Walking in Kerala

Our trip starts in Kochi, a port city on India's Malabar Coast. Also known as Cochin, it's been a port since 1341, when it was used by Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Built across several islands with criss-crossing waterways, the city has a relaxed feel that speaks to artists and artisans from across the globe. Explore the colourful streets or head to the harbour for sunset to see the fishermen bringing in their catch. There are no planned activities today, so you're free to arrive at any time. Our tour leader will hold a welcome meeting in the hotel reception at 6pm and there'll be the chance to go for dinner afterwards. If you arrive later, they'll catch you up in the morning. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to arrive into Cochin International Airport (COK), which is 40 kilometer/24.90 mile/1.5 hours from the airport.

This morning, we'll take a walking tour of India's oldest European settlement, Fort Kochi. Beginning with the arrival of Jewish and Arab spice traders in the first century AD, Kochi's prosperity increased with the arrival of the Portuguese, who were later followed by the Dutch and the English. This eclectic heritage has infused the city with a mixture of styles and influences. We'll take in the architectural charms of the Church of St Francis and other notable colonial buildings such as the site of the city's 16th century Jewish synagogue (note, the synagogue is closed on Fridays and Saturdays), the oldest in the Commonwealth and the exterior of the Mattancherry Palace. In the afternoon, we'll drive inland to Munnar and the stunning vistas of the Western Ghats. The 140 kilometre/87.01 mile drive takes us into the heart of tea country, where fresh mountain air and tropical forests share the landscape with spice plantations and tea estates. Today's walk is graded as easy and we expect it to take approximately 2 hours.

Today, we'll head out for a hike in the Ghats. Our trail begins at the small village of Nagarmudi (1500 meter/4922 feet), just a short drive from old Munnar. Starting with a gradual climb, we'll ascend through the tea plantations up into the Seven Malai Hills, passing crops of coffee and cardamom as we make our way to the summit (1700 metere/5578 feet). The walk today will take us around 4 to 5 hours, but our hard climb will be rewarded by some spectacular panoramas across the Chittrapuram Dam and out towards the Anamudi Peak, Munnar and the local villages. Descending to our vehicle, we'll then drive back to Munnar for our second night. Today's walk is graded as moderate and covers 11 kilometres/6.80 mile. It will take around four to 5 hours.

This morning, we'll journey on to begin our 3-day point to point hike. Our walk takes us through a landscape blanketed with tea plantations and sholas of eucalyptus. The beautiful views and tea estates give a real flavour of the area. Stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch in shade of a tea garden, we'll continue climbing towards our camp at Silent Valley, situated in a meadow close to a small stream. Ascending to a height of 2000 meter/6562 feet, today's walk will cover around 12 kilometres/7.50, taking us between 4 and 5 hours to reach the camp.

Leaving camp after breakfast this morning, we'll begin the ascent of the Meesapulimala Peak, the second highest in South India. The trail towards the summit takes us from rough grassland and up onto the ridge line, where we continue climbing through patches of open grassland towards the peak. The journey to the top will take us around 3 to 4 hours and from its lofty heights, the views look down across Kerala and Tamil Nadu (if the summit isn't shrouded in mist). You might even pass the odd herd of Nilgiri Thar (a type of wild goat) on the way. After a chance to rest and enjoy the scenery, we'll then descend towards Rhodo Valley (2300 meter/7546 feet), stopping off for a picnic lunch en route. As the camping area at Rhodo Valley is currently closed, we return by jeep for a second night at our Silent Valley camp. Today's walk is graded as moderate and covers 8 kilometres/5.10 mile. It should take around 6 to 7 hours.

Today will be our longest day walking, as we meander through a stunning backdrop of verdant plantations and vivid red rhododendron forests. This part of the Western Ghats is home to a staggering array of life, with wild boar and Atlas moths sharing the stage with a dazzling mix of local flora. As we climb, the views out across the local countryside take in villages and lakes, before we begin a gradual winding descent towards Ellapetty village where we enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by vegetable gardens planted by the local tea workers. From here it's a 30-minute transfer by jeep to our final camp at Top Station/Oorkad (1900 meter/6234 feet). Today's walk is graded as moderate and covers 16 kiolmetres/9.90 mile. It should take around 7 hours.

Breaking camp for the last time today we'll drive back towards Munnar and on to Thekkady, the gateway to the Periyar National Park. Taking up much of the morning, the 160 kilometre/99.40 mile drive weaves across the Western Ghats before reaching Thekkady later this morning. This part of India has long been renowned for its abundant spices. It was to the spice rich shores of the Malabar Coast that Christopher Columbus was heading when he bumped into America by mistake. After lunch, we'll take a short walk around a spice garden, enjoying an aromatic wander through crops of black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and clove. There should also be time to explore the local bazaar before dinner.

This morning, we'll take a walk to discover the flora and fauna in the Periyar National Park. Set around the picturesque shores of Lake Periyar and one of the largest parks in South India, it is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife including elephant, tiger (although we don't expect to see one), sambar, wild pigs, bison, monkeys, and langurs. It also boasts some 112 species of butterflies and 246 species of birds including cormorants, darters, ospreys, kingfishers, hornbills, and kites. The walk will take between 2 to 3 hours, after which there might be an opportunity this afternoon to enjoy an optional boat trip on the lake. Please be aware, tickets for the cruise are only available locally and are on a first come, first served basis. Today's walk is graded as leisurely and covers mostly flat terrain. It should take around 2 to 3 hours.

Driving to the coastal town of Alleppey, this morning we'll head for the myriad canals and channels that make up the Kerala Backwaters. There, we'll board a traditional houseboat for an overnight cruise through the region. A time-honoured form of transport, these wonderfully characterful boats are made of anjili wood and bamboo and come with en-suite twin bedrooms and an on-board chef, providing the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of this remarkable setting. Along theses narrow channels, the villagers survive on narrow spits of land, keeping cows, pigs, chickens and even cultivating vegetable gardens. Nothing goes to waste: the shells from the freshwater mussels are burnt to make building lime and coir is used for just about everything. This evening we'll moor up along the banks of Vembanad Lake.

After a relaxing breakfast onboard our floating home, we'll drive on to the village of West Chennamkary in the heart of the Backwaters for a walk around some of the local villages. This is a great opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of a region that provided Arundhati Roy with the inspiration for her book, 'The God of Small Things'. We'll enjoy a traditional Keralan lunch with a local family before driving back to Kochi later in the afternoon. Our walk today is graded easy and we expect it to take up to 2 hours and 30 minutes at a very leisurely pace. Today's walk is graded as leisurely and should take around 2 hours and 30 minutes

Our tour of Kerala ends at our hotel in Kochi. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Cochin International Airport (COK).