Kerala Explorer Tour

Kochi Through the Ages

Kochi

Start the tour of Kochi on the western side of the peninsula to soak up the early morning activity. Strolling along the promenade you will see the Chinese cantilever fishing nets and onto Saint Francis Church. Other highlights include the Dutch Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue.

You will start the tour of Kochi on the western side of the peninsula to soak up the early morning activity. Strolling along the promenade you will see the Chinese cantilever fishing nets in action and perhaps catch the fishermen mid song. A little further on is the fish auction selling everything from sardines, mackerel and bream to local prawns and lobster. Passing a dilapidated Portuguese fort, you will reach Saint Francis Church, said to be the oldest European building in India. During the course of its existence it’s been a Catholic, Protestant and Anglican church. Here, they ask you to remove your shoes due to the delicate 19th-century tiles rather than for religious reasons after which you’ll see its incredible wood ceiling resembling the hull of a ship. People come here mainly to see the tombstone of Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama.

You will then be driven past the Dutch Cemetery, one of the oldest cemeteries (1724) in the country. Then pass the southern naval headquarters and the local laundry place originally used to launder the uniforms of the Dutch army. Cross over to the eastern side of the peninsula to see the Dutch Palace, located in the Jewish quarter and gifted by the Portuguese to the King of Kochi as compensation for destroying a nearby temple. Inside you’ll see rich murals and beautiful Hindu art.

Then it’s onto the Paradesi Synagogue praised for its beauty. There are chandeliers from Belgium and Murano as well as Chinese porcelain tiles. Under the protection of the Cochin Maharaja and the Dutch, the Jews were able to grow as a community and you’ll see the distinctive architecture with pagoda-like tiled roofs - and the Star of David outside. These are interspersed with shops selling petit point embroidery and of course local spices. The perfect place to shop for a souvenir.

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Kathakali Dance Show

Kochi

A visit to Kochi would be incomplete without witnessing the mesmerising art form of the region – the Kathakali dance. Kathakali is a classical dance form which traces its origin to Kerala and is deeply absorbed into the culture of Kerala. This classical Indian dance performance tells stories of Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata through footwork and hand gestures.

Kochi is one of the best places to witness this heritage dance form. Kathakali artists wear elaborate, billowing costumes with intricately painted faces, flowing scarves, detailed decorations and magnificent crowns. This tour will give you the chance to see the artists applying their makeup before witnessing a performance of this traditional dance.

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Building Blocks for Brighter Futures

Munnar

The Srishti Foundation organisation was started in 1991 by the wives of TATA (India’s largest conglomerate), who recognised the distinct lack of resources and schools for families with special needs children. On an excursion here, you’ll learn about their welfare units and the numerous vocational training projects.

In the past, the Srishti Foundation was never really on the tourist radar. Even now, out of all Munnar’s visitors, only a handful of in-the-know guests enter its doors. The organisation was started in 1991 by the wives of TATA (India’s largest conglomerate), who recognised the distinct lack of resources and schools for families with special needs children. Without the appropriate childcare, this meant one less working hand in the tea plantations which in turn would have a negative impact on the quality of that family's life. The Srishti Foundation has made a huge difference to those families.

On an excursion here, you’ll learn that Srishti is comprised of eight welfare units including its DARE school for children with special needs as well as numerous vocational training units covering sustainable craft projects from wood-free paper making to textile design. Elsewhere you can wander the gardens growing strawberries, passion fruit, cauliflower and cabbage, or perhaps buy a sweet treat from the bakery whose chefs with hearing and speech impairments were trained by the Corporate Executive Chef of Taj Business Hotels. It’s a success story that’s been largely unsung.

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Half Day Tea Plantation Tour & Tea Museum

Munnar

The day starts with a lovely walk perhaps spotting elephants, birds and small deer along the way. Munnar has the perfect British summer climate ranging from 18-28 degrees Celsius. Traverse the tea plantations for first-hand experience of harvesting, speaking to the local tea pickers who often offer insight into the art of leaf picking.

Next it’s onto the tea museum to learn how tea is made followed by a tasting in the dedicated café. This is no ordinary tasting but more of a ceremonial introduction into the nuances of tea and what makes the perfect cup.

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Alleppey's Ultimate Floating Restaurant

Alleppey

On a half-day excursion, the deluxe house boats cruise around Alleppey’s sun dappled backwaters as you soak up the scenery from the deck or through the large picture windows. Enjoy the quintessential Keralan scenes that unfold quietly under the palms and among glistening paddy fields.

Today around 300 houseboats cruise Alleppey’s backwaters. While the exteriors are traditionally crafted with local coir and bamboo, inside there’s beautiful cane furniture, jack wood panels, woven mats and a day bed where you can lounge in the sun. Mod cons include air-conditioning in the bedrooms for those overnighting and solar panels for extra sustainability. Every cruise is different.

On a half-day excursion, the deluxe house boats cruise around Alleppey’s sun dappled backwaters as you soak up the scenery from the deck or through the large picture windows. Starting at Pallathuruthy town, drift past Champakulam, a village that hosts one of the oldest snake boat races in Kerala and where you can see a docked snake boat, named after its long, thin, shape and originally used in combat for its agility and ability to hold 100 men.

Enjoy the quintessential Keralan scenes that unfold quietly under the palms and among glistening paddy fields. People wash their clothes on the river edges, children run along the banks after school. Toddy shops, ancient churches and rice barges filled with produce pass by. Locals pause their conversations to wave at you

For many, lunch is the main highlight. This is usually a deliciously spiced lentil sambar curry using seasonal vegetables like pumpkin, okra and carrots. It is served alongside Kerala’s speciality pearl spot fish as well as a chicken dish. You will travel back through a patchwork of lagoons, lakes and canals.

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