Captivating Kerala – Colours, People and Landscapes

Highlights of our new improved itinerary include…

• Lush backwaters from a houseboat
• Mountain Hotel, Cardamom Hills
• Kathakali performance
• Historic Cochin – the Arabian Sea
• Authentic Keralan accommodation
• Vembanad Lake
• Kumarakom Bird Reserve
• Spice Gardens
• Emerald tea plantations
• The Chinese fishing nets
• Fascinating street photography
• Varkala beach resort
• Kovalam Beach extension available
• Delicious Keralan cuisine

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’ India Flickr Gallery

Download the detailed trip dossier

General Summary

We are really thrilled to introduce this remarkable photographic journey through the lush and exotic landscape of South India’s Kerala with photographers who know the area well and have been travelling here for 15 years – this is one of our favourite trips with several new additions to the itinerary for 2103; 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 Kathakali make up and performance, a memorable two night journey on the famous Keralan backwaters in a luxurious houseboat and a relaxing stay in a lovely resort in the the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. All our accommodation is a wonderful selection of hotels chosen carefully by ourselves. They have 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 two 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.
Delightful water front hotel

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.
Mountain Hotel

Days 7-8 Kumarakom

We take a whole day to make the journey back down to Kumarakom which will maximise our chance to spend time in the incredible nature that we pass through including lakes, forests, rubber, coffee and cardamom plantations.
Our base in Kumarakom is truly idyllic, a lovely resort right on the backwaters. The surrounding natural environment affords huge photographic potential including Lake Vembanad, the bird sanctuary, villages, canals, rice fields, temples and Kathakali. We will visit the sleepy pretty village Ayemenem where Arundati Roy’s novel “God of Small Things” was set.
Backwater Resort

Day 10-11 Kerala Backwaters

We spend two unforgettable nights an air conditioned houseboat, a memorable and totally relaxing journey through the heart of Kerala. This is a chance to get in really close for some exceptional shots. In the past we have enjoyed just one night travelling this way although our guests have repeatedly insisted that they would have preferred two: we are really pleased to be able to include this.

Luxury Houseboat

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

Today we take a 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 superb beach on the Arabian sea.

Secluded and pretty 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 1st Feb 2014. 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.