A Malabar Adventure Itinerary
A special and diverse South India adventure. Wildlife, beaches, backwater boat trips, music, art, crafts and people
14 days from £1800pp plus international flights.
Full itinerary
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Call: 01473 890499
Start planning your tailor-made holiday now. Tell us what you want, and we will tailor make your perfect trip.
Day 1
Cochin
Arrive in Cochin in the morning. Afternoon sightseeing of some of Cochin's important historical monuments such as the Dutch Palace and Jewish synagogue.
Day 2
Cochin To Alleppey
Transfer to Alleppey after breakfast. Relax on a day's cruise on a houseboat through the backwaters of Kuttanad (Kerala). This is the area's rice bowl and you will pass paddy fields, fishing nets, coconut groves and small villages. Enjoy watching the sun set over the waters. Overnight on the houseboat.
Full board
Day 3
Backwaters
You will have a short transfer this morning to spend the day and night on a secluded island on the backwaters. There are six cottages here with gorgeous views. Cycling, village visits and canoe trips are available and the island has great birdlife. Good relaxation spot!
Full board
Day 4
Backwaters To River Nila
Travel to River Nila (also known as the Ponanni)/ Cherthuruthy, about four hours. Check into our resort. In the evening we visit a nearby village where you can see local handicraft and pottery makers and meet folk artists in the courtyard of a local household. A young team of local performers will take you through the dance forms, music and percussion that gives this region such rich cultural traditions.
Breakfast
Day 5
River Nila To Kooderi
Morning visit to a school for classical music and dance. We check out of the resort after lunch and drive to Kooderi, about an hour. Our next stop if a farm stay in a 400 year old heritage house on an organic farm. The farm is part of the responsible tourism initiative of the area which is making positive changes to this region.
Full board
Day 6
Kooderi
After breakfast we spend time with a family of musicians to showcase the percussion culture of the River Nila area, concluding in an amazing performance by this local group. At about 3.30pm we take a boat cruise through the stunning landscape of Tirur. This is a relatively unknown area of small canals, rivers, backwaters and islands. Communities of toddy tappers (palm wine makers), coir rope makers and fishermen live here.
Full board
Day 7
Kooderi To Nilambur
This morning we travel to Nilambur, about two hours. We stay at a heritage property reflecting the ancient traditions of a Kerala Brahmin family. The farm also has a sacred grove of almost a hectare.
Full board
Day 8
Nilambur
Either simply chill out at this majestic homestay today or visit local bathing ghats and the farm.
Full board
Day 9
Nilambur To Wayanad
Transfer to Wayanad, about three hours, in the Deccan plateau. It is an area rich in biodiversity and part of the Nilgriri Biosphere Reserve. Take an afternoon spice tour to savour the aromas of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla and more.
Breakfast
Day 10
Wayanad
This morning we visit one of Wayanad's wildlife sanctuaries - either Tholpetty or Muthanga. Here there are elephants, tigers, panther, civets, langur, gaur, spotted deer, sambal, bears and a huge number of bird species. In the afternoon we visit a bamboo nursery. Local people grow bamboo here which they then create into marvellous works of art or practical objects.
Breakfast
Day 11
Wayanad To Kannur
After breakfast we transfer to the coast, to Kannur about three hours away. This is a region with some of the most idyllic beaches in Malabar and you have the next few days to relax and chill out.
Full board
Days 12-13
Kannur
Relax on an idyllic beach near Kannur.
Full board
Day 14
Kannur To Calicut, And Depart
Transfer to Calicut airport, about two hours, where the tour ends.
Breakfast
Call: 01473 890499
Start planning your tailor-made holiday now. Tell us what you want, and we will tailor make your perfect trip.
