Kerala & Madurai Tour : From Backwaters to Temples

Welcome to your Kerala! On your first day, you’ll arrive in Kochi, the most sophisticated city in Kerala. Upon arrival, a dedicated Luxury India Tour representative will warmly welcome you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel. 

Once known as Cochin, this city is the first European settlement in India and has been a hub for spice trading for around 2,000 years, connecting Kerala with the Chinese, Romans, Phoenicians, and Arabs. The lucrative pepper trade, often referred to as black gold, flourished here, with spices being exchanged for gold coins, brass, and copper by Jewish and Arab merchants. This rich history has also made Kochi a melting pot of Islam and Christianity, as it was one of the first regions in India to welcome these faiths. Interestingly, it’s believed that Christopher Columbus intended to sail to the Malabar Coast when he stumbled upon America!

Kochi continues to be a lively hub for exporting pepper, rubber, seafood, and coir products from Kerala to markets around the world. This vibrant city showcases a fascinating blend of cultures, featuring Dutch palaces, traditional Chinese fishing nets, Jewish synagogues, Portuguese churches, and British cricket fields. Each of these landmarks reflects the rich history influenced by the Chinese, Arab, Portuguese, Dutch, and British, along with Jewish communities who sought refuge from persecution in Jerusalem back in the 6th century BC. 

As a bustling capital of Kerala, Kochi is home to both international and Indian communities, surrounded by beautiful islands and ferries. Spend a night in Kochi and enjoy the Mediterranean-like atmosphere and subtropical climate.

Begin your day with a guided tour of Fort Kochi, where you'll walk through charming lanes filled with colonial-era buildings and feel the influence of the Dutch, Portuguese, and British. Visit the historic St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, followed by the Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace, renowned for its stunning Ramayana murals, traditional Kerala-style architecture, and displays of royal artifacts from the Cochin kings.

Continue to Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town, a vibrant area famous for spice markets, antique shops, and beautifully preserved heritage. Smell the wonderful scents of cardamom, pepper, and cloves as you walk through this spice market, where people have been trading spices for hundreds of years. Catch a glimpse of the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets on the waterfront, an ancient technique still practiced by local fishermen.

For lunch, you can choose fresh fish from the market and have it cooked on the spot, or relax at Bolghatty Palace, a peaceful heritage hotel set on an island.In the evening, enjoy an unforgettable Kathakali dance performance—a traditional Kerala art form combining drama, music, colorful costumes, and expressive storytelling. Overnight stay in Kochi.

After breakfast, we drive to Alleppey to board your private, traditional houseboat. Enjoy a serene cruise through Kerala’s lush backwaters, passing palm-lined canals, rice paddies, and charming villages. Watch local life unfold along the banks—fishermen at work, women washing clothes, and children waving from the shore. Savor freshly prepared Kerala meals on board, featuring local fish, prawns, and coconut-based curries. As the sun goes down, relax on the open deck and enjoy the calm views of palm trees, quiet water, and the golden sky, a peaceful and memorable moment in Kerala’s backwaters. Spend a magical night on the houseboat under the starlit sky, surrounded by nature’s calm.

After breakfast, we leave the houseboat and drive to Kumarakom, a charming quiet village by the beautiful Vembanad Lake. Once we arrive, you’ll check in to a relaxing backwater resort.

The rest of the day is free for you to do what you like. You might want to join a yoga class, indulge in an Ayurveda spa treatment, or even explore the surrounding villages on a bicycle. Alternatively, you could simply relax by the lake with a cup of coffee, watching the daily life of the locals.

Spend the night at Kumarakom.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Kovalam, where the beautiful beaches await. Our route along the west coast offers stunning views as we make our way to one of India’s most famous beach destinations, known for its shimmering blue waters and swaying palm trees. Kovalam features three main beaches along a 17km coastline, as well as fantastic restaurants serving a variety of cuisines.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel, and feel free to spend the rest of the day however you choose!

Enjoy your night in Kovalam!

If you’re in the mood for a refreshing swim in warm, clear waters, Kovalam is just the spot for you. It’s a fantastic place to unwind in a hammock, meander along the beach, grab a bite from local stalls, or simply soak up the sun. Alternatively, consider a day excursion to Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of India, where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean converge in a breathtaking tri-sea meeting.

On day seven, we head to the beautiful Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, passing by lush rubber plantations and fragrant spice gardens. The Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of Southern India’s most well-known wildlife spots, covering an impressive 800 square kilometers. Although much of the low-lying forest was affected when the Periyar River dam was built in 1895, the reserve is still home to marshes, aquatic habitats, and tropical forests. It shelters around 62 species of mammals, 38 kinds of fish, 27 amphibian species, 45 types of reptiles, and about 320 bird species. You’ll also find numerous medicinal plants and spice plantations lining the area.

Upon our arrival, we check into our hotel and later explore the Periyar Tiger Reserve by boat. As we cruise along, we might spot around 800 Indian elephants gently roaming the shoreline or enjoying a bath. This place is a favorite for elephant watching, making our experience truly memorable. While on the boat, we keep an eye out for other wildlife along the lake. Wild boars often roam in groups of 40-50, while the small mouse deer and muntjac remain vigilant against predators like packs of dhole, the wild dogs we may encounter hunting near the water's edge. 

In the reserve, we might also see the Gaur, India’s largest bovine, Sambar deer, Ruddy mongoose, Golden jackal, Sloth bear, Smooth-coated otter, Leopard, Stripe-necked mongoose, Rusty-spotted cat, Eurasian otter, Fishing cat, and Jungle cat. 

We'll spend the night in Thekkady, filled with memorable moments from the day.

