A Taste of Southern India - Temples and Tea Plantations

9 days
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Small Group Tour
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. Explore fragrant plantations - Meander through plantations where tea leaves as well as cumi...
$1,636
From$1,660
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Get a taste for South India on this culinary and cultural journey through beautiful Kerala
    • Relax on a traditional houseboat and journey through the famous Kerala backwaters
    • Visit spice gardens and sample some of the region's most famous dishes with dedicated vegetarian departures

What's this trip about?

    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. 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.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityKochi
End CityKochi

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Cochi
  • Kerala
  • Kochi
  • Munnar

Activities

  • Hiking

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

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 an...

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 hundred...

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...

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 ...

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 cardam...

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 - ...

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...

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 b...

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

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,660
Price per day$184
Last Updated: 3/15/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
23 Mar 2025
31 Mar 2025
$1,870
$2,440
19 Oct 2025
27 Oct 2025
$1,800
$2,370
16 Nov 2025
24 Nov 2025
$1,660
$2,240
23 Nov 2025
01 Dec 2025
$1,660
$2,240
21 Dec 2025
29 Dec 2025
$1,800
$2,370
18 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026
$1,680
$2,190
25 Jan 2026
02 Feb 2026
$1,680
$2,190
08 Feb 2026
16 Feb 2026
$1,680
$2,190
22 Feb 2026
02 Mar 2026
$1,680
$2,190
08 Mar 2026
16 Mar 2026
$1,680
$2,190

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,321
Great
3,322
Average
522
Disappointing
158
Terrible
79
T

Trusted Customer

Mar 2025

Written on

A Taste of Southern India - Temples and Tea Plantations

This was my first trip as a single person and I had a fabulous time. The group of 12 (four couples and four singles) really gelled and were very friendly, supportive...

T

Trusted Customer

Nov 2024

Written on

A Taste of Southern India - Temples and Tea Plantations

A good short tour of an interesting part of Kerala. Although the tour I did ...

J

Jennifer

Oct 2024

Written on

A Taste of Southern India - Temples and Tea Plantations

Great varied experiences, a full on trip with little free time. Love...

Write a Review

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat, Ferry, Tuk Tuk,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat, Ferry, Tuk Tuk
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
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 http://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
Health & Safety
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. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 8
  • Dinner : 2
  • Lunch : 4
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-XKB

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