Kerala Holidays

Head out into Fort Cochin and Mattancherry with a local guide to discover more about the fascinating heritage of these historic regions. Learn about the importance of Fort Cochin as the entrance to the port and how the Arabic, Chinese, Dutch and Portuguese settlers shaped its architecture and culture. Mattancherry is the heart of historic Cochin and is home to many of the city’s main sights such as the Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue and Jain Temple.

Enjoy views of the skyline of the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ from a different perspective on a two-hour sunset cruise. As the sun dips below the horizon, catch the ever-changing colours of the sea and buildings that line the shores of Lake Cochin. Keen photographers will have the opportunity to catch an iconic shot of the famous Chinese fishing nets silhouetted against the vibrantly coloured skies (weather dependent).

A visit to Kochi would be incomplete without witnessing the mesmerising art form of the region – the Kathakali dance. Kathakali is a classical dance form which traces its origin to Kerala and is deeply absorbed into the culture of Kerala. This classical Indian dance performance tells stories of Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata through footwork and hand gestures.

Kochi is one of the best places to witness this heritage dance form. Kathakali artists wear elaborate, billowing costumes with intricately painted faces, flowing scarves, detailed decorations and magnificent crowns. This tour will give you the chance to see the artists applying their makeup before witnessing a performance of this traditional dance.

Start the tour of Kochi on the western side of the peninsula to soak up the early morning activity. Strolling along the promenade you will see the Chinese cantilever fishing nets and onto Saint Francis Church. Other highlights include the Dutch Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue.

You will start the tour of Kochi on the western side of the peninsula to soak up the early morning activity. Strolling along the promenade you will see the Chinese cantilever fishing nets in action and perhaps catch the fishermen mid song. A little further on is the fish auction selling everything from sardines, mackerel and bream to local prawns and lobster. Passing a dilapidated Portuguese fort, you will reach Saint Francis Church, said to be the oldest European building in India. During the course of its existence it’s been a Catholic, Protestant and Anglican church. Here, they ask you to remove your shoes due to the delicate 19th-century tiles rather than for religious reasons after which you’ll see its incredible wood ceiling resembling the hull of a ship. People come here mainly to see the tombstone of Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama.

You will then be driven past the Dutch Cemetery, one of the oldest cemeteries (1724) in the country. Then pass the southern naval headquarters and the local laundry place originally used to launder the uniforms of the Dutch army. Cross over to the eastern side of the peninsula to see the Dutch Palace, located in the Jewish quarter and gifted by the Portuguese to the King of Kochi as compensation for destroying a nearby temple. Inside you’ll see rich murals and beautiful Hindu art.

Then it’s onto the Paradesi Synagogue praised for its beauty. There are chandeliers from Belgium and Murano as well as Chinese porcelain tiles. Under the protection of the Cochin Maharaja and the Dutch, the Jews were able to grow as a community and you’ll see the distinctive architecture with pagoda-like tiled roofs - and the Star of David outside. These are interspersed with shops selling petit point embroidery and of course local spices. The perfect place to shop for a souvenir.

Thekkady is a special place and famous for its spices. You will start at a viewpoint for a lovely view of Thekkady’s town below. Those who can handle the rolling terrain can also do this by bicycle. Here, your guide will explain about the importance of the land.

You’re in the Western Ghats, one of the biodiversity hot spots of the world, packed with a huge number of different species, plants and birds. The government now employs natural fertilisers and traditional methods to cultivate the land rather than products such as pesticides. Descending into the village you will meet a couple who grow spices in the surrounds of their family home. The farmer will take you around the plantation to show you all the different plants and spices they grow such as coffee, jackfruit and black tamarind. You will be welcomed as a friend and may offer you some tapioca or home-made chocolate from their cocoa plantation.

Visitors to Munnar are often unaware of its unique beauty. On this guided trek you will be shown the incredible scenery of the region. The Letchmi Hills trek is the closest trek to Munnar town and not only is it beautiful, but the route is flexible. You could add a visit to the tea museum or a trip to a tea plantation should you wish.

If you’re arriving after the 4-hour drive from Cochin, it’s the perfect way to get outdoors and stretch your legs while soaking up some wonderful views.

You will start in the tea gardens before moving into grassland and onto a ridge with rocky mountains on one side and tea plantations on the other with patches of tropical montaine forests scattered in between. Starting at 1,350 metres you’ll ascend to a high point of 1,950 metres. From the top you have 360-degree views of some of the highest peaks in the south of India, the undulating valleys and the spice gardens. On a clear day you could see up to thirty mountain ranges including Anaimudi, the highest peak in South India and the waters of Idukki Dam, India’s third highest. During your trek, you may encounter elephants, mongoose and the colourful bird life in this beautiful part of India. The trekking guides are all young and energetic and know the best spots for photographs.

Rather than exploring Munnar in an air-conditioned vehicle, a unique way to get a real understanding of the region’s famous tea plantations is by tuk-tuk. Also known as an auto rickshaw, these tuk-tuks are a way of life in India.

There’s no need for air-conditioning, it’s just the sun on your face and the wind in your hair as you ride (and bump!) along the dazzling green tea bushes.

