Kerala - A Taste of South India
Kerala - A Taste of South India
Kerala - A Taste of South India
12 Days Starting in Kochi, Kerala, India and ending in Kovalam, Kerala, India
Visiting: United Kingdom, Kochi, Thekkady, Periyar, Alappuzha, Vayalar, Kovalam
Tour Overview
Peaceful backwaters, aromatic spices and some of India’s best beaches, this is what you’ll find in Kerala, alongside a lush landscape and incredible wildlife.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 Uk - Cochin
Location: Cochin International Airport, United Kingdom
Accommodation: Flight to Cochin.
Today, you fly to Cochin.
Day 2 Cochin
Location: Cochin International Airport
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Trident Cochin
Meals Included: Dinner, D
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 made up of a series of picturesque islands and boasts unique houses built on stilts and tranquil backwaters. After settling in at your hotel, get to know your travelling companions over dinner this evening.
Day 3 Cochin
Location: Cochin International Airport
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Trident Cochin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, BD
Today begins with a morning tour of Cochin. We'll head to 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 stop is the Mattancherry Kerala Palace, renamed the Dutch Palace after Cochin was taken from the Portuguese by the Dutch. Admire the splendid murals that adorn some of the rooms, said to be amongst the best in India. We round off our tour with a visit to St Francis Church, where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama died and was buried.
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.
Day 4 Cochin - Thekkady
Location: Kochi, Thekkady
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Elephant Court
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, BD
A long but rewarding drive is on the cards today as we head to Thekkady. There's a treat for all the senses as we journey past rice paddies, tea and rubber tree plantations and aromatic gardens of coffee, cardamom and pepper plants, while the Western Ghats mountain range provides a beautiful backdrop to the surrounding rainforests and backwaters. As the sun goes down we'll head to a spice plantation where we'll enjoy a tour. Superb peppers are grown here on the Malabar Coast and as such are referred to as 'black gold'.
Day 5 Thekkady
Location: Periyar
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Elephant Court
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, BD
We're heading into Periyar Game Reserve today. A boat trip will give you the 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.
Day 6 Thekkady - Alleppey
Location: Periyar, Alappuzha
Accommodation Name: Houseboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, BLD
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 'kettuvallam' - modelled on the area's traditional rice boats - offers an unforgettable experience for you and your travelling companions. 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.
Day 7 Alleppey - Vayalar
Location: Alappuzha, Vayalar
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Pulmeria Lake Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, BLD
Breakfast served on our houseboat is a great start to the day. We'll then take to the road and head to Vayalar, cutting a route through coconut farms and fragrant spice gardens. A village tour and stop for lunch gives us a chance to stretch our legs before arrival at our hotel.
Day 8 Vayalar - Kovalam
Location: Kovalam, Vayalar
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Travancore Heritage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, BD
The final leg of our journey takes us to the Kovalam beach area today – a stunning location with magnificent beaches on which to relax and soak up the sun.
Day 9 Kovalam - At Leisure
Location: Kovalam
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Travancore Heritage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, BD
You've another full day to relax in the beautiful coastal resort of Kovalam. You could choose to stay put and enjoy the facilities at your hotel, which include three swimming pools, a spa and health club.
Day 10 Kovalam - At Leisure
Location: Kovalam
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Travancore Heritage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, BD
The day is yours to do as you please. Be sure to head to the beach to see the fishermen pulling in the huge Chinese fishing nets for
which this area is famous.
Day 11 Kovalam - At Leisure
Location: Kovalam
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Travancore Heritage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, BD
Today is your final free day in Kovalam, so be sure to make the most of it!
Join your fellow travellers this evening for a farewell dinner. Very late tonight, we will transfer you to the airport, for your flight back to the UK.
