A three week grand holiday bringing the best of Kerala and tiger spotting in South India together for a heady mix of culture, wildlife and relaxation, ending in the relaxed old Portuguese vibes of Old Goa and the beaches full of sunshine and warmth.
A three week grand holiday bringing the best of Kerala and tiger spotting in South India together for a heady mix of culture, wildlife and relaxation, ending in the relaxed old Portuguese vibes of Old Goa and the beaches full of sunshine and warmth.
Day 1: Fly in to Cochin
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure
Day 2: Fort Cochin Guided tour
Explore the historical sites of Fort Cochin on a guided tour today. Mattancherry Palace, the synagogues of old Jew town, the Portuguese churches and the Chinese fishing nets and other sites.
In the evening, watch a performance of Kathakali, the famous dance form of Kerala.
Hotel: Fort Cochin
Day 3: Muziris guided tour
After breakfast enjoy a full day tour of Muziris. Muziris was an ancient port city on the Kerala coast, an hour’s drive north of Cochin. The city traded in spices, silk, and precious stones; with exports to Rome, Greece, Egypt, etc. Enriched by trade contacts, Muziris became a melting pot of world cultures. The earliest Jewish settlers in India landed on the Malabar Coast and flourished in Muziris. Muziris is where St. Thomas the Apostle is said to have first landed in 52AD, bringing Christianity to India.
Tour Coverage: On this tour, we will visit the following:
Day 4: Day trip to Vaikom village
A reception will be arranged in a traditional house, where you can see first-hand the rural Keralan life-style. Embark on a village backwater cruise through narrow canals for 3 hours with a local guide, stopping at coconut farms, coir villages, spice and herb farms, do a spot of bird watching and observe village activities. Since there are no industries here, the village is free from all types of pollution. The main occupation of the villagers is making ropes with coconut fibre, weaving mats from wild-pineapple leaves, pottery, traditional coconut processing, collecting sand from river-bed, fishing, farming, etc.
The cruise will be through narrow canals, up to 4 feet deep, with the boat passing through a canopy of coconut palm groves. The excursion concludes with a ‘Sadya’ – a lunch served during Kerala’s regional festival ONAM and Hindu marriages. It comprises of different curries served on banana leaves.
Return from Vaikom village to Cochin. In the evening, explore the vibrant Fort Cochin streets around your hotel, or relax.
Day 5: Sailing on Backwaters (Kumarakom)
Drive to Kumarakom to board your rice boat which will take you on an overnight cruise of the backwaters, watching tranquil green landscapes in comfort. Fresh meals will be served on board.
Hotel: Rice boat
Day 6: Kumarakom – Periyar
After your boat cruise finishes post-breakfast, drive to Periyar National Park (3.5hrs) and check in into your hotel
After dinner, go for a night walk in the jungle with a local naturalist to observe nature in a unique way.
Hotel: Elephant Court
Day 7: Periyar National Park
This morning, go on a half-day expedition in the Periyar National Park with a naturalist, which includes walking in the park and bamboo rafting.
In the evening, watch an expert performance of Kalarippayattu, the Keralan martial arts which was the inspiration for Kung-Fu.
Hotel: Elephant Court, Periyar
Day 8: Periyar –Vagamon
After a relaxed morning, drive (1.5hrs) to Vagamon to check into your resort.
Visit the local tea plantation and a nearby monastery located on the hill top in a 4WD jeep. In the evening, you can optionally arrange a cooking class with the head chef (on direct payment)
Hotel: Vagamon
Day 9: Vagamon – Kothamangalam
A relaxed morning in Vagamon, enjoying some of the activities at the resort.
You can choose to join the early morning 1 hr long nature walk (0700hrs) and/or join the 1hr long yoga session (0800hrs)
Have a relaxed breakfast, and then drive to Kothamangalam (2hrs), and check in at Jose & Daisy Home Stay (Mundackal Home Stay). Rest of the day is at leisure or spend time in the spice gardens around the homestay.
