Classic Kerala tour: culture, tea, wildlife & backwaters

Enjoy a private tour of colonial Cochin today with your local guide. The tour usually lasts for around half a day and includes St Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. Your guide can tailor the tour to suit your interests. The rest of the day is yours to explore this colonial fort on foot, or enjoy your hotel.

This morning drive for around three hours into rural Kerala to stay at a traditional homestay. The property is warm and welcoming, surrounded by beautiful spice gardens and a wonderful flowing river at the bottom of the garden, where you can even have a swim.

Spend today at your leisure. There are plenty of activities to choose from, just have a chat with Jose and Sinta, your hosts. Enjoy a spice plantation walk, cycle around the nearby village, visit a local temple, learn about honey extraction and even try milking a cow.

This morning head up to the Western Ghats; a three-hour drive to the town of Munnar. Look out for some wonderful waterfalls on your way up to the tea country. Relax on arrival and take in the beautiful views, go birdwatching or on a butterfly walk. Your hotel can arrange activities if you wish.

Spend the morning trekking through the beautiful hills surrounding Munnar. Your private trek is with a local, experienced guide. If you find the trek to be too strenuous then ask your guide to take it at a slower pace and to shorten it if need be.

Enjoy the morning at your hotel, either partaking in a local activity, tea tasting or just relaxing with a cup of the local brew. This afternoon, drive the four-hour journey to Periyar National Park.

Get up early this morning for a jungle walk with a local ranger in a small group tour with fellow guests from your hotel. As the jungle wakes, you have the opportunity to potentially see black monkeys, sambar deer, giant squirrels and even wild boar. The birdlife is impressive too. Your walk lasts around three hours — don't forget comfy shoes, your camera and insect repellent. After brunch, travel for around three to four hours to the Keralan Backwaters. Board your traditional private rice barge and spend your afternoon and evening relaxing as you float around the waterways.

Wake up on your houseboat and enjoy breakfast before disembarking. Your driver is on hand to meet you and take you the short distance to the homestay to spend this evening. Your welcoming hosts will encourage you to either explore locally with them, or perhaps partake in a cookery experience.

Late morning transfer just along the coast by private driver to the picturesque Marari Beach to spend your final two nights. Take a stroll along the beach or relax under a palm tree with a book.

Full day at leisure. You might like to try an Ayurvedic massage, or hire a bicycle to explore the surrounding quiet lanes.

Your driver will take you back to Cochin for your onward flight. The drive takes around 90 minutes so will be arranged depending on your flight time. Your return flight will arrive the same day.