Day 1
Start Cochin
The group
ight arrives in Cochin in the afternoon and we transfer to our hotel. Those clients not travelling on the group
ight
will make their own way to the hotel and will join us there. The evening is free for dinner and for you to relax after your
journey.
Comfortable Hotel

Day 2
Drive to the beautiful hill station of Munnar
In the morning we drive away from the coastal plain to Munnar, set amongst Kerala's highest mountains, they form a jagged
line due east of Cochin. The drive is approx. 160km and should take approximately 6 hours. Munnar is a beautiful hill station
on the Western Ghats at about 1600m above sea level. It was once a summer resort of the British Government in south India
due to the fresh mountain air. The town is situated at the con

uence of the three mountain streams Mudrapauzha, Naliathanii
and Kundala and is surrounded by lakes, reservoirs, forests and several tea estates. Anamudi (2695m), the highest peak in
south India dominates the skyline and the many smaller peaks are a walker's paradise.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3
Day walk through Munnar's surrounding hills; optional visit to a Tea Museum
After breakfast, we take a short drive through old Munnar and travel down to Nagarmudi (1500m), a tiny village, where we
start our trek accompanied by a local guide. The walk begins with a gradual ascent through the tea plantations and then
climbs into the Seven Malai Hills. Just before reaching the summit (1700m) we enjoy walking through cardamom and coffee
plantations. Our hard work will be rewarded with spectacular views over Munnar and other local villages. We then descend
back to our vehicle. There is an optional visit in the afternoon to the Tea Museum.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Distance covered: 6.5 km / 4 miles
Activity (hours): 3-4

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Day 4
Trek in the Silent Valley with beautiful views of the tea estates
We have a beautiful 1 hour drive to the Silent Valley, passing through some tea estates and plantations in a valley
surrounded by hills. Our trek will start with a gradual walk on the plains of the tea plantations at approx 1600m, followed by
a gentle climb to the grasslands. There are beautiful views all around, mostly of the tea estates, which gives us a good feel for
the area. After lunch, we continue with the second part of our trek, which becomes steeper as we leave the tea plantation
behind and

nally reach our camp (2000m), where we spend two nights.

Full-service Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Activity (hours): 4-5
Day 5
Ascend Meesapulimala Peak (2630m), the highest in the area
Today we trek to Meesapulimala Peak (2630m), the second highest in south India (Anamudi is the highest but it is in a
restricted area). From our camp, the trail ascends through the rough shola grassland until we reach open ridges, bringing us
to Meesapulima Peak. From the top (which is also the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala) there are breathtaking views
all around. After a break at the top and our packed lunch, we will descend to our camp (2000m).
Full-service Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 15 km / 9 miles
Activity (hours): 7-8
Day 6
Trek to Yellapetty Village; on to campsite
In the morning we start our trek through the thick forest land of Silent Valley and then through pine forests and along the
streams of the Rhodo Valley. After this, we pass through grasslands and shola forest where we may be lucky to spot giant
squirrels, wild boar and the Indian Gaur. Following a packed lunch en route, we will reach Yellapetty Village, arriving late
afternoon. From here we will be taken by jeeps, for approx. 20 - 30 mins, and then walk to our campsite at Oorkadu.
(1750m
Full-service Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 16 km / 10 miles
Activity (hours): 7-8

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Day 7
Trek to Koviloor via Vattavada village (1900m)
Today we have a fairly easy walk with some slight ups and downs as we trek to the beautiful village of Koviloor (1900m).
Along the way we will pass through the lush vegetable farming region of Pazhathottam and the ever-present tea plantations
in this part of India. We will

nd a shady spot for our lunch stop and then continue our trek to the tribal village of Vattavada.
The customs, art forms and natural remedies of the tribes in this area make it an interesting place to trek. Our visit to
Vattavada village will be an opportunity to meet the tribal people and learn about their lifestyle. If we are lucky we may also
observe some rare butter
y species
uttering around. Continuing our trek we will cross a small canal before reaching our

campsite at Koviloor village. It is here that farmers converge from miles around to sell their produce.
Full-service Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 7 km / 4 miles
Activity (hours): 4-5
Day 8
Trek through the plantation ridge, drive on to Mundhan
This last day of our trek we head through the plantation ridge. From our vantage point we have views over beautiful Koviloor
village. This whole area is known as the 'market of India' because of the amount of fruit and vegetables grown. As we enjoy
the scenery we may meet farmers busy with their crops. We will end our trek with a packed lunch under the trees while
enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds us. After lunch we take jeeps for approximately 5 to 6 hours (depending on
traf
c) to our hotel in Mundhan. (650m)
Standard Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 7 km / 4 miles
Activity (hours): 4-5
Day 9
To Madurai; visit the colourful Sri Meenakshi Temple
Leaving Kerala behind we drive for approx. 2-3 hrs through the plains to the colourful temple town of Madurai, in Tamil
Nadu. Madurai is one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in south India. The great Sri Meenakshi Temple, most of which
was built during the Nayak period between the 16th and 18th centuries, is at the heart of the city and the life of the town
revolves around it. It is a hive of activity and the scene of an almost continuous religious festival. Worshippers bathe in the
tank of the Golden Lily and throng the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, where each one is uniquely carved. Madurai is a perfect
place to wander around and experience Hindu culture.
Comfortable Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

