Accommodation Category: Opulent
Kerala is yet another unique region of India. It is known as a paradise and there is no bragging to call it "God's own country". It is a land of simple and well literate people. Kerala offers an equable climate, serene beaches, tranquil stretches of backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. The best thing about traveling to Kerala is that most of the destinations here are only a two - four hours’ drive from each other. This keeps you wondering how many different landscapes and experiences are stacked by God in such a small piece of land.
In just a couple of hours drive the mountains change to vast stretch of backwaters, and another couple of hours take you to pristine beaches. The enchanting backwater destinations, Kumarakom and Alleppey offer the best backwaters experiences in the world. An eco-friendly kayak ride though these backwaters will take you closer to the day-to-day life of the villages lying on the shores of the backwaters.
This trip culminates with a lovely experience of overnight stay at a private AC houseboat in the backwaters.
Bout India services start from Kochi.
Arrive by flight at Kochi. The serene Kochi (a.k.a. Cochin) has been drawing traders and explorers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix of giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. The result is an unusual blend of medieval Netherlands, Portugal, and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast.
A private car will transport you from Kochi airport to your hotel. The evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Kochi.
Meals: None
After breakfast, head out for the local sightseeing tour of Kochi. Start with a visit to Saint Francis Church, one of the most distinguished monuments in Kochi with a history that dates back to the 16th century. Then visit the Old Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, located in Kochi. Constructed in 1567 CE, it is one of seven synagogues of the Malabar Yehudan or Yehudan Mappila people or the Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin.
Then visit Mattancherry Palace, a Portuguese palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, which features Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. Afterwards, visit Cochin Spice Market & Chinese fishing nets.
Reach back at the hotel by late afternoon. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Kochi.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and head towards Athirappilly. Athirappilly is the land of rivers and forests and incredible waterfalls! The destination houses the largest waterfall in Kerala, the Athirappilly waterfall, a major tourist attraction. This patch in the Sholayar ranges, so beautifully intertwined with lush green forest cover and sizzling silver cascades, which is located centrally to Cochin and River Nila (Bharathapuzha), is a treat for the eyes during the monsoon. Swollen Chalakkudy river, Charpa, Vazhachal and Athirappilly are ideal places where the monsoon is to be enjoyed. Transfer to the hotel.
On arrival, check-in at the hotel and relax. Later, visit the famous Athirapilly waterfall and enjoy the serene nature.
Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Athirappilly.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and head straight to Munnar. The rolling hills around Munnar, South India's largest tea-growing region, are carpeted in emerald-green tea plantations, contoured, clipped, and sculpted like ornamental hedges.
After around 4 hours drive, you will reach Munnar by afternoon. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. In the evening, head out to see the Kalaripayattu Show. Kalaripayattu is an ancient Indian martial art that originated in Kerala.
Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Munnar.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
In the morning, head out for a guided soft trek tour. It will be a 3-hour trekking tour covering around 9 km of walking through tea plantations, grasslands and rocks. A small backpack with some sun cream is advisable. You may also wish to bring a sun hat. Enjoy an excellent homemade breakfast during the tour.
Then visit Munnar Tea Museum. The tea museum preserves the aspects of the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala's mountain region of the Western Ghats.
After that, visit Pothamedu Viewpoint, a spectacular spot which offers a panoramic view of the valley. And if the day is clear, you can also see Muthirapuzha River and Idukki Dam from quite a height. The view is made of a series of emerald hill slopes where tea, coffee, cardamom, and pepper make a blanket of green all over the hills.
Reach back at the hotel. The evening will be at your leisure. Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Munnar.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast, check out from the hotel & head towards Periyar. The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady are one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
Reach Periyar by afternoon and check in at the hotel upon arrival. The evening will be at your leisure.
Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel in Periyar (Thekkady).
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Early in the morning, set out for half day guided jungle hike and Bamboo rafting at Periyar National Park. This activity takes close to 6 hrs. Visiting the sanctuary will be like exploring the nature around, enjoying the pristine and peaceful atmosphere around and getting relaxed from your busy schedules. There are bright chances to spot the elephant herd in the jungle while you are hiking. After a two and half hour jungle walk through the forests you will reach Periyar Lake, where you will enjoy a bamboo rafting experience on the lake. You will have to walk back through the same path to the park’s gate. Reach back to hotel by afternoon. [Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes and long pants for this walk tour].
In the evening, head out to see Kathakali Show. Kathakali is very famous form of Indian Classical Dance.
Dinner & overnight stay will be at hotel in Periyar (Thekkady).
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast check-out from the hotel & head towards Kumarakom, a sleepy little village on the shores Vembanad Lake in Kerala, situated 14 Kms away from Kottayam. It offers wide variety of flora, exotic sightseeing, boating and fishing experience. Kumarakom is a true travel pleasure that will mesmerize your senses. It is a paradise on earth. It is one of the foremost travel destinations of India and a jewel in the crown of Kerala tourism.
Reach Kumarakom by late afternoon. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. The evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Kumarakom.
Meals: Breakfast
After early breakfast head out for village tour. Visiting a local village will give an experience beyond imagination for the tourists who look for something different during their trip in Kerala. See how locals do coconut tree climbing, screw pine weaving, net fishing, toddy tapping and other farm activities. Later enjoy a Shikara boat ride. Shikara boat is comparatively small in size than houseboats and motorboats but it is really beautiful handicraft work in elegant Kerala style.
