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Spice Trails of Kerala

$1585

per person

Visit Kerala and discover its many hidden secrets on this 9-day journey. From coconut palm-lined coasts and rolling hills of tea to diverse wildlife, a trip to Kerala is as easy and rewarding as a glide through its famous backwaters.

For tea lovers and those who are just beginning, this is your chance to soak up the wonderful culture of tea in Kerala which is one of the largest tea producers in the world. Visit a working tea plantation and factory for a close-up experience. Taste the different spices that has the food in this culture bursting with flavors and don’t forget to take in the atmosphere of serenity that is the MOST soothing and sought after.

Download Journey PDF
9 Days, 8 Nights: Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom & Alleppey
Screen Shot 2020-10-18 at 12.48.05 PM

 

Inclusions

  • ‣ Airport Transfers, Meet and Greet
  • ‣ Hotel Accommodations
  • ‣ Daily Breakfast and Selected Meals (See tour plan for details)
  • ‣ English-speaking Local Guide
  • ‣ Entrance Fees to Monuments & Attractions per Itinerary

TRIP OVERVIEW

 ✦ Customizable Private Tour 
  •  Cochin City Tour
  •  Historic St. Francis Church
  •  Fort Cochin
  •  Chinese Fishing Nets
  •  Synagogue at Jewish Quarter
  •  Dutch Palace
  •  Kathakali Dance Performance
  •  Tea Plantation Tour
  • Lake Periyar Boat Ride
  •  Periyar Natioinal Park
  • Spice Plantation Tour
  •  Private Houseboat Lunch Cruise

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS TOUR

Kerala Houseboat Cruise past the rice paddies and coconut groves on the Kerala Backwaters

A Dreamy Landscape

Unlike the hectic tourist epicenters of Jaipur and Delhi, relaxation practically oozes out of Kerala. As your boat glides along the backwaters, watch the farmers working on rice paddy fields, housewives washing laundry while coconut palms wave under a warm breeze.

See Animals In Their Natural Habitat

In the mountain range, the spectacular Periyar National Park is a tropical jungle filled with trails, lakes and abundant wildlife. It is easy to spot monkeys, water buffalo, elephants, Bengal tigers and even jaguars if you are lucky.

elephants_at_periyar
South Indian meals served on banana leaf

Locally Grown Kerala Cuisine

Food is flavored with delicate spices from local spice farms, generating gentle spikes of heat to enthrall your taste buds. Being next to Arabian Sea means a plentiful supply of fresh fish and crabs.

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Tour Plan

Hotels
Dates & Prices

9 Days and 8 Nights
Culture & Heritage
India
India Heritage Tours
Leisure Tour
    1

    Meet Up at Cochin (COK)

    Upon arrival into Cochin, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Find serenity in peaceful Cochin as you gaze out over the warm tropical waters of the Arabian Sea.
    2

    Cochin | City Tour

    Over its long history, both European and Chinese traders have left their mark on Cochin. Explore the historic St Francis Church, Fort Cochin and stroll down the harbor to see little fishing boats and the famous Chinese fishing nets. Visit the Paradesi Synagogue  in the Jewish Quarter.  The Dutch Palace offers the best murals and exhibits of Indian mythology.
    This evening, enjoy the Kathakali dance performance followed by dinner. This highly sophisticated and dramatic dance-drama is known for its elaborate makeup and extravagant gestures that convey the story.
    Breakfast the most important meal of the day. We select fabulous hotels with both local authentic and western breakfast so you are well prepared to enjoy your travel tours.Breakfast  Enjoy local authentic cuisine during your dinner at one of our travel tours. Develop new friendships with other members along the way.  Dinner

    KATHAKALI DANCER
    Story telling with intricate gestures, elaborate costumes and striking makeup.

    CHINESE FISHING NETS IN COCHIN
    14th century technology transfer!

    DELICIOUS KERALA CUISINE
    Fresh Local Seafood.

    3

    Cochin – Munnar | Tea Plantation

    After breakfast, we take a scenic drive to the beautiful hill station of Munnar.  The region is filled with lush green surroundings, streams, lakes, waterfalls, and plantations of tea and spices.
    We will tour a tea plantation to learn about tea, from growing, harvesting to processing into the most widely consumed beverage in the world (next to water).  A tea tasting awaits before we leave.
    Breakfast the most important meal of the day. We select fabulous hotels with both local authentic and western breakfast so you are well prepared to enjoy your travel tours.Breakfast

    TEA PLANTATION TOUR GUIDE
    How to transform tea leaves on the bush to your cup of tea.

    TEA PLANTATION WORKERS
    The workers only pluck young tender leaves for high quality tea.

    4

    Munnar – Thekkady | Periyar National Park

    Relax on a boat on Lake Periyar inside the National Park with other park visitors. Periyar National Park is also a wildlife reserve, home to many endangered species such as the lion tailed macaque, nilgiri tahrs and more. Keep your camera ready for wildlife sightings with the backdrop of lush tropical forests and sprawling grass lands.
    Breakfast the most important meal of the day. We select fabulous hotels with both local authentic and western breakfast so you are well prepared to enjoy your travel tours.Breakfast

    PERIYA BOAT RIDE
    Nature lovers will enjoy spotting local wildlife.

    Look out for elephants and other wildlife during jungle safari. Cheers with your family and friends!

    WILDLIFE RESERVE
    Look out for elephants and other wildlife in Periyar National Park.

