Day 1 & 2Upon arriving at Cochin International Airport, transfer to Malabar House, situated in the heart of Fort Cochin about 90 minutes away. Stay two nights in this exquisite boutique hotel housed in an 18C refurbished colonial mansion. Experience the fascinating sites and sounds of Fort Cochin. Traditional Kathakali and Bharathanatyam dance performances are held at the Greenix Village down Kalvathy Road. Go early and catch the intriguing ritual of the Kathakali dancers putting on their make-up before their performance. Visit the Mattancherry Palace, once occupied by the local Verma Kings and now a museum that tells of their lifestyle. Verma Kings of Malabar were reputed to be tolerant and lived side by side with those of other faiths including the Jewish and Syrian Christians that arrived on this coast in the 15th century. Explore the Jewish Town with its narrow cobbled stone walkways where wayside shops overflow with antiques and silk shawls; the 16C synagogue with intricate chandeliers and porcelain tiled floors; the Santa Cruz Basilica; the Dutch Palace and the St. Francis Church. Stroll down to the Vasco da Gama square, a narrow promenade that parallels the beach where huge Chinese fishing nets are tended by fisherman. These large ancient contraptions are built out of teak wood and bamboo poles, almost in the shape of a preying-mantis.

Day 3 & 4Journey two hours to the tea-covered hills of Munnar and the lush green forests of the Western Ghats. Check into Windermere Estate for two nights. At 1600m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the British during the colonial period. Sprawling tea plantations, gushing waterfalls and untouched wilderness with exotic flora and fauna, makes this an adventurous holiday destination. Munnar is surrounded by rows of jagged peaks, including the highest peak in South India - Anamudi, which stands at 2695m. With spectacular scenery, reservoirs, and tea covered hills, Munnar is perfect for trekking, mountain climbing, bird watching, boating, trout fishing, and cycling. Rich in bio-diversity, the surrounding forests are home to more than 300 species of birds, wild elephants and Sambar. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park which is home to the famous Nilgiri Tahr, a rare species of mountain goat, is worth a visit.

Day 5 & 6Head towards the low-lying hills of the south-western Ghats and stay two nights at Shalimar Spice Garden, a stylish boutique hotel set amidst seven acres of aromatic spices bordering the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the gardens of Shalimar and learn of aromatic spices. Cookery demonstrations using these fresh herbs and spices are held upon request. Visit the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the largest in India. Tigers are a rarity, but elephants, bison, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, and numerous species of birds and butterflies can be seen. Visit a tribal village in Kumili and Thekkady and learn of the rituals and lifestyles of the indigenous Mannan community.

Day 7 & 8Journey to Kumarakom, at the heart of Kerala’s tranquil backwaters, and check into Privacy, a secluded holiday retreat on the banks of the magnificent Vembanad Lake. This was the setting for Arundhati Roy’s Booker prize-winning novel `The God of Small Things’ and offers a true experience of India’s enchanting natural landscape and rural village life. These shimmering waterways are edged with dense tropical greenery and rural villages where daily life unfolds at an unhurried pace. Explore the backwaters on Privacy’s own snake boat which is an old traditional race boat from a nearby ashram, brought back to life fitted with a noise free electric outboard motor. Privacy also has mountain bikes for those wishing to explore the surrounding rural villages.

Day 9Today you board a house boat from Kumarakom and meander along the backwaters to your next destination: Alleppey. Stay overnight on the houseboat. The Backwaters of Kerala consisting of lagoons, lakes, canals and a network of up to 41 rivers meet at specific estuaries leading to the Arabian Sea. Over 900 kms of this massive water body can be explored by boat. Views change constantly as you move along. Lush green paddy fields and coconut groves, tranquil waters momentarily disturbed by cormorants and brahmini kites diving down in search of their catch, fisherman tending to their Chinese nets, and villages passing by in canoes filled with coir and vegetables. Stop enroute and explore rural villages, Hindu kovils and churches. At night, once your houseboat is anchored in the waters, dine on the helm under a starlit sky with the sound of crickets in the background.

Day 10 – 13Head towards the south west coastal town of Kovalam. Check into Surya Samudra Beach Garden, one of Red Dot's favourite hotels in South India. Relax for four nights on the sun-kissed beaches of the Arabian Sea. Along with Goa in the North and Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu, Kovalam has a reputation for some of South India’s finest beaches. Rejuvenate with a relaxing Ayurvedic massage at the hotel spa. Visit the Napier Museum and the Sree Chithra Art Gallery in Trivandrum, Kerala’s capital city situated 15 kms away.