- Discover the beautiful hill station of Munnar
- Trek through the historic tea plantations of Kerala
- See the communities customs, art and natural remedies at Vattavada village
- Visit the colourful Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai
- Spend a night on a traditional houseboat in Kerala
Spice Trails of Kerala
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15 Days
Excluding Flights From
16 Days
from
Walking & Trekking
Activity Level
Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you
Comfort Level
Classic
Walk through the beautiful hills and tea plantations of South India
Traversing the Western Ghats, from the colonial hill station of Munnar to the colourful temple town of Madurai, we discover the two southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kerala is a tropical paradise with idyllic beaches, fertile forests and plantations of spice and tea; here we reach our highest point, the peak of Meesapulimala. We then cross into the barren landscape of Tamil Nadu and marvel at the intricately carved Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai. A trip to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary boasts an array of wildlife and an abundance of colourful birdlife, and a cruise on a traditional houseboat offers the chance to relax on the tranquil backwaters of Kerala. Our journey ends in historic Kochi (also known as Cochin), a port which has been luring traders and explorers for more than 600 years.
Highlights
Key Information
- Accommodation: 9 Classic nights (8 hotel, 1 houseboat), 5 Simple nights (4 full-service camping, 1 homestay)
- Five days of trekking with full porterage plus two shorter walks
- Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
- Countries visited: India
What's Included
- All breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners
- All accommodation
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Group arrival and departure transfers available
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
7 Days of Walking & Trekking
Pace:
Moderate: 3mph-4mph (5kph-6kph)
Terrain:
Low altitude; good paths.
Altitude maximum: 8,630ft (2,630m); average: 5,250ft (1,600m)
Day 3
6 km / 3.7 miles
Day 4
14 km / 8.7 miles
Day 5
15 km / 9.3 miles
Day 6
16 km / 9.9 miles
Day 7
10 km / 6.2 miles
Day 8
7 km / 4.3 miles
Day 11
5 km / 3.1 miles
Start
Finish
Availability
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement
Sunday Saturday
09 Nov 2025 08 Nov 2025
Sunday Sunday
23 Nov 2025 23 Nov 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price 2 040 €
Optional Single Supplement +384 €
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
07 Dec 2025 06 Dec 2025
Sunday Sunday
21 Dec 2025 21 Dec 2025
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 2 280 €
Optional Single Supplement
+384 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
11 Jan 2026 10 Jan 2026
Sunday Sunday
25 Jan 2026 25 Jan 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € 2 220 €
Optional Single Supplement +414 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
16 Jan 2026 15 Jan 2026
Friday Friday
30 Jan 2026 30 Jan 2026
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 €
Optional Single Supplement +414 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
