South of India
-Kerala-
7 Days tour through nature, the arts, and the colors of the relaxed South
Price on request
8 people max
7 days
Inclusions: all accommodations, breakfasts, ground transportation, sightseeing, tickets for the Kathakali dance experience, national park entrance fees, local guides, tour leader…
The South of India is a totally unique universe on its own. I always felt extremely attracted by the contrasts with the rest of the country. The calm and relaxed attitude of its smily habitants, the lavish, green and rich vegetation, the freshness of the food, the mountains roads and beach, the anciert traditions and arts melting together with an incredible, always- changing landscape and some of the most open and friendly people.
Highlights
Dive deep as much as we can, respectfully as much as we can and with the lowest possible impact we can’. The motto of this trip is simple it is an anthropological tour into the intimacy of hidden gems away from the tourist routes where you will feel like being on an expedition. Places, traditions, cultures are so different and so diverse that will fascinate you and feed your curiosity.
Some of the included highlights:
learn the unique tradition of the Kathakali dance from its masters
Visit a tea plantation
wonder through the alleys of Kochi, one of the most unique colonial cities of India
Taste and learn how to make local dishes
Realx in the calm and quiet of lavish forests
Tour cost and what’s included
The cost of the tour varies depending on the number of participants.
Contact me to know more about the price
The Tour cost includes:
11 Breakfasts, 8 Dinners
public buses and local transport when included
private cars with local drivers (3-4 pp per car)
Local guides
Entrances to monuments/ museums/ activities when included
night accommodations included in homestays/ small guesthouse
Tour leader 24/24 with the group
Airport transfers
The following aren’t included:
Flight tickets
Personal travel insurance (required)
Not-included meals
Entrances and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Souvenirs
Tips for local partners on the ground (guides, drivers etc)
Day by day Itinerary
Day 1
Today we arrive in the relaxed port town of Kochi. Crossroads of cultures, flavors, religions, arts, and traditions since the XIV century thanks to its powerful colonial past.
We check-in at the beautiful and elegant Hotel Forte where we will stay for two nights.
INCLUSIONS: Private airport transfer to the hotel, and overnight accommodation in Classic rooms (twin occupancy) at the Hotel Forte.
Day 2
We start exploring Fort Kochi's historical center with our local guide. The heart of this charming town is entirely pedestrian, making it perfect for exploring on foot.
In the afternoon we will visit a workshop perpetuating the ancient tradition of Kerala murals. Later, we will visit Kochi's evening market.
INCLUSIONS: private transfer when needed, service of a local guide, visit to murals workshop, breakfast, and night accommodation at the Hotel Forte
Day 3
With a very scenic ride through the mountains and hills, we travel North towards the tea plantations area. We will take our time to get there, enjoying the view and stopping by villages to experience life
outside the big towns.
Our home for the next two nights is a real treat in the middle of the forest, famous for its cuisine based on very local, ‘km 0' products and its spa.
Driving time: approximately 5 hours
INCLUSIONS: private transfer, breakfast, and night accommodation at SpiceTree Rajakumari
Day 4
The hills around Munnar are completely covered in bright green, healthy tea plants. In this calm and relaxing environment, we will visit a tea estate and learn more about the tea grown in this region,
We will cook our lunch today and learn how to prepare some local dishes. In the afternoon we will enjoy the beautiful setting of our stay with a yoga class
INCLUSIONS: private transfer, breakfast, and night accommodation at the SpiceTree Rajakumari, full-day guide service, visit the tea farm, yoga class, and cooking class followed by
unch
Day 5
The final leg of our journey would be probably the most ‘different’ since we would be leaving the road to spend the day and the night on a traditional houseboat. In the morning we will drive to Alleppey, a small
town located between the ocean coast and the famous backwaters of Kerala, a system of lagoons and canals that developers inland and give life to a unique and rich ecosystem.
INCLUSIONS: private transfer, breakfast, and night accommodation in a houseboat, dinner
Day 6
This morning we explored the area of Kumbalangi, sailed through local villages, and learned some more about food by cooking and eating our lunch today. We will have the opportunity to visit a crab farm, and canoeing along the canals. In the afternoon we will drive back to Kochi and check in at our hotel In the evening we will witness one of the most
intriguing arts of this part of India: the Kathakali dance, a unique form of art, and the real pride of Kerala.
Driving time: approximately 2 hours
INCLUSIONS: private transfer, breakfast, and night accommodation in Cochi, lunch included, tickets to the Kathakali dance show, dinner included and kindly offered by our local agent in Kerala
Day 7
Time to say goodbye to beautiful Kerala. Our driver will take us to the airport.
Driving time to the airport: approximately 2 hours
INCLUSIONS: private transfer, breakfast
Why this Tour
…Or better, why Not??
This is the perfect tour for ‘first-timers of India’. The most relaxed, friendly, and colorful area of the continent is perfect for those who want to approach this incredible nation at a slow, relaxed pace. The tour allows you to learn and discover the local culture, traditions, and flavor which makes this state unique but also allows you time to relax, breathe, and enjoy the countryside and its lavish nature by staying in some truly unique accommodations.
A trip that is a true treat while exploring a fascinating culture.
I designed this tour with responsible tourism in mind. This is why we will…
Stay in family-run guesthouses and homestay
eat at family-run, traditional, local cafes and restaurants
buy local products and artifacts from local masters after meeting them
use local transports where it is possible in order to reduce our emissions