8 Day Enchanting Kerala Premium Small Group Tour
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Small group tour, with no more than 16 travellers
✓ Incredible sightseeing, including guided tours of Kochi and the famous Chinese fishing nets, village tours in Kumarakom, forrest and spice plantation tours in Thekkady, and a special Kalaripayattu martial arts performance
✓ Experience the beautiful backwaters of Kerala on a deluxe overnight houseboat cruise
✓ 7 nights in 4 and 5 star hotels including one night aboard a deluxe houseboat in the backwaters
✓ Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 2 dinners
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ Fully escorted by professional, English-speaking guide
✓ Dedicated, comfortable coach transportation
✓ 7 Day cooling off period. See under Fine Print for more information
Wanting to extend? Why not check out our 14 Day Backwaters & Temples of Southern India Premium Small Group Tour here.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Kochi, also known as Cochin! Situated in the coastal state of Kerala in southwest India, Kochi has served as a prominent port since 1341, when its harbour was formed by a flood, attracting traders from Arab, Chinese, and European origins. The city boasts a rich tapestry of cultural influences, evident in landmarks such as Fort Kochi, characterised by colonial-style bungalows and various places of worship. One of the iconic features of Kochi is its cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, a traditional method of fishing that has endured for centuries.
Upon your arrival, a local representative will greet you and escort you to your hotel, conveniently situated in the heart of the city.
The remainder of the day is yours to relax and unwind in the comforts of your hotel or to venture out and explore the town at your leisure.
Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel this morning, we'll embark on a guided tour of Cochin. Our itinerary includes visits to the Portuguese-built Mattancherry Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue (please note it's closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays), and the Fort Cochin area. Later, we'll explore St. Francis Church (closed on Sundays during mass), renowned for holding the palm-leafed title deed presented by the Raja to the Portuguese in 1503. Don't miss the chance to witness the mesmerising beauty of Cochin's iconic Chinese fishing nets, a hallmark of this region and a testament to its rich Oriental influences. You can even try your hand at helping the fishermen haul in the day's catch at the Chinese fishing net.
After our tour, we'll return to the hotel, where the remainder of the afternoon is yours to relax and unwind before we embark on a harbour cruise at sunset.
Note: visitors to the Jewish Synagogue are expected to dress modestly. Entry will be refused to men and women wearing short pants or shorts, as well as t-shirts or blouses. Additionally, bare shoulders and exposed midriffs are not permitted inside the synagogue.
After breakfast, we will drive to Alleppey, arriving around mid-morning. Enjoy an Inspiring Stay as you board your deluxe houseboat for an overnight journey through the backwaters of the beautiful region. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board as you embark on a captivating journey through the enchanting backwaters. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to observe and immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the local villagers. Glide through the picturesque backwaters on traditional rice boats, soaking in the exotic scenery of Kerala. As the sun sets, the boat will anchor for the evening, where you can savour a freshly prepared dinner onboard before settling in for a tranquil night's rest.
Note: the houseboat will anchor at dusk in a wide waterway for the night as the backwaters close to boat traffic at this time due to local fishing nets being cast into the backwaters. Your deluxe houseboat offers private facilities and air conditioning in each cabin. Air conditioning is only operational from 9pm to 7am.
Following breakfast overlooking the backwaters, we'll disembark the houseboat at Alleppey jetty and proceed with our journey by road to the breathtaking paradise of Kumarakom. Here, the Vembanad Lake reflects the azure sky, while the verdant countryside is adorned with stunning shades of green from mangroves, coconut palms, and paddy fields.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel situated on the banks of the pristine Vembanad Lake, where the remainder of the day is yours to unwind and relax at your leisure.
In the evening, take a leisurely stroll to explore the town or visit the local market to discover wonderful handicrafts.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking to the green forests of Periyar in the Thekkady region. Thekkady -The heart of God's own country! Thekkady is located about 4 km from Kumily in Idukki district. The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations.
Later this afternoon witness a Kalaripayattu performance at a local theatre. It is believed to be perhaps the most ancient martial art forms & is derived from the words Kalari which means "place, threshing floor, or battlefield” and payattu which means to "exercise in arms, or practice. Following the performance we enjoy dinner of traditional Southern Indian cuisine before retiring for the evening.
This morning enjoy green walk (subject to weather conditions.) with a forest guide exploring the flora and fauna of this region. With many species of birds spotted here, the region is also an ornithologist's favourite.
In the afternoon, immerse yourself in a walking tour of a local plantation, offering a firsthand experience of spice cultivation, growth, and processing. Gain insight into the region's significant role in the global spice market, and don't miss the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Kumily spice market in Thekkady.
This morning after breakfast, we bid farewell to the beautiful countryside of Thekkady and travel back to Kochi arriving late afternoon. Check into your 5 star hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure to relax after a long drive or venture out on your own for some last minute shopping.
Today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your onward flight.
Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a ‘3’
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
By paying an additional $895.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Group Size
Minimum: 2
Maximum: 16
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
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