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Hills And Backwaters Of Kerala.

11 Nights

Relax in the warmth and beauty of southern India

Holiday Highlights

This is a wonderful and unique taste of life in Kerala, hosted by rural communities, a far cry from the typical tourist routes.  Enjoy stays in a picturesque hill-side village guesthouse amid the coffee and pepper plantations in the glorious Western Ghats, followed by a glide through palm-fringed lagoons, onboard a very special village-owned houseboat. Contrast life in the luxuriant forests, plantations and hill stations with the traditions of canopy-makers, fishermen and coir spinners from their beautiful waterside villages. A gentle-paced, enchanting holiday, topped and tailed by a stay in the vibrant port-city of Cochin.

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Itinerary | Day by Day

For this holiday we recommend flights to and from Kochi, via Mumbai. Spicejet  offer flights from Kochi to Mumbai. 

DAY 1 | Fort Cochin

Welcome at Kochi airport, transfer to Fort Cochin  where you stay in a traditional Hotel

DAY 2

A train to Kozhikode and a road transfer takes you into the Wayanad region of the Western Ghats. Transfer to Ernakulam to catch the day train to Kozhikode, welcome at Kozhikode and road transfer (3 hours) to the charming hillside village of Mothakkara in Wayanad.

Night 2 - Night 5 | In the Wayanad Hills

Enjoy four nights with the community of Mothakkara in the special community-run guesthouse. Explore the coffee and pepper plantations and enjoy forest walks and spectacular views across the sprawling hills of the Western Ghats towards Banaura Mountain. You may discover local pottery, enjoy a concert from the women’s drumming group, and visit nearby Thrikkaipatta to meet the women weaving beautiful bamboo handicrafts.  There is a strong sense of tradition and your hosts welcome you with genuine warmth. Our guests agree that Mothakkara is one of the most relaxing places to stay, and is a firm favourite. Why not add on an extra trip to nearby Tholpetty for a jeep safari through the Sanctuary, abundant with wildlife – including wild elephant.

Day 6

Return by road to Kozhikode and take the train to Ernakulam. Meet at Ernakulam station and short transfer to Vayalar village to board the Kayal Kettuvallam houseboat.

Night 6 - Night 9 | In the Backwaters

Spend four nights onboard the Goodearth Kayal Kettuvallam, visiting four of the five communites; Vayalar, Chenganda, Perumbalam, Chemmanagri and Kodamthuruthu. Your mornings and evenings are spent in the villages, getting to know the communities and discovering the customs and traditions, or exploring deeper into the backwaters in the houseboat’s own canoe/tender.

During the hotter, central part of the day the boat progresses gently through the backwaters to the next village. You navigate dense, narrow canals and open waterways, while on the banks busy village life takes place. You may pass duck herders on a punt, buffalo grazing at the water’s edge, fishermen in dugout canoes, coir weavers and coconut harvesters. If you wish to take a cooking class from some of the local ladies, your guide can arrange this.

The houseboat has two twin cabins with private facilities. If there are fewer than four in your party, you may wish to upgrade and have exclusive use of the houseboat.

Day 10 | Fort Cochin

Short transfer to Kochi.

Night 10 - Night 11 

With two nights in Fort Cochin you have time to explore this exciting port city and the wonderful old fort district.

Day 12 

Transfer from the hotel to Kochi Airport for your homeward flight.

Hills and Backwaters of kerala

11 Nights
£ 870 per person
  • All meals and stay at villages
  • B&B in hotels
  • Guide and Porter services
  • Inclusive of all taxes as applicable
Popular
HOLIDAY PRICES per person
SEASONS
PARTY 2-3
 PARTY 4-6

15/10/2023-30/10/2023

£1,190

£886

01/11/2023-15/03/2024

£1,200

£895

15/10/2024-30/10/2024

£1,250

£930

"One of our personal highlights was meeting all the local people in the Binsar Sanctuary. Everyone at Khali estate, our guides and all the local villagers were extremely welcoming, generous, kind and informative. We felt extremely well looked after, with no shortage of amazing food and tea. Meeting all these people really made the trip an amazing experience for us."
5/5

Moderate walking

Mixed Terrain

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