Signature India - Between Spices & Backwaters

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 to prebook 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: Visit Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, one of Kerala's oldest, to observe ancient rituals and community traditions that continue to shape local life. Half day (8. 30am - 12. 30pm) Discover the rubber plantations of Kanjirappally, learning the art of tapping and sharing lunch with the family who call this century-old estate home. Full day (10am - 3. 30pm) 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. Half day (4pm - 6pm) 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.

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.