Kerala's Best Places Journey
Activities & Experiences are Flexible at Each Destination
Day 1: Arrive at Cochin International Airport.
Fast Track Arrival Services. Most flights arrive either in the evening or at night. Meet your assigned representative from Fast Track Arrival Services as you enter Cochin Airport. You are privately escorted through the complete arrival process, including immigration, baggage claim, and customs.
You are met by your guide and escorted to your private vehicle for the transfer to your hotel in historic Fort Kochi. Arrive at Fort Kochi in about 1.5 hours and you are assisted with your check-in at your charming lodge if arriving at 3 pm or later. Earlier check-ins can be guaranteed by adding an additional night at reservation, which is also recommended for jetlag and other possible delays.
Brunton Boatyard is housed in a beautifully restored Victorian-era building, with architecture that has a harmonious blend of British, Dutch, and Portuguese influences. With its sloping tiled roofs, grand verandas, and vintage-styled interiors, the hotel overlooks the scenic harbor, where guests can watch the daily rhythm of fishing boats, ferries, and ships as they move along the water. They serve amazing coastal Keralan cuisine, which is completely different from usual Indian cuisine as it blends coastal flavors and incredible spices with the many foreign cultures that have influenced the ancient town.
Fort Kochi. With its cobblestone streets and colonial-era architecture, the small town tells the many millennia story of the spice trade flourishing, and the unique convergence of diverse cultures over centuries. In the early 16th century, the Portuguese arrived on these shores, establishing Fort Emmanuel, from which Fort Kochi derives its name. The Dutch followed the Portuguese, and constructed numerous buildings and added more diversity to the cuisine and culture. In the 18th century, the British took control.
Spice Trade & Tourism. Today, Fort Kochi is a charming amalgamation of its historical spice trade roots and contemporary vibrancy. The town’s narrow streets are lined with quaint cafes, art galleries, and boutique hotels that cater to a global clientele. Walking through Fort Kochi, the blend of architectural styles with colonial buildings coexisting with traditional Kerala homes, create a picturesque and harmonious streetscape. Some guests can spend a lot more time in Ft. Kochi just absorbing the patterns of life – from the mornings when little children in crisp uniforms are all over, until the bucolic evenings that transport you back in time.
(Overnight – Brunton Boatyard)
Day 2: Ft. Kochi
You’ll experience genuine Dravidian culture on this journey through India’s magical state of Kerala. Mainly undisturbed by the North’s migrations and evolution over many millennia, South Indian society had been eco-centric, grounding human life in the rhythms of the land. Hinduism crept in around 600 CE, resulting in an incredibly colorful fusion of culture, architecture, rituals, and traditions.
This day will start with a short walk to the most photogenic of Cochin’s attractions, the Chinese fishing nets. Local fishermen manipulate these massive nets with an ease that comes from centuries of accumulated experience. Ownership of the net and its prized location is handed down from generation to generation. The lowering and raising of the nets, with the fishermen deftly walking up and down the angled wooden poles and manipulating them in and out of the water with thick, well-worn ropes, has a synchronicity and rhythm that is fascinating to observe.
Continue exploring more with an 8-to-10-minute walk or drive through historic Fort Kochi’s charming streets and alleys that are surrounded by Portuguese, Dutch and British architecture, and full of chic small cafes, boutique stores, art galleries, and a lot more.
Arrive at Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica and experience its impressive collection of colorful artworks. A 5 minute walk from here will bring you to the St. Francis Church, which was established by the Portuguese Franciscan Friars in 1503. This is the first European church built in India, and the famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco Da Gama, the first European to reach India by sea, was buried in its courtyard for a few years before his remains were returned to Portugal.
A 2-minute walk will bring you to David Hall, a 17th century historic building that has been painstakingly restored and houses a rotating selection of art exhibits, often highlighting young artists. We recommend the excellent and popular small café in the building as your stop for lunch, if you are hungry, but there are other alternatives that you can discuss with your Guide. Here the focus is on casual Indian and western cuisine and drinks, including woodfired thin crust pizzas prepared in a tandoor (clay oven).
After lunch you will proceed on a 10-minute drive through Fort Kochi, arriving at the Dutch Palace which was actually built by the Portuguese in 1555 and is famous for its detailed carved wooden murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Puranic legends. Despite being called a Palace, this is a squat building that bears no similarity to the opulence of other palaces, or even mansions, in India.
