Experience Kerala: Southern India's Backwaters, Tea Fields & Wildlife - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cochin

Welcome to India! You'll be met by a driver at Cochin International Airport and will be taken to your hotel in Cochin. This port city in the state of Kerala on India's southwest coast is a great place to start your trip. Cochin's history stretches back to the time of King Solomon when it was known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea." Arab, Chinese, and European merchant traders came to Cochin in search of spices, silk fabrics, and sandalwood. You can see these influences in Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and varied houses of worship. 

In the evening, you'll have the option to visit a traditional Kathakali dance show. Kathakali is an intricate and stylized Indian classical dance form. Performers wear elaborate makeup and costumes, and present stories using facial gestures, hand and body movements, along with music and vocal performances. After the show has finished, return to your hotel to rest for the night.

Day 2: Cochin Sightseeing, Transfer to Munnar

Take a guided walk through Cochin today, heading first to the Fort Kochi area in Old Cochin known for its Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial architecture. As you walk, admire the Chinese fishing nets that are a recognizable symbol of the city, and stop at the Dhobi Khana, a laundry station that has historical significance from the Dutch occupation in the 17th century. Then visit a spice market to pick up souvenirs. Next, it's on to the Mattancherry Palace (also known as the Dutch Palace), which was built by the Portuguese in 1557 as a gift for the king. Admire its two-story central courtyard and inner temples.

Once you've finished your tour, your driver will be waiting to transfer you three hours east, crossing the coastal plains and driving uphill toward Munnar. Famous for its tea plantations, the town is located in the Western Ghats, approximately 5,249 feet (1,600 m) above sea level with stunning views. This was once the summer resort of the British administration in South India and it still retains its colonial feel.

Day 3: Hike to Sevenmalai Hills, Tea Museum Tour

Set off first thing for a half-day hike in the beautiful hills surrounding Munnar. Your walk will start on a gradually sloped uphill path, passing through tea, cardamom, and coffee plantations. You'll then hike through biodiverse rainforests and grasslands to reach the Sevenmalai Hills. You'll be rewarded after your climb with knockout views over tea estates, Munnar town, Changulam Lake, Chittrapuram Dam, and local villages. 

If you still have the energy, visit the Tata Tea Museum located at the Nallathanni Estate after your hike. Here, the museum will give you an insight into how tea is processed from fresh green leaves to the final product, and how the tea industry has played an important part in the area's history. If you're tired after your hike, return to your hotel to put your feet up instead. Once you've rested, join your guide for an evening walk through Munnar's colorful markets.

Day 4: Transfer to Periyar, Spice Plantation Walk

Keep your camera close during your two-hour private transfer this morning, as you're driven across lush green hillsides toward Thekkady, a small town close to Periyar National Park. Periyar is home to one of India's most fascinating wildlife sanctuaries, which supports a rich habitat for large mammals with its succulent shoots and grasses. While you're here, you'll have the chance to spot up to 30 different species of mammals including tigers, elephants, sloths, and monkeys. 

In the afternoon, you'll be taken on a short walk around a spice garden, where you'll be able to look at the assortment of plants. After you've explored, you'll have free time to wander around the town of Periyar where you can visit some shops selling wonderful spices such as cardamom and pepper, as well as other local crops such as tea, coffee, and vanilla.

Day 5: Half-Day Jungle Walk, Transfer to Kumarakom, Sustainable Walk

Today begins with a sunrise jungle walk in Periyar National Park where you can admire butterflies and birdlife such as kingfishers, storks, and hornbills. It's an excellent way to start your day with nature all around you. Return to your hotel afterward to check out, then join your driver for a three-hour transfer east to Kumarakom. This village is situated on the shores of Vembanad, Kerala's largest lake, and the entire area is laced with a network of alley-like canals traditionally used for transportation. These "backwaters" are now one of the major draws for tourists seeking a peaceful cruising experience. 

After you've settled into your hotel, you'll visit a local village to learn more about coir, a coconut fiber that's one of the main exports from the area. Meet the locals who make coir for a living, then learn how toddy (sap) is extracted from coconut trees by traditional tappers.

Day 6: Transfer to Alappuzha, Overnight Backwaters Cruise

Continue deeper into the backwaters this morning as your driver picks you up and takes you on a 45-minute drive around the lake to Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey. This is a center for backwater cruises in Kerala as well as rubber and spice plantations. When you arrive, you'll set off on a houseboat cruise, sure to be a highlight of your trip. As you cruise, take in your new backdrop of paddy fields, tranquil canals, villages, coconut trees, and Vembanad Lake.

The area's houseboats are made out of Anjili wood and bamboo, and were the traditional way of transporting goods for hundreds of years. Now, they have been decorated and turned into comfortable cruise boats. As you travel, you'll be able to spot the prolific birdlife and see village life from a unique viewpoint. You'll enjoy your meals onboard, which will be made by the houseboat's crew, and can enjoy being rocked to sleep on the final night of your trip.

Day 7: Transfer to Cochin & Depart

Enjoy waking up onboard your houseboat on the last morning of your trip. Once you've checked out, you'll be transferred to Cochin International Airport to catch your flight to your onward destination. Until next time!

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