Exploring the South

Colonial Mansions

Traditional Houseboats

Luxury at it's best on the backwaters of Kerala

Charming Bungalows

A leisurely exploration of the serene south takes you to some of the most popular holiday hubs in this land of paddy fields, swaying palms and tranquil backwaters.

Heading out from historic port town of Cochin along the Malabar Coast you travel along trails rich in temple architecture, palaces, fortified ruins, churches of deep antiquity, and spice markets before venturing into open countryside rich in plantations of tea, coffee, cardamom, rubber and legendary pepper from which great fortunes have been made even in ancient Rome. Your journey will be on trains, planes, by road and on waterways in the traditional Kettuvallam house boats, Kerala’s evocative answer to the caravans of the West. Overnight stay will be in colonial mansions and charming bungalows replete with atmospheric touches.

You will experience staying in a traditional Malayali cottage by the banks of the backwaters and spend some time in a traditional planter’s bungalow where echoes of the British Raj still linger. At both these places, you will stay as special guests and meet your hosts and learn about the living history and culture that is all around you.

Tour Highlights

  • World Heritage Site - Wayanad Sanctuary
  • Emerald and serene backwaters at Kumarakom
  • Charms of Colonial Cochin
  • Princes and Palaces of Mysore
  • Kathakali - traditional and spectacular dance form of Kerala
  • Stay in charming hotels
  • Travel by Private Car
  • Private Guide for Sightseeing

Quick Specs

Duration : 10 Days

Price : Call +44 (0) 131 202 6438

Season : Year Round

Level : Easy ( What's this?) Easy: Flights / Vehicle / First Class Train based touring or walking on flat or gently graded terrain for up to a 1 or 2 hours. Comfortable accommodations with private bath facilities.
Moderate: Longer days of more rigorous touring, perhaps very rough roads or longer, steeper walks, some travel by overnight or day trains. May include stay in simple hotels with basic facilities at some destinations in camps with good facilities.
Difficult: Strenuous horse or camel riding, walking in mountains or lowland jungle for more than five hours a day. May include extensive camping or stay in lodges with basic facilities.

Itinerary Brief

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To call our Indian subcontinent travel specialist on +44 (0) 131 202 6438

We will be happy to go though the tour costs / to what this tour includes, excludes and how we can customise it to your taste.

Add-on Options

Suggested Adaptions to this tour:

  • * From Cochin - Do an overnight house boat cruise in the backwaters. Add three nights at a Kerala beach resort.
  • * From Mysore - Three days of wildlife safari at Project Tiger Nagarhole National Park near Mysore.

How it works:

We can customise our tour programmes to make the journey to suit you, as our tours in this e-brochure are based on a minimum of 2 persons travelling together by air, train and chauffeur driven car. Throughout your tour experienced representatives and knowledgeable local guides, where appropriate, will assist you. Accommodation arranged in star luxury hotels and palaces or charming heritage hotels.

 

The Hotels covered in this Itinerary are:
Coconut Lagoon / Philip Kutty homestay
Taj Malabar / Brunton Boatyard Resort
Tranquil Resort
Hotel Metropole

COCONUT LAGOON

There are so many facets to the Coconut Lagoon experience. The heritage of the old feudal villages of Malabar. The vast frolic of the Vembanad lake. The shimmering waters of the canals that criss-cross the property. Together, they become an experiment in ecological living that remains startlingly different.


PHILIP KUTTY HOMESTAY

Staying at Philipkutty’s Farm is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the real Keralan experience in a fascinating location, with a caring family to look after you. It is a special place, as it provides something different, especially for those who prefer small and friendly places, and, could just be, the perfect hideaway for the bespoke traveller.


TAJ MALABAR

Situated on Willingdon Island with a magnificent view of Cochin harbour, the Taj Malabar combines old-world elegance with modern day convenience. In its heritage wing, built in 1935, graceful Victorian interiors aptly reflect the inherent beauty of Cochin. Its tower wing houses newly renovated guestroom suites, each a delicate mix of the classic with the contemporary.


BRUNTON BOATYARD RESORT

Hotel Brunton Boatyard is a great contribution in the city of Kochi. Representing the early Dutch and Portuguese architecture of Cochin Fort, it blends very well into the Kochi sky line. It resembles the old colonial buildings of Kochi. The simple lime washed walls, sloping tile roof and terra-cotta floors wit the Giant "Rain Tree" complete the gigantic mansion.


TRANQUIL RESORT

A 400 acre private coffee and spices plantation, nestled within the remote and lush rainforest of Wayanad, in the north part of Kerala, India. If you are looking for a calm and quiet vacation within an environment of exquisite ecological beauty and unending relaxation, Tranquil resort with just 8 rooms and 2 luxury TreeHouses is a homestay experience like none other.


HOTEL METROPOLE

Royal Orchid Hotel Metropole is a Heritage Hotel located at the heart of Mysore (Karnataka, India), just a few minutes away from the Railway Station. It is also in close proximity to the city’s major tourist attractions like the Mysore Palace.

Hotel Metropole was built as a royal residence in the 1920’s to accommodate the British guests of the Maharaja of Mysore. Today the beautifully restored mansion, decorated with period antiques, continues the building’s legacy of gracious hospitality combined with the ease of modern comforts.

Itinerary: 
Day 1 - Arrive Mumbai or Chennai / Cochin / Kumarakom
Day 2 - Kumarakom
Day 3 - Kumarakom
Day 4 - Kumarakom / Cochin
Day 5 - Cochin
Day 6 - Cochin / Calicut / Wayanad
Day 7 - Wayanad
Day 8 - Wayanad / Mysore
Day 9 - Mysore
Day 10 - Mysore / Bangalore / Departure 

Maps to follow soon