Kochi or Cochin is known as the "Queen of the Arabian Seas", well known since 14th century as an important spice trading centre. We start the tour here, first visiting the historic buildings with the anachronistic Dutch outpost on the west coast with its Jewish synagogue and ancient palaces. First occupied by Portuguese and then the Dutch, with a successive wave of migration over the course of centuries, Kochi offers a diverse, multicultural and secular community experience. In the evening enjoy a Kerala traditional dance "Kathakali" with its two centuries of tradition. Next travel to the verdant heights of Munnar, nature lover's paradise. Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air.
Take a tour of the Tea plantation. We then take you to Eravikuklam National Park. The Park holds the largest viable population of the endangered (IUCN) Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius). Apart from Tahr, the Park is the abode of other little known fauna such as Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small clawed otter, dusky striped squirrel etc. Head to Thekkady for a Spice Tour and visit the famous Periyar Tiger Reserve. Travel to Kumarakom, which slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake. The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets. Enjoy a private boat ride in the lush canals of Alleppy, and see the laidback lifestyle of the local, as you wave back to the smiling children on the coast. Return to Kochi to end your itinerary.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking assistant. Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Le Méridien Cochin Resort & Convention Center is nestled amongst 25 acres of coconut groves and backwater rivers. Fashionably luxurious in beautiful pristine environs, the 223 rooms and suites offer a perfect view into the best Kerala has to offer: her natural splendors. Cochin, its rich maritime history evident in the myriad cultures and flavours found here, is the queen’s necklace on the Arabian Sea. 72 state-of-the-art suites with large bay windows overlooking the scenic beauty, bright paintings, and contemporary decor. The resort's restaurants offer relaxed, all-day dining, a popular nightspot with splendid international cuisine, or a cozy bar.

Kochi (Cochin) has a powerful lure for tourists. Its location between the blue waters of the Arabian Sea and Kerala’s emerald backwaters, rich medley of Indian and foreign architecture, unusual sights like the Chinese fishing nets, and quaint localities like the Jewish Quarter, all draw the attention of visitors. Kochi played a pivotal role in the development of shipping and trade in the southern region with its prime location on the west coast, fine bay, and protected harbor. Merchant ships made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood, en-route to the rich markets of Europe and West Asia. The city was alternately controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, whose influences are evident in the architecture of city buildings.

Private guided tour of Kochi (Cochin). The first stop is the Jewish synagogue, built in 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. A short boat ride to Bolghatty is the Dutch palace offering a fantastic view of the city. This palace is notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, particularly in the bed chambers. In that room one can see the entire story of Ramayana on the walls. The palace also contains rare examples of traditional Kerala flooring, which looks like polished black marble but is actually a mixture of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices and egg whites. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance. Dating back to the 17th century, it originated in the south Indian state of Kerala. The word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play". It is known for its large, elaborate makeup and costumes. Usually performed only by men, the actors rely heavily on hand gestures to convey their story. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Le Meridien (5*).

Transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English speaking guide. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). This beautiful hill station is popular for its cool climate and tea plantation. This quiet little town boasts of many colonial bungalows, tea factories, wildlife sanctuaries and many lakes. Tea estates and thick forests primarily occupy Munnar. Tea production, manufacturing and selling are therefore the main source of employment here. The Tata Group of companies owns the majority of these tea estates.
Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

One of the best Hotels in India, Windermere Estate in Munnar is the perfect accommodation option for business and leisure travelers. Ranking high among the Hotels in Munnar in India, this hotel is buttressed with the finest possible amenities for the visitors. Perched atop the mountains 3 km from Munnar, the convenient Location of Windermere Estate in Munnar helps the tourists to explore the land of Munnar with ease. The hotel, set on a cardamom plantation 1600 meters above sea level, is 95 km away from Cochin International Airport.

Munnar is a town located in Kerala state in the southern Western Ghats in South India. The name is often used to refer to the whole tourist area of Idukki District of which the town forms a part. The area is surrounded by vast jungles and remains wet and cold during most of the year. The Mattupetty Dam is nearby. The area is most noted for its vast tea plantations spread across the rolling lush hills.

The sanctuary stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and shoals, spread over 97 sq. kms of unblemished natural splendour. Anamudi, the highest peak south of Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride.

The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas Moth, largest of its kind in the world, is a unique possession of the park.

The sanctuary was declared as a National Park in 1978. The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Windermere Estate .

Private transfer to Periyar with vehicle, driver, and English speaking guide. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Private guided tour of Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve set high in the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Altogether 62 different kinds of mammal have been recorded in Periyar, including almost 1000 elephants and gaur, sambar (horse deer), barking deer, mouse deer, Dholes (Indian wild dogs), mongoose and leopards. Though it's titled a tiger reserve, there are hardly any tigers left in the sanctuary. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

The Land Where Pepper Grows. Spice Village is located in the Periyar wilderness, high in the western ghats of Kerala. For centuries, the area attracted voyagers and adventurers, mercenaries and empire builders, kings and merchant princes. Men and women drawn not only by the lure of spices, but by the romance and wild beauty of the land. The Portuguese and the Jews of Cochin visited as traders, turning the natural bounties of the area into wealth. Pepper and cardamom, cinnamon and ginger, nutmeg, mace and anise the Periyar hills became nature's taste factory in the 14th century, as Cochin became nature's harbour, the port of lading for a spice-hungry world. Today, it's the rainforests, the animals and the vast silences that attract the modern visitor.

Thekkady. The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hill and spice scented plantations. Picturesque plantations and hill towns hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. The Thekkady sanctuary is one of the best in the country for watching and photographing wild life.

Private guided tour of Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, set high in the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Altogether 62 different kinds of mammal have been recorded in Periyar, including almost 1000 elephants and gaur, sambar (horse deer), barking deer, mouse deer, Dholes (Indian wild dogs), mongoose and leopards. Though it's titled a tiger reserve, there are hardly any tigers left in the sanctuary. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Transfer to Kumarakom with private vehicle and driver. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Coconut Lagoon is a Four Star hotel located in an abandoned coconut plantation on the shores of the Vemabanad Lake. An ideal getaway for romantic holidays and family gatherings, this hotel charms you with its serenity, country side charm and greenery. Kumarakom, where the hotel is situated, is a favourite among holiday makers who are longing for a respite from the bustling city life. Coconut Lagoon captures all the nuances of this quaint little island, and tops it off with supreme facilities. This resort is surrounded by backwaters and is accessible only by boat.

Kumarakom - An invigorating, fascinating paradise. The slender coconut palms, never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties. The charming emerald peninsula juts into Vembanad Lake where you'll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways.

Alleppey is spread through canals, lakes & lagoons. Your private guided tour by boat includes sailing down a maze of canals where one sees different scenes from the villages, paddy fields, coconut palms, fisherman and local life. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Coconut Lagoon.

Transfer to Kochi with private vehicle and driver.

Depart from Kochi international airport - end of itinerary.