Classic Kerala Journey

Met at Kochi airport and driven to Fort Kochi, about ninety minutes. Nothing is scheduled beyond checking in — the first evening is for the seafront, the Chinese fishing nets at sunset and finding dinner nearby.

Out of Fort Kochi early and north-east to Athirappilly, about two and a half hours: Kerala's largest waterfall, at its best from July to January, with Vazhachal a few minutes on along the same forest road. Then the long way round to Munnar, about four hours via Angamaly and Adimali, past the Cheeyappara and Valara falls, arriving before dark. In the dry months, when the falls are thin, the direct four-hour climb is the better day and your specialist builds it that way.

Eravikulam National Park at opening, by the timed shuttle from Rajamala, for the Nilgiri tahr — entry is capped daily and the park closes for calving, roughly February to March. Then straight out along the Mattupetty road while the sky is still clear: the dam, Echo Point, the Kundala lake and Top Station on the Tamil Nadu border, where the escarpment falls away into the Theni plain. Cloud usually closes that view by late morning, so it comes before lunch rather than after. Back to the Tea Museum at Nallathanni in the early afternoon; it is closed on Mondays, and a Monday here gives that hour to an estate walk instead.

Down out of the tea and across to Kumily on the Tamil Nadu border. A spice plantation walk in the afternoon — cardamom, pepper, vanilla and clove growing in the same few acres — and Kalaripayattu in the evening if you want it.

The dawn boat on Periyar lake, then the drive west to Alappuzha, about four hours, to board the houseboat in the early afternoon for the final night — the boat holds the boarding. A long day, and the only one on this route that is.

Off the boat mid-morning and driven to Kochi airport, about two and a half hours. A shikara canoe first if your flight is late enough.