Captivating Kerala – Colours, People and Landscapes

Incredible India!

Highlights include…

• Lush backwaters from a houseboat
• Mountain Hotel, Cardamom Hills
• Kathakali – a non-tourist performance
• Historic Cochin – the Arabian Sea
• Periyar Wildlife Reserve
• Spice Gardens
• Emerald tea plantations
• The Chinese fishing nets
• Fascinating street photography
• Varkala beach resort
• Kovalam Beach extension available

Take a peek at this gallery from last years two trips

“… Just wanted to say thank you again to everyone and especially to Geraldine and Martin for the amazing and fabulously inspiring last two weeks – Hope everyone made it home safe and sound. I managed to narrow down my 4,172 pictures to a top 100 that I placed at flickr.”

Dennis Miller, India December/January 2011
See Dennis’s India Flickr Gallery

Download the detailed trip dossier

General Summary

Escape the post Christmas blues by joining us on this remarkable photographic journey through the lush and exotic landscape of South India’s Kerala with photographers who know the area intimately and have been traveling here for 15 years – this is a new trip that is firmly rooted in our intimate knowledge and past experiences here; well researched adventure travel photography at its very best. The usual iconic sights will be beautifully balanced with a bunch of handpicked, off the beaten track locations to ensure that you return home with a portfolio of remarkably different images Cochin with its Portuguese houses, synagogues, palaces, forts and Chinese fishing nets, spread over a charming cluster of islands and peninsulas, the tea plantations, granite domed mountains, spice gardens and wild life reserves of the Western Ghats, a truly traditional and totally non-mainstream Kathakali make up and performance in a tiny village and a memorable journey on the famous Keralan backwaters in a luxurious houseboat. As with our established India Xmas trip, all our accommodation is a wonderful blend of hotels chosen carefully with a blend of the traditional, a dash of luxury and and a huge helping of special ambiance. There is also an opportunity to take a 2 day extension in Kovalam Beach based in the Tranvacore Heritage Hotel.

Days 1-3: Ancient Cochin

We spend the first three nights based in the old seaside city of Cochin where our locations include, winding streets crammed with 500 year old Portuguese houses, synagogues, palaces, forts, Chinese fishing nets all spread over a charming cluster of Islands and peninsulas. We will take rickshaws through the narrow bustling streets making close contact with the local people that work and live here. Some outstanding and different photographic opportunities.
Our accommodation is the delightful secluded Secret Garden

Day 4-6: Tea Plantations and Mountains

This morning we drive high into the Western Ghats, a fascinating journey that will take us steadily uphill, through coffee and spice plantations, huge expanses of symmetrical, emerald green tea plantations, past granite domed mountains until to arrive at our hotel in the Cardamom Hills. The photographic opportunities here are diverse and the air will be beautifully cool.

Days 7-8: Spice Gardens of Kumily

Our locations will include the Peryiar Wildlife Reserve, coffee and rubber plantations, all manner of spice plantations and the stunning forested mountains.

Day 9: Kerala Backwaters

In an air conditioned converted rice boat, a memorable journey through the heart of Kerala, palm trees, amazing bird life, rice fields, bustling villages, temples, snake boats, a chance to get in really close for some exceptional shots. We will be on the water at both sunset and sunrise.

Day 10: Traditional Village Drama

We will be privileged to witness and photograph a traditional village Kathakali performance including the extensive preparations and make up. This event will be far removed from the usual tourist performances that have become popular.
Village Accommodation

Day 11-12: A Train Journey & the Arabian Sea

Today we take a short train journey to Varkala. We will spend time photographing the fascinating life in and around the station. Varkala is famous for it’s cliffs, temples, souvenir market traders and a lovely beach on the Arabian sea. We will be based centrally in the Desharden Resort

Day 13: Transfer to Trivandrum airport

Either leave today or consider the below extension.

Kovalum Beach Extension

We can offer a two night two night Kovalum beach extension on nights 13 and 14 departing on 15th January. This will be un-guided. Please contact us for the additional price.

Complete itinerary and full details

This page is only a brief summary. A complete itinerary and full details can be found in our PDF dossier. It is important that you read the full day-to-day description and further information for this holiday before making your booking.

Booking this holiday

As an incentive for people who would like to book a group holiday, we are offering one totally free place for each 8 people booked. The free place can be used as a perk for the organisor, or maybe spread the reduction to benefit the whole group or to donate the savings to a worthy cause – this is entirely up to you.

To book contact us by email, phone 00354 5888939 or download a booking form.