25 Jan 2026 24 Jan 2026
Sunday Sunday
08 Feb 2026 08 Feb 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request) Only 4 spaces left!
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 €
Optional Single Supplement +414 €
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
22 Feb 2026 21 Feb 2026
Sunday Sunday
08 Mar 2026 08 Mar 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 2 100 € 2 100 € Book with 525 € deposit Book with 525 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +414 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
27 Feb 2026 26 Feb 2026
Friday Friday
13 Mar 2026 13 Mar 2026
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 100 € Book with 525 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +414 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
05 Apr 2026 04 Apr 2026
Sunday Sunday
19 Apr 2026 19 Apr 2026
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 100 € Book with 525 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +414 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
08 Nov 2026 07 Nov 2026
Sunday Sunday
22 Nov 2026 22 Nov 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 555 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +414 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
13 Nov 2026 12 Nov 2026
Friday Friday
27 Nov 2026 27 Nov 2026
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +414 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
06 Dec 2026 05 Dec 2026
Sunday Sunday
20 Dec 2026 20 Dec 2026
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 280 € 2 280 € Book with 570 € deposit Book with 570 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +414 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
10 Jan 2027 09 Jan 2027
Sunday Sunday
24 Jan 2027 24 Jan 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 280 € Book with 570 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +462 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
15 Jan 2027 14 Jan 2027
Friday Friday
29 Jan 2027 29 Jan 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
24 Jan 2027 23 Jan 2027
Sunday Sunday
07 Feb 2027 07 Feb 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
29 Jan 2027 28 Jan 2027
Friday Friday
12 Feb 2027 12 Feb 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
07 Feb 2027 06 Feb 2027
Sunday Sunday
21 Feb 2027 21 Feb 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
21 Feb 2027 20 Feb 2027
Sunday Sunday
07 Mar 2027 07 Mar 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
26 Feb 2027 25 Feb 2027
Friday Friday
12 Mar 2027 12 Mar 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
07 Mar 2027 06 Mar 2027
Sunday Sunday
21 Mar 2027 21 Mar 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
12 Mar 2027 11 Mar 2027
Friday Friday
26 Mar 2027 26 Mar 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
21 Mar 2027 20 Mar 2027
Sunday Sunday
04 Apr 2027 04 Apr 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
04 Apr 2027 03 Apr 2027
Sunday Sunday
18 Apr 2027 18 Apr 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
07 Nov 2027 06 Nov 2027
Sunday Sunday
21 Nov 2027 21 Nov 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
12 Nov 2027 11 Nov 2027
Friday Friday
26 Nov 2027 26 Nov 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
21 Nov 2027 20 Nov 2027
Sunday Sunday
05 Dec 2027 05 Dec 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
26 Nov 2027 25 Nov 2027
Friday Friday
10 Dec 2027 10 Dec 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
05 Dec 2027 04 Dec 2027
Sunday Sunday
19 Dec 2027 19 Dec 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 2 220 € Book with 555 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +432 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip Notes
Itinerary
Kochi (Cochin) Kochi (Cochin)
Adventure starts in Kochi
The adventure begins in Kochi (also known as Cochin), a historic port city on the Malabar Coast.
Around 6pm, say namaste to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging an optional group dinner at a nearby restaurant (this will be included for all in 2026).
Want more time in Kochi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel (or similar)
Drive to Munnar hill station
In the morning, we drive away from the coastal plain to Munnar, a town within the highest mountains in Kerala. The drive is approximately 100mi (160km) and should take about six hours. Munnar is a beautiful hill station on the Western Ghats, once used a summer resort by the British government due to the fresh mountain air. It is situated at the confluence of the three mountain streams Mudrapauzha, Naliathanii and Kundala and is surrounded by lakes, reservoirs, forests and several tea estates.
Anamudi (8,840ft/2,695m), the highest peak in South India, dominates the skyline and the many smaller peaks are a walker’s paradise.
Accommodation: Eastend Hotel (or similar)
Day trek in the Munnar hills, optional tea museum visit
After breakfast, we take a short 4×4 drive through old Munnar and travel down to the tiny village of Nagarmudi (4,920ft/1,500m), where we start our trek accompanied by a local guide. The walk begins with a gradual ascent through the tea plantations and then climbs into the Seven Malai Hills. Just before reaching the summit (5,580ft/1,700m), we walk through cardamom and coffee plantations.
Our hard work is rewarded with spectacular views over Munnar and other local villages. We then descend back to our vehicle. In the afternoon, there is an optional visit to the tea museum.
Accommodation: Eastend Hotel (or similar)
Trek in the Silent Valley
We have a beautiful one-hour drive to the Silent Valley, passing through tea estates and plantations in a valley surrounded by hills. Our trek starts with a gradual walk on the plains of the tea plantations at approximately 5,250ft (1,600m), followed by a gentle climb to the grasslands. There are beautiful views all around, mostly of the tea estates, which gives us a good feel for the area.
After lunch, we continue with the second part of our trek through eucalyptus trees. The terrain becomes steeper as we leave the tea plantations and finally reach our camp (6,560ft/2,000m), where we spend two nights.
