On arrival in the morning pick-up and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free and you can choose to take it easy after your long flight, or take part in a guided sightseeing tour which will depart from the hotel. Cochin’s winding streets are crammed with 500-year-old Portuguese houses, synagogues, palaces and forts, spread over a charming cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. Accompanied by a knowledgeable city guide, we will visit the Mattancherry Palace and watch the Chinese fishing nets in action from the waterfront Vasco da Gama Square. There is plenty of opportunity too for souvenir buying today. After the tour, the rest of the afternoon is free for relaxing or further independent exploration.

Overnight in Tea Bungalow, Cochin

Meal plan: Lunch & dinner

This morning, we drive up into the Western Ghats, passing through lush jungle low-down and then through a dramatic forested gorge, with impressive waterfalls at Valara. After a stop for lunch at a roadside restaurant, we arrive at the former hill station of Munnar, founded by the British during the period of colonial rule. After checking in to our hotel, we will go out to do some exploring around the town. There are many small shops, a covered bazaar area and a colourful Hindu temple. 

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

It takes about an hour to drive to the start of our trek, close to the village of Suryanelli (1550m). Setting off on foot, we follow a tea estate road through stands of eucalyptus trees (planted to provide firewood for the tea factories). We soon reach a pretty tea plantation village, complete with both a church and a Hindu temple. Beyond the village, the estate roads deteriorate and we find ourselves amongst the fields of tea bushes, which present a unique and very attractive landscape. If we are lucky we will encounter groups of colourful tea pickers, as we climb gradually towards the upper end of the Devikulam Tea Estate. Finally, we reach a ridge at around 2200-metres where the ground falls away to the north and east between dramatic rocky peaks. After a total of 4 hours very steady walking, we reach our campsite above the Kolukkumalai tea estate and factory. Our trek crew have driven to this camp by 4WD vehicle, the tents are already set up and tea and biscuits soon follow. After a chance to sort out our tents, we can hike down to the Kolukkumalai factory and have a quick guided tour of the various processes which are needed to turn the fresh green leaf into the finished product. This is reputedly the highest grown tea in the world and you can buy a bag at source. Returning to our camp, we have dinner in the mess tent and maybe enjoy a bonfire.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Our camp is in a spectacular spot, facing east and looking out over the lowlands of Tamil Nadu. Given clear early morning conditions, the sunrise here is fantastic, with the sun framed by dramatic peaks. An early wake-up is recommended. After breakfast, we set out to skirt above the Kolukkumalai plantation to reach the open grassland that rises to Meesapulimala's upper slopes we can just see the top of this peak from camp. Leaving the tea estate behind, we trek for a short while through luxuriant 'shola' to rest and, once again, as this is a reserve area, we have a Forest Service guide who will show us an astounding number of weird and wonderful plant species. A short, sharp 250-metre grass slope leads to the top of Meesapulimala (2600m), which stands on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu and offers 360-degree views. On the ascent of this peak, we follow a trail made by elephants and we might also be lucky enough to spot the endangered Nilgiri tahr, a type of ibex. Dropping down from the peak, we find a sheltered spot to take lunch and then continue our gradual descent to Rhododendron Valley and our idyllic stream-side camp at an elevation of 2400-metres. 6 hours of walking today including the stop for lunch, with 700-metres of ascent and 400-metres of descent.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Our trek today starts out with a gentle ascent on an overgrown track frequently used by elephants. After an hour, we reach a viewpoint and begin a winding descent towards the west, through rolling grassland, interspersed with gullies and narrow tracts of forest; here we might encounter Nilgiri langurs, a large and impressive species of monkey with a jet black body and white face. The bigger stands of shola forest that we encounter are home to Indian wild bison or 'gaur'. This is great birdwatching country, with falcons and buzzards riding the thermals and a number of rare, endemic species including the Nilgiri pipit and the laughing thrush - easier to hear than it is to see. After around 4 hours (and a lunch stop) we reach the tea plantations above the village of Ellapatti and traverse the plantation tracks to reach our next camp. Located on a saddle between two extensive tracts of forest, this site is known as Footprint Camp and, once again, it is brilliantly positioned for the sunrise. 6 hours of walking, including stops, with 450-metres of ascent and 800-metres of descent. Altitude at camp is 2100-metres. 

