Refreshing Countryside Walks in Kerala
- A Secret Retreats journey -
This journey has been personally designed by Altaf Chapri,
“Kerala’s is one of my favourite places in India. Kerala is one of the most unspoiled and picturesque areas of Southern India, offering beautiful beaches, backwaters, mountains and stunning Spice and Tea Gardens. It is a state to breathe and embrace nature!”
We can of course adjust according to your request.
Highlights of the Journey:
- Stunning nature walks with incredible birdlife
- Visit hill stations, local villages and a tea estate
- Learn about the region’s fascinating and diverse cultures
- Enjoy an overnight cruise on the famed Kerala backwaters
This slow travel itinerary will lead you from Fort Cochin (Kochi) to the southern city of Kovalam. Your journey through this richly diverse state, both culturally and natural beauty, starts in Kochi to discover the history of this important and ancient port city. Your journey continues in the forests and tea estates of Valparai, a Kerala Hill Station where you will enjoy guided walks through stunning nature, visit a tea estate and enjoy the magnificent local birdlife, hopefully spotting a Hornbill along the way. Increasing the elevation a little with a move on to Munnar, a British colonial period hill station where you will practice yoga and meditation and enjoy walks to local villages learning about their unique ways of life. Next we head down from the hills to the canals at Allepey for an overnight on the famed backwaters. Finally, a few days relaxation at a delightful resort in Kovalam near a peaceful fishing village on the southern Kerala coast. Practice yoga, take a treatment or two at the Ayurvedic spa and contemplate on all you have enjoyed in this fascinating 2 week itinerary before heading home.
Best time: October to April
NEED HELP ?
Contact the concierge on
Your Journey Day by Day
based on 2 people traveling together and sharing the same room
Dinner at leisure

Visit of the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Friday afternoon and Saturday), built in 1568 AD, the great scrolls of the old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles are of interest. The main peculiarity of these tiles is that no two tiles are not alike.
Visit of Santa Cruz Basilica, built by Portuguese and elevated to Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. We go next to St. Francis Church, a protestant Church that was built by Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the first Church built by the Europeans in India. Vasco Da Gama was buried here. Discover the Chinese Fishing Nets, large nets that hang from bamboo or teak posts and are still used by local fishermen in Fort Kochi to catch fish attracted by the lights suspended above the net. During the Evening witness the Kathakali Dance drama show of Kerala in local theater.
No meal included.

After 5 to 6 hours in the car, just relax for the rest of the day at leisure or if you feel like it you can walk around the resort, there are many trails and path for gentle walks in the surrounding greenery. All around: plenty of rare flowers, butterflies and a variety of rare species of birds.
Dinner at the hotel.

Dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast we will walk to the dams and other nature reservoirs nearby. Hornbill, which nests of natural cavities and cliffs of the trees are one of endangered species found in this area. The walk today is considered as moderate level, with the beauty offered by the fauna living around the property. For lunch, a simple picnic will be arranged at one of the most scenic spots. Back to the hotel in the afternoon, you can rest and enjoy the facilities of the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.




Come evening and the boat will be anchored along a paddy field. You can take a walk to the nearby village, or relax on the deck till dinner. When you retire under starlit sky, the gentle lapping of water will rock you fall asleep.
Overnight: Houseboat (Deluxe Cabin)




Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary

Tea Bungalow

Briar Tea Bungalows

Sugati Retreat

Houseboat

Niramayaa Retreat Surya Samudra
Refreshing Countryside Walks in Kerala
based on 2 people traveling together and sharing the same room
The total price includes:
Accommodation for 12 nights
All meals as mentioned in the program
All transfer services between airport, properties and for excursions, using air-conditioned vehicle (Innova or Minivan). No vehicle during the stay at Kovalam
English speaking guide for local sight-seeing (day 2, 9 and cruise)
One time entrance fees for all the monuments at each place as per the program
All activities mentioned in the program:
- Day 2 in Kochi: Kathakali Show in local theater
- Day 4 & 5 in Valparai : Visit of Tea Plantation (walk around the plantation, tea tasting); Bird watching tour and nature walk
- Day 7& 8 in Sugati Retreat: Yoga session with a Yoga instructor; Village walk; Meditation session with an expert; Visit of the organic Garden
All Taxes
The total price does not include:
International and Domestic flights to and from of Kerala
Visa to India
Extra activities and meals not mentioned in the program
Travel insurance
Voyagez au cœur de l’Asie avec Secret Retreats
Secret Retreats est une communauté d'hôtels de charme indépendants, de villas, de croisières en mer ou sur les fleuves d’Asie, dont les propriétaires partagent tous une même passion du voyage, de leurs cultures et traditions et aiment à les faire découvrir de manière responsable.
Cette volonté de préserver l'environnement, la culture et les traditions dans lesquels nous vivons ici est essentielle pour nous tous dans un monde
où le danger est l’uniformisation et le non-respect.
Professionnels de l'hôtellerie aux valeurs communes, nous souhaitons vous offrir des expériences de voyages authentiques et originaux qui vous feront découvrir l'essence même de l'Asie.
Laissez-nous vous inspirer et prendre soin de votre portefeuille en même temps!
Réservez directement avec Secret Retreats et partez en toute tranquillité avec notre assistance sur le terrain. Contactez nos conseillers voyages et planifiez avec eux un voyage inoubliable en en Asie!