Backwaters of Kerala
12 or 15 Days
You can...
- Ride on and bathe elephants
- Cruise on the tranquil Malabar backwaters by converted rice-barge
- Experience life at an old British Hill Station
- See wild elephants at Periyar NP
- Learn to cook traditional Keralan food
The state of Kerala, in India's warm, tranquil south, is both fascinating and exotic. You'll learn about the bizarre rituals of the Kathakali dancers and watch your kids dress up too! Then, a change of scene at the old British Hill Station of Munnar, set in the cool Western Ghats, before dropping down onto the plains again to visit the most famous temple (and spectacular) in India - the Sri Menakshi in Madurai.
At Periyar you'll see herds of wild elephant. Then relax as you cruise the silent backwaters of Malabar's rivers and lakes by converted rice-barge. If you have time, you can also extend your stay and enjoy the wonderful beaches of Mararikulam.
- Day 1/2. Fly to Kochi
- Fly to Kochi. Sunset walk, see Chinese fishing nets.
- Day 3. Kochi
- City tour, visit school, Kathakali dance.
- Day 4. Drive to Munnar area
- Drive to hill station of Munnar via Elephant training camp.
- Day 5. Munnar area
- Visit tea factory and village.
- Day 6/7. Madurai
- Visit Madurai, bustling pilgrimage centre of the South. Watch night ceremony at temple.
- Day 8/9. Periyar National Park
- Drive to Periyar National Park. Cooking lesson and wildlife spotting.
- Day 10. Alleppey
- Drive to Alleppey. Board houseboat for backwaters cruise to villages, rice paddies and rubber plantations.
- Day 11. Drive to Kochi
- Drive to Kochi, afternoon free.
- Day 12. Fly to London
- Is it right for your family?
- The south of India is more relaxed than the more frantic north and makes for easier travel. Hotels are generally of a very good standard, most have pools, with a major emphasis on responsible practises. Travelling can be slow at times but distances covered are not overly long. There is so much to interest children of all ages - learning to cook, visiting an Indian school, seeing working elephants, cruising on a rice-barge...
- Extension
- Why not add on an extra 3 days at the lovely Mararikulam Beach Resort near Alleppey on the shores of the Arabian Sea.
With a beautiful beach and gardens this child-friendly resort is noted for its traditional design, environmental policies and in-house naturalists. Add additional: -
- Accommodation and meals: Hotels (7nts), rice barge (1nt). 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 evening meal included.
- Flight details: Direct scheduled flights from Heathrow to India with Jet Airways.
- Departures 2010: 13 Feb; 27 Mar; 03 Apr; 3, 24 Jul; 07 Aug; 25 Sep; 23 Oct; 18, 26 Dec.
- Departures 2011: 08 Jan; 12 Feb; 02, 09 Apr; 02, 23 Jul; 06 Aug; 22 Oct.
- Prices: Land Only from £1099 per person. Including flights from London from £1,499 adult, £1,399 child.
- Age Guideline: 5+ Years
- Trip Code: FIBS
