Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
India – Kerala – Cochin – Dewalosam – Munnar – Alleppey – Mararikulam
100% customisable for you
Bags packed, snacks secured and excitement levels officially sky-high – today you and the family are off to India.
Head to the airport, breeze through security and enjoy some nibbles in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Cochin in South India. With a quick stop in a Middle Eastern or Indian hub along the way, the journey takes around 15 hours, so queue up the films, crack open the games and try to catch some Z’s before arriving the following morning.
When you touch down in Cochin, you’ll be greeted by your friendly private driver, who’ll accompany you around Kerala over the next two weeks. First stop: your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights.
The rest of the day is yours to ease into holiday mode. Stretch your legs with a stroll, grab some street food and slow things right down with a lazy afternoon by the pool. Finally, crawl into bed for a well-earned early night – tomorrow promises plenty more excitement...
The best way to explore Cochin? By bike, of course. This morning, meet your private guide, hop on two wheels and weave through the colourful streets of Fort Kochi, the city’s historic waterfront quarter.
Along the way, discover how 19 different ethnic and cultural communities helped shape the city, influencing everything from local cuisine and traditional dress to festivals and architecture. The youngsters are bound to be wide-eyed as you cycle past fragrant spice stalls, tangled alleyways and streets alive with musicians and market traders.
All that pedalling will likely have worked up a hefty appetite, so treat yourself to some pazham pori (banana fritters) or a crispy dosa (savoury pancake), best enjoyed fresh off the griddle.
Still hungry for more? We can also arrange a private cooking class with a local chef, where you’ll learn how to recreate some of Kerala’s most beloved dishes (and try them out, of course).
Rise and shine early this morning and fuel up with breakfast before setting off with a local guide on a greatest-hits tour of Cochin. Amble along cobblestone streets lined with historic trading warehouses before ticking off some of the city’s icons, such as St Francis Church, the Dutch Palace and the Jewish Quarter, home to the oldest synagogue in the country.
Along the way, discover how Portuguese, English, Dutch and French influences have all left their mark on the city over the centuries, from faded colonial facades and grand merchant homes to Cochin’s temples, churches and mosques. Keep your eyes peeled for lively bazaars brimming with treasures, including handwoven textiles and keepsakes worthy of a spot in the suitcase.
When evening rolls around, dive headfirst into Cochin’s street food scene. From spicy samosas to melt-in-your-mouth parathas (buttery layered flatbreads), the flavours are as vibrant as the city itself. Just be sure to pack some wipes – street food adventures with the little ones can get deliciously messy.
Fancy busting out some moves this morning? We can arrange a private introduction to Kathakali, Kerala’s traditional dance, known for its elaborate costumes, painted faces and plenty of dramatic flair.
This afternoon, meet your local driver for the two-hour journey into Kerala’s lush hinterland. As swaying palms, tea estates and sleepy villages roll by, tune into our destination-specific playlist and let the full family singalong commence.
When you arrive in Dewalokam, settle into your scenic retreat, your base for the next two nights. Dotted with ancestral farms, tropical gardens and flourishing spice plantations, this peaceful corner of Kerala is known for its organic farming practices and wonderfully slow pace of life – and there’s no better way to embrace it than spending the rest of the day swinging in the hammock, dipping in the pool and basking in the sunshine.
Tonight, leave dinner plans up to your Concierge – just tell them what the children are craving...
After a few action-packed days, today is all yours to enjoy some serious R&R. Find your inner zen with a morning yoga session overlooking the greenery or head out on a walk through the surrounding farms before cooling off with a refreshing dip in the river – likely to be a big hit with the little ones.
Later, explore the local village, sample more of the region’s traditional dishes or simply curl up with a good book while the youngsters roam the gardens in search of butterflies and tropical birds. And, if grown-ups are craving a little peace and quiet, a traditional Ayurvedic oil treatment is always a good idea.
As the valley glows golden at sunset, round off the day with a delicious home-cooked dinner.
Buckle in for another road trip this morning as your private driver whisks you two-and-a-half hours deeper into Kerala’s highlands to Munnar. Perched more than 5,200ft above sea level among misty mountains, this cooler part of the state is famous for the eucalyptus forests and sprawling coffee and cardamom plantations that carpet the landscape.
As the roads begin to twist and climb, keep an eye out for tumbling waterfalls and locals picking tea on the steep green slopes. Then it’s officially game on for who can spot the first monkey swinging through the trees – the winner rides shotgun tomorrow...
When you arrive, check into your cosy guesthouse, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights. And, as per tradition, settle in with a steaming cup of fresh mint tea, likely brewed with herbs picked just moments ago.
Today, swap four wheels for three and climb aboard a tuk-tuk for a brilliantly chaotic spin through Munnar. With a local guide at the wheel, zip through the town centre, where dizzying streets, beeping horns and a whirl of colours await around every corner.
