Kerala Backwaters small group holiday, India
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates, prices & availability
The leaders are not guides – they’re not there to shepherd you around. Instead, they’ll let you know which local restaurant serves great value food – without running the risk of travellers’ tummy. They’ll allow you to avoid hour-long queues at train stations and attractions.
We like to think of small group travel as the Goldilocks option. It is independent travel without the fuss, worry and bunk beds – and organised travel without the coaches. And it’s cheaper than a tailor made tour. It’s sits somewhere in the middle – and we think it’s just about right.
Have big, life-enriching experiences that would be impossible to organise without lots of time and insider knowledge.
Simplicity
Make the most of your holiday time by letting someone else do the hard work and boring logistics!
Peace of mind
Small group tours take care of the security aspects – and provide a safety net should anything unexpected happen.
If you don’t have three months to spend exploring, small groups trips let you cover more ground in less time. Your days are not spent queuing for tickets or finding hotels – so you can squeeze more into your holiday.
Solo travellers who’d like company
Likeminded travel companions plus peace of mind for those travelling alone. Single supplements are usually available – providing privacy if you want it.
Less confident travellers
Stray from the tourist trail without worrying about getting lost, and meet local people without dealing with the language barrier.
Couples and friends have private rooms, and you can choose to eat alone or not. Single supplements give solo travellers their own room.
“There won’t be any free time”
Free mornings or afternoons let you explore on your own, or just relax.
“The accommodation will be basic”
Trips are as high or low end as you like. Though off the beaten track destinations won’t have luxury hotels, this is all part of the adventure.
“I won’t like the other travellers!”
Tour operators try to create groups with a similar demographic – age, families, activity levels... Chances are, you’ll even make new friends.
“Will we be following an umbrella?”
No.
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.

Whilst in Periyar we are careful to follow the strict guidelines of our Animal Welfare Policy, developed in conjunction with the Born Free Foundation, when viewing wildlife so we minimise disruption.
Our Tour Leaders are passionate about Responsible Tourism and brief each group on arrival. They are also on hand throughout the trip to offer advice on how to get the best from each location without causing any damage or offence, and by contributing to the economy.
We stay in simple, small accommodation throughout the trip and groups are encouraged to minimise use of water in order to help the owners manage their resources.
The maximum group size is 16 people. With a smaller group we can spend time with local families, enjoy time on houseboats and make use of public trains to travel between cities. It gives us the freedom to spend time talking to local people as we travel and truly immerse ourselves in the culture.
In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.
As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. Cool Earth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.
The Impacts of this Trip
Our village homestay provides us with an excellent insight into lives of the backwaters residents and is a welcome additional source of income for our hosts. Choosing to stay in smaller hotels and homestays, using local leaders and eating out in a variety of local restaurants ensures that our tour really benefits local people in Kerala. Hiring a bike or taking a rickshaw tour helps in the same way and is incredibly good fun too!


Whilst in Periyar we are careful to follow the strict guidelines of our Animal Welfare Policy, developed in conjunction with the Born Free Foundation, when viewing wildlife so we minimise disruption.
Our Tour Leaders are passionate about Responsible Tourism and brief each group on arrival. They are also on hand throughout the trip to offer advice on how to get the best from each location without causing any damage or offence, and by contributing to the economy.
We stay in simple, small accommodation throughout the trip and groups are encouraged to minimise use of water in order to help the owners manage their resources.
The maximum group size is 16 people. With a smaller group we can spend time with local families, enjoy time on houseboats and make use of public trains to travel between cities. It gives us the freedom to spend time talking to local people as we travel and truly immerse ourselves in the culture.
In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.
As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. Cool Earth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.

The Impacts of this Trip
Our village homestay provides us with an excellent insight into lives of the backwaters residents and is a welcome additional source of income for our hosts. Choosing to stay in smaller hotels and homestays, using local leaders and eating out in a variety of local restaurants ensures that our tour really benefits local people in Kerala. Hiring a bike or taking a rickshaw tour helps in the same way and is incredibly good fun too!

1 Reviews of Kerala Backwaters small group holiday, India
Reviewed on 24 Feb 2020 by Dezna Marks
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were so many memorable and exciting parts of the holiday: Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea, all were amazing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you're going during the winter make sure that you've enough warm clothing for the overnight in the desert. Might also be a good idea to take a sleeping bag
- although it is only one night.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I'm not sure about this, although a lot of the shops in Jordan appeared to support the craft skills of local people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a fantastic trip, fast moving but thoroughly enjoyable and out guide Mohammad was just perfect - great fun.
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