Kerala’s story unfolds in scent and stillness, the crackle of cardamom pods, the hush of dawn over the backwaters. On this journey, step inside royal palaces, meet the women redefining Kathakali, wander through tea-clad highlands, and discover balance in Ayurveda’s ancient wisdom. Your Signature Guide takes you through a land where nature and culture move in perfect harmony. In Kerala, time ebbs with the rhythm of oars and temple drums, carrying a quiet invitation to be still.
Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.
Signature Experiences:
Join a descendant of Kochi’s Maharajas on a private tour of Mattancherry Palace, unlocking stories and treasures from Kerala’s regal past
Watch a performance by the Thrippunithura All Women’s Kathakali troupe, meeting the pioneering artists reshaping Kerala’s traditional art
Join artisans in Vagamon’s hills for the Tea Reverie, dyeing fabrics with tea, exploring a 100-year-old factory, and sharing lunch
Discover ancient Ayurveda on a private wellness session with a doctor, learning how balance and nature shape Kerala’s way of life
Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between a cycle through lakeside lanes and paddy fields, a visit to Vaikom Mahadeva Temple to observe ancient rituals or lunch with a family on a rubber plantation
Signature Stay: Relax at CGH Spice Village, a sustainability-minded retreat where thatched cottages and spice gardens capture the essence of the wild highlands
Signature Guide: Let your handpicked Signature Guide lead you to the country’s soul — sharing their home, heritage, and heart
Activity Areas
Culture
Region & Country & City
Asia: India, Kerala
Included in the Price
- Elegant, hand-picked hotels and a Signature Stay in a retreat modelled on a local tribal village - All breakfasts, six lunches, and all dinners, featuring restaurants that capture the authentic cuisine of Kerala - Named Signature Guide with outstanding knowledge and guest satisfaction - Gratuities for local support staff so every detail of your journey feels effortless - Comfortable transport, including private vehicle transfers, a luxury houseboat, and more - Complimentary transfers on arrival and departure, ensuring a smooth journey
Not Included In The Price
Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Kochi | Connect over harbour views and Keralan cuisine
Welcome to the port city of Kochi, where spice-laden breezes and colonial-era influences set the tone for your southern adventure.
Complimentary arrival transfers are provided today. Settle into your harbour-view retreat at the Taj Malabar, where calm waters and timeless elegance offer a gentle introduction to the southwest coast. Those arriving early can join an optional Ayurvedic cooking session, a hands-on introduction to Kerala’s ancient wellness traditions and the tastes that define its cuisine (available on request).
As evening falls, meet your Signature Guide and fellow travellers for a welcome reception, followed by dinner at Bubble Café, a lively hotspot overlooking the water. Here, Kerala’s seafood and spice-rich dishes pair perfectly with warm hospitality and glittering harbour lights.
Overnight at Taj Malabar Resort & Spa
Day 2 Discover the contrasts of Kochi | Experience grace, heritage and tradition
Wake to the sound of harbour life stirring beyond the palms and set out to explore Kochi, a city where every lane tells a story.
Begin at the Chinese fishing nets, where fishermen balance the ancient counterweights of teak and stone much as their ancestors did centuries ago. Continue to Saint Francis Church, India’s oldest European church, its whitewashed walls holding echoes of past explorers.
Signature Experience: Step inside Mattancherry Palace on a private tour with Balagopal Verma, descendant of Kochi’s Maharajas, who reveals stories and heirlooms from Kerala’s royal past. Then continue to Thrippunithura where, after a sadhya lunch, we meet the pioneering Thrippunithura All-Women’s Kathakali troupe. In a private performance and discussion, they share the expressive art and spirit behind this traditionally male-dominated Keralan dance.
As dusk falls, return to Fort Kochi for dinner at the Armoury restaurant, where grilled seafood and sea breezes bring the day to a close.
Second night at Taj Malabar Resort & Spa
Day 3 Journey into Kerala’s green heart | Uncover stories steeped in tea and spice
Leave the coast as the road climbs into the green highlands, where mist drifts over cardamom-scented hills and cool air hums with birdsong.
Signature Experience: Pause at Vagamon, a tranquil landscape of rolling tea gardens, where you’ll experience the Tea Reverie, a creative encounter that blends art, aroma, and local craft. Continue to a century-old tea factory to see how tradition still shapes Kerala’s most beloved brew, before enjoying a rustic lunch.
By late afternoon, arrive in Thekkady, gateway to the wild beauty of Periyar National Park, and settle into your Signature Stay, the CGH Earth – Spice Village. Modelled on the dwellings of the indigenous Mannan people, this eco-conscious retreat mirrors its forest surroundings, celebrating a simpler, more harmonious way of life. A traditional Thalapoli welcome greets your arrival, with vibrant garlands and oil lamps.
