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Wildlife and Waterways of Kerala

Itinerary

  • Itinerary:
    Bangalore - Mysore - Wayanad - Tholpetty - Ooty - Coonoor - Cochin - Periyar National Park - Kerala Backwaters - Marari - Cochin
  • Duration:
    15 days / 14 nights (flexible)
  • Price:
    From £ 1,589.- per person (excluding flights)
Sleep aboard traditional rice barges, float through the palm-fringed canals of the Keralan backwaters and search for wild elephants in the tropical forest. This is a sun-kissed, relaxed adventure through sunny South India. From rolling tea plantations to glittering palaces and quirky colonial towns. Beginning in leafy, booming Bangalore, you’ll set off to the silk bazaars and scattered palaces of Mysore. Next, you’ll set off on safari, scouring the lush forest for wild elephants, monkeys and tigers. Then, you’ll see the unique Chinese fishing nets of Fort Cochin before heading for the beautiful backwaters. You’ll end your trip on the shores of the Indian Ocean, with soft sands and blazing sunsets.
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Days 1-3 – Time to explore Bangalore

Meet the modern face of India in Bangalore, the trendy gateway to the south. Packed with leafy parks, coffee shops and progressive technology, it’s an urban taste of the future. Bangalore is a business hub with a heart. Known as India’s ‘Garden City’, it’s peppered with green parks filled with hipster young professionals. Here, tradition nudges up against the New World, as hi-tech companies jostle with wandering cows and street stalls set up outside boutique restaurants.

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Days 3-7 – Through emerald valleys to Kerala

From Bangalore you’ll travel by private car to Mysore, which will take between 4 to 5 hours. Explore mystical temples, wander through tea plantations, go walking and cycling en route to tropical Kerala. Stay in traditional accommodation, breathe in heady spices and go explore the emerald green tea plantations. It’s a brilliant taste of the sizzling south. Beginning in booming Bangalore, you’ll travel to the dazzling city of Mysore, peppered with gorgeous palaces, spice markets and silk traders.

From there, you’ll head to Wayanad to cycle and hike through the spectacular scenery in this lush pocket of India. After that, you’ll set off through the emerald green tea hills to Ooty, a charming little hill station. From here you’ll board the toy train and take a scenic journey through the Nilgiri Hills to Coonoor. You’ll try your hand at tea-picking in the green hills before crossing into atmospheric Fort Cochin.

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Days 7-9 – Classical dance in Cochin

You’ll stay in the colonial home of a local family in the historic Fort Cochin district (we can arrange a hotel instead if you’d prefer). The next day, your driver will take you around the sights of Cochin. You can visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue in the heart of the Jewish district, and the Saint Francis Church (the oldest European church in India). In the afternoon, we’ve arranged a Kathakali dance class for you.

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Days 9-12 – Backwaters and wildlife

Sleep aboard a wooden houseboat as you drift through tropical backwaters and spot wild elephant in the untamed jungle of exotic Kerala. Trek into the forest to scout for sambar deer, wild boar and maybe even a mongoose or two. Kerala is India’s exotic, emerald heart, packed with lush scenery and a tangle over overgrown backwaters. During this trip, you’ll travel from Fort Cochin into Periyar National Park, where you’ll set off on a walking safari through the jungle. Next, you’ll spend a night aboard a classic Kerala houseboat, drifting through the tiny canals under starry skies.

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Days 12-15 – Relax on palm-fringed shores

Marari is the place for an authentic beach break in India. It’s a friendly fishing village, lined with palm trees and an idyllic and tranquil beach. It’s the perfect place to end your India trip, so kick back and take it easy. Spend your days relaxing in a hammock, taking a refreshing dip in the pool or just lazing on the beach.  Pure bliss! Your India trip comes to an end after your time in Marari, and you’ll be transferred to Cochin airport, about an hour away, to begin your journey home.

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Wildlife and Waterways of Kerala

Accommodation

For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options

onboard houseboat
houseboat
hotel pool
hotel exterior
hotel exterior
hotel bed
Option
1

Upgrade this Itinerary

  • Price:
    from £ 2,199.- per person (excluding flights)
  • Included:
    In Style accommodation, excursions, transport and meals as described above

For the locations included in this itinerary we have alternative options available in terms of comfort. Our In Style options can be more luxurious, offer something unique or offer a more comfortable transport option – all with that local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your itinerary, select our In Style option below.

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