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Captivating Kerala - 8 Day Tour

Captivating Kerala

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8 days

Uncover the delights of tropical Kerala in India's deep south on this 8-day group tour. From Kochi visit the picturesque hill station of Munnar with its verdant tea plantations as well as Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spend a night aboard a houseboat, gliding along the tranquil, palm fringed backwaters.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Travelling with children or prefer being on your own, see our private version of this tour.

Tour Overview

Duration

8 days

Starts

Kochi

Ends

Kochi

Range

Signature

Tour Guide

Yes - escorted by a tour guide

Group Size

Min 2 / Max 24

Minimum age

15 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Saturdays

Hotel Rating

3 - 4 star and heritage properties

Countries

India

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

2024: Yes | 2025: No - can be booked for a supplement

Meals included

Breakfast: 7, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1
30 Nov
R 23,315
Per person from
R 23,315.00
Total From
R 46,630.00
Deposit From
Final payment
R 10,000.00
R 41,630.00
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InclusionsItineraryMore

Tour Highlights

Kochi – Enjoy free time to explore the coastal city and perhaps enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance show
Kerala Backwaters – Cruise along the famous backwaters on a deluxe rice boat, past lush forests and local villages
Kumarakom – Relax on the shores of Lake Vembanad and opt to visit the local bird sanctuary
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Spot herds of elephants from an included boat ride on Lake Periyar
Munnar – Stroll through a tea plantation on a guided walk and visit a local market

Included

Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
6 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels and 1 night deluxe houseboat
Boat ride on Lake Periyar
Houseboat cruise along the Keralan backwaters
Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 4 or more)
Services of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 (For departures in 2024 a departure airport transfer is provided on day 8)
All relevant transfers and transportation in private A/C vehicles

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$4-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture
Entrance Fees: USD$15-25pp, paid in local currency
Tipping Kitty: USD$35-45pp, paid in local currency
Tipping is not a natural part of many Western cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable, or unsure, about when, or how much, to tip. However, in the places you will visit, tipping makes up a significant part of many people's wages so it's important that we get it right. For this reason we've developed a very simple system to take all the hassle out of tipping. With our 'tipping made easy' policy, a nominal pre-determined amount is collected from all group tour participants to cover tips en route. This then saves you the hassle of when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage handlers, local guides and other support staff through the tour. Our 'tipping made easy' doesn't include a tip to your group tour leader. Naturally, though, the amount is up to you as tipping is an entirely personal gesture.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Kochi

Saturday. Welcome to India! You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Kochi

Day 2 - Munnar Tea Plantations

Kochi - Munnar. Today we travel to the picturesque former hill station of Munnar, surrounded by sprawling tea plantations. We take a guided stroll through a local tea plantation and visit a local market, before the rest of the day is free to relax as you please. You may wish to visit nearby Blossom Park and enjoy cycling or boating in your stunning surroundings. This evening we meet others joining our group who have been travelling on our longer South India Explorer itinerary.

Overnight: Munnar
Meals: Breakfast

Days 3-4 - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Munnar – Periyar. A drive south to Periyar, South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary and home to bison, antelopes, sambar, wild boar, birds and even the odd tiger! Kumily, close to the sanctuary and where we'll stay, is a pretty little town dotted with small spice and handicraft shops. There is plenty to do in and around Periyar, so we leave the choice to you for the remainder of the day.

On day 4 we will enjoy an included boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot herds of wild elephants, spending the remainder of the day at leisure to explore on own. You can opt for an optional visit to explore the spice plantation or enjoy a kalaripayattu dance performance Periyar.

Overnight: Kumily
Meals: Breakfast x2

Day 5 - Kumarakom

Periyar - Kumarakom. Today, we leave Periyar and take a drive to Kumarakom - a village spread over a cluster of islands on Lake Vembanad. The day is free to relax or explore Kumarakom at your leisure. Perhaps take a boat ride on the lake or visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to many rare bird species and is an important stopover for migratory birds in the winter (Nov-May).

Overnight: Kumarakom
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Kerala backwaters

Kumarakom - Alleppey - Keralan Backwaters. On day 6, we will take a scenic drive to Alleppey. Here we board our private rice boat for a voyage through the famous Kerala backwaters. Our rice-boat takes us sedately along the enchanting palm-fringed backwaters, covering a distance of some 20 kms, during which time the boat glides past local villages and fascinating scenes of everyday rural life. Watch a beautiful sunset over the backwaters and enjoy tasty meals (starting with lunch) prepared by the on-board chef using fresh local produce.

Overnight: Deluxe rice boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Kochi

Keralan Backwaters – Kochi. This morning, we disembark our rice boat and head for Kochi. Formerly a princely state, Kochi is also fondly referred to as “The Queen of the Arabian Sea”. The rest of the day is at leisure exploring Kochi on its own. This evening you can opt for an optional tour to watch an entertaining and traditional Kathakali dance show. Kathakali performers are known for their elaborate costumes and makeup, and they always put on a fantastic show.

Overnight: Kochi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Kochi

Saturday. Our South Indian adventure comes to an end today. A departure transfer is included today for departures in 2024. If you are travelling in 2025 this can be booked for an additional supplement if required.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Reviews

The Tours were amazing but it would have been good to have some more insight about tipping in India. We had a fabulous time! 😊

A marvellous trip that we enjoyed very much , we were incredibly lucky to have Kannanan as our driver for 5 days of our trip, as well as being a very safe driver he was a marvellous guide , from the food, that we had no knowledge of but with his help found the dishes that we really enjoyed, to the countryside we were going through, this along with his wonderful care and consideration for us oldies made our trip so easy and memorable. We would happily recommend this trip to our friends and would suggest that they request Kannan as their driver /guide .

