Kerala & the Maldives
Overview
What's this trip about?
Itinerary
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Cochin.
Arrive in Cochin and transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure or explore the local area. Your hotel is a short walk from some interesting local restaurants and shops.
Explore Cochin today with your local guide. Fort Cochin is the home to some of the oldest European architecture in India and has been a significant settlement ever since Cochin Harbour was discovered. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. If you'd like, we can arrange a traditional dance show for this evening.
Drive onwards to Munnar through changing landscapes as you leave the coastal area and head up to the hill plantations, passing on route rubber, pineapple and coconut plantations. Check in to your hotel - you might have time to wander through the hotel's gardens.
The walk through the tea plantations is very flexible and can be tailor-made to suit your fitness level and plans for the day. Taste some tea this afternoon at a local factory where you can learn about the tea picking process.
Continue south to Periyar National Park today. After the drive, you'll be able to relax before an early start tomorrow.
This morning will be an early start as you head in to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for your early morning walk. If you are lucky, you may spot some illusive wildlife which can sometimes be seen here. Later today you will visit a spice plantation which is an interesting educational experience.
Head back towards the coast and spend your afternoon and evening cruising along the backwaters on a traditional rice barge. A private chef on-board will provide you with a freshly cooked dinner made from local ingredients.
After breakfast on-board your houseboat, your driver will be waiting to transfer you on to Cochin airport for your flight to Male.On arrival you will be transferred to Velassaru for the next four nights at your leisure.
Day free to enjoy the Maldives. You might like to try the resort's spa which offers a huge range of treatments as well as private yoga tuition. Treatments can also be arranged in your bungalow.
You may like to book a boat trip today to visit some nearby reefs. Bring your snorkeling equipment and enjoy the opportunity to spot a variety of vibrant fish and hopefully a few manta rays.
Make your last day in the Maldives special by booking a private dining experience. You can enjoy a picnic on a nearby private sandbar, or a candle-lit dinner on the beach.
You will be transferred by speedboat back to Male in time for your flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Audley Travel Reviews & Ratings
Other Audley Travel Reviews
Another brilliant trip
Third holiday with Audley and the best yet. They really know the countries and work with you to put together the perfect itinerary. They think of everything. They ar...
I wanted to take my son away for his…
I wanted to take my son away for his 21st birthday to New Orleans and Memphis over Halloween My agent was Stacey Lockhart She actually listened to my requests, pa...
Trip to Vietnam and Cambodia We recently returned from a trip from…
We recently returned from a trip from Vietnam and Cambodia and it was a trip of a lifetime. We had help planning our trip from our region specialist Matthew who is v...
Tour Operator
Our trips don’t come off the shelf. There’s no set recipe. Each itinerary is tailor-made down to the finest detail, built around your tastes and interests. Quite simply, we listen to what you want and then carefully design an individual trip to match, working to your budget and with an absolute commitment to quality.
We have experts for each and every one of our destinations, with the knowledge that comes from having visited many times or even lived there. Our specialists will design a trip around you, show you the highlights from a different angle, and introduce you to places and experiences that others might miss.
Our flexibility promise
As the world adjusts to travel in times of uncertainty, we want you to be able to look ahead to your next trip knowing you can change your plans if needed. And, with specialists who are experts in their destinations and remain your single point of contact before and while you travel, we promise you can book with us in absolute confidence.
Our flexibility promise
Change your plans free of charge up to 30 days before departure
We’ll move your travel dates or switch the value of your booked trip to another destination at no expense to you up to 30 days before you’re due to depart. You’ll receive a 100% travel credit equivalent to the amount you paid toward your original booking.
Valid for new bookings made on or before October 31, 2020, for travel by Dec. 31, 2021. Travel dates may be moved to departures up to December 31, 2022. Excludes select cruises and airfare. Additional charges may be incurred based on changes to your trip such as accommodation and/or seasonality.
Full-refund guarantee on trips close to home
14-day cancellation policy for trips to the US, Canada or Caribbean
We want to help you navigate the uncertainty that remains around travel by giving you the flexibility to book a trip to any of our destinations in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean this year in complete confidence. With our 14-day cancellation policy, you can cancel your trip up to two weeks before you’re due to depart for any reason and receive a full refund, when you book your trip on or before October 31, 2020 for travel before December 14, 2021**.
Valid on new bookings within the US, Canada or Caribbean made on or before October 31, 2020 for travel by December 14, 2021. Certain policy variations may apply dependent on property selection and dates. Specific details will be provided by your specialist. Any portion of a new booking paid with an existing travel credit will be refunded in the form of a travel credit. Excludes flights and select properties.
Set your travel plans in motion with a video appointment
Talking face to face with your specialist can be an invaluable starting point for sharing thoughts and ideas as you begin to imagine your next trip. You can take as much time as you need to speak to your specialist and discuss all your plans with one of our video appointments. Just think of it as your own personal webinar — your specialist will share a wealth of insight, aided by images, maps and other visuals, to inspire you and provide advice for your trip, based on what you want to experience.
It's easy to arrange
- Book a video appointment (we’ll ask you for a few details about your travel plans).
- One of our specialists, who’s an expert in your chosen destination, will get in touch to arrange a time and date to suit you. If your travel companions are in different households, we’ll invite them to join, too, so you can all chat together.
- Your specialist will send you a link to your video appointment by email. We suggest using a computer or laptop, which means there’s no software to download.
- Settle down with a drink, click on the link to join the appointment and your specialist will be there to welcome you.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations