Kerala: God’s Own Country
Coastlines. Coconut groves. Cardamom hills. A journey into slow waters and slower time.
Let’s take you on a gentle passage through Kerala’s timeless rhythm. There’s a softness to Kerala. In the way the sea rolls against the shore at dawn. In the sway of palms mirrored in canals. In the warmth of spices rising from an ancestral kitchen.
Journey Highlights
Crafted for those who seek quiet luxury, cultural immersion, and the healing calm of nature, this is Kerala as it’s meant to be felt: unrushed, unfiltered, unforgettable.
Wander Fort Kochi at Golden Hour
Trace the coastline past Chinese fishing nets and spice mansions as the sun dips into the sea.
Sip Tea in the Clouds of Munnar
Breathe in the quiet as you taste freshly rolled leaves in a plantation kissed by mist.
Stir Spices in a Forest Kitchen
In Thekkady, join a local chef in an open-air kitchen where every curry begins with a freshly plucked leaf.
Glide Through Periyar’s Wild Silence
Drift across still waters at dawn, where elephants graze at the edge and the forest holds its breath.
Drift Through the Backwaters at Dawn
Wake to birdsong and gliding palms on your private houseboat as Alleppey slowly comes to life.
Indulge in Ayurvedic Stillness
Let time pause in a traditional wellness sanctuary, where ancient therapies meet coastal calm.
Watch Rituals Unfold by Firelight
In temple courtyards and cultural halls, witness dance, devotion, and the heartbeat of tradition.
Taste the Coast in Every Bite
From coconut-laced stews to toddy-shop favourites, Kerala’s cuisine is a love letter to the sea.
The Route
This journey traces that softness, from the coastlines of Kochi to the tea-scented hills of Munnar, into the forested spice estates of Thekkady, through the slow lull of Alleppey’s backwaters, and onward to the golden beaches of Marari.
- Fort Kochi, An old-world port wrapped in history, art, and cinnamon-scented air.
- Munnar, A landscape of rolling tea estates, misty mornings, and slow mountain roads.
- Thekkady, Spice-scented forests, soulful Kathakali, and the gateway to Kerala’s wild heart.
- Periyar, Still lakes, shadowed jungles, and the quiet thrill of life in the wild.
- Alleppey, Kerala’s liquid core: a labyrinth of canals, paddy fields, and floating dreams.
- Marari, A quiet fishing village where the pace of life slows with the tide.
Contact us to begin your journey
| Duration: | 10 Days |
| PRICE (per person) | Starting from USD 2100 |
| Regions Covered: | Fort Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey, Marari |
| Trip Themes: | Nature, Wellness, Heritage, Coastal Life, Culinary Traditions |
| Best Time to Travel: | November to March |
| Perfect For: | Slow travelers, culture seekers, those looking for both stillness and soul |
Itinerary
DAY
1
Arrival in Fort Kochi | Begin where the sea meets centuries of story
Your journey begins in Fort Kochi, Kerala’s old-world port where cultures once collided and quietly stayed. The air here still carries hints of Dutch timber, Portuguese tiles, and cinnamon-scented trade winds.
Settle into a heritage stay tucked between banyan trees and colonial façades. As the sun dips low, wander the coast where Chinese fishing nets sway against the tide. This evening, we gather for a warm coastal dinner. This is your first taste of Kerala’s famed hospitality, and the rhythm of a slower pace.
DAY
2
Exploring Fort Kochi | Spice-laced streets, colonial mansions, and a grandmother’s secrets
The day begins with a slow walk through Fort Kochi’s layered past, where the air still smells of salt and cinnamon. Trace the coastline past the Chinese fishing nets, then weave through the pages of history: the quiet grace of St. Francis Church, the moss-lined walls of the Dutch Cemetery, the colonial charm of Bishop’s House and David Hall, the wide openness of Parade Ground, and the pastel spires of Santa Cruz Basilica. You end in Mattancherry Palace, where murals whisper epics in natural pigment.
In the afternoon, step into a traditional home where a grandmother awaits. Here, recipes are passed down not on paper, but through stories. Learn to grind, temper, and taste as she prepares heirloom dishes the way her mother did, under a sloping tiled roof fragrant with curry leaves and memory.
Later, the evening is yours. Stay in, wander out, or follow your instincts into one of Fort Kochi’s hidden cafés or twilight coastlines. This town has a way of revealing itself slowly and beautifully.
DAY
3
Village Rhythms and Classical Drama | Coir, canals, and Kerala’s most storied stage
This morning, set out for Kumbhalangi, a coastal village surrounded by paddy fields and backwaters. Known as India’s first model eco-tourism village, it offers a glimpse into everyday life in rural Kerala. Watch crab traps being laid, see coconut fibre spun into rope, and meet locals whose stories stretch across generations. A home-cooked lunch captures the flavours of the land and sea.
Return to Fort Kochi by late afternoon. In the evening, we attend a Kathakali performance, Kerala’s classical dance-drama where expression, movement, and mythology come together on a sacred stage.
DAY
4
Into the Hills of Munnar | Tea-scented air, winding roads, and mountain stillness
Today begins your journey into Kerala’s highlands. After a slow breakfast, leave the coast behind and begin your ascent into the Western Ghats. The drive to Munnar unfolds gently, winding through spice plantations, forested bends, and cloud-kissed viewpoints that invite unhurried stops.
Arrive in Munnar by early afternoon and settle into your hillside retreat, where mist moves slowly and silence has its own sound. After lunch, visit a working tea plantation and its museum, where the story of Munnar’s most famous leaf comes alive. Walk the rows, see how tea is rolled, dried, and sorted, and end with a cup of the region’s freshest brew.
