The Tropical South

Flights usually depart London in the afternoon.
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Day 2

The group flight usually arrives in Cochin in the afternoon and we transfer
to our hotel. Those clients not travelling on the group flight will make
their own way to the hotel and will join us for the afternoon. Please note
that if you arrive in the morning, you may have to wait to be allocated a
room as normal check-in time is mid-morning.
Set on the Malabar, or 'Pepper Coast', Cochin (Kochi) is one of South India's
most interesting towns and is believed to have been the first European
settlement in India. Rich in history despite recent growth it retains a
relaxed, quiet atmosphere. Narrow spits of land and coconut covered islands
jut out into the wide, almost enclosed bay whose neck is lined with the
famous Chinese fishing nets. On arrival at our hotel there is free time to
either explore Cochin or simply relax after your travels. 
*Standard Hotel*

Day 3

Today we do a sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, where most of
the historic buildings are located in amongst the narrow streets. The
Portuguese Vasco de Gama landed here in 1498 and began trading with the Raja
of Cochin. The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in the mid
1500's and then was largely rebuilt by its second occupants, the Dutch. Built
in traditional Kerala style the wooden architecture and wall paintings of
scenes from the Ramayana are still well preserved. Jewish settlers first
arrived in Cochin in 587BC and a synagogue dating from the late 1500's still
stands in Fort Cochin. Although now there are only about half a dozen Jewish
families, the synagogue is a real gem and the individual hand painted 18th
century blue ceramic Cantonese floor tiles are evidence of past trading with
China. St Francis Church is where Vasco de Gama died in 1524 and the building
reflects the new European influence in the area. The Santa Cruz Cathedral is
close by and was originally used as a warehouse by the British. The Chinese
fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour and were introduced by the
Chinese in the late 14th century. There is time to wander round the tiny back
streets of Jew Town hunting for souvenirs in the many antique shops and
warehouses. There is the option to join a sunset cruise at Fort Cochin or
take in a Kathakali Dance Show.  Please note the show option is also
available on day 8 in Periyar. 
*Standard Hotel*

Day 4

After breakfast we drive away from the coastal plain to Munnar set amongst
Kerala's highest mountains that form a jagged line due east of Cochin. The
drive is 160km and should take approximately 5-6 hours. Munnar is a beautiful
hill station on the Western Ghats at about 1600m above sea level. It was once
a summer resort of the British Government in South India. The town is
situated at the confluence of the three mountain streams (Mudrapauzha,
Naliathanii and Kundala) and is surrounded by lakes, reservoirs, forests and
several tea estates. Anamudi (2695m), the highest peak in South India
dominates the skyline and the many smaller peaks are a walker's paradise.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 5

After an early breakfast, we take a short drive through old Munnar and travel
down to Nagarmudi, a tiny village, where we start our trek accompanied by a
local guide. The trek begins with a long gradual ascent through the tea
plantations and then climbs into Seven Malai Hills. Just before reaching the
top we enjoy walking through cardamom and coffee plantations. Our hard work
will be rewarded with spectacular views over Chittrapuram Dam, Changulam
Lake, Annamudi Peak, Munnar and other villages. We then descend back to our
vehicle. There is an optional visit in the afternoon to a Tea Museum. Please
note that there are a couple of steep ascents and descents on this trek.
Approx. walking time 4 hrs.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 6

Leaving Kerala behind we drive 165km through the hills to the colourful
temple town of Madurai, in Tamil Nadu. The drive should take approximately
6-7 hrs and we should arrive mid-afternoon. In the evening there are many
restaurants to choose from: some of the best are on rooftops, which in
addition to allowing us to sample some of the specialities of the region,
offer fantastic views over the city.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 7

Today there is an opportunity to go on an early morning heritage walk through
Madurai (approx. £15 or US$20 depending on group size), allowing us to
observe the local community going about their everyday life; milking cows,
women doing rangoli in front of their houses, breakfast being prepared on the
roadside food stalls, and fruit and vegetable markets in full action. Coffee
and a snack are provided on this optional tour. Madurai is one of Tamil
culture's most vital centres and the temple and bazaar are at the heart of
this vibrant and colourful city. The most famous sight is the Meenakshi
Temple, an outstanding example of Vijayanagar temple architecture. Built
between the 16th and 18th century, it is at the heart of the city and the
life of the town revolves around it. It is a hive of activity and the scene
of an almost continuous religious festival. The temple's nine towering
gopurams stand out with their colourful stucco images of gods, goddesses and
animals. There are about 4,000 granite sculptures on the lower levels and
numerous pillared temple halls surrounding the Golden Lotus Tank. The main
temple is dedicated to Meenakshi, the 'fish-eyed goddess' and the consort of
Shiva. One of the spectacular parts of the complex is the 16th century
Thousand Pillared Hall with exquisitely carved columns and a sculptured
ceiling, which depicts a wheel showing the 60 Tamil years. There is also time
to visit the Thirumalai Nayaka Palace, which was built in 1636 in Indo-Mughal
style by the Nayak dynasty. Or why not take a cycle rickshaw ride through the
town. The colourful and lively bazaars are also wonderful to visit and
Madurai is renowned for its silk and cotton.
*Standard Hotel*