    5

    Thekkady | Spice Plantation

    Enjoy a private tour of a Kerala Spice Plantation where you can see how pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and nutmeg are grown. Taste various spices, tropical fruits and inhale the fragrant air.
    In the evening, some hotels offer in-house activities for your enjoyment, for example a cooking demonstration, cultural dance program, yoga class or nature walk. Be sure to ask the hotel front desk.
    Breakfast the most important meal of the day. We select fabulous hotels with both local authentic and western breakfast so you are well prepared to enjoy your travel tours.Breakfast

    VISIT A SPICE PLANTATION
    See how pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, nutmeg, and giant lemons are grown.

    SPICE MARKET
    Buying fresh nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and other spices grown locally.

    6

    Thekkady – Kumarakom

    After breakfast, we depart for Kumarakom. Perched sleepily amongst a tangle of lush tropical waterways known as the Kerala backwaters, Kumarakom is technically a cluster of islands on Lake Vembanad - one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes. It’s an ideal place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
    Breakfast the most important meal of the day. We select fabulous hotels with both local authentic and western breakfast so you are well prepared to enjoy your travel tours.Breakfast

    ECO FRIENDLY HOTEL
    Enjoy its lush expansive grounds by the water.

    AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS BY BOAT
    Chai and more at your 5-star hotel.

    7

    Kumarakom

    A day of leisure for you.
    Suggested Add-ons: Enjoy an authentic Ayurveda massage or therapies. Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake. It spreads across 14 acres and is a favored haunt of migratory birds.
    Breakfast the most important meal of the day. We select fabulous hotels with both local authentic and western breakfast so you are well prepared to enjoy your travel tours.Breakfast

    AYURVEDA MASSAGE
    Revitalizing the body and easing stress (optional add-on).

    8

    Kumarakom | Alleppey Houseboat Lunch Cruise

    For the greatest pleasure in Kerala, let’s enjoy a private Houseboat  cruise and lunch on the backwaters to Alleppey. A never-to-miss experience cruising slowly through a maze of canals observing scenes of everyday life in villages, paddy fields, and see coconut palms, fishermen and locals on a typical day.
    Breakfast the most important meal of the day. We select fabulous hotels with both local authentic and western breakfast so you are well prepared to enjoy your travel tours.Breakfast   Have fun on one of our travel tours with everything include lunches that are prepared and convenient for you. We take the stress away from our guests and allow your more time to really enjoy themselves.   Lunch

    HOUSE BOAT CRUISE
    Glide through the famous Kerala backwaters.

    9

    Kumarakom - Cochin (COK) | Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

    After breakfast, the tour comes to an end. Please inform us of your international or India domestic flight details in order to schedule your transfer to Cochin Airport.
    Bon voyage from God’s Country!
    Breakfast the most important meal of the day. We select fabulous hotels with both local authentic and western breakfast so you are well prepared to enjoy your travel tours.Breakfast
    Overview
    Hotels
    Dates & Prices

    Hotels

    We carefully handpick our hotels to ensure they provide you with the best comfort and experience.For Private Tours, you may request a specific hotel as one of the customizable options.
    DestinationComfort Class Premium Class Luxury Class 
    CochinAbad Dutch Bungalow
    MunnarAbad Copper Castle
    ThekkadyAbad Green Forest Resort
    KumarakomAbad Whispering Palm
    * Hotels mentioned are subject to availability at the time of reservation.

    Accommodation Classification

    • COMFORT ⭐⭐⭐- 3-Star Hotels or Equivalent Accommodations
    • PREMIUM ⭐⭐⭐⭐- 4-Star Hotels or Equivalent Accommodations
    • LUXURY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- 5-Star Hotels or Equivalent Accommodations
    Overview
    Tour Plan
    Dates & Prices

    Dates & Pricing 

    Private Tour, daily departure except Thursday

    YearTour DateComfort Premium Luxury
    2020Oct 1 to Dec 20$1,585$1,745$2,645
    2021Jan 10 to Mar 31$1,585$1,745$2,645
    2021Apr 1 to Sep 30CallCallCall
    2021Oct 1 to Dec 20CallCallCall
    2022Jan 10 to Mar 31CallCallCall

    Private Tour Price Details

    • ‣ Prices are in USD and are inclusive of all applicable taxes but do not include airfare.
    • ‣ Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply during applicable major holidays.
    • ‣ Special rates for single travelers or larger groups, and ultra-luxury hotels are available on request - please inquire.
    • ‣ Note that tour prices vary according to season. If your tour straddles two seasons then each portion will be priced according to that season.

    Deposit

    • ‣ A deposit of $300 per person is required upon booking and full payment to be made 60 days prior to departure date.
    • ‣ Monthly installment plan is available - please inquire.

    Flight Add-On

    • ‣ We work with all major airlines for the best routes and competitive pricing.
    • ‣ The nearest airport is COK(Cochin International Airport).
    • ‣ Contact us for more details and pricing.
     

    Inclusions

    • ‣ Airport Transfers, Meet and Greet
    • ‣ Hotel Accommodations
    • ‣ Daily Breakfast and Selected Meals (See tour plan for details)
    • ‣ English-speaking Local Guide
    • ‣ Entrance Fees to Monuments & Attractions per Itinerary

    Exclusions

    • ‣ International and Domestic Air Fare
    • ‣ Travel Insurance
    • ‣ Medical Expenses
    • ‣ Visa Fee
    • ‣ Gratuity
    • ‣ Personal Expenses
    Overview
    Tour Plan
    Hotels