12 Days In North Kerala and Karnataka

Arrive Cochin where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the historic area of Fort Kochi. Influenced over the centuries by the Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British, this vibrant city’s strategic trading importance was underlined by its sobriquet ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’.

Morning sightseeing tour of historic Fort Kochi including the Chinese fishing nets, Dutch Palace, ‘Jewtown’ and Synagogue; in the afternoon enjoy a private harbour cruise before seeing a traditional Kathakali dance performance.

If you have already spent time in Cochin as part of our Tamil Nadu and Kerala tour, an alternative sightseeing program will be offered, including a cooking class and meal with one of our local friends. [Image: Nimmy Paul].

After breakfast drive 2 hours to Alleppey, stopping en route to visit a coir (coconut fibre) factory.

Afterwards continue on to Alleppey jetty, where you board a houseboat. Start the cruise through the canals and lagoons around Alleppey before crossing Vembanad Lake, with traditional Kerala style lunch prepared by our crew.

Disembark in the afternoon and transfer to backwater accommodation.

There is something about the Kerala backwaters that makes you want to relax; today is a free day to sit by the pool, enjoy a walk in the local area, have a massage and generally just take things easy.

After breakfast we drive 4 hours north to Trichur. Trichur is the cultural capital of Kerala, with schools keeping the strong tradition of performing arts in Kerala alive.

In the afternoon relax by the hotel pool or enjoy a drink at the river side restaurant at our hotel. [Image: Thoreaulyazy].

In the morning, visit the Kerala Kalamandalam School of Performing Arts, where we enjoy a traditional lunch.

In the afternoon drive 3 hours to Calicut with a stop en route at a wooden ship building yard. Remainder of the afternoon free to relax by the beach at our resort in Calicut. [Image: Araylipdas].

Today there are a range of possible activities: Visit Kerala’s oldest spice bazaar, where first the Chinese, and then the Arabs and Europeans came to trade for the legendary spices of Malabar. Visit the beach where the first European to visit India, Vasco de Gama, landed in 1498 — a picturesque beach perfect for a swim or for viewing the sunset over the Arabian Sea.

Other options include Ayurvedic massage or a cooking demonstration.

After breakfast drive 3 hours to Wayanad and check into your hotel. The hilly Wayanad region of north Kerala is covered by moist forest, rice paddy and coffee plantations.

In the afternoon visit Pookot Lake and walk through the surrounding areas or remain at the hotel to enjoy the beautiful rainforest setting.

Make an early start in time for a morning visit to Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, where there is a good – but not guaranteed! – chance of seeing elephants, deer and possibly sloth bears.

Afterwards, walk up to Edakkal Cave where there are prehistoric cave drawings. Afternoon free.

After breakfast, drive 4 hours to Mysore. A laid back town with wide tree-lined avenues, Mysore is the former capital of the region, and was one of the first cities in the world to be electrified. In the afternoon, head into the centre of town for a casual stroll and cup of chai. [Image: Letmeseeit].

Full day tour of Mysore including the fantastically kitsch Maharajah’s Palace, a photographer’s paradise at the Devarajah fruit and flower market, giant monolithic Nandi Temple on the Chamundeshwari Hill and a visit to a Silk weaving factory.

(Some will be lucky enough to be in Mysore on a Sunday when the 97,000 lights of the palace are switched on!)

Afternoon departure for 3 hour drive to Bangalore, en route visiting Sri Rangapatanam, the garden palace of Tipu Sultan. On arrival in Bangalore, transfer to the airport for your flight home or to onward city for the next leg of your India trip.