When to go
January – March and October – November
Price
From £2,795 pp (including flights) | Private: £3,295pp (including flights)
Flight time
10hrs 30mins
Introduction
Formed on 1 November 1956, Kerala is located in South India. It is home to serene, beautiful sights, glorious Arabian Sea coasts and beaches, and botanical gardens filled with more than 1,000 plant varieties. You will also discover the native wildlife at Nagarhole National Park and cruise along the stunning backwaters of Kochi.
At a Glance
Duration
14 days & 12 nights
Guide price
Group: £2,795pp (including flights) | Private: £3,295pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Bengalaru | Srirangapatna | Mysore | Somnathpur | Nagarhole National Park | Wayanad | Coonoor | Ooty | Kochi | Backwaters
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
Age Range
N/A
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
The Park Bangalore | Radisson | Serai Kabini | Wayanad Wild | Gateway
Coonoor IHCL SeleQtions | Eighth Bastion | Coconut Lagoon
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 14 people with a maximum of 18
Start/Finish
Bangalore | Kochi
Extensions
Marari Beach Resort extension (4 days & 3 nights) from £595
Rice barge tour variation (14 days & 12 nights) from £225
Highlights
Watch Mysore Palace be Illuminated by 100,000 Lights
If you travel during autumn, you will have a chance to watch the famous Mysore Palace be illuminated by around 100,000 light bulbs, which remain alight for 10 days of the Mysore Dasara festival between 7pm and 10pm.
Take a Culinary Tour of Mysore
Get to learn about Mysore’s approach to providing fresh, delicious, and authentic cuisine to locals and tourists. Check out the local fruit and vegetable markets. Get to meet the local vendors. And enjoy a premium dining experience at a family-run restaurant.
Enjoy Afternoon Tea at a Planter’s House
During your trip to the Nilgiri Mountains, you will visit a planter’s house for afternoon and walk through the plantation. You will learn about their tea growing and cultivation methods, including the many varieties of tea they produce.
Ride the Scenic Blue Mountain Railway
The Blue Mountain Railway to Coonoor is one of the oldest, steepest operating rack and pinion systems in the world. The 45km journey will take you from Ooty to Coonoor through 13 tunnels, 19 bridges, and 11 stations. You can also marvel at the local tea plantations and subtropical vegetation, which whiz by you in a flurry of color.
Enjoy a Boat Tour and 4x4 Safari in Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole National Park is declared as the 37th Tiger Reserve in India, and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. While there you will get to enjoy a scenic and informative boat ride and 4×4 safari, letting you admire the local wildlife at a safe distance and become engrossed in the gorgeous scenery, complete with lush green forests and sprawling lakes.
Recommended Hotels
The Park Bangalore | Radisson | Serai Kabini | Wayanad Wild | Gateway
Coonoor IHCL SeleQtions | Eighth Bastion | Coconut Lagoon
Sample Itinerary
Journey Through Kerala
Day 1: Fly to Bengalaru via Dubai
Fly from London to Bengalaru (Bangalore) via Dubai. Regional connections available.
(N)
Day 2: Bengalaru
On arrival, check in and enjoy an overnight stay at The Park Bangalore. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of Bengalaru, giving you a glimpse into the city’s history and current day status, including a trip to nearby temples, botanical gardens, and churches.
(N)
Day 3: Srirangapatna • Mysore
Travel to Mysore for 2 nights at the Radisson. On the way, stop at Srirangapatna, the headquarters of one of the seven Taluks of the Mandya district. In the evening, take a food tour of Mysore. Browsing the local food vendors, and try authentic local cuisine such as the masala dosa, a crepe made with a fermented rice and lentil batter.
(B)
Day 4: Mysore • Somnathpur
Take a walking tour of Mysore’s architectural wonders. Tour the Maharaja Palace, a British-inspired palace built by Chamaraja Wadiyar, former Maharajan ruler of the Mysore kingdom. In the afternoon, visit the Jeshava temple at Somnathpur. Then return to the Maharaja Palace at night to see it illuminated by over 100,000 light bulbs.
(B)
Day 5: Nagarhole National Park
Travel to Kabini and stay overnight at the Serai Kabini (Waterfront verandah room). The park contains a wide range of local predators including tigers, wild dogs, and leopards which you can admire from a safe distance. In the afternoon, take a boat safari and admire the rich, diverse local wildlife, from the unique perspective of a gentle cruise boat.
(B, L, D)
Day 6: Nagarhole National Park • Wayanad
Take a 4×4 early morning safari. Travel to Wayanad to stay at Wayanad Wild for 2 nights. Wayanad Wild is home to lush, awe-inspiring forest landscapes, which envelope you in their density and complexity, creating a surprisingly cozy and nurturing environment. The area also has sprawling waterfalls, plantations, and valleys.
(B, L, D)
Day 7: Wayanad
Enjoy morning leisure. Then enjoy an interactive Keralan cooking class and lunch. From there, take a guided nature walk, following the Asian Elephant trails and admiring a plethora of other animals, too.
(B, L, D)
Day 8: Coonoor
Take a leisurely drive to the hill station of Coonoor. Have lunch on the terrace of Taj Savoy. Then take part in an afternoon tour of the Ooty botanical gardens, which has over 55 acres of more than 1,000 varieties of plants, shrubs, and trees. Notable highlights include the New Garden, which features a rose garden, and the Italian Garden, which was laid down by Italian Prisoners of War from the First World War.
Proceed to Coonoor for 2 nights at the Gateway Coonoor IHCL SeleQtions.
(B, L)
Day 9: Coonoor • Ooty
Drive to Ooty and ride the Blue Mountain Railway to Coonoor. Built by Nilgiri citizens and completed in 1898, the railway passes through 13 tunnels, 19 bridges, and 11 stations. You will then visit a local planter’s house for afternoon tea and explore the tea plantation, learning about their tea growing practices and traditions.
(B)
Day 10: Kochi
Travel to Coimbatore for lunch. Then board a train to Ernakulam. Transfer to the Eighth Bastion for a 2-night stay. Enjoy leisure for the remainder of the day.
(B, L)
Day 11: Kochi
Visit the many sights and activities at the Kochi port. View the large, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, which rest on teak or bamboo poles and require 5 to 6 people to operate.
Explore the Mattancherry Palace, a 16th century palace built by the Portuguese as a present to King Veera Kerala Verma of the Kochi dynasty. And visit the Church of St Francis, followed by Jew Town, which contains the world’s oldest active synagogue, one of only seven in the area still in use.
Wander through the markets and visit the Dhobi Ghats, an open-air laundry, where people work in the open to clean clothes and linen from nearby hotels and hospitals. Later, visit the Kathakali dance studio and enjoy a traditional live performance.
(B)
Day 12: The Backwaters
In the morning, drive to the backwater region of Kerala. On the way, take a backwater cruise by shikara boat (a type of wooden, windowless boat with a roof) through the canals. The cruise provides stunning views of running waterfalls, lush forests, and other boats carrying essential goods. You may also spot numerous churches and markets, too. Stay for 2 nights at the Coconut Lagoon.
(B)
Day 13: The Backwaters
Enjoy a full day of leisure. Take an optional village life experience or visit the Phillip Kutty farmhouse for lunch.
(B)
Day 14: Fly to London via Dubai
In the morning, transfer to the airport and fly to London via Dubai.
(B)
