£1499pp—Backwaters & beaches: private 5-star tour of Kerala

Spot elephants and tigers, cruise sleepy backwaters, and taste tea in the highlands of laid-back Kerala. Our research found this 10-night holiday saves £250–£494 on similar tours elsewhere. You can even visit during the peak dry season.

What's included

• Outbound flight to Kochi and return from Thiruvananthapuram, with up to 23kg checked baggage
• Private ground transportation with an English-speaking chauffeur in an air-conditioned vehicle
• Two nights at the 5-star Fragrant Nature Kochi
• Two nights at the 5-star Fragrant Nature Hotel & Spa in Munnar
• Two nights at the 5-star The Mountain Courtyard in Thekkady
• One night aboard an air-conditioned houseboat in Alleppey
• Three nights at the 5-star Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach in Kovalam
• Daily breakfast and dinner in Kochi, Munnar, and Thekkady, and daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the houseboat and in Kovalam
• Excursions throughout, with all entry fees, and an English-speaking guide
• A 40-minute Ayurvedic massage per person during the beach stay in Kovalam

When
Fly from London Heathrow on:

• 17, 21, 25 November, 2025
• 19, 24, 31 January,  2026
• 2, 20, 28 February, 2026
• 1, 7, 18 March, 2026
• 20, 23, 30 April, 2026
• 6, 13, 21, 28 May, 202
• 3, 10, 15, 19 June, 2026
• 6, 13, 20, 27 September, 2026

Fly from Manchester on:

• 23, 24 November, 2025
• 7, 14 May, 2026
• 4, 11 June, 2026
• 17, 24 September, 2026

You can depart from Birmingham or Edinburgh from £1549 per person; Newcastle from £1599 per person; or Glasgow International from £1649 per person.

For more information, see our partner's website.

Itinerary
Your private adventure will start in Kochi, a vibrant seaport. The old town is a blend of Indian, European, and Chinese cultures. Spice warehouses line narrow streets, and bustling markets invite for browsing curiosities. Visit the Mattancherry Palace and Santa Cruz Basilica before heading to the shore to see traditional fishing nets looming over the bay.

Continue to Munnar in the highlands, the largest tea-growing region in southern India. Call at a plantation and factory in the Western Ghats, with tea tasting included. A cooking demonstration will showcase local culinary delights.

On the way to Thekkady, you'll visit the Periyar National Park. The reserve is home to tigers, elephants, and sambar deer. You'll go on a wildlife-spotting boat excursion. Spend time at a spice plantation, and see a Kathakali dance and martial arts performance.

It's then on to sailing the glistening backwaters on a houseboat from Alleppey. These vessels give a real insight to Keralan life. You'll pass by ancient temples, rustic villages, paddy fields, and swaying coconut trees.

The journey concludes with three luxurious nights along a palm-backed beach near Kovalam. Sunbathe at the pool, or see the sun set over the Indian Ocean. An Ayurvedic massage at the spa is also part of your package.

Other options
Add a 5-night private Golden Triangle tour from an extra £669 per person. You'll stay at 5-star hotels in Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, with daily breakfast. All transportation, and services of an expert guide are included. Activities cover a guided tour in Delhi, visiting the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Agra, and the Amber Fort in Jaipur.

Transfers & baggage
Private chauffeured transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle are included throughout. There is a checked-baggage allowance of up to 23kg per person.