Part of the fun lies in pitstops along the way – one minute you’re sipping aromatic chai at a café, the next you’re snapping family photos or weaving through markets overflowing with fresh produce. Soon, the town gives way to rolling tea estates, dense forests and sleepy villages, where locals wave from roadside shops as you rattle past.
Curious how your morning brew makes it from leaf to cup? We can also arrange a private tour of the legendary Lockhart Estate, where you’ll learn about every stage of tea production.
After a jam-packed day, head back to your guesthouse for another delicious dinner before rounding things off with a bowl of payasam – a creamy cardamom-spiced treat that youngsters tend to go wild for.
Unleash your inner fashionista today with a private block-printing workshop hosted by Srishti Trust, a local charity empowering people with disabilities through creative arts and sustainable textile-making.
After an introduction to the locally produced natural dyes, it’s time to roll up your sleeves for some block printing. Using carved wooden blocks dipped in vibrant dyes, pick your favourite prints and carefully press them onto fabric to create intricate patterns. Repeat a few times, and voila – your design has come to life.
You’ll also try eco-printing and tie-dyeing, so expect plenty of colour, a little mess and lots of fun as fabrics are transformed into your own very works of art.
While your masterpieces dry, head into the sewing area, where skilled artisans shape fabrics into beautifully made garments.
Best of all, you won’t be leaving empty-handed. At the end of the workshop, each family member will take home their own handmade textile piece – a one-of-a-kind souvenir with memories of Kerala stitched into every thread.
Another day, another adventure. This morning, rejoin your private driver for the five-hour journey south to Alleppey. Located along the Laccadive Sea, this laid-back town is often nicknamed the ‘Venice of the East’ thanks to its maze of winding canals.
When you arrive, step aboard your traditional kettuvallam houseboat, once used to transport rice and spices through the backwaters and now reimagined as a floating home.
Over the next two days, drift along shimmering canals and across the vast Vembanad Lake, watching everyday life unfold as fishermen haul in their catch, children play along the shore and painted wooden boats glide silently past. In between village visits and birdwatching sessions, there’ll also be plenty of time to stretch out and soak up the stillness.
And, when dinnertime rolls around each night, sink your teeth into fresh seafood and fragrant Keralan curry before cracking into a fresh coconut on deck. Does it get any better than this?
It’s on to the final chapter of your Kerala adventure today as your private driver whisks you away on the 30-minute drive to Mararikulam. Nestled between the Indian Ocean and Vembanad Lake, this charming coastal village showcases a different side of Kerala, with swaying palms, golden sands and postcard-worthy scenery.
When you arrive, hop out, hand over your bags and herd the excitable youngsters straight to your beachside resort – your home away from home for the next four nights.
Slip straight into sandals, lather the sunscreen and arm the little ones with buckets and spades for a stroll along the coast. Cue the children making a beeline straight for the water while parents watch on from sunloungers – perhaps with a cocktail to celebrate your arrival?
Early this morning, bundle into a tuk-tuk and whizz towards the nearby harbour to witness the return of Mararikulam’s fishermen. As traditional wooden boats roll onto the shore, the beach quickly springs to life, with fishmongers and local families gathering to greet the day’s catch.
Watch fishermen haul baskets overflowing with fresh seafood ashore before the morning auction begins, then follow the delicious aromas to a waterfront restaurant for a well-earned feast. Dig into local favourites like karimeen pollichathu (spiced fish grilled in a banana leaf) and chemmeen curry (rich prawn stew). Keralites are big on flavour, so for your youngsters, just ask your server to tone down the spice a notch.
Once you’re suitably stuffed, head back to your hotel for a blissful afternoon on the beach and an evening of stargazing. With barely any light pollution here, the night sky puts on quite the show – who will be the first to spot Orion’s Belt?
We’ve kept your final two days in Kerala wonderfully free. Wake slowly to the sound of waves rolling onto the shore, linger over long lunches and spend your time drifting between the sun-drenched beach and the nearest shady hammock.
Need to cool off in the heat? Plunge straight into the ocean or swimming pool, where the whole family can show off their finest diving techniques (graceful swan dive or full-on belly flop – no judgement here). For anyone with twitchy feet, there’s still plenty to keep you busy, whether that’s unwinding at a local spa or discovering a hidden talent at a local archery range.
Finish each day sun-kissed and satisfied, watching the sky shift through shades of pink and orange as evening settles over the coast. And, on your last night, leave dinner plans in the hands of your Concierge, who’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal.
Time flies when you’re having fun and, sadly, your Keralan trip has come to an end. This morning, tuck into an early breakfast before hopping back into the car for the two-hour transfer to Cochin International Airport. Say your goodbyes to your driver – by the end of two weeks spent travelling around together, they’ll likely know all your family’s favourite playlists off by heart.
The route home is another two-parter, stopping in an Indian or Middle Eastern hub along the way, where you can stretch your legs and squeeze in a spot of duty-free shopping before boarding your final flight home.
All in all, you’ll spend around 15 hours in the air. Plenty of time to start the all-important conversation with your young explorers – where to next on the travel bucket list?
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