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Ascend Meesapulimala
Today we trek to Meesapulimala Peak (8,630ft/2,630m), the second highest in South India (Anamudi is the highest but it is in a restricted area). From our camp, the trail ascends through rough shola grassland over seven hills, with each hill ranging from 50 to 100m of ascent and descent.
We reach an open ridge, bringing us to Meesapulimala Peak. From the top (which is also the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala), we enjoy breathtaking views all around. After a break at the top and our packed lunch, we return to camp.
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Trek to Yellapetty village; to campsite
In the morning, we start our trek through the thick forest of Silent Valley and then through pine forests and along the streams of the Rhodo Valley. After, we pass through grasslands and shola forest, where we may be lucky to spot giant squirrels, wild boar and Indian gaurs. Our trail reaches the top of a hill (7,545ft/2,300m) and makes several ascents and descents before reaching the lunch stop.
Following a packed lunch, we continue until we reach Yellapetty village, arriving late afternoon. From here, we are taken by 4×4 (20-30 minutes) and then walk to our campsite at Oorkadu (5,740ft/1,750m).
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Day hike to Vattavada village
Today we have a fairly easy walk with some slight ups and downs as we hike to the beautiful village of Vattavada (6,235ft/1,900m). Along the way, we pass through the lush vegetable farming region of Pazhathottam and the ever-present tea plantations in this part of India. We find a shady spot for our lunch stop and then continue our hike to the tribal village of Vattavada. The customs, art forms and natural remedies of the communities in this area make it an interesting place to hike.
Our visit to Vattavada village provides an opportunity to meet the people and learn about their lifestyle. This is known as the market of India due to the quantity of fruit and vegetables grown in the area. If we are lucky, we may also observe some rare butterfly species. Continuing our hike, we take an alternative route to our campsite at Oorkadu.
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Morning walk to Koviloor, drive to Mundhan
On the last day of our trek, we pack up and leave our campsite for a morning walk in the area surrounding Oorkadu to Koviloor. This peaceful walk leaves directly from the campsite and passes through serene eucalyptus plantations and shaded forest paths. A gradual ascent of approximately 100m leads us to a flat stretch before we descend to the charming Koviloor village.
We end our trek at Koviloor, where we have a tea break before boarding our bus for the drive to Mundhan. En route, we stop at a scenic spot for lunch. Please note, it is a five to six-hour journey (depending on traffic), which goes via Munnar.
Accommodation: Green Royale (or similar)
To Madurai; visit Sri Meenakshi Temple
Leaving Kerala, we drive (approximately two to three hours) through the plains to the colourful temple town of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in South India.
The great Sri Meenakshi Temple, most of which was built during the Nayak period between the 16th and 18th centuries, is at the heart of the city and the life of the town revolves around it. It is a hive of activity and the scene of an almost continuous religious festival. Worshippers bathe in the tank of the Golden Lily and throng the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, where each one is uniquely carved. Madurai is a perfect place to wander around and experience Hindu culture.
Accommodation: Germanus Hotel (or similar)
To Periyar National Park; evening walk in spice gardens
Leaving Madurai in the morning, we drive to the small village of Thekkady. The drive is spectacular as the road climbs through the Western Ghats and we have fantastic views across Tamil Nadu. Thekkady is a small yet bustling village from where we visit Periyar National Park. This whole area is a centre for spice growing and, after lunch, we have a short walk around a spice garden, where we can see many different spices growing.
There is plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the bazaar, where we can visit numerous shops selling cardamom, vanilla, peppercorns, chillies, turmeric and other spices. Our total driving time is approximately four to five hours.
Accommodation: Jungle Park Resort (or similar)
Morning nature walk; optional afternoon boat ride on Periyar Lake to see wild elephants
Periyar National Park is one of the largest in South India and is set around a large human-made lake. In the early morning, we have a short nature walk in the tropical forest. In the afternoon, you can join an optional boat trip and lake cruise (cruise tickets can be purchased online in advance. We recommend this to avoid long queues. Please inform your leader if you wish to purchase tickets in advance).
