Arrive into Cochin airport / station and transfer will be provided to your hotel. Upon check-in relax and enjoy your hotel.

One of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian Sea coast. Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, has been a port of call for foreign traders from early times. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the building and structures representing different regions of the world. A city of Peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala’s commercial hub. 

In the evening we recommend a visit to the dance academy for a Kathakali dance show, a theatrical art form unique to southern India. (Make-Up Application 5 PM & Demonstration and Show 6 PM -7PM)

If you want to try something local for breakfast, we recommend a visit to Kashi Art Café a Zen-like oasis of calm in an otherwise bustling city. The space also doubles as an art gallery and artist residency space and for this reason, artists and art enthusiasts alike flock to rest their weary feet at this one-of-a-kind venue. The café serves all-day breakfasts, thick soups and uniquely flavoured sandwiches in addition to brewed tea and coffee. 

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing visiting the Chinese fishing nets, to watch the fishermen on their daily morning routine of pulling up fishing nets. It takes 5-6 men to lift the contraption, which is descended into the sea for about 10 mins. Each time, a netful of fish and crustaceans will be caught they will be sold straight away at the local market.  Next, we visit Mattancherry Palace, built and presented as a token of appreciation by the Portuguese to the Raja of Kochi, Verra Kerala Varma, in 1555.

Close to Mattancherry is a must stop place for local Biryani – Kayikka’s. Whilst Kochi mostly attracts international attention for its outstanding seafood, the humble biryani is also worthy of note, being one of the city’s defining culinary characteristics. Although officially titled the Rahimtulla hotel, Kochi locals popularly refer to the space as Kayikka’s, after the man who first discovered and honed the original biryani recipe in the same spot. Kayikka’s has cultivated a cult following, each enjoying the deliciously sumptuous richness of a dish cooked in copious amounts of pure ghee, or clarified butter. Whether it’s for the evergreen chicken and mutton biryani or the fish and prawn biryani served with date pickle, Kayikka’s loyal fan-base can always be found frequenting this popular haunt.

A quick stop at Jewish town where you can find many shops selling little trinkets, scarves, spices, and traditional Indian costumes. Here we also visit the famous Paradesi Jewish Synagogue. Next is a stop at the St Francis Church and the Kerala Folklore museum. We now head back to the city and walk along the promenade and shop at Broadway for souvenirs and gifts to take back home. 

Today we check out and commence our journey to Munnar, located in the highlands and most well-known for its photogenic tea plantations and a cool escape from the warm and humid southern Indian cities. The drive from Cochin to Munnar is marked with some remarkable views of the mountains and the valleys in between. Depending on the season you are there numerous waterfalls both big and small greet you on this journey to Munnar. For those interested a pit stop at the spice plantations on the way is also recommended.

On arrival at Munnar check into your hotel and indulge in lunch at the restaurant. Some rest and relaxation later head out for a walk admiring the rolling hills flush with tea, coffee, Vanilla and many more exotic aromas that greet you along the way. Once back relax at the hotel and dine in-house sampling some local delicacies whipped up by the hotel chef.  

Around 04:00 am we head out this morning for our drive to Kolukkumalai Mountains.  This bumpy open jeep ride lasts around an hour followed by a short hike of 20 min to reach Lions rock, a perfect spot to marvel at the pretty sunrise. After sunrise ride to Kolukkumalai Tea Estate — the highest tea plantation in the world at 8000ft above sea level. Enjoy a short-guided tour around the tea factory to experience how tea is made, and don’t forget to claim your complimentary cup of lemon or black tea before leaving. Kolukkumalai tea is one of the premium teas in South India and has been a winner of the "Golden Leaf" award given by UPASI (The United Planters' Association of Southern India) for the best quality Tea. Contrary to the other usual CTC tea produced by the other plantations, they use Orthodox methods to process the tea leaves at this estate. For those who want to spend a day and night there camping options are available too and for those who simply want to spend a day so trekking and hiking trails are also available to explore there.

Once we return back to the comforts of our hotel and rest those shaken bones a bit, we head out again to explore the town. Visit the Top station, Blossom Park Day forest, Echo point and end the day with a visit to the Eravikulam National Park to sight the elusive Mountain goat. 

We return back to the hotel via the local market to help you purchase tea, spices or anything that catches your fancy. 

After breakfast, check-out of the hotel in Munnar  and drive to Thekkady. For those who did not visit one earlier you can also visit a spice plantation en-route to Thekkady. 

On arrival check-at relax. We do recommend a cooking class today if you are up to expanding your culinary repertoire. 

After breakfast we head out to explore the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary partaking in the many activities offered by the forest department. From boat rides to bamboo rafting and from elephant back rides to tiger treks there is something for everyone. 

After a couple of hours here we head into town and visit one of the many martial art training schools to see teachers and students master the traditional martial art of Kalaripayattu and spend some time exploring the local market. For lunch stop over at the Sora Grill & Gossip a multi cuisine dining space with a focus on delicacies and quality.

A fun filled bullock ride later we head to picture perfect Ramakkalmedu, located at an elevation of almost 1,000 m this is spectacular hillock with heart-warming sunset views. After spending some time here, we head back to the hotel and relax for the rest of the evening. Dinner can be enjoyed tonight in the comforts of your hotel restaurant. 

(Optional activity): For the brave hearted we recommend the Jungle Night Patrolling. Of all the activities to do in here, Jungle night patrolling is not an activity opted by many, but if you wish to feel the tinge of thrill, shackle all your nerves then this is something you must try. As a part of the tour, you can take a long walk from about 2-3 km and explore the sections of Periyar Tiger Reserve at night. It is crucial that one is very careful and stays behind the trained forest guides.

Today we bid goodbye to Thekkady and head to the serene backwaters – Kumarakom, laced with canals, where houseboats ply the waters. On arrival at Kumarakom check-in to your hotel and enjoy a local meal. In the afternoon choose to either indulge in some ayurvedic massage or head out by boat and visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary home to many species, including Cuckoos and Siberian storks. 

Some more rejuvenating massage this morning and then we get ready to board the private houseboat around noon. Enjoy the journey cruising through the many backwater trails with magnificent views and insights into local culture. Meals will be cooked on board by your personal chef and anything you wish if ordered 48 hrs prior can be prepared (subject to availability). Carry on board your beer and sail along with the seagulls and fishes as companions. Rock to sleep tonight by the gentle lullaby’s of the caressing waves while being docked close to shore for the night. 

Start sailing again by the crack of dawn and enjoy your breakfast on the deck admiring the morning dew and splendid sunrise. Dock back at shore and commence your journey to the beach town Kovalam for a perfect relaxed ending to the trip. On arrival check into your beach side resort, grab some beach towels and run down to the splendid white sand beach. Walk around to the light house and enjoy some water sports should you wish. 

Today indulge in some more relaxing spa treatments followed by some time in the sun at the beach. For those who prefer to step out, but not for long a drive to the main city of Trivandrum is recommended with a visit to some local temples and other key site there. For the others who want to make a day touring, we recommend a day trip to the southernmost tip of India – Kanyakumari. A 3 hour drive each way takes you to this southern tip where you can explore the Vivekananda Rock memorial, Bathe at the Triveni Sangam, visit the resting place of Mahatma Gandhi where his ashes are kept, On your way back admire the Muppandal Wind farm – one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world and India’s biggest source of wind energy and also a quick stopover at the Padmanabhapuram Palace  the largest wooden palace in Asia spread over more than six acres within a fort. A museum there is also worth a peek. 

Once back remainder of the time is free to relax at the hotel. You may explore your in-house restaurant for dinner tonight.