A Taste of Southern India - Temples and Tea Plantations

India - Trip code XKB Food and Drink
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314Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
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Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Get a taste for South India on this culinary journey through Kerala. Uncover the forts, palaces, and backwaters of the state, all while sampling some of the region's most famous dishes. From spice gardens to tea plantations, get closer to Keralan dishes and culture.

Why we love this trip
  • Explore fragrant plantations - Meander through plantations where tea leaves as well as cumin, cardamom, pepper, and other spices are harvested.
  • Float through the backwaters - Relax on a traditional houseboat and journey through the famous Kerala backwaters.
  • Don't miss a bite - We have dedicated vegetarian departures listed below, so you can sample all that Kerala has to offer.

  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 8

    Lunch: 4

    Dinner: 2

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Driver(s)

    Local Guide(s)

  • Transport

    Bus

    Boat

    Ferry

    Tuk Tuk

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    Accommodation

    1 nights premium boat

    1 nights simple homestay

    3 nights premium hotel

    3 nights comfortable hotel

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    Trip pace:

    Moderate

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    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 16
    Explore Average 11

Itinerary

Day 1 - Trip starts in Kochi (Cochin)

Our trip starts in Kochi, a port city on India's Malabar Coast. Also known as Cochin, it's been a port since 1341, when it was used by Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Built across several islands with criss-crossing waterways, the city has a cosmopolitan feel and a vibrant food scene amongst the local markets and street food stalls.

There are no planned activities today, so you're free to arrive at any time. Our tour leader will hold a welcome meeting in the hotel reception at 5pm and there'll be the chance to go for dinner afterwards. If you arrive later, they'll catch you up in the morning.

If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to arrive into Cochin International Airport (COK), which is 40km/1.5 hours from the airport.

Our hotel for the next two nights is an art-deco style property located on Willingdon Island, just a short distance from Forty Kochi. The hotel has a choice of excellent in-house restaurants.

Accommodation:

Hotel Casino (or similar)

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: None

Day 2 - Explore Kochi and Sadya lunch

Our destination this morning is the Fort Kochi district. We'll take an autorickshaw to Embarkation Jetty, where we'll take the ferry to cross the water over to Mattancherry Palace. Built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Extensive renovations by the Dutch hundreds of years later earned it the name the Dutch Palace and it's home to some of the best murals in India, depicting scenes from the Ramayan.

From the palace, we'll venture out to explore Fort Kochi further, including the Jewish town synagogue and the famous cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that line the harbour. Delving into Fort Kochi's numerous alleyways and markets, we'll get our first taste of Indian street food, including Masala Vada, a fritter made from chana dal, fennel seeds and peppers, and Bonda, a fried bite-sized snack made from spicy potato and fried in a flour batter.

Continuing our culinary journey, we'll stop at the Tea Bungalow for lunch. Our introduction to Keralan food will be Sadya (which literally translates as banquet), a variety of traditional vegetarian dishes. usually served on a banana leaf. The resident chef will talk us through the origins of our meal before we sample an assortment of freshly prepared dishes.

After lunch, we'll unwind with a cruise around the harbour to take in the sea air and see the expansive waterways that form the beating heart of Kochi. Then, to round off the day, we'll settle in for a traditional Kathakali performance. Combining dance, mime, ballet and opera, Kathakali portrays stories from great Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. The dance takes years of dedication to master and is characterised by distinct eye movements and facial expressions, enhanced by

Accommodation:

Hotel Casino (or similar)

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 - Breakfast dosa making before drive through tea and spice plantations to Munnar

Today, we'll have an early start to catch culinary Kochi at work. We'll take the public ferry to Ernakulam town, where we'll take a walk through the vegetable market and learn about the exotic fruits, vegetables and spices used in South Indian cooking. We'll also stop by the Shiva temple to see the court complex before heading to a local restaurant for a breakfast dosa making demonstration.

This delicious pancake-style breakfast dish originates from South India. Dosas are generally made from fermented batter consisting of lentils and rice accompanied by aloo masala, potato with onion, turmeric and black mustard seeds or sambar - a soup-like vegetarian dal.

Around mid-morning, we'll say goodbye to Kochi and the Indian Ocean and drive inland to Munnar, around five hours away. En route, we'll stop at a local bakery to try a traditional thali lunch. Thali is traditionally served in small bowls consisting of rice, lentil, dal, and curried vegetables, served with flatbread.

Munnar is known for its verdant spice and tea plantations. Kerala has been renowned for its spices for more than 2000 years and the coast was frequently visited by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and Chinese. 'Black gold' (pepper) became highly valuable and was sent to Europe by Arab and Jewish traders, who, in return, brought copper, brass and gold coins to Kerala. It was this trading link that brought Christianity and Islam to Kerala, making it the first place in India to host both faiths.

Munnar itself is a small town in the Western Ghats Mountain range. Formerly a resort for the British Raj, it's a tranquil place surrounded by green tropical forests and neat tea plantations. This afternoon is free to explore it at your own pace.

