Simply Kerala - Absolute Asia Tours

On arrival in Cochin, you'll be met by a MWT representative, who will accompany you to your hotel.

Accompanied by your expert local guide, explore Cochin on foot and by tuk-tuk, stopping to admire the Chinese Fishing Nets, the Dutch Palace, synagogue and St Francis Church, breaking for chai or coffee at a local art cafe for a glimpse of Cochin's contemporary creative side.

After a leisurely breakfast, depart Cochin for the rural region of Kodikulam, and the Dewalokam Homestay, where you'll be warmly welcomed before being introduced to the various ways to spend your time here.

Your day will be at leisure, and can be as active or relaxing as you wish.

After breakfast and having said goodbye to your hosts, depart through rural Kerala to Munnar, where the rest of your day will be at leisure to enjoy the beautiful scenery and sample the local brew.

We suggest a hearty breakfast this morning to prepare you for your trek through the Letchmi Hills. You'll follow an undulating trail through tea plantations and woodland, enjoying scenic views as you go. Stop at a suitably scenic spot for a picnic lunch, before walking to meet your driver, who'll drop you in Munnar in time for this afternoon's jeep tour of the plantations. Negotiating the dirt tracks in your 4WD, you'll witness the tea-pickers at work, before stopping at a tea factory to learn about the history and production of this region's most valuable commodity. Finish your tour by tasting some of the freshest tea you're likely to ever experience!

After breakfast you'll be driven to Thekkady, where you'll head into Periyar National Park on foot, with a local guide on hand to identify interesting flora. Afterwards, there'll be time to freshen up at your hotel before attending the Mudra Cultural Centre for an hour-long demonstration of Kalaripayattu. Considered to be the world's oldest martial art, the technique originated in southern India and is understood to have influenced both Kung Fu and traditional Keralan dance, as well as ancient Indian combat techniques.

Start your day with an early visit to a local spice plantation, to learn about the history of Indian spices, how to cultivate them, and how they're used in Ayurvedic medicine. Afterwards, you'll be driven to the coast, where you'll board your private houseboat. Lunch will be served as you slip out into the shallow palm-edged lakes and narrow canals of Kerala's backwaters. You’ll pass by small villages, where there'll be time to stop at local markets or watch craftsmen at work using centuries-old boat-building techniques. Dinner will also be served on your private deck.

Enjoy a leisurely second day on your houseboat, cruising gently through the tranquil backwaters. You will have the opportunity to disembark for a glimpse into local life; the rest of the time, simply relax and soak up the scenery from your private deck.

After breakfast aboard your boat, disembark to be driven to Marari Beach, where your wind-down continues! Once you’ve checked into your hotel, the rest of your day will be at leisure to enjoy the beach and hotel facilities.

Your day will be at leisure for some serious R&R.;

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.