Sri Lanka, South India, Kerala

Sunday 10 March

Depart Auckland on Singapore Airlines. Change planes in Singapore, arriving in Colombo late evening and transfer to your city hotel.

Monday 11 March

After a relaxing morning, an afternoon city tour includes the old and new Colombo harbour and the Fort area – home to the country’s administration and banking sector. The multi-ethnic population is reflected in the various religions and cultures. See ‘Cinnamon Gardens’ a chic residential area, the restored racecourse and Victoria Park. Welcome dinner tonight.

Tuesday 12 March

Our journey takes us north-east through countryside to Dambulla. The afternoon includes a village visit and a walk to a ‘Wewa’ - a typical lakeside village. A bird watching canoe trip across the lake is followed by a farm visit and a cooking demonstration using a traditional hearth.

Wednesday 13 March

A special visit to Sigiriya Rock, the UNESCO Heritage Site rock fortress. If you are not up to climbing the rock for spectacular views, the ancient landscaped gardens (5AD) and frescoes are worth seeing. Continue to Matale to visit a spice garden before continuing to Kandy for a city tour partly by tuk-tuk.

Thursday 14 March

After breakfast transfer to Kandy railway station for a scenic train journey through tea plantations and waterfalls to Nana Oya. Continue by coach to Nuwara Eliya.

Friday 15 March

This morning visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, see the grading and of course enjoy a cup of pure Ceylon tea.

Saturday 16 March

A day to enjoy Yala National Park where morning and evening jeep safaris to spot elephants, crocodile, the elusive leopard and a myriad of birds are special.

Sunday 17 March

Coach to Galle where an afternoon city tour includes a UNESCO-listed Galle fortress built by the Portuguese in 1588 and later extended by the Dutch.  See the lighthouse on the southernmost tip and the car free streets which reflect Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Our hotel is at Unawata Beach.

Monday 18 March

A morning to relax, swim or take a walk on the beach. This afternoon transfer to Colombo airport for the early evening flight to Bengaluru and transfer to a central hotel for a two night stay. Bengaluru, is a modern cosmopolitan city, considered to be one of the big IT centres of India. This forward-thinking city with a mix of new shopping malls and bars is sometimes referred to as the Garden City of India.

Tuesday 19 March

Our morning city tour includes Tipu Sultan Fort – a prominent landmark of the city depicts intricate Islamic style architecture built completely of teak wood. Lalbagh Botanical Gardens is a home to the largest collection of tropical plants in India.

Wednesday 20 March

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Mysore (also known as Mysuru). Along the way, visit the river island town of Srirangapatna, with its celebrated 9th century temple. The temple and the island are an important pilgrimage site.

Thursday 21 March

This morning visit the Chamundi Hills, site of the 12th century Chamudeshwari Temple with its 1,008 ancient steps leading to the summit. Visit the Palace of Mysore, a blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic styles that remains one of India’s most popular attractions. Visit a local workshop to learn how the local sandalwood incense is made by hand. Afternoon free to explore.

Friday 22 March

Morning departure for Nagarhole National Park, established in 1955, where abundant wildlife, including leopard, Indian bison, wild dog, deer, antelope, hyena, elephants and tigers, make it one of India’s finest reserves. After lunch, set out on a boat safari that includes parts of Nagarhole’s 640 sq/km. We dine at our lodge tonight.

Saturday 23 March

Enjoy a morning safari in an open-air 4 wheel drive vehicle through Nagarhole in search of wildlife.  After our excursion return to the lodge for breakfast. Free time to relax before lunch followed by a coracle ride and a village walk. 

Sunday 24 March

Today we make the five hour drive to Calicut, dubbed the ‘City of Spices’ in ancient times for its role in the thriving eastern spice trade.  Stop at a plantation for lunch before continuing to Calicut.

Monday 25 March

Morning at leisure before an early lunch.  Transfer to the railway station to board the train to Cochin.  On arrival transfer to your city hotel.

Tuesday 26 March

Today we have a walking tour of Mattancherry, part of Old Fort Cochin and the epicenter of the spice trade for centuries. Today reveals Kochi’s multi-layered past, a rich brew of Arab, Portuguese, British and Dutch influences. Begin with the Dutch Palace then see St Francis, India’s first European church (1510) and the burial site of Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama, who died in Kochi in 1524 Later visit the picturesque Chinese fishing nets unique to Kochi.

Wednesday 27 March

This morning enjoy a Kalaripayattu performance, the martial art form of Kerala. Arrive at Maradu jetty in Ernakulam to embark on the river cruise boat RV Vaikundam. Begin with a traditional lunch onboard, then set sail to explore the magnificent network of waterways formed along the coastal belt by the rivers from the Western Ghats before draining into the Arabian Sea. Evening arrival at the old town of Vaikom, in Kottayam – the land of natural rubber latex and spices.

The Kerela backwaters are known as the Green Venice of the East due to the green coconut trees making the water an emerald shade. The waterways are teaming with life as most villages are connected only through wooden boats. Villages, temples, churches, coir handloom, cultural centres, paddy fields, market places, wooden boat building yards, long snake boats, home hosted meals, beaches, beaches and festivals make this a vibrant living destination.

Thursday 28 March

After breakfast, visit the cultural centre in Vaikom to watch a traditional dance performance. Continue to the village of Chenganda to meet the people, the coir weavers, coconut harvesters, mussel and prawn farmers and discuss riparian life over a drink of tender coconut water.

Lunch on board. Cruise through the Thanneermukkom barrage which divides the lake into two – one half with perennial salty water and the other with fresh water enriched by the rivers. Arrive in Vechoor village. 

Evening visit to a farm house located on an island where there will be a demonstration of the preparation of traditional Syrian Christian cuisine.

Friday 29 March

Enjoy a special escorted canoe ride to watch the migratory and endemic birds of Kumarakom – a cluster of lake lagoons with a backdrop of mangroves, paddy fields and coconut groves.

Return to the boat for breakfast. Cruise the expanses of land reclaimed from the lake for paddy cultivation. These paddy fields are lying below sea level and are protected by building dykes around them. Watch folk dance performance by the girls of the village.

Saturday 30 March

Visit a traditional Ayurveda centre. Have a chance to try a wellness massage, as per recommendation of the doctor. Then a short cruise to Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of the first canonised Catholic male saint of Indian origin. After lunch cruise to Pulinkunnu village.

Sunday 31 March

After an early breakfast, drive to Konni to spend time with elephants at a forest shelter. Continue to Aranmular village, home to a family of craftsmen who are skilled at making mirrors out of a special combination of certain metals. Lunch at a local house of beautiful architecture located on the bank of Pampa.  Later a short cruise to a tiny settlement for a beach walk and a stop at toddy shop.

Monday 01 April

After breakfast we cruise towards the coastal village of Thottappalli. We learn about the local practices of paddy cultivation and the divine tree of Kerala – the coconut tree. We enjoy a walk ashore to see life along the coast before we return to the boat for dinner onboard.

Tuesday 02 April

Arrive at a Karumadi village.  After a walk through this quiet and rustic village, cruise to Kanjippadom village to visit a dock where you can watch building or repair of wooden boats. After lunch, cruise to Pallathuruthy village.  Take a relaxing walk, watch toddy tapping and return to the boat after sunset.  

Wednesday 03 April

Alleppey, named the Venice of the East, is criss-crossed by rivers, lakes, canals, lagoons and paddy fields. A guided tour of the heritage part of town visits old markets, temples, churches and the beach.  Transfer to Cochin airport for an evening flight to Singapore. 

Thursday 04 April

Change planes in Singapore and arrive Auckland late this evening.