Kerala and the Western Ghats

A journey through India`s tropical south ~ Trekking in the Cardamom Hills ~ Madurai`s outrageous Sri Meenakshi Temple ~ Houseboat cruise on the Keralan `backwaters` ~ Trekking in Kerala

At the southern tip of India, the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu offer a range of adventure travel experiences unlike anything else on the Indian Subcontinent. After a day's relaxation on the Indian Ocean beaches of Kovalam, we transfer to Alleppey to meet our houseboat for a sunset cruise and overnight stay on the 'backwaters' of Kerala. Our next stop is at the Periyar Wildlife Reserve, home to wild elephants and tigers, which we explore by bamboo raft and on elephant-back. Another unmissable attraction is the amazing Sri Meenakshi temple complex at Madurai, probably the most colourful example of Indian religious architecture. Then, from the British Raj hill-station of Munnar, 5 days of trekking in the Western Ghats takes us through rich forest and plantations of tea, coffee and spices, with a high point at the summit of Meesapulimala (2600m / 8530ft), Kerala's second highest peak. A visit to the picturesque old Portuguese city of Cochin brings this amazing Indian journey to a close.

Trip Guide
This is not a long or sustained trekking holiday. The 5-day trek through the Cardamom Hills begins with a short introductory walk around the tea estates at Munnar and then involves 4 days where we will be walking for an average of 6 hours each day. The altitudes attained are never sufficiently high to cause problems with acclimatisation and the underfoot conditions are generally good, on tracks and trails through tea plantations and forest and between villages. We may encounter some slippery conditions on forest trails. This short trek, at low altitude, is graded EASY. The trip also includes several relatively short (3-hour) vehicle transfers on generally good roads.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kovalam. Transfers from Trivandrum Airport are provided for all flights into Trivandrum on this day. KE Land Only package services begin with lunch at the hotel. Free day at this laid back resort. Dinner is included.

Day 2: After breakfast, we take a scenic drive to the boat jetty in Alleppey, where we board the houseboat which will be our accommodation for this night. Backwaters cruise to Kumarakom.

Day 3: Disembarking, we rejoin our transport for the drive up into the Western Ghats, stopping for lunch en route. Arriving at Thekkady, we check in to our hotel and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Day 4: A full day hike through the Periyar Reserve with Forest Service guides. A chance to spot elephant, deer, Indian bison and many bird species. Optional elephant ride at Kumili. Overnight at Thekkady.

Day 5: Today, we drive to Madurai, check in to our hotel and have the afternoon free to visit the amazing Sri Meenakshi Temple, with its sculpted and colourful pyramidal towers.

Day 6: A pleasant drive up into the Western Ghats, to the hill-station of Munnar, which sits amongst lush tea plantations. After checking in to our hotel, there is time to explore the town and its bazaar.

Day 7: We trek steadily uphill from Suryanelli through tea plantations to an excellent camp overlooking the plains of Tamil Nadu. Optional afternoon visit to the Kolukkumalia tea estate and factory.

Day 8: Trek above the tea plantations of Kolukumalai and across open moorland to reach the summit of Meesapulimala (2600m / 8530ft). Descend into Rhododendron Valley and a streamside camp.

Day 9: Trekking through high grassland and evergreen 'shola' forest, we descend to the plantations above the village of Ellapatti and overnight at Footprint Camp on a forested ridge.

Day 10: Our last day's trek takes us through shola forest and rolling plantation country with far-reaching views, en route to our camp at Top Station, the site of an old railway and rope-way.

Day 11: After breakfast, we drive via Munnar to the old port city of Cochin and check in to our hotel. In the evening we will see a Kathakali dance performance.

Day 12: A full day to explore this 500 year-old Portuguese city, with its palaces and forts, as well as its picturesque Chinese fishing contraptions. We have a second night at our Kochi hotel.

Day 13: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Transfers to Cochin Airport are provided.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

On arrival the group will spend one night at the hotel in Kovalam. Throughout the trip, when staying in hotels and lodges, we will use a good standard of tourist class accommodation. In addition to the 7 nights that we spend in hotels and lodges, there will be a single night in a houseboat or 'kettuvallom' on the Kerala backwaters.