Accommodation:

Copper Castle Resort (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 4 - Full day exploring Munnar and visit to the tea estates

Today, we'll start by visiting a tea plantation, learning all about the growing and leaf picking process. Moving on to the tea museum, we'll learn about how tea leaves become the product we're used to brewing in our morning cuppa.

This afternoon is free to relax at the hotel, you can use the spa or take part in a yoga class. If you feel up to it, you might want to walk through the grasslands and the tea plantations. This circular walk takes around four hours, climbing to an altitude of 2000 metres. Alternatively, the hotel has a limited number of bicycles to hire.

Accommodation:

Copper Castle Resort (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 5 - Drive to Thekkady and farm-to-plate spice garden tour

This morning, we'll descend from the highlands and drive to the teak forests that surround Thekkady and Periyar National Park. We'll take a tour of a spice garden with a resident expert, learning the importance of spices in Indian culture and how spices such as cardamom, pepper, vanilla, nutmeg, ginger, and curry plant thrive in this area of the world. After our tour, we'll have a cooking demonstration, showcasing how spices are carefully blended and used to cook before sitting down to lunch.

Our comfortable hotel tonight is located in Kumily and offers a mix of jungle cottages and rooms amongst the forest. There's also a spa offering Ayurvedic therapies and a swimming pool.

Accommodation:

Abad Green Forest (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 6 - Cookery class, village walk and toddy tapping

Leaving Thekkady, we'll head back towards the coast for our two-night homestay. We'll stay with local families in a small village and your tour leader will brief you on local customs and traditions. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Keralan way of life - and, of course, try some delicious home cooking like spicy coconut curry.

This afternoon, there'll be the chance to take a gentle walk through the surrounding villages where we can learn about toddy tapping. This is the process of collecting fresh sap from palm trees, which is then fermented for five hours to turn it into toddy with 6-7% alcohol content. In the evening, we'll join our host family as they prepare a homecooked meal from recipes passed down through the generations.

Our rooms are in traditional Keralan style. All are twin share and the majority have their own bathroom attached, however some have a private bathroom allocated in the corridor. Bathrooms are basic with a toilet and shower and hot water can be limited at times. Bedding and towels are provided

Accommodation:

Simple Homestay (or similar)

Grade: Simple Homestay

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 - Discover the backwaters by houseboat

This morning, we'll begin our tour of Kerala's famous backwaters. We'll board a simple, traditional houseboat to begin our journey into the network of waterways.

Taking a relaxed pace, we'll meander past riverside village life, spotting locals tending to animals and cultivating vegetables on narrow spits of land. Watch as we pass gardens flourishing with brightly coloured flowers, sharply contrasting the tropical greenery.

While on board, we'll be treated to a cooking demonstration with the option to cook a fish curry or a vegetarian dish served on a banana leaf.

After our tour through the network of waters, we'll moor up alongside other houseboats for the night. This means we can hook up to an electricity point and turn on the aircon. The houseboats bring us back to basics with simple, en-suite twin rooms - a unique way to spend a night on the famous waters.

Accommodation:

Premium Houseboat (or similar)

Grade: Premium Boat

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - Morning in the backwaters before returning to Kochi

Waking up to views of rural Kerala, we'll enjoy a relaxed breakfast on board before disembarking mid-morning and returning to Kochi. Arriving in time for lunch, we'll head to a seafood restaurant on the northern tip of Fort Kochi, an ideal spot to watch the boats go by as we sample the freshly caught catch.

The rest of the day is free to enjoy at your own pace. If you wish, your tour leader will be happy to book a table at the highly acclaimed Chef Pillai at Le Meridien - this should be made at the start of the tour to guarantee a table.

Accommodation:

Abad Plaza Hotel (or similar)

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9 - Trip ends in Kochi

Our tour of Kerala ends at our hotel in Kochi.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Cochin International Airport (COK).

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

India

Climate

There is considerable variation between the different regions of India but, in general, the climate is tropical. Summer temperatures on the plains are very hot, but cooled by the South-West Monsoon, which lasts from June- September. During these months it can be very wet and therefore very humid. The temperature can be incredibly hot between June to September, especially in places such as Delhi and the north of India. During this time, it is not uncommon to experience thunderstorms and rain. It is recommended to wear light, breathable and loose clothes to keep cool. One benefit of travelling during the summer months is less crowds around the major sights. At altitude, temperatures can become quite cool at night even in the summer and may drop below freezing between December and February so warm clothing is necessary. In the winter, northern and mid India can be very cool, with cold evenings, so warm clothing, including plenty of layers, are essential. The south of India remains warm and sunny during the winter months.

Time difference to GMT

+5

Plugs

3 Pin Round

Religion

Catholicism, Hindu, Islam and Sikhism

Language

Hindi and English.

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


Alleppey - Optional bike ride - 500 INR

Clothing

Kerala is a tropical region with high humidity. Lightweights are needed all year round with some warmer clothes for the cooler winter evenings (November to March) in Munnar and Theddaky. Casual clothes are the most practical: tight fitting garments, brief shorts and skirts should be avoided, since they attract unwelcome attention.