This is an ideal opportunity to spot birds, such as kingfishers, storks and hornbills, and occasionally we may spot an elephant, otters, wild pigs and buffalos. There is also the opportunity of an Ayurvedic massage (optional), which can be arranged in the nearby Ayurvedic massage centre, and a cooking class (optional). The park will most likely be your last chance for souvenir shopping. Card payments are taken and there is also an ATM.
Accommodation: Jungle Park Resort (or similar)
To Alleppey for overnight stay on a traditional Keralan houseboat
We transfer to the coastal city of Alleppey. We board our houseboats and begin our cruise along the backwaters of Kerala. The houseboat cruise is one of the highlights of the trip – these enchanting houseboats, built of anjili wood and bamboo, were the traditional method of transporting goods for centuries. Now they have been decorated and made into comfortable cruise boats. The network of rivers, streams, lagoons and canals occupies the alluvial plain between the Western Ghats and the Indian Ocean. As our boat meanders through areas of lush tropical vegetation, we can spot numerous birds and gain a different perspective on village life. All the houseboats are comfortably equipped and have three or four twin-bedded rooms with private bathrooms.
There is a cook, boat driver and assistants for each boat and the food served is traditional Keralan fare using local produce. No trip to Kerala is complete without the wonderful experience of the backwaters aboard these traditional Keralite vessels.
Accommodation: Houseboat
To the Malabar Coast; explore fishing village
After a relaxing breakfast on the houseboats, we disembark and drive along the scenic Malabar Coast to our homestay, which is near a beautiful stretch of beach. There is plenty of time to relax and explore the fishing village.
Accommodation: Marari Beach Villa (or similar)
To Kochi; afternoon sightseeing
We head back to Kochi and, during the afternoon, there is a guided tour, which includes: Mattancherry Palace, which was built by the Portuguese as a gift for the Raja of Kochi; the Jewish synagogue dating from 1568; and St Francis Church. We also explore the town of Kochi, its bazaars and old harbour area. Fort Kochi is believed to be the earliest European settlement in India, founded by the Portuguese in 1503. Warehouses filled with the smell of tea and spices are lime-washed bright green, yellow and blue; rickety old bikes and hand-painted trucks, piled high with goods fill the narrow streets and food stalls stand on every corner.
Further along the road, you come to Mattancherry and the Dutch Palace. Next to the Palace is the synagogue, built in 1568 for the Jewish members of Kochi’s trading communities (please note, the synagogue is closed on Saturdays). Most people choose to stay in Fort Kochi and wander around its fascinating streets. In the evening, there is the chance for an optional visit to see a Kathakali performance, a classical dance unique to Kerala.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel (or similar)
Adventure ends in Kochi
The adventure ends in Kochi and we begin our return journeys home. If you’d like to stay longer in Kerala please speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Hotels, camping, homestay and houseboat
We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.
On this trip we spend eight nights in hotels, four nights in full-service camps, one night in a homestay and one night on a houseboat.
Camping: The group will be provided with two-person tents which are waterproof and have space for luggage. All tents come with a mat and a two-inch thick foam mattress per person. At the campsite in the Silent Valley (Day 4 and 5), we stay at a campsite managed by the National Park. There are basic facilities such as fixed toilets and open dining buildings with meals are prepared for you. For Day 6 and 7 we will be wild camping. Our crew will get the site set up with a dining tent, tables, chairs, a kitchen tent including all equipment and a toilet tent including toilet roll and handwash.
Houseboats: These are comfortable and all cabins have toilet facilities. The houseboat also benefits from a deck and dining area. The number of rooms per boat will vary depending on group size and availability.
Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Worth knowing
- Hotels do not usually have heating as there are really only a couple of months in the year when the weather can be cooler. You can request more blankets or ask the hotel for a standing heater if required. Please talk to your tour leader if you need any help.
- The single supplement is available at the hotels and full-service camping, but may be limited at the homestay.
Reviews
Add your own reviewSpice Trails of Kerala
All trips need a number of key ingredients to come together to make it work. The first is an interesting and varied itinerary, the second an effective and efficient leader. Finally, your fellow travellers. We were fortunate enough to have all three on our late February 2025 visit and we had the most amazing & relaxing time really getting to see the real Kerala. There were also lots of local support staff (i.e. cooks, drivers, guides etc) and these also played their part behind the scenes to make it work. Thank you !
Most Inspirational Moment
As previous reviews have stated there are far too many memorable moments to list that it is difficult to pin down one or two. However, the camping / walking, houseboat on the backwaters, street food tour and a home cooking evening with an Indian family were our highlights.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Santhosh Kumar was our Group Leader for the entire 2 weeks. His efforts, energy, organisational skills and enthusiasm kept the itinerary moving along and made the trip so much more enjoyable. He is a great ambassador for all things India and this shone through throughout.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Try to get used to the slower Indian pace of life as soon as possible. It will make the trip so much more enjoyable. As previously, GBP & USD money can be changed on the way to the first hotel (and many other places during the trip except the camping part). Warm, layered clothes for the (camping) are only needed after sunset and before sunrise in late February as the day soon warms up. Walks can be quite up & down on the camping part so bear this in mind when taking in conjunction with the distance and potential weather conditions. However, walks were well paced and you have plenty of opportunities to stop for water & short rests.
Spice Trails TGK 0402
An amazing adventure exploring beautiful Kerala with local guides.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking through the timeless beauty of the tea plantations and mountains with the sound track of the Bulbul birds. The delicious 3 course curry picnics eaten on mountain peaks with views across the valleys. Sitting in the shade eating freshly made banana fritters as the houseboat drifted down the backwaters, watching the kites, kingfishers and bee catchers swooping and diving over the water. Stopping for a warm welcome and a refreshing 2p cup of tea in a tiniest tea shop in a mountain village.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Santosh Kumar was the perfect leader, his local knowledge, his wisdom and his gentle sense of humour kept the group happy and engaged throughout our adventure. He not only guided us through the tour but also helped us to understand local customs and etiquette so that we could be respectful and be welcomed as visitors to the community rather than just tourists. He knows everyone! so wherever we went we were made welcome. Santosh managed our group so well with his calm 'can do' attitude. Even long journeys were made part of the adventure, with the amazing views of life from the bus and the extra special ‘Santosh surprises’ along the way, which could be a local artisan at work, a flower market, a roadside cafe with an incredible view or even a hillside cattle market. On a trip like this there will always be glitches, but Santosh always had a brilliant ‘Plan B’ and sometimes plan C! which always worked out perfectly. Travelling in the minibus was an adventure in itself and we had total trust in Jogi, our excellent driver, on the busy and at times chaotic Indian roads!
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you like walking and nature and seeing the sunsets and sunrises in the mountains and sleeping under the stars, then you will enjoy this wonderful adventure. Pack thin layers as it was really hot walking in the mountains, but could be quite chilly in the evenings and early mornings at the camp site (we all wore woolly hats and gloves in the evenings around the fire). Long sleeves and long trousers are preferable on the mountains as we were often walking through prickly things and of course there was the risk of insects and leaches (we had no trouble with either as it was quite dry). In towns and temples it felt more comfortable to follow local etiquette and have shoulders and legs covered. Scarves/sarongs were useful as quick cover ups for respect or for sun/insect protection.
Fabulous Trip
This trip was just great on many levels. We had a very enjoyable holiday with a great small group and we all got on and laughed throughout the trip.
