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Featured holiday: Classic Kerala Tour
Kerala Connections Classic Kerala Tour
Sunflower grower
Sunflower grower

The Kerala Backwaters
The Kerala Backwaters

Fishermen hauling in the catch at sunrise
Fishermen hauling in the catch at sunrise

Tailor-made Tour (14 days)
This classic tour of Kerala includes all the major places of interest - the Harbour City of Cochin; the Hill Station of Munnar; Thekkady - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary; the Kerala Backwaters - including a night on a houseboat and finishes at the beach.

This tour gives you:
2 nights in Cochin
2 nights in Munnar
3 nights in Thekkady
2 nights at a backwater resort
1 night on a houseboat
3 nights at the beach

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast at all hotels. Full Board on the Houseboat and at Homestays.
Season: October to March

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart from the UK
Day 2 Arrive Cochin Airport. Transfer to Fort Cochin. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. Rest of the day free to relax / explore the local area.
Day 3 Guided city tour including: St Francis Church (where Vasco da Gama was originally buried), Santa Cruz Cathedral, Mattancherry Palace (with its interesting murals), Jew Town with its spice shops, the Synagogue and Chinese fishing nets. Evening: attend a Kathakali performance. Arrive early to watch the performers apply their make-up and put on their costumes.
Day 4 Transfer to Munnar, the hill station and principal tea growing area of Kerala. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. Rest of the day free to relax / explore the local area.
Day 5 Full day in Munnar. You will have your car and driver with you so can visit various places in the area. In Munnar itself, places to visit include the Tea Museum a weaving and paper-making 'factory' and the fruit and vegetable market. Out of town you can visit Eravikulam National Park, home of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (please note that this park is closed during the breeding season January/February - actual date depends on the Tahrs) and further away is Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Alternatively you can simply walk in this beautiful mountainous area.
Day 6 Transfer by car to Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary). The scenery along the route is spectacular. Ask your driver to stop if you require a longer look or wish to take photographs. The journey takes about 4 hours. Rest of the day free to relax / explore the local area.
Day 7 Guided soft trek into the forest. This trek takes 2 - 3 hours and is taken at a slow pace with any birds, insects, plants etc being pointed out to the group. Later visit a plantation - Abraham's Spice Garden (as featured on the BBC series ”Monty Don's Around the World in 80 Gardens”).
Day 8 Full day in the Periyar area. Further activities to be arranged locally. These may include a boat trip on the lake, walking, bamboo rafting and a bullock cart ride.
Day 9 Transfer to the Alleppey backwater area. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. Rest of the day free to relax / explore the local area.
Day 10 Day free to relax / explore the local area. We recommend you take a stroll around the local villages.
Day 11 Your exclusive houseboat will collect you (just before lunch) directly from the accommodation. Board the houseboat and cruise the backwaters. The boat will stop at places of interest along the way where you can get off and explore. If you wish to go ashore more frequently then simply ask the crew. Overnight on the houseboat. All meals are served on-board.
Day 12 After breakfast disembark from the houseboat and transfer to a beach area. Rest of the day free to relax / explore the local area.
Day 13 Day free to relax / take part in local activities.
Day 14 Day free to relax / take part in local activities.
Day 15 Transfer to Airport for flight home.
Possible adaptations to this tour • Increase the number of nights on the houseboat. • Add a visit to the Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad. • Add a visit to the Temple Town of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. • Fly to the Lakshadweep Islands or Maldives. • Extend the holiday with a visit to North Kerala or other parts of India.




for more information about Kerala Connections - Tailor-Made Holidays to South India
Click Here >> 		A great introduction to the highlights of Kerala.

Price From
£882

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Holiday valid to
30 September 2010

Price Includes : • All Accommodation in one twin/double sharing room • Transfers in an air-conditioned car with driver • Houseboat Cruise • All Entrance Fees • Local Guide Charges • All Other Extras Listed on the Itinerary • All Current Taxes • General Assistance (including the cost of porters at Airports)

Price Excludes : • International Flights (which we will be happy to quote for separately). We will search for the best airfare available and quote you accordingly. • Holiday Insurance • Meals (other than those included on the itinerary) • Gratuities • Items of a Personal Nature (mineral water, laundry, phone calls, camera fees etc)


Highlights of Classic Kerala Tour
- This is a tailor-made tour individually created for you and your travelling companion(s)
- Depart from the UK on any date to suit your specific requirements.
- This itinerary is available in 6 different price ranges including: Standard; Homestays; Mid Range; Boutique; Top Quality and Luxury.
- You can mix and match the hotels from different price ranges to suit your budget.
- Groups of more than two people can easily be accommodated.
     
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