Footwear

Walking shoes or trainers are required for the tour of the tea estate in Munnar and sandals are recommended for the rest of the trip.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and a daysac. Remember - hotel porters are not always available, so don't overload yourself.

Equipment

Binoculars, torch, insect repellent and water bottle.

We strongly recommend that if you intend to take part in the optional bike ride on this tour, you bring your own cycling helmet with you. Cycling helmets will be available to hire locally from a reputable supplier, but we cannot guarantee the structural integrity of local equipment. Most insurance providers require helmets to be worn whilst cycling, so in the event of an accident, it is likely that any insurance claim will be invalidated if you are not wearing a helmet.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise a leader that's done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It's a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we'd recommend between £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline
Local crew
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group's tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
Accordingly, you should allow GBP35, approx. 3000 Indian Rupees for group tipping.
For all non-included services and meals on your trip please tip independently at your discretion.

India

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£8
Dinner price
£10
Beer price
£3
Water price
£0.5
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Indian Rupee Recently new 500 and 2000 rupee notes have been bought in to circulation and as the old notes are no longer accepted there have been some cash flow issues. You don't need to worry about being given old notes as it's very easy to tell the difference, the new notes are pristine in comparison with most Indian money which is fairly tatty.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
GBP/US$ are the best currency to change into local currency.
Where To Exchange
The Indian rupee is a restricted currency and it is best not to obtain in the UK as rates are very poor. You can either change money at the airport on arrival or in major towns during the tour. Your Tour Leader will advise you on the best places in each town. Both GBP and USD cash are easy to exchange at the airport and at hotels however you will be restricted to changing £60 cash at a time and it's not possible to change money at these locations using a credit or debit card.
ATM Availability
ATMs are available in most large cities in India but they are very limited elsewhere so please do not rely on this.
Credit Card Acceptance
Very rarely, only in the larger outlets.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Bus, Boat, Ferry, Tuk Tuk

Accommodation notes

Accommodation in India is as varied as the country itself and standards might not always meet those back home.
Service can be slow, especially when travelling with a group and a number of hotels in India don't serve alcohol due to complicated licencing laws or for religious reasons. Hot water is not always available at small properties and with a group staying, you might find the water is cooler if you're showering last. Hotels also don't usually have heating, so it can become chilly in the winter months, however, blankets will always be provided.
Due to the growth in tourism in India, it's not always possible to stay at our listed accommodation and an alternative will be found.
On the backwaters, we stay on traditional houseboats made from anjili wood and bamboo, a time-honoured form of transportation. These are set up with twin-share, en-suite cabins that are air-conditioned at night. The houseboat has a large dining area where homecooked meals are served up and a large deck to enjoy riverside life on. At night, we'll moor amongst other boats at the side of the river to allow us to hook up to electricity. Note, depending on the group size, we might be divided between two or three houseboats.
Our homestay offers a fantastic insight into local life in the tropical region. The rooms are in the traditional style of a Keralan home, with mattresses made locally using coir fibres, a material taken from coconut husks which allows air to flow naturally - ideal for humid conditions. All rooms are twin-share and the majority have their own bathroom attached, however, some may have a private bathroom located in the corridor next to the room. Bathrooms are simple with a shower and toilet. All towels and bedding are provided.
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India

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip. 

 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page.

If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page.  The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information


India: Holders of passports endorsed British citizen, as well as Australian, New Zealand and US passport holders may be eligible for the e-Tourist Visa to enter India. Unfortunately the Indian government are not currently granting visas for anybody travelling with a Canadian passport.

The visa can be applied for through the official Indian government visa website only - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . Please check all eligibility criteria that can be found on the website but important points are listed below -

You must be arriving into one of 29 selected entry points which can be found via the official Indian Government website link above. However, you can exit from any of the authorised immigration check posts in India.

Passports must have at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages for stamping. Visa applications will take approximately 4 days to process.
There are different validity visas and the costs are as follows:

30-day validity (travelling between April and June) - $10
30-day validity (travelling between July and March) - $25
1-year validity - $40
5-year validity- $80

Those applying for a 30 day electronic visa can only apply within 30 days of arrival for your visa to be valid. Furthermore double entry is permitted and you can only obtain two 30-day visas in a calendar year.

Please note these costs are subject to frequent change so you should check on the official Indian government visa website mentioned above. Biometric data will be collected on arrival in India.

If you are not eligible for the e-Tourist Visa, please refer to VFS Global to apply for your Indian visa - https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/how_to_apply.html

Whilst the online form offers a relatively quick way to apply for a visa, some applicants have reported difficulty in completing the form. If you do require assistance, then you may consider applying through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. They can complete the online visa on your behalf for a service fee + the visa cost. See www.travcour.com http://www.travcour.com


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

India

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against Tetanus, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid and Polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Food and Drink information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
Find out more
Price Guarantee Promise
Find out more
Airport Transfers
Find out more
Print Trip Notes

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