Kerala
Sunday 21st January – Saturday 3rd February 2018

Day 1: Sunday 21st January 2018
London (Heathrow) to Trivandrum overnight in flight. Arriving the following morning
Overnight in flight

Day 2: Monday 22nd January 2018
Arrive at Trivandrum Airport and pass through Immigration before we transfer by coach to Kollam. ln the afternoon we local sites to photograph such activities as Cashew Nut farming and production.
Overnight in Kollum – Ravi Ashtamudi Resort & Spa

Day 3: Tuesday 23rd January 2018
We spend the morning exploring Lake Ashtamudi and the Kallada River with a visit to Munroe Island and surrounding waterways. The afternoon is free to explore the area arounds the resort or take an optional cruise on the lake.
Overnight in Kollum – Ravi Ashtamudi Resort & Spa

Day 4: Wednesday 24th January 2018
We drive to Periyar arriving around lunchtime. In the afternoon, we will have unique opportunity to visit a group of working elephants. As well as taking a ride in the jungle we can see them hauling timber and then spending time bathing at the end of their day’s work
Overnight in Thekkady – Kofiland Resort

Day 5: Thursday 25th January 2018
In the morning, we take a short trek through Periyar Forest looking for birdlife and other animals such a wild pig and monitor lizards. In the afternoon, we visit a tea plantation to see the pickers and the drying processes.
Overnight in Thekkady – Kofiland Resort

Day 6: Friday 26th January 2018
We drive to Madurai in Tamil Nadu, one of the oldest cities in Southern India. Here we spend time visiting the amazing Meenakshi Temple complex famous for the elaborately painted images of gods, animals and mythical figures. In the evening, we attend a special ceremony at the temple
Overnight at Madurai – Heritage Madurai Hotel

Day 7: Saturday 27th January 2018
We visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace, the Alagar Hills and the Tirupara Kundrtam Rock Temple. There are also two optional excursions available
Overnight at Madurai – Heritage Madurai Hotel

Day 8: Sunday 28th January 2018
We drive the 50 miles to Cardamom House situated on the hillside of the Western Ghats overlooking the 400-acre Mamarajar Lake.
Overnight at Cardamom House Resort

Day 9: Monday 29th January 2018
We enjoy the ground of this superb resort before we visit the surrounding countryside with coconut and banana farming. We then spend time exploring the nearby Athoor Village with is Brahmin Quarter and colourful streets and friendly people. There may also be time to see the nearby charcoal burners and rice growers.
Overnight at Cardamom House Resort

Day 10: Tuesday 30th January 2018
In the morning, we drive to Munnar stopping to explore the local villages and industry such as rice growing and jaggery making. In the afternoon, we visit the Anayirangal Dam and the Tata Tea Plantation. Later we visit the Dolmens, believed to be inhabited during the stone age.
Overnight at Munnar – ‘Spice Tree Resort’

Day 11: Wednesday 31st January 2018
We spend the morning visiting the Bison Valley and the small village which offers us the opportunity to explore spice production, Below the village are paddy fields which are unusual at high altitude. There are also other plantations in the valley. In the afternoon, we visit other local sites around Munnar
Overnight at Munnar – ‘Spice Tree Resort’

Day 12: Thursday 1st February 2018
In the morning, we transfer to Cochin the main city of Kerala. After lunch, we will have time free to explore the local area and in the evening, we enjoy the Kathakali Dance.
Overnight in Cochin – Secret Garden

Day 13: Friday 2nd February 2018
Today we explore Cochin with its covered markets and historical buildings. The area around Jew Town is the main centre of the spice trade on in the north we find the famous Chines Fishing nets
Overnight in Cochin – Secret Garden

Day 14: Saturday 3rd February 2018
We make an early morning transfer to Cochin Airport for our flight back to London. We arrive in London in the early evening