After disembarkation, leave the tropical waterways behind and make your way up into Kerala’s Western Ghats driving through rural scenes of everyday life to Munnar. At an elevation of around 5000ft, this is one of South India’s eminent hill stations. The fresh air offers a welcome relief to that of the steamy backwaters below, and we find ourselves in a land of lush hills surrounded by tall peaks and scattered with tea plantations, waterfalls, and quaint dwellings.

On arrival at Windemere Estate, meet your hosts and enjoy a home cooked lunch. Then get settled into your room at this renovated plantation nestled among cardamom plantations on the slopes overlooking the Western Ghats.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a 2 hour walk around the private grounds taking in the endless views and the listening to the songs of the birds as the light begins to fade.

After breakfast, explore Munnar and its surrounds. You will visit a living tea plantation and factory to learn the history of this industry that started in 1879. Your journey takes you past the Matupeety Dam, a local tourism attraction. The man-made lake is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and is quite a sight to behold.

Returning to your heritage accommodation. After a leisurely lunch, the afternoon is left free to enjoy walks or birdwatching around the estate. There are many viewpoints close to the lodgings and the pool is always available to cool off.

After breakfast you will make your way to the Cardamom Hills, close to the state border with Tamil Nadu, to Periwar National Park known for its rolling forested hills, montane grasslands, temperate climate, and array of flora and fauna. The park is home to nearly 2000 species of flowering plants, including 140 orchids. Periyar’s forests of teak, sandalwood, banyan, and bamboo are also home to an array of wildlife. Elephants and tigers head a list of mammals including sloth bears, bison, flying squirrels, jungle cats, wild dogs along with around 270 species of birds.

Arrive at the ecologically minded Spice Village in time for lunch (on your own account). This is, essentially, a tribal village, reborn for the modern traveller. The rest of the day is free for you to soak up your surroundings, enjoy the pool, or an Ayurvedic treatment.

In the early morning light, accompanied by a trained tribal guide, you will explore different nature trails traversing diverse habitats generally 4 to 5 km. in length and lasting about 3 hours. This is an interpretive program offering an excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. This Nature walk allows you to feel nature, hear her whispers and smell her flowers.

In the afternoon, discover the vast array of herbs and spices grown in the surrounding areas such as pepper, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and ayurvedic herbs. Meeting the locals working among these spices is rewarding experienece in itself.

This evening you have the rare opportunity to witness a Kalaripayattu (Traditional Martial art) show. This is said to be the oldest of all the martial arts, dating back some 3000 years.

After breakfast, make your way down from the Ghats and return to Kochi.

Arriving in town around mid-day, check into your hotel which has the perfect location for exploring the sights of Kochi by foot, soaking up the atmosphere of the promenade busy with local families enjoying the sea breezes, or simply relax with a drink watching the boats come and go.

After breakfast you will be transferred to Kochi airport for your onwards flight.