kerala backwaters itinerary

Wake up to the sound of ships' horns in the harbour. Today you'll explore the fascinating layers of Fort Kochi's history. Watch local fishermen work the giant Chinese fishing nets, their centuries-old techniques still in use. The air is filled with the aroma of spices as you wander through historic spice warehouses, while colonial churches and Jewish synagogues tell tales of traders from distant lands. Activities:

• Morning visit to Chinese fishing nets
• Walking tour of Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace
• Afternoon visit to spice market
• Evening Kathakali dance performance

• Brunton Boatyard or similar

• Breakfast at hotel
• Lunch at historic Ginger House Restaurant
• Dinner at local seafood restaurant

Immerse yourself in Kerala's culinary heritage today. The morning starts at a local market, vibrant with tropical fruits and fresh spices. Learn the secrets of Kerala's cuisine in a hands-on cooking class, mastering the art of perfect spice blending. The afternoon brings artistic discoveries with visits to local galleries and workshops. Activities:

• Morning market visit
• Traditional Kerala cooking class
• Visit to local art galleries
• Evening sunset harbour cruise

• Brunton Boatyard or similar

• Breakfast at hotel
• Lunch - your own created Kerala feast
• Dinner at acclaimed fusion restaurant

Watch the landscape transform as you journey into Kerala's highlands. The road winds through cardamom forests and tea plantations, climbing into misty mountains. Munnar's cool air is a refreshing change, and endless carpets of tea bushes create a mesmerising vista. The evening brings your first taste of mountain hospitality. Activities:

• Scenic drive to Munnar (4-5 hours)
• Stop at spice garden en route
• Evening tea tasting session
• Orientation walk around tea plantation

• Windermere Estate or similar plantation stay
• Mountain view room

• Breakfast at Kochi hotel
• Packed lunch for journey
• Traditional Kerala dinner at estate

Wake up to misty mountain views and the fresh scent of tea leaves. Today is all about discovering Munnar's famous tea heritage. Walk through perfectly manicured tea gardens where women in colourful saris expertly pluck tea leaves. The afternoon brings a chance to spot rare mountain birds and perhaps glimpse the endangered Nilgiri Tahr on a guided nature walk. Activities:

• Tea factory and museum visit
• Tea plucking experience
• Guided mountain nature walk
• Visit to Mattupetty Dam
• Evening botanical garden visit

• Windermere Estate or similar
• Mountain view room

• Breakfast at estate
• Picnic lunch in tea gardens
• Traditional Kerala highland dinner

Today explores Munnar's highest reaches. Start early at Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The views from Top Station are breathtaking - on clear days, you can see into neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The afternoon brings a visit to a local tea pickers' village for authentic mountain culture. Activities:

• Early morning wildlife watching
• Top Station viewpoint visit
• Local village experience
• Evening campfire with tribal stories

• Windermere Estate or similar
• Mountain view room

• Breakfast at estate
• Traditional worker's lunch in village
• BBQ dinner at estate

Leave the tea mountains behind as you descend through cardamom plantations towards Thekkady, home of the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The journey offers stunning views of the Western Ghats. Arrive in time for an evening spice garden tour where you'll learn about Kerala's famous spice heritage. Activities:

• Scenic drive to Thekkady (3-4 hours)
• Spice plantation tour
• Evening martial arts demonstration
• Night forest walk briefing

• Spice Village or similar forest resort
• Garden villa

• Breakfast at Munnar estate
• Lunch at cardamom plantation
• Dinner at forest resort

An exciting day of wildlife exploration awaits. Start with an early morning bamboo raft journey on Periyar Lake, watching for elephants coming to drink. The afternoon brings a guided forest walk with tribal trackers, learning about the delicate ecosystem and spotting abundant birdlife. Activities:

• Dawn bamboo rafting
• Guided forest trek
• Elephant observation
• Evening wildlife documentary

• Spice Village or similar
• Garden villa

• Early morning tea and snacks
• Breakfast after rafting
• Lunch at resort
• Traditional Kerala dinner

Journey from the mountains to Kerala's famous backwaters. Watch the landscape change as you descend to Kumarakom, a beautiful bird sanctuary village on Lake Vembanad. The afternoon is yours to relax and adjust to the languid pace of backwater life. Activities:

• Morning spice market visit
• Drive to Kumarakom (4-5 hours)
• Evening bird sanctuary visit
• Sunset lake viewing

• Kumarakom Lake Resort or similar
• Lake view villa

• Breakfast at Thekkady
• Lunch en route
• Seafood dinner at resort

A day dedicated to discovering Kumarakom's stunning birdlife. Over 180 species call this sanctuary home. Take guided walks through the sanctuary, watching for local and migratory birds. The afternoon brings a chance to explore local village life along the backwater shores. Activities:

• Morning bird watching
• Village walk
• Traditional fishing demonstration
• Evening cultural performance

• Kumarakom Lake Resort or similar
• Lake view villa

• Breakfast at resort
• Traditional home-cooked lunch
• Resort dinner

The highlight of any Kerala trip - two days aboard your private houseboat. Cruise through narrow canals and across vast lakes, watching local life unfold along the shores. Your skilled crew includes a chef preparing fresh meals from local ingredients. Activities:

• Board houseboat late morning
• Continuous cruising through backwaters
• Village stops
• Sunset watching
• Star gazing from deck

• Premium air-conditioned houseboat
• Private en-suite cabin

• All meals freshly prepared on board
• Fresh seafood options
• Afternoon tea and snacks

Bid farewell to your houseboat and spend a day exploring Alleppey town and beach. Known as the 'Venice of the East', Alleppey's canals and beaches offer a different perspective of backwater life. Activities:

• Morning beach walk
• Local market visit
• Coir making demonstration
• Evening cycling tour

• Raheem Residency or similar
• Heritage beach resort

• Breakfast on houseboat
• Local restaurant lunch
• Beach dinner

Head south to Kerala's most famous beach destination. The journey takes you through coconut groves and coastal villages. Kovalam's lighthouse beach offers a perfect spot for relaxation after your adventures. Activities:

• Drive to Kovalam (4-5 hours)
• Beach walking
• Lighthouse visit
• Sunset viewing

• Taj Green Cove or similar
• Sea view room

• Breakfast at Alleppey
• Lunch en route
• Beach resort dinner

Two days to relax on Kovalam's famous beaches. Optional activities include Ayurvedic treatments, yoga sessions, and water sports. Perfect for processing your Kerala experiences and soaking in the tropical atmosphere. Activities:

• Beach time
• Ayurvedic spa treatments
• Yoga sessions
• Water sports options
• Cooking demonstration

• Taj Green Cove or similar
• Sea view room

• All meals at resort
• Beach cafe options
• Seafood specialties

A day trip to Kerala's capital city, Trivandrum. Visit the magnificent Padmanabhaswamy Temple, explore the local museums, and enjoy some last-minute shopping at local markets. Activities:

• Trivandrum city tour
• Temple visit
• Museum exploration
• Shopping time

• Taj Green Cove or similar
• Sea view room

• Breakfast at resort
• Local restaurant lunch
• Farewell dinner at resort

Time to bid farewell to God's Own Country. Transfer to Trivandrum International Airport for your departure flight, taking with you memories of Kerala's enchanting backwaters and warm hospitality. Activities:

• Morning at leisure
• Airport transfer
• Departure assistance

• Breakfast at resort