Trekking for the first 6 days after arriving in Munnar, was through stunning scenery, tea plantations, mountains, views, a village seeing real local life. However it wasn’t always easy in 28-30 deg with some pretty steep ascents and I found it challenging at times even being quite fit although not at my peak! I think calling it a level 3 rating in difficulty underestimates the walking. We walked from 7-16 km each day. Camping was wonderful, excellent food was cooked in basic conditions and our hot lunch was carried by the guide each day. Just had to carry a lot of water & sun stuff.
The second week was amazing too. As per itinerary we saw Madurai, temple is spectacular, we all did the street food tour & all ok after! Peniyar National park walk and the boat trip were great, saw elephants and other wildlife. The houseboat was so relaxing and the food was amazing. Out homestay was wonderful too, we were all together and spent time on the beach but it was v hot.
Our guide Santosh was A** and looked after us so incredibly well, took us to all our dinners & lunches not included so we didn’t have to think at all!
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to pick one but the scenery while trekking & sunsets were stunning
Thoughts on Group Leader
Santosh was fabulous. His English is excellent, he was on top of everything all the time, good sense of humour, went the extra mile for our group of 6. And managed to seem so relaxed all the time
Advice for Potential Travellers
It was hot so take more long sleeves than you think you’ll need if, like me, fair. Very comfortable walking boots essential & I used a few blister plasters as feet swelled although never need in uk
fun and rewarding trip.
Really enjoyed this trip. I liked the busy pace, the treks, houseboat and the homestay in particular. It was only a small group but we bonded easily over a couple of beers on the first night and that continued through the duration of the trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably the trekking and in particular the third day which covered a lot of ground ending in a tea plantation near to the village of Yellapetty.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent - organised, helpful and very knowledgeable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for he leeches if it rains but don't let that put you off, its an excellent trip and one of the best I've done.
The good and the bad
Although the trip notes said hiking on clearly defined trails, I found this not to be the case – much of the time there was no visible trail and we were bush whacking through leech infested mud. At one point, stopping for a short pee break I became separated from the group and became lost. Despite shouting loudly and blowing my whistle it was a few nerve racking minutes before I was able to find the group. Once again the lack of any clearly defined path made the situation worse. We experienced heavy rain every day while trekking through the Western Ghats, which made the leech situation horrendous, everyone suffered multiple bits on their torso. The provided leech socks were effective around lower legs and ankles, but were bulky and made hiking shoes far too tight – black toe nails etc. Given the condition of the walking conditions, which were treacherous and slippery, I feel we should have been accompanied by a second guide to deal with any emergency situations and perhaps to prevent trekkers from becoming separated and lost. Our leader, Santosh Kumar, was excellent in trying to address our concerns and varied the last scheduled day of trekking to avoid any further leech encounters or injuries. He also ensured that given the weather conditions we made camp in the higher ground rather than the planned site which was waterlogged. The food whilst camping was exceptional – probably the best Indian food I’ve ever eaten. All the other aspects of the trip were very good and enjoyable.
Most Inspirational Moment
I've always wanted to visit the Kerala Backwaters and our short time there met and exceeded my expectations of this part of the trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I've already mentioned Santosh - he was informative, caring, had great organisational skills and was all-round first class.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure to avoid the earliest trips in the season, take good wet weather gear and roomy hiking boots.
Trekking needs an urgent revamp
It’s difficult to give an average rating for this trip as most of it was excellent, especially the food and the enthusiasm of the tour leader, Santos. However, I have serious concerns about the trekking/camping element. 1. We were on the 29 October departure, which I think is too early in the season for trekking in this area. We had heavy rain most days. Leeches were a big problem (everyone got bites) and the provided leech socks were too bulky to fit comfortably inside footwear. We ended up with very sore feet and will definitely lose a few toenails. Having the team leader take out leech pincers with a penknife was not a highlight! 2. The trekking guide’s English was not good. Only one guide was provided (the tour leader did not join us on the trekking) and at one point my husband got left behind and his absence was not noticed. Contrary to the trip notes, the walk on Day 3 was not on paths – the guide simply tried to find a route through the forest. This was not safe and everyone had a fall. It was lucky that no-one was seriously injured.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cruising on the backwaters.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent - he was happy to share his knowledge of India.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do not go in early November.