Evening is at leisure. Dine with views of rolling hills wrapped in twilight.
DAY
5
Munnar’s Wild Edges and Quiet Trails | Mist, meadows, and a world steeped in green
Begin the day with a soft trek through the tea gardens. In the hush of early morning, watch the light shift across the hills, listen for birdsong, and breathe in the cool, eucalyptus-scented air.
After breakfast, set out to explore more of Munnar’s natural beauty. Stop at Mattupetty Dam and Kundala Lake, where the hills ripple in reflection and boating is an option for those drawn to the water. Pause at Echo Point, where your voice meets the mountains and returns.
If you’re seeking something more offbeat, take a jeep ride to Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, the highest organic tea plantation in the world. The views stretch into Tamil Nadu, and the tea here is as sharp and pure as the wind that grows it.
Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst nature or stop at a local eatery known for its highland flavours. The rest of the day is yours. Choose a book and curl up, listen for birds among the tea bushes, or follow the fading sun across the horizon. A traditional Kerala spa massage awaits in the evening, easing you deeper into the stillness of the hills.
DAY
6
Munnar to Thekkady | Wild scents, ancient arts, and forest rhythm
After breakfast, leave behind the cool hush of Munnar and descend into the spice-scented embrace of Thekkady. The journey winds through valleys thick with cardamom and pepper vines, with forests on one side and cloudbreaks on the other.
By early afternoon, arrive at your forest-fringed retreat and break for lunch. Later, walk through a working spice plantation, where the air is rich with the scent of cinnamon bark and green pepper pods. Learn how Kerala’s black gold is cultivated, dried, and traded, and why this land once drew merchants from across the seas.
As evening sets in, witness a performance of Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s ancient martial art. Movements rooted in animal instinct and warrior spirit come alive in a powerful display of strength and grace.
DAY
7
Into the Wild at Periyar | Still waters, forest paths, and quiet encounters
At sunrise, set off for a boat safari on Periyar Lake, the forest reflected in still water and the air alive with birdsong. While tigers are elusive, you may spot wild elephants along the shore, herds of deer in the distance, wild boars, and a wide variety of birdlife skimming the water’s edge.
Return to the resort by midday for a relaxed lunch and time to unwind. In the afternoon, choose to join a guided nature walk through the Periyar Tiger Reserve, led by local tribal guides who know the forest by scent and sound. Alternatively, opt for another boat safari and trace a different path through these quiet waters.
As evening arrives, gather for a warm local feast. The flavours here are shaped by the forest, wild ginger, curry leaves, and the memory of rain.
DAY
8
Thekkady to Alleppey | Waterways, coconut groves, and a floating home
This morning, leave the forests of Thekkady and descend into the still waters of Alleppey. By early afternoon, board your private luxury houseboat, a beautifully crafted Kettuvallam with polished wood, open decks, and a dedicated chef waiting in the kitchen.
As the boat sets off, lunch is served with a traditional Keralan meal cooked on board and flavoured with coconut, curry leaf, and the gentle rock of the water. Spend the afternoon gliding through narrow canals and wide backwater stretches, where fishermen cast nets, children wave from the banks, and the land moves at a different rhythm.
Step off occasionally for walks through villages where coir ropes are twisted by hand and toddy is tapped from the trees. As the sun sets, return to the quiet comfort of your floating suite. Dinner is another freshly prepared feast, best enjoyed under the stars. Tonight, you sleep to the lullaby of water lapping gently at the hull.
DAY
9
Alleppey to Marari | Seaside quiet, Ayurvedic care, and one last breath of Kerala
Wake to the hush of the backwaters, the houseboat gently drifting in the morning light. After a traditional breakfast prepared on board, disembark and drive to Marari Beach, a stretch of pristine coastline where fishermen cast nets at dawn and time moves with the tide.
Check into your beachside retreat and spend the day as you wish. Indulge in a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage, rooted in centuries-old healing practices. Wander barefoot on the sand, join a naturalist-led walk, cycle along the shore, or simply sit with the sea.
As the sun begins to fade, gather for a farewell seafood dinner, drawn from the day’s catch and seasoned with coastal spice. Let the breeze carry with it the scent of salt and the stillness of goodbye.
DAY
9
Departure from Kochi
After breakfast, drive back to Kochi for your onward journey. Carry with you the taste of coconut and cardamom, the echo of temple drums, and the memory of Kerala’s quiet magic.
As this journey comes to a close, you leave with more than photographs of palm trees and spices. You carry the stillness of backwaters at dawn, the scent of cardamom in mountain air, and the memory of voices echoing through coir villages and temple halls. Kerala doesn’t rush. It invites you to listen, to taste, and to return to yourself — gently, and with grace.
Curate your Journey
1
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2
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3
Finalize the Details
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India: One story, one plate, one journey at a time
At Anahat, we craft journeys that go beyond the itinerary. Rooted in luxury, story, and soul, each experience invites you to encounter India as it truly is: layered, intimate, alive. We work with scholars, monks, chefs, naturalists, and artisans to create meaningful immersions, in places both iconic and hidden. Handcrafted journeys designed with utmost care.
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What sets us apart
Storytelling at the Core
Every journey is built around a story, not just a route. From rivers to recipes to rituals, we thread meaning into every moment.
Luxury, Redefined
We believe true luxury is space, stillness, and access. Our partners are India’s finest heritage homes, boutique retreats, and soulful hideaways.
Deep Local Wisdom
We work with spiritual teachers, forest guides, cultural anthropologists, and legacy artisans, not tour guides with scripts.
Wellness, Woven In
Whether it’s a guided meditation at dawn or slow, grounding meals, your journey with us nurtures body, mind, and spirit.