Best bits   Beaches of Kovalam Backwaters of Kerala overnight houseboat cruise Bamboo rafting & hiking in Periyar Wildlife Reserve Sri Meenakshi Temple Trekking & camping in the Western Ghats 2,600m summit of Meesapulimala Historic coastal city of Cochin

 

Description

 

Journey to India’s southern tip for an adventure among the backwaters of Kerala and rolling mountains of the Western Ghats. After a day relaxing by the Indian Ocean beaches of Kovalam board your houseboat for an overnight cruise to Kumarakom. From here you’ll drive up into the mountains, to hike through the Periyar Reserve and look out for wildlife like wild tigers and elephants from bamboo raft and elephant back. After visiting the extraordinary SriMeenakshiTemple you’ll drive up further into the Western Ghats, stopping at the colonial-era hill station of Munnar to start your camping trek, accompanied by expert guides, cooks and porters. Hike through the Cardamom Hills, through thick forest and tea, coffee and spice plantations, reaching a high point of 2,600m at the summit of Meesapulimala. Conclude the tour with tour with two nights in the 500-year-old Portuguese port city of Cochin to see its palaces, forts and famous Chinese fishing nets.

 

What’s included

 

• 7 nights hotels & lodges, 4 nights camping, 1 night houseboat
• 12 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 12 dinners
• 5 days easy trekking
• All land transport within tour
• Professional tour leader throughout, local guides
• Full trek service including all camping equipment, trekking permits, porters, cook & trekking guide, trek baggage transfers
• Entrance fees to monuments & temples in itinerary
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary entry & trekking
• Kochi kathakali dance tickets

 

Tour Fact File
Group size	Maximum 16
Age	Minimum 18
Single Room Option	£350 Includes all group hotel, lodge and houseboat nights (single tent not included)  and £50 for tent hire.
Arrival airport Departure airport	Trivandrum (TRV) Cochin (COK)

( K/KWG )