Discovering Kerala – Revealing the Treasures of Southern India with Marari Beach Extension
$ 5,540
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Amazing Singles Holidays India for Solo Travelers & Singles
Discovering Kerala – Revealing the Treasures of Southern India with Marari Beach Extension
Singles Holidays India for Solo Travelers & Friends: Absorb the heady mix of Kerala on this incredible journey from bustling cities to peaceful backwaters on a tour packed with fascinating cultural and wildlife encounters that reveal the region’s finest treasures. Also home to India’s most beautiful beaches you can extend your stay with 3 nights at the; beach resort of Marari Beach where local culture, ecology and luxury pool and beach relaxing meets.
Highlights:
- Cochin tour
- Traditional ‘Sadya’ dinner
- Kathakali dance show
- Tea plantation and tea factory tour
- Tata Tea Museum
- Sightseeing tour in the Old City of Madurai
- Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal
- Cycle rickshaw ride in Madurai
- Spice plantation walk
- Kalaripayattu – traditional martial arts performance
- Periyar Game Reserve – Game viewing by boat
- Stay on a thatched roof Kettuvallam houseboat
- Local Kumbalangi village experience
- Stay at the amazing CGH Marari Beach Resort
Duration & Price:
15 Days from about £ 3,948*
Itinerary*
Day 2 Cochin
Kerala’s cosmopolitan capital Cochin is known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ thanks to the beauty of its natural harbour. The city is a charming collection of islands with distinctive houses on stilts and peaceful backwaters.
After settling in at your hotel, get to know your travelling companions over dinner this evening.
Meals included:
D
Day 3 Cochin
We’ll start the day with a morning tour of Cochin. our first stop is the centre of Jew Town, a bustling port area and centre of Cochin’s spice trade, where we will see the oldest Jewish Synagogue in the commonwealth, dating back to 1568. Next is the Mattancherry Kerala Palace, renamed the Dutch Palace after Cochin was taken from the Portuguese by the Dutch. We’ll take time to admire the splendid murals that adorn some of the rooms, considered among the finest in India.
Another speciality of Kerala is Kathakali dance, and we’ll learn about this unique art form this evening before enjoying a ‘Sadya’ vegetarian feast with the group. This shared meal will take you on a gastronomic journey through Kerala as you try a tempting selection of dishes from many different regions. Each is served following local customs and come in an order which is said to help digestion. You’ll eat from a banana leaf, which points in a certain direction, with rice served on the bottom half, and other items placed in clockwise order. You’ll find that your hosts serve dessert mid-way through the meal.
Meals included:
B,D
Day 5 Munnar
Today we have the chance to take in the natural scenic beauty of Munnar, with its rolling hills, forests, waterfalls and tea plantations. We’ll visit a plantation and tea factory where we get the chance to see the segregating, drying, threshing and packing in progress.
We will also visit the Tata Tea Museum, that tells the story of the area and the impact of tea to its journey.
This afternoon, you’ll have time time to explore the hill station – Munnar town independently. Having been a summer resort during the colonial era you’ll see a nod to the English country style in some of the houses.
Meals included:
B,D
Day 6 Munnar – Madurai
We continue our journey through Kerala to Madurai, one of the oldest cities in India, home to the incredible Meenakshi Temple. Built at the same time as the Taj Mahal, it is a stunning sight and superb example of south Indian Hindu architecture.
This evening you could join us to experience the extraordinary ‘Putting to Bed Ceremony’ held at the temple, a dazzling display of colour and noise with dance and music.
Meals included:
B,D
Day 7 Madurai
This morning we include a sightseeing tour of the Old City of Madurai, the highlight of which is a visit to Meenakshi Temple with its ornate façade. Inside the temple enclosure you’ll get to experience the lively atmosphere with buzzing markets and continuous ceremonies and devotions.
Later we visit the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, built in 1635 and designed by an Italian architect, the palace is a must-see for its intricate designs.
Finally, we will explore the local markets and narrow streets of Madurai by cycle rickshaw before a little time to make our own discoveries.
Meals included:
B,D
Day 8 Madurai – Thekkady
Today we’ll travel onto Thekkady, a town near Periyar National Park. We’ll head to a spice plantation where the aromatic scent of cardamon and pepper plants fills the air. Superb peppers are grown here on the Malabar Coast and as such are referred to as ‘black gold’.
This evening we’ll experience a traditional Indian martial arts performance – Kalaripayattu.
Meals included:
B,D
Day 9 Thekkady
This morning you could choose to explore the Periyar Nature Reserve, with an optional trek excursion.
In the afternoon a boat trip will give you a chance to look for elephants, bison and deer on the shoreline, as well as all manner of exotic plants that, if you’re very lucky may be hiding the elusive tiger.
Later there will be time to explore the town and local market.
Meals included:
B,D
Day 10 Thekkady – Alleppey
Our drive this morning takes us to Alleppey, where we’ll board one of Kerala’s famous houseboats for an overnight stay with a difference. Your ‘kettuvallom’ – modelled on the area’s traditional rice boats – offers an unforgettable experience for you and your fellow travellers. Head on deck for a cruise through the backwaters to see how the locals live, then enjoy a tranquil evening as our boat anchors in a quiet spot.
Meals included:
B,L,D
Day 11 Alleppey – Cochin
Breakfast served on our houseboat is a great start to the day. After this we’ll take to the road and head towards Cochin. Along the way we will visit Kumbalangi village, this integrated tourism village project is a unique initiative where we can experience life as a local in this fishing village and enjoy a homemade lunch.
Meals included:
B,L,D
Day 12 Cochin – Marari
We travel onto the beautiful beach resort of Marari and the CGH Earth Experience, Marari Beach. This is the ultimate location to unwind after our incredible journey through Kerala. This seaside village is set in 30 acres with coconut groves, lily ponds, fruit trees and a large organic farm. Close to the resort is an active fishing village and each morning you can see the fishermen bringing back the catch of the day. Dinners served in the restaurant are a real treat with daily caught fish and vegetables from the on site garden all featuring on the menu.
Meals included:
B,D
Day 14 Marari
You might choose to join a naturalist-led walk today, to understand and see a glimpse of the miraculous eco system here – it is home to 97 species of butterfly, 350 endemic plants, 3 varieties of turtle and 10 kinds of frog! Or you may try a swim in the sea or cold water pool. Or even a visit into the local village to see a totally different way of life.
Meals included:
B,D
Day 15 Cochin – UK
We return to Cochin for our flight back to the UK arriving the same day.
Meals included:
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Included*
- Holiday Director as your host
- Return flights from London
- Use of an airport lounge in the UK
- 12 nights half-board in 4 and 5-star hotels plus 1 night in flight
- 1 night on one of Kerala’s famous houseboats cruising the backwaters
- A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
- including welcome drink & farewell get-together
- 28 included meals: 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 13 dinners
- Overseas transfers, other transportation, & porterage
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