12 Days - Kerala Family Explorer Tour

Welcome to India! On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the historic port town of Fort Kochi.

Once part of the ancient spice trade, Fort Kochi rose to prominence as a trading post due to its strategic coastal location and access to inland waterways. It was here that merchants and explorers from across the globe arrived in search of pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and other precious goods that Kerala offered in abundance. Over the centuries, Arab, Chinese and Jewish traders made their mark before the arrival of European colonial powers.

The Portuguese were the first to establish a stronghold in the early 16th century, building forts, churches and bringing new religious and cultural influences to the area. They were followed by the Dutch in the 17th century, who developed the town further and controlled the spice trade for over a century. Eventually, the British East India Company took control, incorporating Fort Kochi into their vast colonial holdings across India.

This long succession of foreign powers left a unique blend of architectural styles and urban design that still defines the character of Fort Kochi today. The streets are compact and easily walkable. Buildings and layout of the town reflect its multicultural past, while the surrounding area is dotted with remnants of Kerala’s earlier kingdoms and indigenous heritage. Fort Kochi is an ideal place to begin your journey, offering a relaxed introduction to South India. Over three nights here, you’ll have time to explore at a comfortable pace - perfect for families easing into travel in India.

Start your day in Fort Kochi with a relaxed morning bicycle tour, offering a fresh perspective on this historic coastal town. With the streets quiet and the air cool, cycling is a gentle and enjoyable way to explore the area. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, the ride weaves through backstreets and local neighbourhoods, revealing stories and insights that bring Fort Kochi’s layered history to life.

Along the way, you’ll stop at a small local temple, enjoy a cup of chai from a popular roadside stall, and learn about the diverse communities that have shaped the town over centuries. This guided ride moves at a comfortable pace, making it suitable for all ages, and is a refreshing change from touring by car or on foot.

Later in the day, you’re free to explore Fort Kochi at your own pace. With little traffic and a compact layout, it’s an easy town to navigate on foot. You might like to wander past the iconic Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront, then stroll the peaceful streets lined with small boutiques, local galleries and inviting cafés. We’re happy to recommend our favourite spots for a proper South Indian filter coffee or a slice of fresh cake.

If you're keen to venture a little further, hop on a rickshaw to nearby Jew Town, known for its antique shops, spice traders, and the historic Jewish Synagogue. You may also wish to visit Mattancherry Palace, often referred to as the Dutch Palace, or St Francis Church - one of the oldest European churches in India. The rest of the day is yours to discover more of Fort Kochi’s relaxed charm and rich heritage in your own time.

Today, step beyond the quiet charm of Fort Kochi and experience the livelier, modern side of the city with a guided visit to Ernakulam - the commercial centre of greater Cochin.

Start the day with a ride across the harbour on a local ferry. It’s a short journey, but one that offers a glimpse into everyday life, as you travel alongside locals heading to work, school or the markets. The ferry ride is often a highlight for children, with plenty to see and a sense of shared community life on the water.

Once you arrive in Ernakulam, your local guide will take you through the bustling market areas. Visit a fresh produce market where fruit, vegetables and fish are sold in colourful, lively stalls. You’ll see bananas piled high on carts and vendors calling out their daily specials in a rhythm that reflects the energy of the city.

Continue on foot along Broadway - a busy, narrow street that’s long been a go-to shopping area for locals. Here you’ll find everything from spices and nuts to bangles, shoes, cookware and gold jewellery. It’s a great place to soak up the sights, sounds and variety of Indian street life, far from the tourist trail.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to Fort Kochi by public bus. Like the ferry, the bus ride is an experience in itself, offering younger travellers a fun and memorable way to see another side of local life.

Travel inland today where you’ll be welcomed at Vanilla County. A charming plantation stay nestled in the foothills of Vagamon, Teekoy is a cool and scenic hill town that sits on the border of Kerala’s Idukki and Kottayam districts.

Vanilla County is a warm, family-run homestay located on a 70-year-old estate where rubber, spices, coffee and a variety of tropical fruits grow and a perfect stop when travelling in India with kids. The main house, lovingly built by host Mathew’s grandfather, is now run by Mathew and his wife Rani, who take great pride in sharing their home and way of life with guests. Their hospitality is generous and thoughtful, and the attention to detail is evident in everything from the warm welcome to the care put into each meal.

The estate house itself is full of character, with wide verandahs, antique wooden furniture, and peaceful garden views. Inside, the rooms are spacious, spotless and tastefully furnished, offering comfort and quiet - a lovely place to unwind. There are five rooms in the main house and an additional two interconnecting rooms in the garden, ideal for families. Outdoors, the neatly kept lawn is perfect for a casual game of cricket or badminton, which younger guests especially enjoy.

One of the standout features of Vanilla County is the food. Rani oversees the kitchen, preparing traditional Syrian Catholic dishes using produce grown right on the property. Meals here are a highlight - think freshly cooked, flavourful and deeply local. Afternoon tea might include crispy fried bananas and spiced chai, while dinner could feature coconut milk curries, pan-fried fish, yoghurt-based stews, and a selection of homemade pickles, including a standout mango pickle that’s often remembered long after the trip ends.