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Day 10
To Thekkady (Periyar National Park); evening walk through spice gardens
Leaving Madurai in the morning we drive to the small village of Thekkady. The drive is spectacular as the road climbs through
the Western Ghats and we have fantastic views across Tamil Nadu. Thekkady is a small bustling village from where we visit
the Periyar National Park. This whole area is a centre for spice growing and after lunch, there will be a short walk around a
spice garden, where we can see many different spices growing. There is plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the bazaar,
where we can visit the numerous shops selling cardamoms, vanilla, peppercorns, chillies, turmeric and other spices. Total
driving time approx. 4-5 hrs.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11
Morning nature walk; optional afternoon boat ride on Periyar Lake to see wild elephants
The Periyar National Park is one of the largest in south India and is set around a large man-made lake. In the early morning
we will have a short nature walk in the surrounding tropical forest and in the afternoon an optional boat trip and cruise on the
lake (tickets for the cruise can be purchased online in advance. We recommend this in order to avoid long queues. Please
inform your leader if you wish to purchase tickets in advance). This is an ideal opportunity to spot birds, such as king
shers,
storks and hornbills, and occasionally we may spot an elephant, otters, wild pig and buffalo. There is also the opportunity of
an Ayurvedic massage (optional), which can be arranged in the nearby Ayurvedic massage centre, and also a cooking class
(optional). The park will most likely be your last chance for souvenir shopping. Card payments are taken and there is also an
ATM.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Distance covered: 5 km / 3 miles
Activity (hours): 2-3

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Day 12
To Alleppey for overnight stay on a traditional Keralan houseboat
Today we begin by transferring to Allepey on the coast. We board our houseboats and begin our cruise along the
backwaters of Kerala. The houseboat cruise is one of the highlights of the trip - these enchanting houseboats, built of Anjili
wood and bamboo, were the traditional method of transporting of goods for hundreds of years. Now they have been
decorated and made into comfortable cruise boats. The network of rivers, streams, lagoons and canals occupies the alluvial
plain between the Western Ghats and the Indian Ocean. As our boat meanders through areas of lush tropical vegetation we
have the opportunity to view not only the proli

c bird life but also gain a differing perspective on village life. All the

houseboats are comfortably equipped and have 3 or 4 twin bedded rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
There is a cook, boat driver and assistants for each boat and the food served is traditional Keralan fare using local produce.
No trip to Kerala would be complete without the wonderful experience of the backwaters aboard these traditional Keralite
vessels.
Houseboat
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13
To our homestay on the Malabar Coast; explore local

sherman's village

After a relaxing breakfast on the houseboats, we will disembark and drive along the scenic Malabar Coast to our homestay,
which is situated near a beautiful stretch of beach. There is plenty of time to relax here and explore the local
sherman's

village.
Homestay
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14
To Cochin; afternoon sightseeing; Kathakali dance show (optional)
We head back to Cochin and during the afternoon there will be a guided tour; this will include Mattancherry Palace built by
the Portuguese as a gift for the Raja of Cochin, the Jewish synagogue dating from 1568 and St Francis church. We also
explore the town of Cochin, its bazaars and old harbour area. Fort Cochin is believed to be the earliest European settlement
in India and was founded by the Portuguese in 1503. Warehouses

lled with the smell of tea and spices are lime-washed

bright green, yellow and blue; rickety old bikes and hand-painted trucks, piled high with goods

ll the narrow streets and
food stalls stand on every corner. Further along the road, you come to Mattancherry and the Dutch Palace. Next to the
Palace is the synagogue, built in 1568 for the Jewish members of Cochin's trading communities (please bear in mind that the
synagogue is closed on Saturdays). Most people choose to stay in Fort Cochin and wander around its fascinating streets. In
the evening there is the chance for an optional visit to see a display of Kathakali Dancing, a form of dance unique to Kerala.
Comfortable Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast

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Accommodation
Hotels, Camping, Homestay & Houseboat

You will spend 8 nights in hotels with ensuite facilities, 4 nights in full-service camps, 1 night in a homestay and 1 night on a
houseboat.
Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are really only a couple of months in the year when the weather can be cooler.
You can however request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your
tour leader if you need help in this matter.
Houseboats are comfortable and all cabins have toilet facilities. The houseboat also bene

ts from a deck & dining area. The
number of rooms per boat will vary depending on group size and availability. Whilst camping (full-service), the group will be
provided with 2 man tents, mattresses, a dining tent, kitchen tent including all equipment, toilet tents including toilet rolls and
camping chairs.
Please note that single rooms may be limited at the homestay.
Where a single supplement is available, paying for a single will only guarantee a room for single use. It does not necessarily mean
a twin or double room will be provided for sole occupancy.
Day 15
End Cochin
If you are on the group

ights you will have an early morning transfer to the airport for the

ight back to London. Those not

ying with the group will leave us at the hotel in Cochin.
Meals included: Breakfast