Reply from Exodus
We’d like to thank you for your review, Amanda, and we are heartened to receive your comments about your tour leader, Santos, which have been passed on. On the other hand, we take our customers’ welfare extremely seriously, so we were particularly concerned to learn about the times during your trip that you felt this was compromised. We generally find that departures at this time of year run smoothly, but we are aware that your trip was impacted by unforeseen heavy rainfall, which created problems with leeches. Whilst this is of course outside our control, we would have hoped that the clothing provided by our local team would be effective in repelling such parasites, so we were regretful to read that this was not the case. We are wary that a lengthier monsoon season could become commonplace so, going forward, we will not be offering departures in October and will instead add further trips in the spring. We were also concerned to discover that your day 3 walk did not take place on the designated path, but on an alternative route through the forest. We expect our leaders to generally stick to the standard route, but we trust their topographic and geographic knowledge to make changes to a walk if there is a valid reason to do so. We are assured that the deviation you took was a known part of the trail and was deemed safer than the regular path as it had better grip underfoot after heavy rain, although we acknowledge that several members of your group suffered falls on this day, which must have been worrying. We will use your helpful feedback during future reviews of this tour, and we do hope that the issues you faced in India do not discourage you from travelling with Exodus in the future.
– Sarah Puttnam, Product Manager
Amazing trip
This is a very active trip and full of different experiences. Max in Head Office provided excellent advice and customer service before the trip. It’s actually a trip of 2 halves. The first week is spent hiking in the Western Ghats, with 4 nights camping. For me, this was probably the highlight. Each hike covered different types of terrain/landscape, and as others have mentionned, you need to be reasonably fit. But don’t worry if you don’t feel up to a long hike on a given day- you can sometimes do a shorter one or just relax. The guides were fantastic, and they even carried tiffin boxes on the treks for us to enjoy a full lunch ! The food on camp was out of this world- seriously some of the best food I’ve eaten in my life, creatively prepared by the executive chef and his small team in the middle of nowhere. Unbelievable! The second week is more of a sightseeing extravaganza, with several long 5/6 hour coach rides, as per the itinerary.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking to the top of Mt Meesapulimala Madurai - to experience the buzz and frenetic pace of a big Indian city, as well as the temple of course! The kindness and hard work of all the staff involved. They all went above and beyond what was required in so many ways to make this trip truly enjoyable and memorable.
Thoughts on Group Leader
San was the best group leader ever! He made sure everything went smoothly, sorted out any problems and entertained us with his knowledge of Kerala and India in general, along with personal anecdotes around campfire !
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take everything on the trip note list, but also a 3 pin round plug adaptor for India, and some eco baby wipes plus small soap bars for camping. Make sure you sanitise your hands after you've touched anything and everything (money,seats, toilet handles/doors etc) - that way you'll minimise the risk of getting tummy problems! The water on the coach is filtered, and at camp is always boiled, so fine to drink, but otherwise use a water filter, even for hotel water. I bought a Grayl Geopress which I used all the time and never got sick. If you are unhappy about anything, don't keep it to yourself-just talk to San and he will do his utmost to fix the problem. The hotel accommodation ranges from really good to a bit basic- we only asked to change rooms once. The toilets for 2 of the night camps were holes in the ground within a tall square tent and soil to shovel over the contents-great to get back to nature! If you want to change money once you arrive at the airport, you'll need to take cash. For £200, the commision was around 2% .Otherwise,San will take you/direct you to the nearest working ATM. As we hadn't booked the group flight, we also used the pre paid taxi service which worked well- even at 4 am- and cards are accepted for this service.