After arriving and settling in, spend the afternoon simply enjoying the peace of the estate.

Begin your day at Vanilla County with a leisurely breakfast served in the open-air courtyard, surrounded by greenery and the sounds of the plantation waking up. The spread is both generous and local - freshly cut tropical fruit grown on the estate, Kerala’s soft, steamed rice flour pancakes (appam) served with spiced vegetable or egg curry, toast, farm-fresh eggs, fresh juice, filter coffee, and slices of the region’s much-loved fruit cake. With plenty of space, shade and charm, the courtyard invites you to linger, easing gently into the day.

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. The property offers a restful setting, and you may choose to explore the surrounding plantation on a guided walk. These walks provide a relaxed introduction to rubber tapping, spice cultivation and organic farming methods still practised here. You’ll see pepper vines winding up tall trees, coffee bushes, cardamom plants, and rubber trees with shallow cuts from which the latex is collected.

After your walk, a refreshing swim in one of the nearby spring-fed waterholes is the perfect way to cool off. These quiet, natural pools are much loved by visitors and locals alike, and offer a tranquil escape in the warm midday hours.

For those interested, there is also the option to visit a nearby Christian Ashram - a peaceful spiritual retreat that reflects the diversity of religious traditions in Kerala. The atmosphere is calm and reflective, and it can be a fascinating experience for those curious about the spiritual fabric of the region.

Of course, you’re also welcome to simply stay put and enjoy the homestay itself. Children can run freely on the lawn, play cricket or lounge in hammocks under the trees, while adults may prefer to sit back with a cup of coffee on the verandah or read a book in the shade. Whether active or relaxed, the day is about enjoying the slower rhythm of life in Kerala’s hills.

Depart this morning for Thekkady, gateway to the renowned Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Located high in the Western Ghats, near the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Thekkady is known for its cool climate, lush forests and abundant wildlife. The drive up into the hills follows the winding ghat road - a steep and scenic ascent that offers sweeping views of valleys, spice plantations and forested slopes. It’s a journey in itself and marks the transition from the tropical lowlands to the cooler hill country.

On arrival, check into your accommodation and take some time to settle in. Thekkady has a relaxed, small-town feel, and in the afternoon you might like to wander through its compact centre. The town is lined with small general stores, bookshops and souvenir stalls, offering everything from handwoven scarves to locally grown spices. At one end of town, there’s a local market where you can sample one of Kerala’s most addictive snacks - banana chips. Watch as street vendors prepare them fresh, slicing raw bananas and frying them in large pots of bubbling coconut oil before tossing them with salt. Crispy and warm, it’s almost impossible to stop at just one handful.

Later in the evening, attend a demonstration of Kalarippayattu - Kerala’s traditional martial art and one of the oldest fighting systems in the world. This hour-long performance is both athletic and theatrical, blending elements of combat, acrobatics and storytelling. The highlight of the show is a series of daring moves through flaming hoops, bringing the demonstration to a thrilling close. It’s an engaging introduction to Kerala’s cultural traditions and one that’s sure to impress travellers of all ages.

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure in Thekkady, with a range of activities on offer depending on the interests and ages of your family. Periyar National Park, also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve, is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in South India and offers a unique opportunity to experience the region’s natural beauty up close. As such, spending the day here is an ideal way to soak up the incredible nature of Kerala.

For families with older children (aged 14 and over), one of the more adventurous ways to explore the park is by joining a bamboo rafting and trekking experience. These full or half-day activities are led by local forest guides and combine light hiking with a peaceful ride on bamboo rafts along Periyar Lake. As you drift along the calm waters, keep an eye out for wildlife along the shore - wild elephants, gaur (Indian bison), sambar deer and sometimes even the elusive tiger. The park is also home to a rich variety of birdlife, so keen-eyed visitors might spot kingfishers, hornbills, or the majestic crested serpent eagle.

For families with younger children, there are gentler options that still offer a chance to connect with nature. A guided boat cruise on Periyar Lake is one of the more relaxed ways to explore the sanctuary. From the comfort of your seat, you can look out across the water and along the forested banks for animals coming to drink or graze. Early morning or late afternoon trips often offer the best chance of spotting wildlife.

Another wonderful option for younger travellers is a bullock cart ride through nearby villages and farmland on the edge of the reserve. This slow-paced journey offers insight into traditional rural life in Kerala, passing by fields, spice gardens, and small homesteads. It’s a peaceful outing that gives children a closer look at the local culture and the natural landscape.

Whatever pace suits your family best, today offers a chance to explore one of Kerala’s most biodiverse regions, with activities that bring you face to face with the wildlife, forests and traditional ways of life that define this part of the Western Ghats.

This morning, set off by road for Alleppey, where you’ll board your private houseboat for a memorable overnight cruise through the Kerala backwaters - one of the state’s most iconic and tranquil experiences.

