11 DAYS ~ FROM £1,495
A delightful journey through ‘Gods own Country’. Relax in the cooler temperatures of the Hill country, learn about the history of tea and delight in the beauty of the Eravikulam National Park. Spend a day with an elephant at Kanam Estate. Later unwind on the shores of Vemanad Lake before embarking on a lazy Houseboat cruise on the Backwaters.
Cochin • Munnar • Kanam • Kumarakom • Houseboat • Cochin
 Day. 1 To Cochin
Fly to Cochin via Dubai with Emirates.
Day 2. Cochin
Arrive Cochin in the morning. Afternoon at leisure. Sunset harbour cruise, if the tide is right watch the intriguing Chinese fishing nets at work. Two nights at either the Old Harbour Hotel or Grande Residencia.
Day 3. Cochin
Morning sightseeing of this beautiful port city includes the Mattancherry Palace and Jewish Synagogue. Afternoon at leisure. Spectacular Kathakali dance performance in the evening – arrive early to watch the actors put on their intricate makeup.
Day 4. To Munnar
Wonderful scenic drive to the breathtakingly beautiful Hill Station of Munnar. Endless expanse of tea plantations, pristine valleys and forest clad mountains make this the perfect escape. Two nights at either the Windamere or Ambaday Estates.
Day 5. Munnar
Morning excursion to the Eravikulam National Park in the Western Ghats, home to the largest population of the endangered Nilgiri tahr. Afternoon visit a Tea m useum, to learn about the history of the traditional ‘cuppa’.
Day 6. To Kanam
Drive to the peaceful and secluded Kanam Estate. Swim in the delightful pool, take an optional guided walk through the rubber plantations, relax with an Ayurvedic massage or simply loose yourself in a good book. Two nights stay at Kanam.
Day 7. Kanam
Spend your day with the hotel’s elephant, helping the Mahout to feed, bathe and scrub his charge. Being so close to such a magnificent animal is a truly unique experience.
Day 8. To Kumarakom
Morning drive through gorgeous lush green countryside to Kumarakom. Remainder of day at leisure. Overnight at the Coconut Lagoon.
Day 9. Houseboat
Spend the day cruising the Backwaters on a traditional rice boat, converted into a Houseboat, locally known as a Kettuvallam. The waterways are the lifeblood of the area, local commerce revolves around it with boats laden with everything from fish to today’s papers, gliding by! The Backwaters are an ornithologist’s paradise – look out for glorious multicoloured kingfishers. Overnight on an air–conditioned Houseboat.
Day 10. To Cochin
After breakfast disembark and drive to Cochin. Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at Le Meridien.
Day 11. To London
Fly to London via Dubai on Emirates.
If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you the cost of the holiday without international flights relevant to your travel dates.
Suggested extensions: Beach Extensions to Marari & Kovalam and Lakshadweep Island.
(Various other extensions are available on request)
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