Very good , in all aspects, suitable for experienced travellers. Good that we could get on well together as a group of 4. Very enjoyable - especiallly the relaxing houseboat trip after long car journeys.

Alex is a professional guide, with good language skills, knowledge of the area, and always on time. His suggestions on other activities were welcomed, well received and appreciated. All listed activities were done. Alex is a valuable member of the On The Go team

I really enjoyed the tour! It exceeded all my expectations. The hotels were clean, modern and very nice. The houseboat was also much more comfortable than I had expected. The tour was just the right mix of activities and relaxation. The things were visited were interesting, and our guide was very knowledgeable. The On The Go staff really went the extra mile, arranging a separate car to take me to the airport because i had a late flight, and then having someone meet me at the airport to help me with mu luggage and to navigate the check in. My arrival flight was eight hours late, but they still had a driver waiting for me when i arrived. I would definitely use the company again!

Extras and add-ons

If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.

Pre-Tour Accommodation - Kochi

Double

R 1,885per passenger

Twin

R 1,885per passenger

Single

R 3,375per passenger

Post-Tour Accommodation - Kochi

Double

R 1,885per passenger

Twin

R 1,885per passenger

Single

R 3,375per passenger

Additional Excursions

Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.

Kochi Airport Departure Transfer (per vehicle / max 2 persons)

R 1,605

per passenger

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.

If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.

The Fern Ecotel Hotel
Kochi

Nestled on the tranquil Willingdon Island, The Fern Hotel, formerly known as the Trident Hotel, offers a comfortable stay filled with indulgent amenities. Guests can unwind at the Ayurvedic spa, take a refreshing dip in the inviting outdoor pool, or stay active in the modern fitness center. The elegantly designed, air-conditioned rooms and suites overlook lush gardens or the pool, and each room is equipped with modern conveniences like satellite TV and minibars. Suites add an extra touch of luxury with spacious, separate living areas. With four diverse restaurants, The Fern Hotel invites guests on an exceptional culinary journey.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
5 Star Hotel
Amber Dale Munnar
Munnar

Experience a stay of comfort and convenience at Amber Dale Munnar, where complimentary WiFi and an inviting restaurant await. The property offers a children's playground and fitness center, ensuring entertainment for all. Rooms are well-appointed, each with a private bathroom, free toiletries and a hairdryer. All include amenities like a kettle and flat-screen TV. A 24-hour front desk is ready to assist, while the hotel also offers a serene garden and a games room, creating a well-rounded retreat for guests seeking relaxation or entertainment.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
The Elephant Court
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Located on 4 acres of land, the Elephant Court is a grand hotel decked out in cooling teak wood. Guest rooms are beautifully appointed with earthy hues of brown and pale green set off by crisp cotton sheets. Dining options include local specialities and international cuisine, all served in the restaurant with beautiful views of the swimming pool and surrounding area. A trip to the beautiful rooftop curio shop to pick up some souvenirs is a must. The accommodation is well located close to the Thekaddy forests.

Our Rating
Deluxe
Local Rating
5 Star Hotel
Eastend Lakesong
Kumarakom

Nestled among the serene backwaters of Kumarakom, Eastend Lakesong comprises of 8 acres of facility packed leisure land. Guests sleep in villas and cottages, which are all well furnished with colourful interiors and comfortable beds. The onsite restaurants offer an excellent selection of local and international cuisine. Why not treat yourself to a relaxing massage at the Ayurveda on site Spa? It is the perfect way to unwind after a long day of exploring in the fierce Indian heat.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel
Deluxe Houseboat
Alleppey

There are few things as serene and tranquil as floating along the Keralan backwaters in the comfort of a luxurious houseboat. Deluxe houseboats are elegantly furnished, with up to four bedrooms, equipped with modern en suites, an open lounge, dining area and a deck to relax and admire the beautiful views of the lush green palms and rice paddies. Air conditioning operates in the bedrooms between 9pm to 6am only. The cruises are full board, with tasty meals freshly prepared by the onboard chef.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
Deluxe House Boat

Prices & Dates

All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. Room sharing is not available on this tour.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
30 Nov - 7 Dec
R 23,315
R 36,635
7 Dec - 14 Dec
R 23,315
R 36,635
14 Dec - 21 Dec
R 23,315
R 36,635
21 Dec - 28 Dec
R 25,235
R 38,565
28 Dec - 4 Jan
R 25,235
R 38,565
2025
Twin/Double
Single
4 Jan - 11 Jan
R 25,235
R 38,565
11 Jan - 18 Jan
Save 10%
R 25,965R 23,369
R 42,535R 38,282
18 Jan - 25 Jan
Save 10%
R 25,965R 23,369
R 42,535R 38,282
25 Jan - 1 Feb
Save 10%
R 25,965R 23,369
R 42,535R 38,282
1 Feb - 8 Feb
Save 10%
R 25,965R 23,369
R 42,535R 38,282
8 Feb - 15 Feb
Save 10%
R 25,965R 23,369
R 42,535R 38,282
15 Feb - 22 Feb
Save 10%
R 25,965R 23,369
R 42,535R 38,282
22 Feb - 1 Mar
Save 10%
R 25,965R 23,369
R 42,535R 38,282
2026
Twin/Double
Single
3 Jan - 10 Jan
R 34,325
R 56,055

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