Travelling like a local, it’s a totally different experience for guests. Not only are tuk-tuks a fun mode of transport but they’re specifically used by the tea estates to traverse the narrow roads generally inaccessible to most other vehicles. You will start in Munnar town and head to one of the oldest and most beautiful tea estates. Your guide will show you how the workers harvest tea and introduce you to the local village.

The day starts with a lovely walk perhaps spotting elephants, birds and small deer along the way. Munnar has the perfect British summer climate ranging from 18-28 degrees Celsius. Traverse the tea plantations for first-hand experience of harvesting, speaking to the local tea pickers who often offer insight into the art of leaf picking.

Next it’s onto the tea museum to learn how tea is made followed by a tasting in the dedicated café. This is no ordinary tasting but more of a ceremonial introduction into the nuances of tea and what makes the perfect cup.

The Srishti Foundation organisation was started in 1991 by the wives of TATA (India’s largest conglomerate), who recognised the distinct lack of resources and schools for families with special needs children. On an excursion here, you’ll learn about their welfare units and the numerous vocational training projects.

In the past, the Srishti Foundation was never really on the tourist radar. Even now, out of all Munnar’s visitors, only a handful of in-the-know guests enter its doors. The organisation was started in 1991 by the wives of TATA (India’s largest conglomerate), who recognised the distinct lack of resources and schools for families with special needs children. Without the appropriate childcare, this meant one less working hand in the tea plantations which in turn would have a negative impact on the quality of that family's life. The Srishti Foundation has made a huge difference to those families.

On an excursion here, you’ll learn that Srishti is comprised of eight welfare units including its DARE school for children with special needs as well as numerous vocational training units covering sustainable craft projects from wood-free paper making to textile design. Elsewhere you can wander the gardens growing strawberries, passion fruit, cauliflower and cabbage, or perhaps buy a sweet treat from the bakery whose chefs with hearing and speech impairments were trained by the Corporate Executive Chef of Taj Business Hotels. It’s a success story that’s been largely unsung.

In the early days, Keralans used kettuvallam boats to transport rice, passengers and spices between different villages, hence why they were often referred to as rice barges. In keeping with the traditional style woven with bamboo and coir and narrow enough to navigate the canals, you can spend a night or two on Spice Coast Cruise. Cruising on a traditional rice barge is a wonderful way to explore a peaceful side of India.

The boats weren’t motorised so the crew would punt them slowly along the canals stopping at all the markets. After the 1980s, Kerala saw more roads being built and slowly the dominant transport changed from water to land. Responding to the change, the locals transformed their barges into houseboats for visitors who wanted a taste of Lake Vembanad’s idyllic backwater life.

Spice Coast Cruises have two kettuvallums. They are in keeping with the traditional style woven with bamboo and coir and narrow enough to navigate the canals. They both have one bedroom for exclusive use only, so you don’t have to share the views as you sit on the open deck and watch the water world go by. The talented boatmen whose families have navigated the lake over generations, double up as private chefs and cook amazing feasts. Enjoy fish caught from the lake that same morning and cooked in a banana leaf with chilli, ginger and lime. Or the prawns picked from the ponds accompanied by red rice and locally grown vegetables. It’s always fun to buy the fresh catch of the day from a local market and ask the chef to cook it up for supper.

Stay for one night and you’ll experience a slice of Lake Vembanad’s unique lifestyle. You could go for a stroll around a village known for its coir rope making, see fishermen casting their nets and end the day admiring those melting sunsets from the deck. Stay for two nights and you can explore smaller canals and get even closer to village life where farmers work in the paddy fields, people washing their clothes in canals and children racing along the banks after school without a care in the world.

On a half-day excursion, the deluxe house boats cruise around Alleppey’s sun dappled backwaters as you soak up the scenery from the deck or through the large picture windows. Enjoy the quintessential Keralan scenes that unfold quietly under the palms and among glistening paddy fields.

Today around 300 houseboats cruise Alleppey’s backwaters. While the exteriors are traditionally crafted with local coir and bamboo, inside there’s beautiful cane furniture, jack wood panels, woven mats and a day bed where you can lounge in the sun. Mod cons include air-conditioning in the bedrooms for those overnighting and solar panels for extra sustainability. Every cruise is different.

On a half-day excursion, the deluxe house boats cruise around Alleppey’s sun dappled backwaters as you soak up the scenery from the deck or through the large picture windows. Starting at Pallathuruthy town, drift past Champakulam, a village that hosts one of the oldest snake boat races in Kerala and where you can see a docked snake boat, named after its long, thin, shape and originally used in combat for its agility and ability to hold 100 men.

Enjoy the quintessential Keralan scenes that unfold quietly under the palms and among glistening paddy fields. People wash their clothes on the river edges, children run along the banks after school. Toddy shops, ancient churches and rice barges filled with produce pass by. Locals pause their conversations to wave at you

For many, lunch is the main highlight. This is usually a deliciously spiced lentil sambar curry using seasonal vegetables like pumpkin, okra and carrots. It is served alongside Kerala’s speciality pearl spot fish as well as a chicken dish. You will travel back through a patchwork of lagoons, lakes and canals.