Reach back at the hotel before noon. The rest of the day will be at your leisure. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Kumarakom.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast check-out from the hotel & head towards Alleppey (Alappuzha). Welcome to the “Venice of the East” – Alleppey, world-famous for its vast mesmerizing backwaters.
Reach Alleppey by noon. Check-in at a private houseboat. Have lunch on the houseboat. Enjoy a boat cruise through the magnificent Vembanad lake for an unforgettable experience of backwater cruising.
Dinner & overnight stay will be at the houseboat in Alleppey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast check out from the houseboat. Private car will drop you at Kochi (Cochin) Airport.
Bid farewell with the memories of this amazing fun-filled 11-day trip through the God’s Own Country – Kerala, worth remembering for a lifetime!
Meals: Breakfast
Bout India services will end at Kochi.
My friend and I had an amazing time touring for 8 days in Kerala with BoutIndia’s Managing Director, Himanshu. He is a wonderful photographer and took most of the photos so that I could enjoy the sites, scenery and non-stop action. The trip was a good mix of fun activities and exploration with down time to sit on balconies and admire the green hills and waterways. Himanshu was quick to adapt the trip when we had suggestions, and he taught us a great deal about the country and culture. Our driver was excellent as well. I hope to travel to the Himalayas with Himanshu and his company in the near future.
We have just returned from an amazing private tour to Kerala and Mysore arranged by the team at Bout India Tours. After a wedding in Bangalore we wanted a fairly relaxed 9 days in the south but still get a good feel for the real India. Himanshu and our on the ground tour coordinator Chahat were fantastic. Communication was excellent and they were very responsive and flexible. We really felt we were in a safe pair of hands. The drivers and guides were friendly, professional and reliable. The guides were very knowledgable and happy to answer all our questions and again were very flexible as we requested some last minute cha.... Read More
I found Bout India through an internet search. Like anything unknown I was weary at first, but because of the immediate response I felt as though they were taking me seriously. Within days we had corresponded several times and had the basis of a tour. Himanshu was on hand at all times to help and advise - he was also not adverse to changing the programme, which happened several times. For 3 months we worked together to arrange our customised tour and when we arrived in India we were not disappointed. Everything that had been arranged - hotel reservations, flights, drivers - worked smoothly. The hotels were great and the .... Read More
Unbelievable experience. Bout India delivered above and beyond. All the hotels, guides, and drivers were amazing. They were all so helpful and friendly. Geet checked in with me everyday to make sure everything was ok and to detail what I needed to know for the next day. I especially appreciate the change made on the last day to accommodate my last minute flight cancellation. Nothing was too much trouble. Booking online can be a bit hit and miss but Bout India Tours can be relied on no question. Fantastic
We booked our tour around Rajasthan, Golden Triangle and Kerala with Bout India. The agency took excellent care of us. Everything was organised so well and we felt in very safe hands. In each destination our tour guides and drivers were friendly, experienced and extremely knowledgeable, and on the whole the hotels were of a very good standard and quality. The agency organised lots of amazing activities for us to do such as visiting palaces, forts, temples, cultural shows, jungle treks, jeep safaris, tea plantation visits and backwater cruising. The staff at Bout India are very helpful and were always in contact. We knew we could get assi.... Read More
From the moment I contacted Bout travel they have been fantastic. We from Sydney Au Nitesh promptly replied to my emails and helped me plan our 10 day Kerala trip Incl Munnar, Thekkady and Kumarakom. Sightseeing included to tea museum, spice plantations, zero ride , with all look outs and many more. Shikara boat ride and village home visit in Kumarakom. Nitesh and Geetanshi have been amazing. Geetanshi touches base everyday to make sure everything is going smoothly since we landed in India. Our driver Shanavas has been absolutely great taken us to a lot of other view points and also eateries for local cuisine. Very safe, clean and re.... Read More
Our recent trip to Rajasthan and Kerala with Bout India Tour exceeded all expectations. From start to finish, we felt pampered, not as tourists, but as true travelers immersed in the rich culture and beauty of India. The professionalism of the agency was outstanding. They meticulously tailored every aspect of our trip to suit our preferences and needs, always attentive to the smallest details. It felt as though they had a deep understanding of what we were looking for—allowing us to explore the country's vibrant traditions, landscapes, and hidden gems, without ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed. A special mention must go to our.... Read More
Our recent trip to Rajasthan and Kerala with Bout India Tour exceeded all expectations. From start to finish, we felt pampered, not as tourists, but as true travelers immersed in the rich culture and beauty of India. The professionalism of the agency was outstanding. They meticulously tailored every aspect of our trip to suit our preferences and needs, always attentive to the smallest details. It felt as though they had a deep understanding of what we were looking for—allowing us to explore the country's vibrant traditions, landscapes, and hidden gems, without ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed. A special mention must go to our.... Read More
Our recent trip to Rajasthan and Kerala with Bout India Tour exceeded all expectations. From start to finish, we felt pampered, not as tourists, but as true travelers immersed in the rich culture and beauty of India. The professionalism of the agency was outstanding. They meticulously tailored every aspect of our trip to suit our preferences and needs, always attentive to the smallest details. It felt as though they had a deep understanding of what we were looking for—allowing us to explore the country's vibrant traditions, landscapes, and hidden gems, without ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed. A special mention must go to our.... Read More
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