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After another early start to witness the sunrise, we have breakfast, then set off uphill on a small game trail which follows a forested ridge for an hour, to finally reach an isolated grassy summit. From here, looking across a deep and well-forested valley, we can clearly see the start of our route of 2 days ago, including the upper slopes of Meesapulimala. Descending through forest, we continue our trek, and after a lunch stop, arrive at our camp at Top Station (1700m).

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After breakfast, we start the morning's drive eastwards into the state of Tamil Nadu. This is a fascinating drive, as we quickly leave the Western Ghats behind and find ourselves on a rich agricultural plain, with orchards and extensive rice fields. Passing a number of impressive rock outcrops and through lots of small towns, our destination today, is the town of Madurai, one of southern India's great temple towns. The centre-piece of the town is the Sri Meenakshi Temple, built between the 16th and 18th-centuries. This is a dramatic example of Dravidian Architecture, with its 'gopurams' (pyramidal towers) covered with images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythological figures. After checking in to our hotel in the city, we will have lunch, then set off on a sightseeing tour with a local guide. We will walk around the temple and surrounding bazaar area and also be invited by our guide to climb to the top of one of the five-story Kashmiri-run handicraft emporia which have viewing platforms on their roofs offer the best views of the temple's towers. Then, at 4pm, when it opens, we will enter the temple complex and mingle with the countless pilgrims who each day come to worship at the temple, to bathe in the Tank of the Golden Lotus and to wonder at the carvings of the Hall of a Thousand Pillars. Overnight at our hotel in Madurai.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

This morning, we drive back up into the Western Ghats and in so doing, cross back into the state of Kerala. We follow a part of the route that we drove yesterday, then continue southwards, through tea plantations and several small towns to the town of Thekkady, gateway to the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. We have some free time in the afternoon. Overnight at a hotel in Thekkady.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

We will make the short drive to Periyar National Park, where we meet the forest guards who will be our guides on a full day hike into the reserve. The guards will set an easy pace as we head into the forest and will be keen to provide an insight into the wildlife of this important reserve area. They are quick to spot elusive deer and rare giant squirrels and will point out colourful birds and many other native animals. We will carry a packed lunch and find a place to eat. We may also get a cup of tea at one of the ranger stations in the reserve. Reunited with our transport by mid-afternoon, we will drive to nearby Kumili. Afterwards we will spend a second night at our hotel in Thekkady.

Note:  we may need to split the group into 2 parties and visit separate areas of the park, as group size is limited to no more than 8 persons.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After breakfast, we take a scenic morning's drive, westwards and out of the mountains, dropping down via long switchbacks to the coastal plain and the town of Alleppey. Situated at the southern end of Vembanad Lake, Alleppey is one of the centres for exploration of the Keralan backwaters. At the jetty in Alleppey, we will board the houseboats which will be our home for the night. Based on the large traditional cargo boats known as kettuvalloms, these houseboats provide surprisingly luxurious accommodation. There are usually either 2 or 3 twin-bedded rooms on each boat. Setting off on our cruise, we will traverse wide canals and shallow lakes, with isolated hamlets and houses on the banks.  We will cruise for a couple of hours and then find a quiet spot to anchor up for the night, possibly in Vembanad Lake. Each boat has its own cook. Meals are traditional Keralan fare, using fresh local produce.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Awaking to the peace and tranquility of the backwaters is a special experience. We will enjoy breakfast on the boat deep within the backwaters, a place renowned as a stopping off place for many migratory bird species. Then, after a 1-hour cruise, we disembark at Alleppey and meet up again with our transport for the drive south to Marari. En route, we pass through forests of palm trees, rich farmland and lots of small towns. We cross several rivers and have occasional glimpses of the beach on our right-hand side. Arriving at Marari, we will check in at our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
 

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

This is a great place to spend a free day. Marari has a picturesque shoreline, dominated by a high rocky promontory. Lined with simple restaurants, bars and stalls selling souvenirs and handicrafts. Each evening, the local fishermen take their boats out and these are pulled up onto the beaches during the day. Meals are provided at the hotel, although you might choose to take your lunch at one of the beach cafes. We have a second night at our Marari hotel.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Return to Cochin for transfer to airport and departure.

Meal plan: n/a