/ /

Day 8

Leaving Madurai we drive in the morning to the small bustling village of
Thekkady, from where we visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the
largest parks in India. The drive from Madurai is spectacular as the road
climbs through the Western Ghats and we have fantastic views across Tamil
Nadu. In the afternoon there will be enough free time to wander around in the
village and explore the bazaar, where we can visit the numerous shops selling
cardamom, vanilla, peppercorns, turmeric and other spices. The whole area is
a centre for spice growing, and this evening there will be a short walk
around a spice garden, where we can see many different spices growing. We
then have a special dinner and a cooking demonstration with a local family in
their home. (Driving time approx. 4-5 hrs)
*Standard Hotel*

Day 9

In the morning, before breakfast, we join our local guide for a nature walk
in the Wildlife Sanctuary (approx. 2-3 hrs) and return to our hotel in time
for breakfast. In the afternoon there is the option to go on a boat cruise on
the lake. This is an ideal way to get close to the animals and we have the
opportunity of spotting elephant, otter, wild pig and buffalo. There is also
an abundance of bird life - kingfishers, storks and hornbills are the most
commonly spotted. Tickets can be purchased online in advance (approx. £8 or
US$10). We recommend doing this in order to avoid possible long queues at the
ticket office. Please inform your leader if you wish to book this in advance.
Optional activities you can choose from today include an Ayurvedic Massage
(approx. £10-15 or US$13-20), a tribal dance show (approx. £5 or US$7),
Kathakali Dance Show (approx. £3 or US$4), Bamboo Rafting (approx. £20-30
or US$27-40) or a Martial Arts Show (approx. £3 or US$4).
*Standard Hotel*

Day 10

Leaving the hills, we make our way to Erattupetta Planters Homestay; a cosy
eco-friendly mansion built 50 years ago, surrounded by tall rubber trees and
tropical fruit trees. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the rural
life of Kerala, with a village walk and a visit to a spice plantation. With
the songs of birds, the cool breeze and the rustle of trees, this is also a
great place to relax. Further activities can be organised here, such as yoga
and cooking lessons.
*Homestay*

Day 11

Today we make our way to Muhamma, driving through tea and fruit plantations
on our way.  After checking into our hotel we have the chance to explore the
surrounding villages by foot and gain an insight into traditional life. There
is also the opportunity to go on an optional shikara ride or country boating
on the backwaters (approx. £4 per person). Other activities that can be
arranged include village cycling or the opportunity to see coir-making or
carpet weaving.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 12

After breakfast and a visit to the coir museum, we board our houseboat at
midday and begin our cruise along the backwaters of Kerala. The houseboat
cruise is one of the highlights of the trip - these enchanting boats, built
of Anjili wood and bamboo, were the traditional method of transporting goods
for hundreds of years. Now they have been decorated and made into comfortable
cruise boats. The network of rivers, streams, lagoons and canals occupies the
alluvial plain between the Western Ghats and the Indian Ocean. As our boat
meanders through areas of lush tropical vegetation we have the opportunity to
view not only the prolific bird life but also gain a different perspective on
village life. The cruise takes us along shallow, palm-fringed canals where
coconut fibre, copia (coconut meat) and cashews are loaded on to dugouts. In
the evening the boat is anchored by a bank and we can watch the sunset over
the rice paddies. All the houseboats are comfortably equipped and have 2-5
twin bedded rooms with a bathroom. There is a cook, driver and assistants for
each boat and the food served is traditional Keralan fare using local
produce. No trip to Kerala would be complete without the wonderful experience
of the backwaters aboard these traditional vessels.
*Houseboat*

Day 13

After breakfast we leave our houseboat in Alleppey and start the drive along
the scenic Malabar coast to the beachside town of Kovalam (approx. 4/5 hrs),
passing through Quilon for a tea break en route. Once a relaxing hideaway on
the old hippie trail, Kovalam has now been discovered, but the influx of
tourism has not diminished this beautiful setting.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 14

A free day to unwind on the idyllic soft sandy beach, or visit the many shops
for some last minute souvenirs. This is a great chance to enjoy the fresh
seafood in the many small beach restaurants. Try some of the Tandoori dishes
- the clay ovens give a more authentic taste to bread and curries. There is
also the opportunity to do an optional day's sightseeing from Kovalam to
Kanyakumari, the end point of India where 3 oceans meet, the Indian Ocean,
the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. If it's open, the trip also takes in
the old wooden palace of the rulers of Travancore at Padmapuhamban - a
marvellous building with fantastic woodcarvings, and the Hindu temple at
Suchindran with its amazing stone carvings. This trip can be booked and paid
for locally - please note it is a very long day and the road conditions are
not very good. The cost of this excursion depends on group size, but it is
usually INR 4800 (approx. £58) between 4 people travelling together, or INR
6400 (approx. £75) if more than 4 people travelling together. If visiting
Padmanabhapuram Palace en route it's an extra INR 300 (approx. £4) per
person.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 15

Those on the flight inclusive package wil transfer to Trivandrum airport
early this morning for the daytime flight back to London. Land Only
arrangements will finish after check-out from the hotel.