Day 12 Arrive Uk
Location: United Kingdom
You'll arrive back in the UK today.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
4 & 5 star hotels and a night on a traditional houseboat -
Just You Holiday Director as your host
-
Return flights from London
-
Use of an airport lounge in the UK
-
8 nights half-board in 4 and 5-star hotels plus 2 nights in flight
-
1 night on one of Kerala's famous houseboats cruising the backwaters
-
A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
-
21 included meals: 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 10 dinners including welcome drink & farewell get-together
-
Overseas transfers, other transportation, & porterage
What's Not Included
Accommodation
- Trident Cochin
- The 4-star Trident Hotel is situated in Cochin.
Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and a swimming pool. Bedrooms have private facilities, safe, hairdryer, tea/coffee-making facilities and a TV.
- The Elephant Court
- Houseboat
- Enjoy an overnight stay with a difference on a Houseboat, modelled on the area’s traditional rice boats.
- Vasundhara Sarovar Premiere
- The 4-star Vasundhara Premier Hotel is situated by the serene backwaters of Kerala in Vayalar.
Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and a spa. Bedrooms have private facilities and air-conditioning.
- Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel & Spa
- Uday Samudra Hotel is located just 15 meters away from the famed beach of Kovalam. The hotel is equipped with Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and tea/coffee-maker. The hotel also has spacious lawns, a harmony of architecture, blue water pools and soaring coconut grove in four tranquil acres by the sea.
Optional Excursions
- Thekkady nature trek
- Traditional dress during Sadya Dinner
Excursions Included
- Cochin tour
- Cooking demonstration & lunch with local chef Nimmy Paul
- Kathakali dance show
- Traditional 'Sadya' dinner
- Spice plantation visit
- Game viewing by boat
- Local village tour in Kumarokam
Check out our Q&As
-
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, overseas transfers, other transportation, & porterage
-
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
-
What currencies are required for this tour?
30
-
Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No
-
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
No and your own room is guaranteed!
-
What is the maximum group size?
30
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
All the people in your group will be solo travellers and will share your sense of adventure and passion for travel. There’s usually a good mix of ages too, so you’ll meet a variety of solo travellers who have more, or in some cases less, life experience. We find the overall mix of people really adds to the whole experience and there are certainly plenty of l
-
Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
A few years ago we set up Just You Cares, a programme that gives back to some of the places we love. We have always believed in taking care of the communities we visit, and have taken the time to really get to know the local people and understand the challenges they face. Some of our holidays give our Customers the chance to see how the money from their trips has been spent.
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Just You, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If we can accommodate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - just make sure you have your booking number to hand.
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes, and all of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.
-
Will I eat alone?
We find there’s always a social element to dining, so you’ll never eat alone, unless you want to! Every holiday includes a welcome get-together, all breakfasts and many other meals. When a meal is not included we find travellers meet and dine together.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, given the nature of our holidays, it is not possible to join the tour once it has departed.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Just You has been operating solo holidays for more than 15 years.
-
Am I guaranteed a room of my own?
Of course, you’ll always have a twin or double room all to yourself. It’s great to have that space to relax and reflect at the end of the day. In some hotels you can also pay a little extra to upgrade for more space or a lovely sea view.
-
What is the typical age range on a Just You holiday?
Typically, our customers are solo travellers in their 40s, 50s and 60s, but it’s quite possible you could meet 20-year-olds or 70-year-olds (or anyone in between)... After all, age is just a number!
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have received the World Travel and Tourism Councils (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp, which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world. The 'Safe Travels' stamp provides you, with assurance and peace of mind that we have implemented enhanced health and hygiene prprotocols on all holidays.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Once you book, you will receive a confirmation invoice within 7 days, prior to departure, we will send you further information to help prepare for your trip.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Just You is exclusively for solo travellers, every tour includes a twin or double room of your own, with no single supplement.
Reviews of this operator
What are travellers saying about Tourhub
Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Just You requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of just you charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Book with Confidence
When you book your holiday with Just You, you can have complete peace of mind. Your money is 100% protected through our Independent Trust Fund, any money you pay to us is held by them & governed by 3rd?party trustees. It is also a condition of our ATOL license and is regularly monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority. We don’t receive any money until after you’ve come back from your holiday – so your money is 100% protected no matter what. If you have any questions you can speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable holiday advisors.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is held in a dedicated client account until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."