Southern India Highlights - Kerala, Goa Beaches & Beyond Incl. Dubai

Our holiday begins as we set off for our flights to Cochin, the gateway to Kerala and Southern India’s treasures.

On arrival, meet our friendly local representative and transfer by coach to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, relax or take a gentle stroll around the neighbourhood.

Join our guide where we will learn about the history and culture of Kerala. Let's get together and enjoy our first dinner.

(Dinner is included every evening for 13 nights in India)

Enjoy a guided walk-through historic Fort Kochi. See the famous Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica – great photo spots. Continue to Mattancherry to visit the Dutch Palace and Jewish Synagogue.

Time to relax or explore more of Cochin at your own pace. For budding photographers, there is always an interesting opportunity from ancient fishing nets, colourful saris and local life.

Ask our expert guide for places to see and visit to make the most of your free time here. 

After dinner we join our guide for an enchanting evening of Kathakali, a traditional Indian dance drama. Gaze in wonder at the vibrant costumes, intricate makeup, emotive facial expressions, and captivating music that come together to create an unforgettable atmosphere

After breakfast, we depart for our journey into the picturesque hills of Munnar approximately five hours drive (125km). Sit back and relax as we transfer by coach, and take in the sights of daily life unfolding around us on our journey. Along the way we’ll take a break at Mundackal Plantation, where we can stretch our legs and enjoy the incredible views of endless tea plantations rolling across the hills.

We have arrived in Munnar! Let's check in and settle into our new surroundings. The cooler mountain air is a welcome change, perfect for unwinding and soaking up the peaceful beauty of Kerala’s hills.

We start our morning with a tour of Munnar, packed with memorable sights and experiences. Visit a lush tea plantation and the renowned Munnar Tea Museum (closed on Mondays) to learn about the region’s rich tea heritage.

Next, we visit the Srishti Welfare Centre, where you’ll see eco-friendly techniques in action. The talented women of Munnar use plants, bark, and roots to create natural dyes, transforming them into beautiful fabrics, paper bags, envelopes, and bookmarks. It’s a perfect blend of creativity, sustainability, and local culture!

Relax and unwind in Munnar. You might like to shop for local tea or locally grown spices. Our local guide will be on hand to offer some suggestions to suit your taste.

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Thekkady, with the journey taking around four and a half to five hours (80km). Along the way, we’ll be treated to breath-taking views of emerald-green hills and have the chance to witness the harvesting of cardamom, rubber, and other local spices. It’s a scenic drive that offers a true taste of Kerala’s vibrant countryside.

Later we’ll embark on a guided tour of the Periyar Spice Garden, where we’ll discover a variety of spices. We’ll also have the chance to savour and taste some of the spices, truly embracing the essence of the Spice Route. It’s a sensory journey through one of Kerala’s most aromatic experiences.

Later we return to our hotel and unwind for the rest the day.

This morning, we’ll set off on an excursion into the vast Periyar National Park, a wildlife sanctuary home to the elusive tigers, elephants, lion-tailed macaques, leopards, and the beautiful Periyar Lake. We’ll enjoy a relaxed boat ride across the lake, with our local guide pointing out exotic birds and some wildlife along the way. Let’s keep our eyes peeled for the elusive tiger, however rarely spotted on this cruise, you never know what we might spot!

Sit back and relax, take in the mountain air or take a stroll nearby, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy.

There may be an opportunity locally to see a Kalaripayattu show. This traditional martial art is one of the oldest in the world. Watch skilled performers showcase agility, strength, and precision in an energetic display of this unique Kerala art form. A memorable glimpse into local culture, and a great optional experience during your stay. Ask your expert guide if there is availability locally to see this show as an optional excursion. This excursion is sold locally and subject to minimum numbers.

We set off for another journey as we transfer by coach to Kumarakom, a charming destination beside Vembanad Lake. Our journey will take approximately four and a half hours (120km). We have arrived! All aboard! Let's settle in to our thatch-roofed ‘Kettuvallum’ (houseboat) for an overnight stay in the peaceful backwaters of Kerala. Sit back, relax, and soak in the tranquil surroundings as we glide through scenic waterways lined with coconut groves and rice fields, all while watching daily life unfold at the water’s edge. It’s the perfect time to savour the moment. 

In the afternoon, we’ll experience more with a visit to a traditional Keralan village before returning to our unique floating accommodation in time for dinner.

Lunch is included on our houseboat today.

We say farewell to the Keralan backwaters as we disembark our houseboat and transfer to Alleppey by coach. 

On arrival in Alleppey we have the remainder of the day at leisure. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and enjoy the time to relax more. 

The day is yours to relax and fully enjoy our surroundings. If you’d like, our expert guide will be happy to share recommendations for places to visit and things to experience, ensuring you make the most of your time here.

During your free time, there may be the opportunity for an optional excursion to visit a  market, to see local produce, and shops. It is a great way to immerse yourself into the local life and see what is on offer, from fresh fruit, snacks, Chai, jewellery and dress shops. Your guide will be happy to arrange an excursion, subject to minimum numbers locally.

In the evening, we’ll attend a cooking class hosted by the hotel chef. Kerala is famous for its high-quality spices, and you’ll see how these flavours come to life in the region’s cuisine. Coconut, in all its forms, pulp, milk, and oil, plays a key role in many dishes here. During the class, we’ll learn how to prepare 2or 3 popular local dishes, and later, we’ll savour our creations for dinner. 

We say farewell to Kerala and transfer to Kochi airport for our internal flights to Goa (via Bangalore or Mumbai (or similar) depending on your chosen date). The transfer to Kochi airport will take approximately two and a half hours (65km). We depart for the beach destination of North Goa.

We’ve arrived in Goa! After meeting our guide, we’ll transfer by coach to our hotel, where we’ll be staying for the next four nights. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and settle into your new surroundings. 

Let's see more as we explore the historic sights of Old Goa, the ancient capital of Goa, famous for its beautiful churches. See the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa’s most iconic church, completed in 1605, which houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa’s Christian community. We’ll also discover the Se Cathedral, the largest church in Asia, with its eight chapels, six side altars, and a main altar dedicated to Saint Catherine. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage and vibrant flavours of Old Goa.

Return to our hotel and enjoy the rest of our day soaking up the atmosphere.

Spend the next two days relaxing in Goa. You’ll have lots of time to unwind and explore, take in on one of Goa’s beaches, shopping at the vibrant flea markets, discovering more of Goa, or simply soaking in the laid-back atmosphere. The choice is yours!

Today we say farewell to Goa and transfer to Goa airport and board our internal flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai airport, you will connect with your overnight flight to Dubai.

We have arrived! On arrival, transfer to your hotel for the next three nights on a bed & breakfast basis.

Please note: Your extension in Dubai will be on an individual basis rather than as part of a group and that guide services are not included for this part of the tour.

Enjoy two full days to explore Dubai as you wish. Visit Jumeirah Mosque, take in the views from the Burj Khalifa, relax on golden beaches, high tea in the Burj Al Arab, wander the Gold Souk and Spice Souk for traditional shopping, or take in the dazzling malls and shop till you drop. Dubai offers the perfect blend of modern and cultural experiences.

Transfer to Dubai Airport for your return flight home.