


Discover Kerala
What to Expect
From the warm breeze of the Arabian Sea to the gentle maze of backwaters in Alleppey, Kerala is the place for both unplugging and reviving. Join us on our 10 days of adventure as we visit Palaces, cycle the route less traveled into the lush countryside, trek through grasslands and tea plantations up to Lakshmi Hill and experience the clouds descend around us.
Kayak the Keralan backwaters, finding hidden canals amid the mangroves and the welcoming local villages. Relax on the white sand beaches of Kovalam and dine on some of the most delicious cuisines Kerala has to offer.
Kerala will leave you feeling chilled and yet rejuvenated at the same time.
Tour Highlights
- Explore mural paintings at Mattancherry Palace
- Learn how cook a classic Keralan dish
- Cycle around Kochi’s historical monuments
- Discover tea plantations and the Tata Tea Museum
- Guided walk through the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Homestay at a local spice plantation
- Cruise historic backwaters on a private houseboat
- Ayurvedic treatments plus much more!
Kerala Tour Itinerary*:
Day 1 - Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi has a blend of colonial history, ancient mosques and hip cafes and from the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted with an alluding chilled-out vibe.
If you have time before your welcome meeting, why not venture out and stroll past the fishermen at the harbour, or wander through the narrow alleyways filled with local artists and urban boutiques.
A delicious dinner is in the hotel this evening where you’ll get to know your Voyage girlfriends a little better and toast to a fabulous 9 days of adventure ahead.
Hotel: Grand Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 - Fort Kochi
Built by the Portuguese in the 16th century before it was renovated and gifted to the Rajas of Cochin by the Dutch, it now displays the art and culture of Kochi in the form of mural paintings.
Paradesi Synagogue, our next stop is the oldest functioning synagogue in India and home to many rare and unique antiques. Jew Town is the narrow street between Mattancherry Palace and the Synagogue with each shop selling unique and quirky relics.
Early evening we experience a Kathakli performance, an ornate costumed display of storytelling relayed by dance.
We finish our evening with a hands-on cooking lesson where we learn how to cook a classic Keralan dish. Once prepared and some secret ingredients divulged, we’ll sit down to enjoy the fruits of our labour and hear about the region’s food culture and local life in Kochi from our chef.
Hotel: Grand Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3 - Munnar
Late morning we drive south to the former colonial hill station of Munnar, home to some of the largest tea plantations in the world. Set against a backdrop of cragged, jungle-clad peaks, mellow Munnar is surrounded a vast canvas of terraced plantations and picturesque hills that stretch out below atmospheric cloud forest and mountains veiled by mist.
The rest of the day is free to explore, or why not treat yourself to one of the hotel’s finest Ayurveda treatments on offer.
Hotel: Copper Castle
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 4 - Munnar
This afternoon we go to the Tata Tea Museum to discover the history of tea production in Munnar, sample the refreshing flavours of fresh tea and admire the old photographs, machinery and other artefacts housed here that have been used since ancient times.
Hotel: Copper Castle
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5 - Periyar
Thekkady is famous for its dense evergreen and savanna grass lands and its home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
This afternoon we take a guided walk through the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and although sightings can’t be guaranteed, the sanctuary’s bonnet macaques and Malabar giant squirrels will be waiting to greet us at the entrance.
This evening we have the opportunity to watch a traditional Indian martial arts demonstration before we have our delicious dinner in the hotel.
Hotel: Green Forest Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6 - Periyar
Then we head to Kumarakom with its swaying palm trees, lush rice paddy fields, winding waterways and its welcoming locals, for our evening homestay where we can enjoy some traditional Keralan hospitality. A homestay is a similar concept to an airbnb where you’re either accommodated in the family home, or in a separate annex nearby, but get to experience authentic local life first hand.
We join our hosts tonight for a home-cooked dinner and learn the secret to whipping up payasam (a delicious, jaggery and coconut dessert).
Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 - Alleppey
Alleppey, Kerala’s “Venice of the East”, is set around a labyrinth of palm-fringed canals surrounded by elegant colonial mansions, paddy fields and sun-kissed beaches. The city was once an important backwater port, and Kettuvalloms (houseboats) were used to ship spices, coffee, tea and nuts to the sea along its complex grid of canals and waterways.
This afternoon we get a little closer to local village life as we board our kayaks and paddle along the tranquil web of hidden rivers. Shaded by the tall coconut trees as they arch over us like umbrellas, we pass through mangroves, see locals wading through the shallows, fishermen reeling in their catch, children playing and women in colourful saris spinning their reels at the side of the canals.
As the spectacular sunset draws in, our houseboat will be parked in a tranquil spot for an overnight stop. Dinner is served onboard the boat as you spend the evening chatting and laughing with your Voyage girlfriends.
Houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 - Kovalam
The rest of the day is yours to relax, explore or try one of the Ayurvedic treatments the hotel has on offer. Kerala is considered the only place in India where Ayurveda is practised in its genuine traditional form and is said to treat conditions from arthritis, sinusitis and migraines to premature ageing.
Hotel: Sagara Beach Resort
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9 - Kovalam
If you’re an early riser, head to Hawah Beach to watch the jovial local fishermen haul their huge nets through the shallow waves that lap through the sands, or walk up the 142 steps to the top of the lighthouse to take in the stunning views. The day is yours to do as little or as much as you want to do.
Tonight we enjoy our last meal together at one of the best sea food restaurants in the area which overlooks the tranquil ocean. With a sumptuous range of grilled and tandoor dishes, fish, meat and vegetarians wont be able to resist the food and the Kovalam vibes.
Hotel: Sagara Beach Resort
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9 - Departure Day
You’ve feasted on delicious Keralan dishes, cycled the routes less known, kayaked through the hidden backwaters, trekked through the lush green plantations, possibly spotted one of the majestic animals in the wild life sanctuary and lazed on a picture post card beach.
Head home feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and a new version of you!
Meals: Breakfast
Elle Voyage
"As creative women we are full of passion, forever evolving and reinventing ourselves"
We take you on a journey to the meet the local women in our destinations so you can feel and grasp their effervescent & vibrant souls!
Dates: 10 Days/9 Nights
March 16 – 25, 2020
Where: Kerala, South India
What’s Included: 9 Breakfasts/ 3 Lunches/ 8 Dinners
Group Size: 12 Guests Maximum
Tour Cost: £1049.00 Twin-Share Occupancy
Single Supplement: £420.00
All tours are quoted in British Pounds.
Space is limited to just 12 guests. Reservations are on a first come first serve basis.
To register for this tour, a deposit of £300 of the total tour price is required to secure your reservation.
Balance is due 90 days prior to travel.