Kochi heritage, Munnar and the Kanyakumari coast

Meet your driver at Kochi airport or the railway station and transfer to your hotel. After checking in and resting, visit historic St. Francis Church and Mattancherry Palace. Later in the evening, take a leisurely stroll through Kochi's colourful local markets before returning to your hotel for the night.

Have breakfast, check out of your Kochi hotel and drive into the Western Ghats toward Munnar. Along the winding route, stop to admire Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Valara Waterfalls and the panoramic views from Karadippara Viewpoint. Arrive in Munnar, check in to your hotel and unwind for your first night in the hills.

Start after breakfast for a full day around Munnar. Admire the tea-garden landscapes, visit Mattupetty Lake and Dam, and test the acoustics at Echo Point. Optional boating at Mattupetty Lake is available at extra cost. Explore the visitor zone of Eravikulam National Park, which closes annually during calving season from February to March, noting that Neelakurinji blooms or wildlife sightings depend on nature. Continue to the Tata Tea Plantation at Nallathanni Estate, Kundala Lake with optional boating, the Tea Factory and Tea Museum, and the local spice market. The Tea Museum is closed on Mondays. Return to your hotel for the night.

Enjoy breakfast, check out of Munnar and drive to Thekkady. Visit Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, where an optional boat safari or bamboo rafting can be joined at your own cost, subject to age, fitness rules and weather. Tour a fragrant local spice plantation, explore the spice market and spend your evening at leisure. Purchases are separate. Overnight in Thekkady.

After breakfast, drive down to Alleppey and board your deluxe sharing houseboat. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise past paddy fields, birdlife and traditional village homes along the backwaters. Dinner is served on the boat. Cabin air conditioning runs from 21:00 to 06:00, with extended use at extra cost. Overnight on the moored houseboat.

Have breakfast on board, disembark and travel to Chadayamangalam to visit the colossal bird sculpture at Jatayu Earth Centre. Continue to Varkala and check in to your hotel. Later, explore Varkala Cliff, wander along Papanasam Beach, visit beachside cafes and watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea. Overnight in Varkala.

Following breakfast, check out of your Varkala hotel and drive south along the coast to Kovalam. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a relaxed day exploring the crescent bays of Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach and main Kovalam Beach at your own pace. Overnight in Kovalam.

Depart early after breakfast for a scenic excursion to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Board the local ferry to Vivekananda Rock Memorial, view the towering Thiruvalluvar Statue and visit the historic Kumari Amman Temple. After your sightseeing, drive back to Kovalam for your final overnight stay.

Have breakfast, check out of your Kovalam hotel and transfer by road to Trivandrum Airport for your flight home as your tour comes to an end.