri Thar [a rare mountain goat]. The Park is situated at the crest of the Anaimalai Range and has the world s largest population of Nilgiri Thar. Also here you may see sambar, barking deer, the giant Malabar squirrel, wolf, elephant and vulture. The walking is gentle on a reasonable track. The sunsets are usually spectacular as you look west from the top of the Ghats.
Day 5 after breakfast a fascinating drive through the tea plantations and a gradual descent of 3,000ft to the spice growing areas. Your destination is Thekkaddy at the entrance to the Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Spice Village an eco conscious hotel where each dwelling is thatched with elephant grass and offers simple luxury and privacy. Throughout the village, the atmosphere is relaxed and enchanting. Day 6 after breakfast a guided walk through a spice plantation to see the cultivation of cardamom, pepper, vanilla and coffee. In the afternoon a guided walk in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This amazingly beautiful national park owes its existence to the construction of a dam on the river Periyar in 1895. The resulting reservoir measures 55 square kilometres and the Park itself measures 777 square kilometres. It is one of 18 Parks in India which make up Project Tiger and whilst it boasts a healthy population of big cats, due to the topography, the chances of a sighting are quite rare. However, you should see; elephants, monkeys, wild boar, antelope, darters, cormorants, ospreys, kingfishers, drongos, fish owls, kites, hornbills, hill mynahs, herons, white egrets and orioles. Day 7 after breakfast you descend again to sea level and enter the famous backwaters a complex network of lakes, canals and rivers which support a beautiful but fragile eco-system. Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom said to be [by National Geographic] one of the 15 most beautiful places on earth, will be your home for the next two days.
A Coconut Lagoon Heritage Villa private pool villas are also available The Coconut Lagoon is on the shores of Lake Vembanad and is designed as a traditional Keralan village and each of the wooden houses is an original Kerala Tharavadu [family house] brought from all over the state and carefully re-assembled by the local, skilled craftsmen. Here you can stay in a heritage cottage, a larger heritage mansion or if your budget will stretch, a private pool villa, which as the name implies has a small swimming pool within a walled garden delightful. Day 8 at leisure at Coconut Lagoon. Sit in the butterfly garden or by the pool. Alternatively take a canoe out on the backwaters. Day 9 a short transfer by A/C car to the shores of the Arabian Sea takes you to the Marari Beach Resort. This is a delightful seaside resort set back from a palm-fringed, white sand beach. There is a large swimming pool with sun terrace near the main buffet restaurant, bar and an amphitheatre where cultural performances take place. The beach-shack set amongst the coconut palms fronting the beach serves delicious fish and sea food.
The resort has its own Ayurvedic Centre and yoga sessions are free each sunrise and sunset. Each day, in the late afternoon, the local fisherman will land their catch on the beach. You will probably be invited to help haul in the nets. Days 10/11/12 and 13 at leisure at Marari Beach Resort. However, on one of these lazy days you can choose a backwaters cruise on a kettuvallum rice barge houseboat. A kettuvallam [rice-barge] houseboat and a typical backwaters scene The backwaters are the jewel in Kerala s crown. An intricate system of lakes, rivers and small canals that supports an incredible variety of wildlife, particularly birds, and where you will see traditional village life as it has been lived for centuries. For many travellers the backwaters cruise is the high spot of a Keralan holiday. It provides a feeling of intense tranquillity as you glide slowly through the palms and rice paddies, stopping occasionally to visit a village, a temple or a church. Your kettuvallum houseboat has a three-man crew, captain, engineer and cook. A delicious lunch will be served on board. Day 14 at an appropriate time transfer [90 minutes] to Cochin airport for your return flight to the UK.
ACCOMMODATION & MEAL PLAN Dates Nts City Hotel Room Category Days 1 & 2 02 Cochin Brunton Boatyard Deluxe Room Days 3 & 4 02 Munnar Windermere Cottage Estate Days 5 & 6 02 Thekkady Spice Village Standard Villa Days 7 & 8 02 Kumarakom Coconut Lagoon Heritage Villa Days 05 Mararikulam Marari Beach Garden 9,10,11,12,13 Resort Cottage Meal Type BB FB BB BB BB BEST OF KERALA PRICES The Best of Kerala itinerary is available throughout the year and it can be personalised to suit you with alternative hotels if desired and with days added or subtracted at any point along the way. Prices are based on two sharing standard double or twin rooms. Upgraded rooms are available throughout the itinerary. The price per person [including international flights] is from 3,250 if taken in March, April, May, August, September, October and November. The price per person is from 3,650 if taken in December, January and February. Christmas Eve and New Year s Eve supplements are applicable at some of the hotels. If you would like to try Best of Kerala over the Christmas and New Year period, you must book early. We recommend that you contact us at least 6 months in advance. The price includes: Economy return international flights (prices are subject to change)* 13 nights accommodation on twin share basis at the hotels mentioned above; Meal plan BB; [BB = Bed & Breakfast]; International return flights to India (prices are subject to change) Arrival and departure transfers will be by a chauffeur driven air-conditioned Toyota Innova or [similar] vehicle; Road taxes, parking fees, fuel charges, interstate taxes, entrance fees, and porterage at all airports; An Ellison Robert s representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers;
All currently applicable taxes, including the service tax of 2.58% applicable on total invoice amount. The price excludes: Expenses of a personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera / video camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure taxes, etc.; Meals other than those specified above; Any insurance; Any visa fees; Any other services not mentioned as included. Special Notes: UK and EC citizens require a visa to visit India. You are responsible for obtaining these yourselves but we will of course provide any guidance or assistance you may require. Hotel check-in & check-out time is usually 1200 hrs; In case of any currency fluctuations or amendments to local Government taxes, or any fuel price rises, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly; Any change in hotel or room category may attract a supplement or reduction in the tour cost. Rate quoted above includes only those items as specified in the above inclusion column; Quote is valid only for the above mentioned period; The climate of Kerala is tropical with little seasonal variations of temperature but distinct wet and dry seasons. The height of the wet season is June/July when the SW monsoon arrives. The dry season extends from October to April. Average daytime temperatures in December are: 30C at the coast and 22C in the mountains.
The beach at Mararikulam