Fantastic trip
This trip has it all. A wonderful variety of adventure, challenges, culture, stunning scenery, friendship, busyness and relaxation. South India is stunning.
Most Inspirational Moment
There’s too many to limit it to one. Climbing Mount Meesapulimala, House boat in the backwaters of Alleppey Madurai, Cooking class, Beach
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was excellent. He had so much knowledge it was unbelievable. I felt very looked-after. Santosh Kumar arranged extra cultural visits to break up the journeys. And pointed out interesting features which we would have missed otherwise. He clearly had a lot of experience and prevented problems by anticipating and advising ahead. He had the right balance of authority needed to make it run like clockwork but perfect sense of fun to make it enjoyable. Nothing was too much trouble.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the itinerary, kit list and trip notes. Take a flannel- it really helps with the camping 🏕️ and washing. It’s a bit chilly in the tents overnight so make sure you have a thick enough sleeping bag. I felt cold in a two seasons one. Embrace it all, accept the differences!
A varied trip
Excellent varied trip , very few early starts which is unusual for exodus but it is quite tiring given you are only staying 1 or 2 nights in places. Trekking was the highlight and it very integral to the trip so don’t underestimate it . If you are a regular walker you will be fine but it isn’t flat and can be quite challenging underfoot. The mileage in the trip notes is also not correct , we walked 5km in Munnar then 11km, 16km, 14km, 10km and. 4 km. what makes the walking so special is that there is very few others around….yiu get the place to yourself! People are so friendly, a very easy country to get around as most speak English. You feel very safe
Most Inspirational Moment
The trekking.
Thoughts on Group Leader
San was exceptional, exodus are very lucky to have him. His English was very good as was his local knowledge He ensured everybody was happy as our group had a very wide age range 35 to 76. He never stopped, in all the hotels he was there in breakfast ensuring we got what we wanted and ensuring the waiters delivered. He even ensured we had porridge!
Advice for Potential Travellers
No need to get money out at kochi airport as commission rates are high. There is a prepaid taxi service in the airport which is open 24 hours and takes credit card. It will cost about 1,200 rupees to get to the Grand Hotel. There are plenty to AT!’s near the hotel. I used SBI and HSBC both of which didn’t charge me any ATM fees. I have a barclaycard rewards card which is worth having as they don’t charge for ATM withdrawals or ex fees on transactions. Ladies - carry loo roll and bags to put used loo roll in as there isn’t always a bin and yiu shouldn’t put it down some of the more remote toilets
A must do
I’d looked forward to this trip for such a long time and my expectations were high but these were easily met and far exceeded, what a truly fantastic trip. Each day offered new and enchanting vistas, challenges, tastes, smells, people, temples, wildlife, smiles, colours, sounds, food and spectacles – book up immediately.
Most Inspirational Moment
This is a tricky one, too many moments... the trekking was beautiful and exhilarating at every turn, especially as this was the first trip since the virus outbreak so some trails required a man and a machete - I felt very intrepid. Madurai and it's incredible temple complex was stunning, jostling and serene all at once, the slow churn along the Backwaters a golden treat and the people - so calm, cheerful and welcoming even in the tightest of motoring spots. Ooh and the wild elephants and mongooses, all a bit special really.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We were blessed with San (Santosh Kumar) a top leader and top fixer of a man. We never had to ask for anything, he was always 3 steps ahead correctly anticipating and organising everything to make the trip interesting and memorable. He lead us with intelligence, integrity, generosity and good humour, loving to impart his vast knowledge of India and Keralan culture in particular. Plus his use of the English language would put most of us to shame. I must also mention his selection and support of the local guides who were all terrific (carrying and serving our delicious lunches up and down hills each day) and our splendid camping crew and patient, giggly driver Bijou - all a delight
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just to read and re-read all the Exodus blurb and take everything suggested, they know what they're on about. Also why not try to go without paper sometimes, the water method is pretty efficient once you get the hang of it.
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