Hotel: Jose & Daisy home stay
Day 10: Kothamangalam
After a relaxed breakfast enjoy the day visiting tea gardens, rubber plantations and spice gardens with Mr. Jose.
Enjoy a cooking session with Daisy (she is a world-renowned expert in Kerala cuisines)
Hotel: Jose & Daisy home stay
Day 11: Thrissur
Drive to the cultural town of Thrissur (3 hrs).
Visit Thrissur District Heritage Museum with its collection of Keralan murals. Though many are reproductions of murals found all over the state, the advantage is that the colours are fresh, photography is allowed and you can have a much closer look than at any of the originals.
Late afternoon, visit the Vadakkumnathan Temple – a Shiva Hindu temple, a classic example of the Keralan architectural style with one monumental tower on each of the four sides. Mural paintings depicting various scenes from the Mahabharata can be seen inside the temple. It is notified as a National Monument by India. Explore the grounds and the grand fortress like building before dusk, and then see it transform at night with the warm glow of soft earthenware lamps, as sounds of hymns carry in the evening air. To watch the evening puja (prayer) people are allowed in the inner sanctum, but men have to enter bare chested.
Hotel: Thrissur
Day 12: Thrissur
After breakfast visit to Kerala Kalamandalam renowned for its meticulous training and performances, the institution offers instruction in various classical dance and theatre forms, including Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kudiyattam, Thullal, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Nangiar Koothu. Additionally, it features training in the traditional orchestra Panchavadyam and Modern Theatre. The curriculum also includes Modern Indian languages, Aesthetics, and Indian Literature, reflecting the institution’s comprehensive approach to arts education.
After lunch, drive north to Vythiri in the scenic Wayanad district (5hrs), and relax for the rest of the evening in your ecolodge.
Hotel: Vythiri Resort
Day 13: Wayanad
Explore the local walks and enjoy the natural beauty of Wayanad, one of the best sections of the Western Ghats. Here the air is pure, and the land is green. Relax in calming surrounds of your eco-lodge with its many walks and activities.
Hotel: Vythiri Resort
Day 14: Wayanad – Kabini
After an early breakfast, drive further north into the neighbouring state of Karnataka, to Kabini (3hrs) and check into your ecolodge.
Kabini is a part of the Nagarhole National Park, famous for its tigers, black panther and leopards, among other animals like elephants, guar etc. It is arguably the best national park in south India for big cat watching.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon safari in shared safari vehicles in Kabini.
Hotel: Kabini Jungle Lodge, Kabini
Day 15: Kabini, Nagarhole National Park
Morning and evening safaris in shared safari vehicles in Kabini, which is a part of the Nagarhole National Park to look for tigers, black panthers and leopards.
Hotel: Kabini Jungle Lodge, Kabini
Day 16: Kabini, Nagarhole National Park
Morning and evening safaris in shared safari vehicles in Kabini, which is a part of the Nagarhole National Park to look for tigers, black panthers and leopards.
Hotel: Kabini Jungle Lodge, Kabini
Day 17: Kabini – Mysore
Take your last safari this morning in Kabini.
After breakfast back at the lodge, check out and drive to Mysore (30min). Visit the vast Mysore City Palace, arguably the grandest palace in all of south India.
Drive to Bangalore (3.5hrs) and check in to your hotel near the airport.
Hotel: Nr. Bangalore airport
Day 18: Bangalore – Goa
After a relaxed start to the day, arrive at the airport refreshed and fly from Bangalore to Goa (Indigo 1150-1305)
Upon arrival at Goa, transfer to your resort in North Goa.
Relax for the rest of the day
Hotel: Goa
Day 19: Old Goa – Guided tour
Visit the World Heritage Site of Old Goa. Goa was the former capital of the Portuguese territories in India. Belfries, baroque church facades and other artefacts of Portuguese colonial history remain in Old Goa’s preserved pedestrian enclave. The church of Bom Jesus contains the tomb of St Francis-Xavier.
