Kerala Complete Experience

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. · Kochi · Private airport transfer

St Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was first buried, and the Dutch cemetery on foot. Mattancherry Palace for the murals and the Paradesi Synagogue after — both close early, so this is a morning. A Kathakali performance in the evening, arriving early for the make-up. · Kochi · Walking · short drive

The climb from the coast through rubber and spice country into tea. The last stretch is winding. Arrive mid-afternoon with time for an estate walk before dark, and expect it to be genuinely cold after sunset. · Munnar · Private car · 4 hrs

Eravikulam National Park at opening for the Nilgiri tahr — entry is capped daily and the park closes for calving, roughly February to March. The Tea Museum after, then Top Station in the afternoon, weather allowing; cloud usually closes that view by late morning. · Munnar · Private car · park shuttle

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. · Thekkady · Private car · 3.5 hrs

The dawn Periyar boat, then west for a half-day shikara through the Alleppey canals before the run up to Kochi. The longest day on the route, and worth it only if your flight is late — otherwise take the houseboat option instead. · Thekkady · Alleppey · Kochi · overnight — · Boat · private car · 5 hrs