Jewish Synagogue. Very near the palace is the Jewish Synagogue which was built in 1568 and is still an active house of worship for the few remaining Jewish residents in the area. To get to the synagogue you will walk on Jew Street which runs through Jew Town – ancient street signs still identify these names! Fort Kochi’s ancient and colorful Jew Street now has antique stores and souvenir and art outlets. There was a Jewish presence in Kochi from 70 A.D. and the charming synagogue you will visit once was a busy house of worship for the locals.
Optional: In the evening you are driven to an experience that is extremely highly rated by many of our guests. You will be hosted by a famous Keralan Chef and her family at their home. A Keralan cuisine cooking lesson will be followed by a delicious dinner, along with an interesting conversation about life in historic Fort Kochi. You will be asked about this option soon after reserving your tour.
(Overnight – Brunton Boatyard)
Day 3: Ft Kochi – Backwaters
You are assisted with your check-out at any time before noon and driven about 1.5 to 2 hours to the backwater region of Kumarakom / Vembanad Lake. The drive becomes increasingly scenic as you leave the coast behind and enter Kerala’s lush lowlands, where coconut palms, canals, rice fields, and village life begin to define the landscape.
Backwaters. Most descriptions and photographs of Kerala’s backwaters capture the incredible lushness of the vegetation surrounding the freshwater canals, rivulets, and lakes. The charming waterways, framed by coconut palms and other exotic plants, create a subtropical environment unlike anywhere else on the planet. But for many of our guests, the most enchanting aspect is witnessing an older rhythm of life that has endured for centuries—small villages, narrow waterways that function as streets and alleys, and a quiet, everyday world shaped by the lake.
Upon arrival at a small pier in the backwaters, the resort’s staff takes over and traditional boats will carry you and your baggage through the water, entering the resort’s magical grounds through little canals and ingeniously engineered waterways. The remainder of your day is at leisure to begin absorbing the serenity of the lake and the gentle pace of life that defines this region.
Kumarakom Lake Resort. Set on the tranquil shores of Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom Lake Resort is widely regarded as the most refined backwater resort in Kerala. The property blends traditional Kerala architecture with discreet luxury, featuring carved wooden villas, landscaped tropical gardens, and water-facing verandas that open directly to the lake. The sense of space, privacy, and setting creates an immersive experience of the backwaters, while attentive service and exceptional cuisine ensure complete comfort.
(Overnight – Kumarakom Lake Resort)
Day 4: Backwaters
Today is designed as a full day in the backwater region, with time to enjoy the lakefront resort and the surrounding waterways at an unhurried pace.
Backwater Experience. Most descriptions and photographs of Kerala’s backwaters capture the incredible lushness of the vegetation surrounding the freshwater canals, rivulets, and lakes. The charming waterways, framed by coconut palms and other exotic plants, create a subtropical environment unlike anywhere else on the planet.
But, for many of our guests, the most enchanting aspect of the cruise is the chance to step into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Here, you are quite literally witnessing life as the locals have lived it for generations. Although small dirt tracks and paved roads now connect many homes and hamlets, the waterways have always been the lifelines of this region, and they remain so today. What might appear to you as streams are, in fact, the locals’ streets and alleys — and much of the time you are gliding right past their backyards. As you take in this vibrant tapestry of daily life, your onboard crew ensures your comfort and care, serving a freshly prepared lunch when you’re ready.
During the cruise you will see men, women, and teenagers rowing themselves to their destinations; small children in crisp uniforms being ferried home from school; women washing clothes and dishes in the streams; fishermen and produce sellers paddling up to back doors to sell their wares; farmers tending their fields; pier stations where commuters wait for longboats; and children swimming and playing in the shallower waters.
As sunset approaches and all houseboats anchor along the lake, you return to your elegant lakefront resort and enjoy a relaxed evening surrounded by still waters, tropical gardens, and the gentle sounds of backwater life.
(Overnight – Kumarakom Lake Resort)
Day 5: Backwaters – Thekkady (Periyar)
Drive to the Western Ghats (UWHS). You are assisted with your check-out and driven 4 hours to Thekkady. All drives in Kerala are scenic, but the second part of this drive is through the magical Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of our planet’s biodiversity hotspots. During the drive you will have photo opportunities at pastoral hamlets and various lush plantations that grow tea and other crops.