Today, we rise early to embark on a guided nature walk through the stunning Periyar Wildlife Reserve, a lush forest full of tall trees, wild orchids, and rare animals. You might see big birds like the Malabar Hornbill, colorful parakeets, fun monkeys, and large squirrels jumping in the trees. If you're really lucky, you could even catch a glimpse of a tiger!

After the walk, enjoy breakfast back at your hotel.

Optional Experience : Visit the Elephant Training Camp, where you can see elephants being bathed and fed, and even take an elephant ride. You’ll learn how these gentle giants are cared for and get some amazing photo opportunities.

In the afternoon, explore a local spice plantation. Discover how spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and pepper are grown and used in cooking and traditional medicine. Friendly locals will share their knowledge and tips.

In the evening, enjoy a powerful Kalaripayattu (Kerala martial arts) performance, a 3000-year-old tradition full of skill and energy.

Stay overnight in Thekkady.

Today, we drive from Kerala to Madurai, a vibrant city in Tamil Nadu known for its colorful temples. After checking in and having lunch, we visit the famous Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (a form of Parvati). The temple is huge, filled with tall towers covered in bright statues of gods and animals. It’s full of energy with pilgrims, music, flowers, and incense in the air.

Inside, you’ll see beautiful shrines, colorful garlands, and even meet Laxmi the Temple Elephant, who blesses you with her trunk for good luck!

Later, we hop on a tuk-tuk to explore the bustling markets and visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, known for its blend of Indian and Mughal styles.

In the evening, enjoy a fun cooking class where you’ll learn how to make delicious Tamil Nadu dishes. Overnight stay in Madurai.

We begin the day early with a visit to South India’s largest flower market. It’s full of colors, energy, and sweet scents! You’ll see how important flowers, especially jasmine -are in South Indian culture. Jasmine from this region is used in weddings, temple rituals, spas, and even perfumes around the world.

If time allows, we might stop at India’s largest flower processing factory, where jasmine is turned into oils and scents used in famous perfumes.

After breakfast, we head off on a scenic four-hour drive to Munnar, a peaceful hill station 1,600 meters above sea level. On the way, we’ll pass through green tea and spice plantations.

Munnar is where three rivers meet, and it's surrounded by lush tea estates, cardamom gardens, and shola forests. It was developed by the British and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site, famous for its beauty and biodiversity.

You’ll stay in a cozy resort with views of rolling tea gardens, a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

This morning, we’ll visit Eravikulam National Park, a peaceful place with green hills and forests. It was set up to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat found only in South India. If we’re lucky, we might see them grazing on the hills.

As we walk, we may also spot monkeys like Lion-tailed Macaques and Nilgiri Langurs, and birds like the Nilgiri Pipit and local blackbirds, which may be different from the ones in Europe. It's a beautiful place to enjoy nature and wildlife

Please remember, Eravikulam National Park is closed for about 60 to 75 days starting February 1st for calving season. If that’s the case, we’ll visit Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary instead, located 45 km north of Munnar. This beautiful sanctuary, along with eleven others in Kerala, offers varied altitudes from 1,300 ft at the Chinnar River to 8,274 ft at Kumarikal Malai’s peak. It’s home to an array of wildlife including butterflies, birds, reptiles, and quite notably, the only population of Grizzled Giant Squirrels in the state. You might also see large groups of wild gaur (Indian Bison) and possibly even spot a tiger with the help of experienced trackers.

Later, we’ll visit a tea plantation to see how tea is grown and made. You’ll meet local women picking tea and visit the Tata Tea Museum to learn its history. Don’t miss tasting fresh teas and checking out the Kurinji Gift Shop, run by local women, offering chocolates, soaps, and handmade gifts.

End the day relaxing at your hotel in Munnar, surrounded by scenic tea gardens.

Today after breakfast we’ll head to Mararikulam, a charming fishing village famous for its beautiful beaches and cleanliness. This stop will be a highlight of your trip to Kerala. At Marari beach, you can swim, snorkel, or even try your hand at surfing when the waves are right. What sets Marari apart from other popular beaches in Kerala is the chance to witness the daily life of the locals. The village has maintained its traditional way of life, with men still fishing for a living and women crafting coir mats and brushes.  

Once you check into the Beach Resort, take a moment to unwind. You can relax, stroll along the beach while tasting some delicious fish curry, explore nearby villages on a guided tour of temples, churches, and coir factories, or indulge in an Ayurveda massage. The choice is yours!  

Your final days in Kerala are all about relaxation, and you can choose how to spend them. Whether you want to enjoy the amenities at the hotel or lounge on the beach with a good book, you can take refreshing dips in the warm, clear water for some fun and relaxation. It’s a perfect time to reflect on your wonderful journey through Kerala.  

If you're interested, you could also join a cooking class to learn how to prepare some delicious dishes. You’ll have the chance to buy fresh, organic vegetables and fish before a top chef guides you through the cooking process, adding coconut and aromatic spices for that special touch.  

Enjoy your nights at the Mararikulam Beach Resort.  

Your last days in Kerala are all about you! You can choose to unwind at your hotel and enjoy its amenities or lounge on the beach with a good book, taking refreshing dips in the warm, clear waters whenever you like. It’s a great moment to look back and cherish your unforgettable journey through Kerala.

If you're feeling adventurous, consider joining a cooking class where you can get hands-on experience. You'll start by picking out fresh organic vegetables and fish, then let a top chef guide you through creating delicious dishes infused with coconut and aromatic spices.  

Enjoy another night at the Beach Resort in Mararikulam.  

As your wonderful journey through Kerala ends, you’ll head to Kochi International Airport for your flight. You’ll leave with unforgettable memories and souvenirs from your time in this beautiful state.