Family Adventure in Kerala

After breakfast this morning, discover Cochin on a guided bicycle tour of the city's charming Fort Cochin and Mattancherry. Your guide will lead you past the Chinese fishing nets, open-air laundries and temples, churches and mosques that showcase the city's multicultural history. Learn about Cochin’s history as a significant spice trading port, colonised over the last 500 years by the Portuguese, Dutch and Brits, all of whom have left their mark on the city.

By now, you'll have worked up quite the appetite. Our helpful Concierge can recommend the best places to eat, drink and shop in the city (the Jewish Quarter is perfect for this) so you can choose a family-friendly place for lunch.

We’ve organised another guided tour this afternoon—but this time, you’ll be on foot. A knowledgeable local guide will lead you to all the must-see sites, including the Church of Saint Francis and the Dutch Palace. Adults and children alike will leave the tour as experts on all things Cochin. It's time to introduce the family to some of India’s finest curries at dinner. Unless you’re feeling brave, it's probably best to avoid the hotter varieties, which Kerala is famed for…

Indulge in a final leisurely breakfast on your hotel’s beautiful terrace before bidding Cochin a fond farewell. Your trusty driver will take you deep into the Keralan interior today, heading for the homestay, Dewalokam. En route, stop at a luxury villa near the Muvattupuzha River for lunch before continuing to your final destination. Nestled in the spice belt, Dewalokam is a historic family-run homestay and organic farm located on the banks of the Kannadipuzha River.

For the rest of the day, relax in the tranquil setting of Dewalokam, listening to the abundant birdsong and trickling of water in the distance. Chill out at the freshwater pool and enjoy the lush gardens (perfect for budding adventurers to explore). Dinner is a communal affair, with exquisite dishes created using fresh produce from the farm. Make sure to try the homestay’s speciality, Sadya, a traditional dish served on a banana leaf, before settling in for a restful night’s sleep in the heart of nature

Today, we recommend getting involved with the multitude of activities on offer at Dewalokam. From walks in the spice plantations, forests, waterfalls and temples to village cycles and school visits, there’s plenty to keep the whole family occupied. You’ll also have the chance to discover daily life on a sustainable farm by getting involved with milking the cows. Cookery classes are available, too, so you and the children can learn about the region's spices and cook with superbly fresh local ingredients. Or perhaps you’d like to introduce the youngsters to the wonders of yoga, and where better than in this Keralan paradise? However you choose to spend your day, it’s bound to be pretty special.

Hop back in your private ride today and head for the hills. Your destination is Munnar in the Western Ghats mountain range, where verdant slopes are blanketed with tea plantations, and a cool breeze provides respite from the hot sun. You’ll stay in a boutique hotel set in the heart of a six-hectare estate of coffee and cardamom plantations. This rustic family-run home is sprawling and spacious, with plenty of room for the children to blow off steam. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere in the gardens and take a dip in the pool with views over the mountain range. Dinner is served in the cosy dining room, where nature is at the menu's centre.

Rise and shine early this morning, as we’ve arranged a private guided hike in the surrounding velvet green valleys. Embark on the heavenly trail heading for Top Station, once the region’s uppermost railway station. Located in the Kundala Valley, enjoy spectacular views across the lowlands of Tamil Nadu as you wind through rocky mountains, tea plantations, wildflower meadows, forests and lakes. Your naturalist guide will keep youngsters engaged with facts and stories about the surrounding natural world, while incredible panoramic views across the lush landscape will reward weary legs.

When you’re not traversing nearby terrain, settle into a hammock in the estate gardens or stroll through the guava, gooseberry and peach trees to find picnic tables hidden among the foliage. There’s also a cosy library where books, board games and gorgeous views create a calm oasis for the whole family to enjoy. Curious about the bird calls filling the air? Join one of the estate’s bird walks – the region is home to over 300 species – and learn your red-whiskered bulbul from the Malabar whistling thrush. The little ones will leave Munnar budding bird-watchers.

Munch on a final breakfast in Munnar before hitting the road again. This time, you’re heading for the coastal city of Alleppey Alappuzha, around five hours away. Upon arrival in the ‘Venice of the East’ (named for its winding network of canals), it’s all aboard a luxurious converted kettuvallam (rice barge). You’ll spend the next two nights cruising the ecosystem of canals, lakes and rivers that sustain thriving rice paddy fields and plantations of banana trees and other crops.

A cruise on the backwaters is a magical experience, with all meals served aboard. Still, the region really comes into its own during 'the magic hour' - at sunset and sunrise - when an already attractive place becomes stunningly beautiful. The rice barge progresses at a very sedate pace so the children can put their newfound birdwatching skills to the test. Learn about local life as you pass working boatyards and watch villagers separating coir - the coarse fibres from coconut husks - and spinning it into one of the world's roughest threads. The onboard chef will rustle up delicious traditional meals before you retire to bed with the sound of water gently lapping against the boat's hull.

Even if you can’t rouse the little ones, it's worth you rising early on your final morning aboard the barge to catch the sunrise over the waterways. Birdlife is at its best at this time, and you can see local communities begin their days while you nurse a warming cup of mint tea.

Once you glide elegantly back into Alleppey, your driver will meet you at the dock for the half-hour drive to your next stop - a lovely coastal retreat set in 30 acres of gardens and coconut groves. You’ll spend four nights in this paradise, where tall palms sway, and the salty scent of the sea is in the air. While Kerala has hundreds of miles of wide sandy beaches, the waves and currents mean they’re not always suitable for swimming. The good news is that your hotel has a huge saltwater swimming pool, so there's nothing to stop the whole family from diving in. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the resort, exploring the extensive grounds and enjoying a cocktail (or a fresh coconut for the children) at the beach bar before having your fill of delicious Keralan curry for dinner.

Spend the final three days of your trip enjoying the Keralan coast. Break out the bucket and spade for a few (hopefully) sun-drenched days by the ocean. Soak in the vast infinity pool, wander the gardens with a naturalist guide, discover the butterfly garden, or hire an e-bike and explore the fishing villages and the vast beaches. There's also a lovely spa for mum and dad and beachfront yoga classes.

This is a great opportunity for the children (and adults) to learn about local life. Kerala has one of the world's highest literacy rates and a fascinating, distinct culture. We’ve arranged for you to watch the local fishermen return to shore on their traditional colourful boats to empty their nets of the day's catch. Other activities include seeing vibrant local festivals, visiting a coir-producing village and purchasing local handicrafts, or wandering around a local market so the children can marvel at the sights, sounds and smells.