Your traditional-style houseboat, or kettuvallam, has been comfortably outfitted with modern conveniences, including air-conditioned bedrooms, private ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, and spacious indoor and outdoor areas to relax. Staffed by a small crew including a captain, cook and assistant, your time on board is well looked after. Meals are freshly prepared using local produce, and the pace of travel allows you to truly unwind as you glide through the water.

After boarding at the Alleppey jetty, the boat will cruise out toward the wide, open waters of Vembanad Lake before turning into the maze of canals and smaller waterways that make up Kerala’s famed backwaters. These interconnected channels serve as both lifeline and livelihood for many of the state’s rural communities, offering an entirely different view of Kerala from the hills and towns you’ve explored so far.

Along the way, you’ll pass rice paddies that sit below sea level, coconut palms swaying in the breeze, and small waterside villages where daily life unfolds at an unhurried pace. You’ll see fishermen casting nets, children playing on the banks, and women washing clothes or preparing meals beside the water. Churches, temples, and small shrines appear tucked between the trees, showing the rich religious diversity of the region.

Lunch is served on board as you cruise, and the rest of the day is yours to take in the scenery, read on the deck, or simply enjoy the slow rhythm of life on the water. An overnight houseboat stay is not only a relaxing break in the journey but also a window into the traditions and lifestyle of Kerala’s backwater communities - an essential part of any visit to this part of India.

After breakfast, disembark your houseboat at Alleppey Jetty and travel by road to Marari Beach, a journey that takes approximately 45 minutes. Located along the Arabian Sea, between the backwaters of Alleppey and the port city of Cochin, Marari remains one of Kerala’s more peaceful and less-developed coastal stretches - making it a perfect spot to relax and recharge after your journey through the hills and waterways.

Marari is a quiet fishing village with a wide, sandy beach fringed by coconut palms and small homesteads. Unlike some of India’s more commercialised coastal areas, Marari has retained a sense of calm and simplicity, making it ideal for families and travellers seeking a slower pace. The beach is well-suited to swimming, long walks and lazy afternoons, with gentle surf and fewer crowds.

You’ll spend three nights here, giving you time to unwind properly - whether that’s with a book under a palm tree, a swim in the sea, or enjoying the gardens and pool at your beachside accommodation. It’s also a good base if you’d like to explore the surrounding villages by bicycle, visit a local coir workshop, or simply enjoy the rhythm of coastal life.

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure by the coast. Marari’s laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty make it an ideal place to pause and unwind toward the end of your journey through Kerala.

Start your day with a swim in the resort pool or take a morning stroll along the beach as the local fishermen return with their catch. The sea here is generally calm, and swimming is possible for much of the year, making it a good choice for families and travellers wanting time in the water.

Marari Beach offers more than just sand and surf. If you're feeling active, you might explore the area by bicycle - many resorts offer bikes for guest use - and ride through nearby villages and coconut groves, where you’ll see coir-making workshops and daily life unfolding at a gentle pace. You could also try a yoga class or an Ayurvedic treatment if offered by your resort, as this region is well known for its traditional wellness practices.

As the day winds down, relax with a good book, sip a fresh coconut under the shade of a palm, or enjoy a game of beach cricket with local kids. For dinner, savour freshly caught seafood either at your hotel or one of the small local eateries dotted along the beach. Many of these simple restaurants serve delicious home-style Kerala meals, including grilled fish, prawn curry, and classic rice dishes flavoured with coconut and spice.

Enjoy another full day to relax and settle into the slow rhythm of life at Marari Beach. This peaceful stretch of coastline invites you to take it easy, whether that means lounging by the pool, curling up with a book under a palm tree, or enjoying an unhurried breakfast with the sound of the sea in the background.

If you're keen to explore further, there are a few gentle activities worth considering. You might like to visit the nearby town of Arthunkal, home to the St Andrew’s Basilica, one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in Kerala. The church, originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, is a quiet and atmospheric place to visit, with interesting ties to the region’s religious history.

Another worthwhile outing is a visit to a local market, where you can see the produce, spices and seafood that form the backbone of Kerala’s coastal cuisine. Some resorts also offer cooking demonstrations or classes where you can learn how to prepare a traditional Keralan meal - from grinding spices to cooking fresh fish in banana leaves.

You may also enjoy simply wandering through the nearby villages, where life moves slowly and traditions remain strong. Artisans weaving coir rope, locals tending to small gardens, and children cycling home from school all offer a glimpse into daily life on Kerala’s coast.

As the afternoon fades, make your way down to the beach to watch the sun dip below the horizon. The sunsets at Marari are especially beautiful, with the sky often lit in soft pinks, oranges and deepening blues as fishing boats drift offshore. It’s a quiet, calming way to close out the day - barefoot in the sand, listening to the waves, and reflecting on your time in this peaceful corner of South India.

Your Kerala family holiday ends today. Transfer to the airport for your departing international flight, a drive of approximately 2 hours.