Kerala On A Budget

An Affordable Private Tour Of Kerala

This is a perfect option for those who wish to have the freedom and flexibility of having your own vehicle and driver but want to tour Kerala at a budget price.

Included is a full tour of Kerala including an initial 2 night stay at Fort Cochin on arrival. From Cochin, a very scenic ascent of the Western Ghats takes you through tea estates to the hill resort of Munnar with spectacular views en-route. Thekkady lies in the midst of the Cardamom Hills, with its spice gardens and markets that fill the air with beautiful heady aromas. Nearby is the Periyar National Park containing large numbers of wild elephants. Descend to the luxuriant backwaters of Alleppey and stay on an idyllic tropical island surrounded by tranquil waterways.

Accommodation used consists of small hotels and superior guesthouses that are of a good tourist standard throughout. A combination of this tour with a beach stay at either Varkala or Kovalam will make for a fabulous and cost effective 2 week holiday in Kerala.

Recommended For: Anyone who wishes to tour Kerala at a budget price in a private car.

 

Day 01

Depart UK

Depart UK – Overnight flight.

 

Day 02

Cochin

Anchor House  

Old Fort Cochin
Most visitors will base themselves at Fort Cochin, which contains a selection of lovely guesthouses, like Anchor House, that are converted houses and historic mansions of spice traders from the colonial period.

Evening Cruise Through Cochin Harbour
Cochin has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. A sunset cruise takes you past the anchorage of the Indian Navy at Willingdon, the Bolghatty Island and views through the harbour mouth out towards the open sea.

 

Day 03

Cochin

Anchor House

Guided Tour Of Old Fort Cochin
Walk the streets of the historic quarter with markets selling spices, handicrafts, antiques and textiles. The Mattancherry Palace is well worth a visit with lovely frescoes, and also the old Jewish Synagogue (1568) that was once the focus of the old Jewish community of Cochin.

The bizarre Chinese Fishing Nets are on the harbour front near the Parade Ground and St Francis Church (1503). In the evenings a line of open-air restaurants sell fresh seafood caught from the nets.

 

Day 04

Munnar

Deshadan Mountain Resort

The Road To Munnar
A pretty road from Cochin climbs up the Western Ghats through pepper and cardamom plantations to higher altitudes where tea estates cover entire mountain slopes in an endless sea of green.

Munnar
The town of Munnar is situated at an altitude of 5000 ft above sea level. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book villages and winding lanes with pines trees make this a popular hill resort.

Deshadan Mountain Resort is the highest located hotel in the whole of Kerala!

 

Day 05

Thekkady

Chrissie’s

Spice Villages And Markets At Thekkady
Thekkady is the centre of the spice growing area of Kerala, and the aromas of spices are everywhere. At Kumily Market there is a huge cardamom auction with rows of shops selling different types of exotic spices.

Chrissies is where all independent travellers head to on arrival at Thekkady.

 

Day 06

Thekkady

Chrissie’s

Boat Trip At Periyar National Park
At Periyar National Park there are thick and extensive forests that surround the idyllic Periyar Lake. Here roam some 750 wild Elephants that are best observed on a 2-hour Safari Boat Trip through the still waters of the sanctuary.

Apart from Elephants, other animals to be seen at Periyar include Gaur (Indian Bison), Wild Boar, Sambar, Indian Wild Dog and very rarely, a Tiger.

 

Day 07

Alleppey

Coir Village

Alleppey
The descent from the hills of Thekkady brings you to Kerala’s tropical coastal lowlands. The town of Alleppey is famously known as the ‘Gateway To The Backwaters’.

The Coir Village is located in the middle of an island in what is probably the loveliest stretch of backwaters in the whole of Kerala.

Afternoon Backwater Cruise
Go on an Afternoon Boat Trip along lazily meandering backwaters sprinkled with traditional houseboats, fishing vessels and country craft. You can observe Keralan village life as you glide along the coconut lined waterways.

 

Day 08

Kerala’s Beaches

Varkala
Varkala is the beach resort of choice for independent and budget conscious travellers to Kerala.

The Papanasam Beach at Varkala has a white, silvery stretch of sand, above which rise steep and rocky cliffs. The cliff-top has a row of lively markets, bazaars and fabulous local restaurants. Varkala is great for chilling out to extraordinary sunsets that are seen from here over the Arabian Sea.

Kovalam
A group of three crescent shaped beaches known to have some of the best beaches in India. The most popular of the beaches is Lighthouse Beach

Behind the beaches are shady coconut groves and a maze of alleyways linking local shops, guesthouses and restaurants beneath the coconut palms.

 

Depart Kerala

Depart Kerala – Daytime flights arrive back in UK the same day.

NOTE: You can choose as many beach nights as you require.

* We will send you a detailed quote with flight options, descriptions of hotels used and daily schedules.