Duration 09N/10D
Kerala is one of India's greenest states- a landscape of paddy fields, coconut groves and spice gardens that stretches down to the Arabian Sea. Beyond its famous backwaters and beaches lies a quieter side of the state, still largely untouched by mass tourism. This itinerary is designed for travellers who want to step off the main tourist trail and experience Kerala at a slower, more authentic pace.
Trip Highlights
Most visitors to Kerala see the same three or four places. This tour isn't that.
Designed specifically for international travellers who've already done their research and want something more than a checklist, this 13-day route trades crowded viewpoints for quiet homestays, popular boat jetties for private backwater cruises, and busy hill stations for working spice farms where the harvest still happens by hand.
You'll start in Mumbai- India's most electric city before flying south into a different India altogether: one of tea-covered hills, canals lined with coconut palms, tiger reserves, and a beach that most travel guides have never heard of.
This is one of the specially curated South India tour packages for people who'd rather spend an afternoon on a canoe through a mangrove channel than in a gift shop, and who'd choose a home-cooked meal with a local family over a hotel buffet.
Small, personal, and well-paced. No long overnight drives, no back-to-back sightseeing. Every stop gets 1–3 nights, so you're not living out of a suitcase the whole trip.
A guide who speaks your language. An English-speaking local guide travels with you throughout, handling logistics and translation so you can focus on the experience.
Real cultural access, not staged performances. You'll watch a genuine Kathakali performance in Kochi- South Indian Culture, stay in a family-run homestay near Vembanad Lake, and walk through working spice estates rather than roadside "spice gardens" built for tour buses.
Wildlife done properly. A naturalist-led boat safari through Periyar Tiger Reserve- one of India's most successful tiger conservation projects gives you a genuine shot at spotting wild elephants in their natural habitat.
A beach without the crowds. Marari is a working fishing village, not a resort strip. Expect long empty sand, palm groves, and fishing boats coming in at dawn- not beach clubs and jet skis.
Arrival reception and welcome at Mumbai airport followed by transfer to your hotel.
Get introduction to the diverse heritage, bustling markets, business houses and many different communities that represent in this city the ever-changing face of modern India.
Fly to the coastal town of Calicut where Vasco Da Gama of Portugal, the first European to arrival in India by sea, landed in 1498. Drive to the picturesque resort at Vythiri.
Appreciate nature in all her colors and indulge yourself with the variety of holistic healing option offered.
Drive to Kochi (cochin), the gateway to South India since the ancient times.
Explore this conglomeration of island with its fine natural harbour that has been at the heart of the spice trade from South India for ages. Then take a comfortable cruise through magnificent backwaters.
Experience the relaxed lifestyle of Mankota at home stay in this small town near the famous Vembanad Lake.
Trek through the beautiful spice and tea plantation that Murinjapuzha is renowned for.
Based at Murinjapuza, visit Periyar Wildlife reserve to see the tiger, elephants and other wildlife.
Completely new to the holiday experience is Marari one of the local fishing village where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago.
Endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms – until now one of India’s best kept secrets.
Drive leisurely back to Kochi. Relax or spend the time shopping for souvenirs and gifts, before being transferred to the airport in time for your flight out.
Seven curated routes- from a 7-day Kerala escape to a two-week grand tour. Each one private, guided and fully customisable to your dates.
October to March is the most comfortable window, with cooler, drier weather across Mumbai and Kerala. Kerala can also be visited during the monsoon (June–September) if you don't mind rain — the hills and backwaters are especially lush at that time, though some outdoor activities may be affected.
No- this is a leisure-paced tour suited to most fitness levels. The plantation trek in the hills involves walking on uneven, sometimes sloped terrain, but nothing technical. Let us know in advance if you have mobility concerns and we can adjust activities where possible. You can also get details of the Shorter Kerala Tour designed for a quick travel experience.
Will I definitely see wild elephants or tigers at Periyar?
Periyar Tiger Reserve has healthy populations of wild elephants, and sightings are common, especially near the lake and forest edges. Tigers are far more elusive and rarely seen by visitors- the reserve is better thought of as a habitat you're visiting respectfully, not a guaranteed wildlife show.
Yes. Kerala's cuisine is very vegetarian-friendly, and vegan, gluten-free and allergy-specific requests can generally be accommodated at hotels and homestays with advance notice. Let us know your requirements when booking so we can arrange this along the route.
