Spice Trails Of Kerala

15 days - from $2020

Walking through the beautiful hills and tea plantations of South India
South India offers an astonishing diversity of scenery, culture and peoples. This is a fascinating journey through India's tropical south, on foot and by boat. We visit the old Raj town of Munnar sitting below the towering rock face of Anamudi (2695m), Kerala's highest peak. Surrounded by hills carpeted with tea plantations, grassland and verdant forest, this is a walker's delight. From Munnar we trek for five days, traversing the Western Ghats to reach the stunning Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai. The rest is much more relaxed and includes a backwater cruise by houseboat and the chance to sample the famous South Indian cuisine.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start Cochin; sightseeing. 2 Into the hills at Munnar. 3 Day Hike in the hills of Munnar. 4 Hike in Silent Valley with beautiful views of the tea estates. 5 Ascend towards Meesapulimala Peak, the highest in the area. 6 Trek through plantations and enjoy the magnificent surroundings enriched by red rhododendron. 7 Trek to Nagamalai Coffee Plantation, overlooking Kolukumalai Tea Plantation. 8 Long trek passing through this immensely fertile area of Tamil Nadu. 9 To Madurai; visit the colourful Sri Meenakshi Temple. 10 To Thekkady (Periyar); evening walk through spice gardens. 11 Morning trek in nearby forest; afternoon boat ride on Periyar Lake to see wild elephants (optional). 12 To Alleppey for overnight stay on a traditional Keralan houseboat. 13 To Coir Village Resort; explore local villages. 14 To Cochin; free afternoon and evening; optional visit to Kathakali dance show. 15 End Cochin.

Mode of travel: 5 days point-to-point walking with full porterage plus 2-3 other shorter walks. Low altitude throughout.
Group size: Normally 7 to 16, plus leader and local guides for sightseeing.
Accommodation: 8 nights hotels, all en suite, 5 nights camping, 1 night houseboat.
Food: All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners included.
Optional Single Supplement: from $341.25
Trip Reference: TGK
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.
Trip Reference: TGK