Come evening, dine at the 50 Mile Restaurant, where every ingredient is sourced within 50 miles, a celebration of Kerala’s connection to the land.
Overnight at CGH Earth – Spice Village
Day 4 Wake to the wild | Walk with tribal guides through Periyar’s forest
Greet the day in Periyar National Park, crossing a still lake by bamboo raft before following forest trails with tribal naturalists. As birds stir in the canopy and the scent of cardamom hangs in the air, hear how the Mannan and Paliyan communities turned from hunters to guardians of this wild, green world.
Return to Spice Village for breakfast and a relaxed morning among the spice gardens before lunch at the resort.
Later, set out by jeep for the Periyar Bouquet, an encounter with local farmers whose livelihoods are rooted in Kerala’s spice trade. Over tea and snacks in their courtyard, hear how age-old practices are being reimagined through organic farming and community conservation.
Dinner is hosted at Bougainvillea Homestay, where home-cooked dishes, easy conversation, and the scent of spices drifting from the kitchen offer a warm glimpse into Thekkady life.
Second night at CGH Earth – Spice Village
Day 5 Drift into stillness | Cruise the backwaters of Alleppey
Leave the misty hills of Thekkady and journey to Alleppey, a patchwork of canals, coconut groves, and mirror-like lagoons.
On arrival, step aboard your private luxury houseboat, a reimagined kettuvallam crafted from polished wood and coir. As the boat drifts through tranquil backwaters, village life unfolds on the banks, children waving from narrow paths, fishermen casting nets, women washing clothes in rhythmic motion.
Enjoy lunch and dinner freshly prepared on board as you drift past palm-lined canals and emerald paddies, pausing for a short village walk before anchoring in the stillness of the backwaters.
Overnight aboard Spice Route Luxury Houseboat
Day 6 Follow the rhythm of the backwaters | Discover the heritage of Kuttanad and Kumarakom
Disembark for a rickshaw ride through the emerald paddy fields and waterways of Kuttanad, where life flows to the rhythm of the backwaters. Pause for tea at a village stall as your Signature Guide shares stories of Kerala’s below-sea-level farmlands, shaped by centuries of ingenuity.
Continue to CGH Earth – Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom, your serene retreat on Lake Vembanad. In the afternoon, drift by boat through the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, where herons, darters and egrets gather among the mangroves.
Signature Experience: As evening settles, join an Ayurvedic expert for a gentle talk on Kerala’s ancient healing traditions, followed by a personal Nadi (pulse) reading and dinner at the resort.
Overnight at CGH Earth – Coconut Lagoon
Day 7 Trace Kerala’s royal roots | Gather for a family feast on the backwaters
Set out with heritage expert Captain Ramesh Babu for a private walk through Old Kottayam.
Wander past centuries-old churches, temples, and mosques, tracing the history of this former royal capital along the Meenachil River. Between stories of sailors, scholars, and spice traders, glimpse the community spirit that still shapes daily life here.
After lunch at a local venue, return to Coconut Lagoon for a relaxed afternoon and sundowner overlooking Lake Vembanad. Then cruise across the waters to Philipkutty’s Farm, a family-run retreat on a reclaimed island, for a private home-cooked dinner with your hosts amid the stillness of the backwaters.
Second night at CGH Earth – Coconut Lagoon
Day 8 Signature Day | Row, ride or reconnect in Kumarakom
Rise for an early morning yoga session, if you'd like, before your Signature Day, which invites you to embrace the stillness and spirit of the backwaters at your own pace. You could:
Join a cycling tour through lakeside lanes and paddy fields, passing temples, traditional homes, and glimpses of village life.
Visit Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, one of Kerala’s oldest, to observe ancient rituals and community traditions that continue to shape local life.
Discover the rubber plantations of Kanjirappally, learning the art of tapping and sharing lunch with the family who call this century-old estate home.
Join a guided walk through the islands of Kumarakom, tracing paths along Lake Vembanad and learning how sustainable tourism supports the region’s balance of land and water.
At Coconut Lagoon, a relaxed farewell dinner awaits, framed by palms and soft backwater light. Over Kerala-inspired dishes and a final toast, share memories of your journey and the people and places that gave it heart.
Third night at CGH Earth – Coconut Lagoon
Day 9 Say a fond farewell to Kerala
Before taking your complimentary departure transfer to the airport, enjoy a final breakfast at Coconut Lagoon and take in the stillness of Lake Vembanad one last time; the shimmer of water, the rustle of palms, and the call of birds marking the morning’s calm. This journey ends, but Kerala’s spirit remains – in the warmth of its people, the whisper of winds through the palms, and the timeless serenity.
Alternatively, extend your stay and continue your journey of discovery. Speak with your Signature Collection travel expert to explore the possibilities.
