Family adventure holiday to India
| country: | India |
| location: | Kerala |
| departures: | 2008: 19 Dec 2009: 13 Feb, 4 Apr |
| price: | From £1349 - £1899 (10 days) per adult and from £1269 - £1725 per child including flights from UK, from £899 - £999 excluding flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
India's far southern state makes an excellent introduction to the riches of the subcontinent with an easily accessible diversity of landscapes in a compact area and its famously well-educated and welcoming people with a relaxed approach to life. We cover the key highlights during this steady-paced ten day trip.
Tropical Malabar: Our adventure begins on the tropical Malabar coast in Kochi, with its unique architectural blend of Indian and European styles. We'll take a boat trip to explore the old Portuguese fort with its Chinese fishing nets, churches, synagogue and old godowns, now occupied by some interesting antique and curio sellers.
A chance to eat freshly caught seafood straight from the net or visit a performance of the colourful Kathakali dancers are a must.
Elephants and Spices: Heading up the coast we visit the famous temple elephants at Guruvayur, housed in an old Zamorin's palace, they take part in many of the state's important festivals. At the Periyar National Park we hope to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, grazing the shores of the massive lake which we traverse by boat. An opportunity for an early morning trek provides the chance to spot the sambar deer and myriad bird species that live here. This cooler upland area is dotted with lush spice gardens; we take a tour to learn more about where many of our daily condiments come from!
Backwaters and Beaches: Behind the long sweep of Kerala's sandy beaches lie the “backwaters” - a maze of islands and villages linked by rivers and canals. We glide through the waterways by boat, an ideal way to observe the everyday lives of the friendly Keralans for whom fishing and farming the fertile soils provide the mainstay of life. Coconut trees are everywhere and their humble nuts are of major importance to the economy. We'll get the chance to eat them in many forms, straight off the tree or in the delicious and delicately spiced local cuisine! Our trip finishes on the beach where the options are to just relax on the warm sands and in the sea or, for the more energetic, there's the chance to journey south the very tip of the subcontinent at Kanyakumari.
Tropical Malabar: Our adventure begins on the tropical Malabar coast in Kochi, with its unique architectural blend of Indian and European styles. We'll take a boat trip to explore the old Portuguese fort with its Chinese fishing nets, churches, synagogue and old godowns, now occupied by some interesting antique and curio sellers.
A chance to eat freshly caught seafood straight from the net or visit a performance of the colourful Kathakali dancers are a must.
Elephants and Spices: Heading up the coast we visit the famous temple elephants at Guruvayur, housed in an old Zamorin's palace, they take part in many of the state's important festivals. At the Periyar National Park we hope to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, grazing the shores of the massive lake which we traverse by boat. An opportunity for an early morning trek provides the chance to spot the sambar deer and myriad bird species that live here. This cooler upland area is dotted with lush spice gardens; we take a tour to learn more about where many of our daily condiments come from!
Backwaters and Beaches: Behind the long sweep of Kerala's sandy beaches lie the “backwaters” - a maze of islands and villages linked by rivers and canals. We glide through the waterways by boat, an ideal way to observe the everyday lives of the friendly Keralans for whom fishing and farming the fertile soils provide the mainstay of life. Coconut trees are everywhere and their humble nuts are of major importance to the economy. We'll get the chance to eat them in many forms, straight off the tree or in the delicious and delicately spiced local cuisine! Our trip finishes on the beach where the options are to just relax on the warm sands and in the sea or, for the more energetic, there's the chance to journey south the very tip of the subcontinent at Kanyakumari.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly London/Kochi (Cochin) |
| Day 2: | Arrive Kochi; visit Fort Kochi by boat |
| Day 3: | Morning visit to Guruvayur temple elephants. |
| Day 4: | Drive to Periyar; visit to spice garden. |
| Day 5: | In Periyar NP; early morning nature walk (optional) and afternoon boat trip. |
| Day 6: | Drive to Backwaters; board houseboat and cruise. |
| Day 7: | Morning cruising; free afternoon at backwaters resort. |
| Day 8: | Morning train to Trivandrum (4hrs); transfer to beach for free afternoon. |
| Day 9: | Free day at the beach; optional trip to Kanyakumari |
| Day 10: | Drive Trivandrum airport; fly London |
small group family holiday
This is a 'small group family adventure' - typically you will join several other families and travel in a group of approx. 16 people. The trips are great value and a great way for you and your children to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of time to yourselves. Most adventure kids tend to be aged between 7 and 15, but some are younger (minimum age 5) and some older (perhaps travelling as part of a larger family group). Please check with the operator to confirm the minimum age for this trip how this holiday makes a difference
Following the 2004 tsunami, we have helped Hope Worldwide fund the construction of 4 fishing boats for 4 families, to support communities close to Mahabalipuram, enabling them to get back on their feet and feed and support their families.
On this trip we stay in locally owned hotels, which are very traditional to the country and our local agents and suppliers, whom we have worked with for many years, has a very strong responsible tourism policy to support projects and charities within India.
Visiting national parks, such as Periyar, we ensure that the elephants and other animals there are supported by our entrance fees and also hiring guides and going on nature walks to learn more about this fragile environment. At the elephant centre in Kodanadu, we donate money to ensure that the elephants are well cared for.
We use lots of different modes of transport to try and make a minimum impact on the environment and to spread money locally; boat, bus, train, on foot, & rail. There are many opportunities on this tour to get off the beaten track and to meet and interact with the local people as well as understanding what goes on in the local area.
On this trip we stay in locally owned hotels, which are very traditional to the country and our local agents and suppliers, whom we have worked with for many years, has a very strong responsible tourism policy to support projects and charities within India.
Visiting national parks, such as Periyar, we ensure that the elephants and other animals there are supported by our entrance fees and also hiring guides and going on nature walks to learn more about this fragile environment. At the elephant centre in Kodanadu, we donate money to ensure that the elephants are well cared for.
We use lots of different modes of transport to try and make a minimum impact on the environment and to spread money locally; boat, bus, train, on foot, & rail. There are many opportunities on this tour to get off the beaten track and to meet and interact with the local people as well as understanding what goes on in the local area.