Classic Kerala

Discover the highlights and relax on one of Kerala's best beaches on a short touring and beach holiday in Kerala.

This classic Kerala holiday begins with two nights in charming Cochin, including a sunset cruise and Kathakali dance show.

From laid-back, cultural Cochin head to Thekkady and experience the best of Kerala's nature and wildlife in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, including a lake cruise.

From Thekkady head to Kumarakom on the shores of Lake Vembanad. Enjoy the natural setting and take an optional excursion to a bird sanctuary.

No trip to Kerala is complete without a backwaters cruise. The next day is spent on an overnight Houseboat Cruise along Kerala's scenic backwaters.

On arrival, transfer to Kovalam for 4 nights in a boutique hotel by one of the best beaches in Kerala.

As with all of our holidays to Kerala and India, this one can be ammended to suit you as you wish - so just let us know your preferences.

Day 1: Fly UK to Cochin

Overnight flight from UK to Cochin.

Day 2: Cochin    

On arrival at Cochin you will be met and transferred to your hotel with the afternoon at leisure.

In the evening enjoy a sunset motorboat cruise past Cochin’s famous Chinese fishing nets.

Overnight Cochin. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Cochin

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Cochin covering the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue and St. Francis Church.

Enjoy the afternoon to relax or explore Cochin independently.

In the evening enjoy a wonderful Kathakali dance show.

Overnight Cochin. Breakfast included.

Day 4: Thekkady

After breakfast, drive to Thekkady, the land of unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations.

In the afternoon, visit the spice plantations and Kumily town.

Overnight Thekkady. Breakfast included.

Day 5: Thekkady

Enjoy the morning at leisure or opt for an easy walk through the forest.

In the evening, take a boat safari on Lake Periyar. Lake Periyar is the only sanctuary in India offering boat safari.

Overnight Thekkady. Breakfast included.

Day 6: Kumarakom

After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom in Kerala’s backwaters.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or try an Ayurvedic Full Body Massage at the resort.

Overnight Kumarakom. Breakfast included.

Is this a Private Tour or a Group Tour?

All of our tours are private tailor made itineraries, customised for you - we can amend things to entirely suit you.

You will have your own private car, driver and guide on excursions and for transfers around India.

Vehicles are modern and air-conditioned and bottled water is provided.

What are the departure dates?

Let us know your preferred dates of travel and we will find the best and most suitable flights to fit your itinerary.

As this is a private tour, there are no set departure dates.

Which Airlines do you use?

We work with all the major airlines flying to India.

Typically for India, British Airways, Virgin, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air India and Jet Airways are the airlines we most often use.

However, just let us know your preferred airline if you have one. We can organise flights from any regional destination in the UK.

There are currently direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa and Ahmedabad.

Which Hotels do you use?

We're careful with our choice of hotels in India, but we're guided by our customers also. If you have some preferred hotels, just let us know.

We specialise in boutique hotels and so we will often suggest some of our favourite smaller hotels where we think these will be suitable.

We keep on top of hotel developments in India through our own inspection trips and also through the expertise of our local partners. We also keep tabs on feedback online and from our customers.

India has a really great choice of heritage hotels in Rajasthan in particular - usually former royal palaces or lodges converted into boutique hotels - often very luxurious, usually very atmospheric.

There are also many great boutique hotel options in destinations such as Kerala which we try to utilise. The bigger cities have some outstanding luxury hotels and an increasing number of smaller, more interesting options too.