Tea Plantation Tour. About 20 minutes before you arrive at your lodge, you will stop at Vandiperiyar for a guided tour of one of South India’s premier tea estates, The Connemara Tea Factory, which has a century plus legacy of making fine tea. Your guided tour begins with a walk through lush green plantations, where the expert guide explains the art of cultivation and the region’s rich tea-growing heritage.
Tea Factory Walk. Inside the factory, you’ll witness each stage of production—withering, rolling, fermenting, drying, and grading—as age-old machines bring the story of tea to life. This is followed by a tea-tasting session, where you can savor freshly brewed varieties and pick up insider tips on brewing the perfect cup.
Arrive at Thekkady and check-in to your wonderful nature resort. This is the heart of spice country and the pleasant, mild aroma from the surrounding plantations will fascinate you when you arrive.
Spice Plantation Naturalist Tour. In the midafternoon you will visit a nearby spice plantation, a lush, shaded world where the air itself seems infused with the fragrance of cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and clove. An experienced naturalist will guide you along winding paths, introducing you to your choice of different spice plants and explaining how each is grown, harvested, and used. You’ll learn about their medicinal properties, their role in Ayurveda, and their importance in local cooking traditions.
As you walk, you’ll see pepper vines climbing high into shade trees, cardamom pods hidden among leafy undergrowth, nutmeg trees with their precious mace, and groves of cocoa, vanilla, and coffee. The naturalist’s explanations bring to life the centuries-old spice trade that once drew traders from Rome, Arabia, and beyond to these very hills.
The mingling aromas of fresh spices, the feel of crushed leaves between your fingers, and the chance to taste or smell raw spices straight from the plant make it a uniquely immersive experience.
(Overnight – Spice Village)
Day 6: Thekkady
Periyar National Park is centered around a tranquil artificial lake, created in 1895 when a dam was built on the Periyar River. The lake winds through the valleys of thickly forested hills, with elevations rising from just a few hundred feet to nearly 6,000 feet. What makes the scene beautifully surreal are the dead tree stumps still jutting out of the water, set against the backdrop of lush, curving hills draped in mist, making the lake a landscape of haunting beauty.
Periyar Lake Cruise. Start your day with a drive up to Lake Periyar and embark on a join-up cruise, along with your guide, on the spectacular lake. Visitors can only enter the park on shared, government-run boat cruises across the lake, or on regular ranger led treks and rafting trips into the jungle. The cruise is included; treks and rafting are upon request. Although Lake Periyar is officially a Tiger Reserve, chances of you seeing a big cat here are almost non-existent.
What is fairly common is to see elephant herds as they come to the lake to drink, or as they traverse the terraced hills surrounding the lake. Wild boar and Gaur (world’s largest bovine) are also fairly common. Yet most travelers agree it is the scenery itself, with its dreamlike mix of still waters, forested ridges, drifting mist, and submerged trees, that makes Periyar unforgettable.
The remainder of the day is flexible – you can explore the charming rural town and region with your Guide and chauffeur driven vehicle, or visit nearby plantations. Your eco-resort and its grounds are a mini-plantation themselves, and the resort staff is proud to give you a guided tour. Cooking lessons with the expert chefs will give you insights of how they use the fresh local spices in food preparation, and the delightful local cuisine.
(Overnight – Spice Village)
Day 7: Thekkady – Cochin Airport – Departure
You are at leisure this morning to enjoy your gorgeous resort and its surroundings, or your vehicle can be made available for local excursions before departure. You are assisted with your check-out from your lodge by noon and driven to the Cochin Airport (about 4.5 to 5 hours), and assisted with your flight check-in.
Drive to Airport – Fast Track Departure. Upon arrival at the Airport, you are introduced to your Fast Track Representative who will escort you through all steps, including check-in, security, immigration, and to your gate or lounge. Additional services such as airport hotels for redeye departures can be added based on your international flight departure.
Our Services end at Cochin Airport.
Departure Option A: International Departures from Cochin. Please note that all direct international flights depart from Cochin Airport very early in the morning. Lodging near the airport can be added for the night before departure, with assisted check-in, and an early-morning transfer to the airport for your international flight.
Departure Option B: Domestic Connection via Delhi or Mumbai for International Departure. You are assisted with your check-in at Cochin Airport for your flight to Delhi or Mumbai. Additional lodging and services can be added in Delhi/Mumbai as needed.
