Escorted Tours 2023 - 2025

Alleppey Backwaters What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to India with Emirates (via Dubai) ✔ Where you’ll stay Cochin, 4 H Holiday Inn Cochin Cheruthuruthy, 3 H River Retreat Munnar, 4 H Tea County Resort Thekkady, 4 H Aranya Nivas Alleppey, Traditional Houseboat Trivandrum, 4 H Uday Suites ✔ 29 meals ✔ 11 excursions ✔ Expert local tour guide Tour pace: Intermediate  Trivandrum Thekkady Munnar Cheruthuruthy Cochin Alleppey < Periyar National Park <     Coach Air Nights 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 Day 1: UK to Cochin Depart the UK on your overnight flight, via Dubai. Day 2: Cochin D On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel for the rest of the day at leisure before dinner. Day 3: Cochin B/L/D After breakfast, you begin your tour of Cochin, the historic centre of India’s spice trade. See the ancient Chinese influence in the impressive fishing nets, still used daily by locals, and take a ride through the village road in a tuk-tuk. You will also see the Mattanchery Dutch Palace and the oldest European church in India, St. Francis before returning to your hotel in Cochin. Rest of the day leisure. Day 4: Cochin to Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur B/L/D After breakfast disembark and journey to the Athirapally Waterfalls. Then head on to Thrissur and visit historical buildings such as the Vadkumnathan and Paramekkavu Devi Temples. Continue to your hotel in Cheruthuruthy (Thrissur District). Day 5: Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur B/L/D After breakfast, enjoy a 45-minute Ayuervedic massage (timing will be fixed by the Ayurveda consultant). After a relaxing morning, head out with a chance to gain insight into the local culture with ‘A Day with the Masters’, an introduction to the world of Kerala’s traditional performing arts. Day 6: Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur to Munnar B/L/D Travel to Munnar, stopping en route for lunch, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Day 7: Munnar B/L/D Embark on a full-day tour of Munnar, a nature lover’s paradise. Gaze upon the dazzling waters of Mattupetty Lake, listen to the range of echoes at Echo Point, bask in blissful serenity from Kundala Lake, and witness the striking Jungle Honey Bee Tree. Continue to some of the most elevated tea plantations in the world, before witnessing a biodiverse oasis at Rajamalai National Park. Day 8: Munnar to Thekkady B/L/D The tour will then journey to Thekkady, a stunning area located high in the Cardamom hills containing tea gardens, rubber, coffee and pepper plantations. Following lunch, a visit to a plantation and spice market awaits you. Day 9: Thekkady to Alleppey B/L/D A highlight of Thekkady is the Periyar National Park, India’s largest wildlife sanctuary. Board a boat upon Periyar Lake, where you will have the chance to spot a range of wildlife including Bengal tigers. Later today, journey to Alleppey, and board a traditional houseboat for your overnight cruise along the winding backwaters, enjoying stunning rural scenery of the surrounding Kerala villages and waters. Day 10: Alleppey to Trivandrum B/L/D After breakfast, travel to Trivandrum and stop at the Jatayupara Earth Centre. Visible from afar, the world’s largest bird sculpture which pays tribute to the mythical bird from Hindu epic, Ramayana. Day 11: Trivandrum B/L/D This morning, enjoy a city tour of Trivandrum. Witness the magnificent Kanakakunnu Palace and marvel at the Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple. Return to your hotel for another Ayurvedic massage and farewell dinner. Day 12: Trivandrum to the UK B Transfer for your return flight, via Dubai, or continue on to your chosen extension. Kerala Explorer What you’ll see ⚫ Explore Cochin and Trivandrum ⚫ Enjoy a cruise on a traditional houseboat through Alleppey’s winding backwaters ⚫ Visit the rolling hills and lush tea plantations of Munnar ⚫ Embark on a Periyar Lake boat safari ⚫ Witness the mighty cascade of Athirapally Waterfalls Characterised by winding rivers, exotic wildlife, and lush landscapes, Kerala exudes tranquillity and beauty. Discover the most captivating areas including an overnight backwaters cruise and wildlife spotting in Periyar National Park. All departures guaranteed Departures & from prices Oct 2023 £1,699 Nov 2024 £1,749 Nov 2023 £1,699 Jan 2025 £1,899 Jan 2024 £1,799 Feb 2025 £1,899 Feb 2024 £1,799 Mar 2025 £1,899 Mar 2024 £1,799 Apr 2025 £1,849 Apr 2024 £1,749 May 2025 £1,499 May 2024 £1,399 Oct 2025 £1,749 Oct 2024 £1,649 Nov 2025 £1,849 • Lead-in price based on 2 May 24 • Solo Group departures available from £1,599 • Tipping paid locally £36 pp per tour Extend your tour Kerala beach stay, 3 nights, 5 H Full Board from £499 No Single Supplement Rooms with no single supplement are available. Once sold, supplement starts from £259 P R I V A T E T O U R U P G R A D E S F R O M £99 22 Southern Asia Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk