Kerala & the Tropical South

The adventure begins in Kochi (also known as Cochin), a historic port city on the Malabar Coast. There is an optional harbour cruise around Fort Kochi this afternoon for those who can arrive by 1pm. Otherwise at around 6pm, say namaste to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant. Want more time in Kochi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Today we take a sightseeing tour of Kochi, taking in the adjacent historic neighbourhoods of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. In Fort Kochi, we’ll visit St Francis Church, where Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama died in 1524; see Santa Cruz Cathedral, originally used as a warehouse by the British; and wander past fishing nets lining the harbour entrance, which were introduced by the Chinese in the late-14th century. In Mattancherry, we visit Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in the mid-1500s in a traditional Keralan style, and Jew Town, once home to a Jewish community and now a great place to peruse antique shops and warehouses. Those interested can visit Thomas Chettan in the Little Queen Embroidery shop to learn about hand lace work, a dying art using bobbin lace. There is the option in the late afternoon to see a Kathakali dance performance. Please note, a similar show is also available in Periyar on Day 8.

After breakfast, we drive away from the coastal plain to Munnar, which is set among the highest mountains in Kerala. The drive is 100mi (160km) and should take approximately five to six hours. Munnar is a beautiful hill station on the Western Ghats, once a summer resort for the British government. It is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams (Mudrapauzha, Naliathanii and Kundala) and is surrounded by lakes, reservoirs, forests and several tea estates. Anamudi, the highest peak in southern India at 9,725ft (2,695m), dominates the skyline and the many smaller peaks are a walker’s paradise. In the afternoon, we visit Srishti, a charitable trust aiming to improve life for people with disabilities from the tea planter families of Munnar. They are trained for three industries – deli (bakery), aranya (cloth dyeing) and atulya (paper making). It’s wonderful to see their work and learn about the organic products used for dyeing and making paper. Please note, the Srishti organisation is closed on public/religious holidays and may also close at short notice due to operational reasons. Your tour leader will update you on any changes to the itinerary in these instances.

After an early breakfast, we take a short drive through old Munnar and travel down to the tiny village of Nagarmudi, where we start our trek accompanied by a local guide. It begins with a long, gradual ascent winding through tea plantations and then climbs into the Seven Malai Hills. Our hard work is rewarded with spectacular views over Chittrapuram Dam, Changulam Lake, Anamudi, Munnar and other villages (weather dependent). We then descend back to our vehicle. Please note, there are a couple of steep ascents and descents on this trek, but the pace is slow and steady with plenty of rest stops along the way. In the afternoon, there is also an optional visit to a tea museum followed by an optional tea-tasting session.

Leaving Kerala, we drive 100mi (165km) through the hills to the colourful temple town of Madurai, in Tamil Nadu. The drive should take approximately six to seven hours, arriving mid-afternoon. After an early dinner, you can join an optional tour to witness the nightly closing ceremony at the Sri Meenakshi Temple. You are whisked into the city centre in a tuk tuk convoy, led by your local guide, to a historic Hindu temple on the bank of the River Vaigai dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareshwara. The ceremony can happen at any time after the temple closes for the night (approximately 9.30pm), so you may need to wait for an hour or so to witness the extraordinary procession but it’s well worth it. Your local guide will walk you through the temple explaining the purpose of the ceremony and bringing the temple history and culture to life. We recommend applying mosquito repellent before leaving for the temple (including feet as you are barefoot inside). You will likely be back at the hotel, depending on the ceremony time, between 10.30pm and 11pm.

We rise early morning for what many consider a highlight of this trip! Walking in small groups through Madurai as the sunrises and the city wakes, we observe the community going about their everyday life: milking cows, creating kolams (intricate artworks on the floor) and preparing breakfast at roadside food stalls. Along the way, try local drinks and a snack to keep you going. Ending the morning walk at the most famous landmark in the city, we visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple, an outstanding example of Vijayanagar temple architecture, built between the 16th and 18th century. It is a hive of activity and the scene of an almost continuous religious festival. We return to the hotel for a late breakfast and relax. This afternoon, we delve back into the city, this time taking in the Thirumalai Nayaka Palace, built in 1636 in the Indo-Mughal style by the Nayak dynasty, and the Gandhi Memorial Museum, where you can see a visual biography of Gandhi containing photos, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and copies of his letters. After the memorial visit, we stop at the local flower market before returning to the hotel. In the evening, there are many restaurants to visit; some of the best are on rooftops with fantastic city views.

Leaving Madurai in the morning, we drive to the small bustling village of Thekkady. The drive is spectacular as the road climbs through the Western Ghats and we have fantastic views across Tamil Nadu (driving time approximately four to five hours). In the afternoon, we have free time to explore the village and bazaar, where we can visit shops selling cardamom, vanilla, peppercorns, turmeric and other spices. The whole area is a centre for spice growing, and this evening there is a short walk around a spice garden, where we see many different spices growing. In evening, we then have a special dinner and cooking demonstration with a local family in their home, where we learn firsthand from our host about the local culture and cuisine.