Explore the Fontainhas quarter, with its traditional houses, and old goa vibe.
Day 20: Goa
Enjoy the day at leisure at your resort, explore the beaches
Day 21: Goa
Enjoy the day at leisure at your resort, explore the beaches
Day 22: Departure
Transfer to the airport in time for your return flight(s) to UK
NOTE: If you wish to shorten the tour to exactly 21 days, you can either remove Day 3, Day 16 or Day 21, depending on your preferences. We’ll ensure that the activities are aligned with your flight schedule once this is known.
HOTELS:
| City | Hotel Name, room category | No of Nights |
| Kochi | The Old Court House by Abad (Boutique Room) | 04 |
| Kumarakom | AC Deluxe Houseboat (01 Bedroom) | 01 |
| Periyar | Elephant Court (Patio Room) | 02 |
| Vagamon | Vanilla County (Heritage Bungalow Room) | 01 |
| Kothamangalam | Jose & Daisy Plantation Home Stay (Planters Room) | 02 |
| Thrissur | Park Inn by Suites (Deluxe Room) | 01 |
| Wyanad | Vythiri Resort (Deluxe Cottage) | 02 |
| Nagarhole | Kabini River Lodge (Standard Cottage Room) | 03 |
| Bangalore | SM Royal Stay (Deluxe Room) | 01 |
| Goa | Marquis Beach Resort (Deluxe Room with Balcony) | 04 |
INCLUSIONS
Air-conditioned Toyota Crysta for all transfer, guided tours and driving in between the destinations
All entrances to the monuments as per the itinerary
English speaking guide (local) for the guided tours in Kochi, Thrissur, Wyanad and Mysore,
Kathakali Dance show in Kochi
Night Patrolling (walking in Periyar Forest with Forest guide and Guard)
Morning walking and Bamboo Rafting in Periyar
06 jeep safaris (by shared jeeps) in Nagarhole National Park (Kabini) with park guide
Local walk in Wyanad with local person from the resort
Walks in Vagamon and visit to the spice and tea gardens
Walk with Jose into Spice Plantation at Kothamangalam
Cooking class with Daisy at Kothamangalam
Visit to Kerala Kalamandalam and interaction with Master
All currently applicable taxes
EXCLUSIONS
Any International airfare to/from India including international airport tax.
Meals not specified.
Camera fee wherever levied.
Any increase in airfares by the airlines in future.
Any increase in entrances and rail fares as per Government notifications in future.
Any additional taxes levied by the Government of India on the tourism sector in future.
Any expenses of personal nature such as hard/soft drinks, laundry, phone/fax calls, tips etc.
Any item not mentioned in the quote includes section.
Any increase in the entrance fee to the National Park. The quote is based on the presently applicable entrance fee.
Travel on a tailor-made itinerary, or join one of our group or expert-led tours.
This is our part of the world. We know it like the back of our hand.
We are lean & keen. We make your holiday deliver excellent value.
100% financial protection. We're here for you, before, during and after your holiday.
Instep Adventures isn’t simply our brand name. It is our motto. Our vision for tourism, done right.
Our responsible travel charter helps us create adventures that are a force for good, enlightening you while benefitting the lives and places we touch.
Through careful choices and considered partnerships, our holidays help protect what matters: communities; wildlife and habitats; the planet.
Opulent: Exceptional, unashamedly the best of sheer luxury. (£££££)
Luxury: Outstanding levels of 5* comfort, hospitality and facilities. (££££)
Premium: Excellent levels of comfort and hospitality and a wide range of facilities. (£££)
Mid-Range: Good levels of comfort and hospitality, with a reasonable range of facilities. (££)
Simple: Clean and simple, no frills. Often in areas of natural beauty or near wildlife reserves. (£)
