Arrival at Kochi (Cochin International Airport)

Long-haul flights from Madrid Barajas or Barcelona El Prat land at Kochi via a Gulf hub such as Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, with total travel time between 13 and 16 hours depending on the connection chosen. Our representative meets you at the arrivals gate with a name placard and transfers you privately to your Fort Kochi hotel. Check in, freshen up, and take the first afternoon slow, as CET to IST jet lag runs 3.5 to 4.5 hours forward. Late afternoon suits a short walk along the harbour promenade to see the Chinese fishing nets in operation and the fish auction that follows the day’s catch. Overnight in Fort Kochi.

Fort Kochi and Mattancherry sightseeing

The day opens with a walking tour of Fort Kochi’s colonial quarter, covering the Santa Cruz Basilica, St Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried, and the sea-facing Vasco House. A licensed English-speaking guide leads the walk; Spanish-speaking guides can be arranged with prior notice at supplement. Post lunch, transfer to Mattancherry for the Dutch Palace with its temple murals, the still-operating Paradesi Synagogue, and the Jew Town spice market where cardamom, pepper and star anise trade in bulk. Late afternoon returns to Fort Kochi for a scheduled Kathakali performance, arriving one hour before curtain to watch the artists complete their traditional makeup. Overnight in Fort Kochi.

Kochi to Munnar (approximately 4.5 hours by road)

Post breakfast, drive to Munnar through the Western Ghats, a scenic 4.5-hour road stretch with driving segments broken by rest stops. En route, a short stop at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls for photographs and a tea break at a plantation-side cafe. Arrival at Munnar by mid-afternoon at an altitude of roughly 1,600 metres, where the temperature drops noticeably and the air carries the sharp scent of eucalyptus and tea leaf. Check in at your Munnar hotel or heritage plantation stay. Evening at leisure for a walk through the tea gardens; the fading light on the plantation slopes is among the strongest photography windows of the trip. Overnight in Munnar.

Munnar sightseeing

A full sightseeing day starting with Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, followed by a visit to the Tata Tea Museum for a working overview of Kerala’s tea industry from colonial planting to modern export. Post lunch, the afternoon covers Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Kundala Lake, with time for a shared shikara boat ride at Mattupetty. Photographic stops at the Kannan Devan tea estates through the drive. This is the strongest weather day of the trip for cool-climate walking, with typical afternoons at 18 to 22 degrees. Evening back at the hotel with a light Kerala meal; some travellers opt for a spa treatment at this stage. Overnight in Munnar.

Munnar to Thekkady (approximately 3.5 hours by road)

Morning drive to Thekkady, gateway to the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The road cuts through cardamom hills with sightlines to occasional wild elephant crossings; the drive takes 3.5 hours in comfortable conditions. Check in at your Thekkady hotel by lunch. Afternoon visit to a working spice plantation with a naturalist-led walk covering cardamom, pepper, nutmeg, clove and vanilla cultivation. This walk maps directly onto the spice-trade history that connected Kerala’s Malabar coast to Iberian ports from the 15th century onward, often a point of interest for Spanish travellers. Evening at leisure or an optional Kalaripayattu martial arts show at a local cultural centre. Overnight in Thekkady.

Thekkady wildlife day and transfer to Alleppey (about 4 hours)

Early morning boat safari on Periyar Lake with sightings of wild elephants, sambar deer, gaur and, with luck, sloth bear or leopard along the shoreline. Post breakfast, drive to Alleppey via the paddy plains, arriving in the early afternoon at Punnamada jetty. Board your private houseboat, a traditional kettuvallam with two or three ensuite bedrooms, an onboard chef and a captain. The cruise moves slowly through the backwater canals past coir villages, working paddy fields and lily-choked side channels. Lunch is served on deck as the boat drifts, followed by an afternoon nap that many travellers report as the deepest sleep of the trip. Sunset over the backwaters with a Kerala thali dinner. Overnight on the houseboat.

Alleppey to Marari or Kovalam beach (roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours)

Post an early breakfast on the houseboat, disembark at Alleppey and transfer by private car to Marari beach (1.5 hours) or Kovalam (2.5 hours) depending on your itinerary. Marari suits travellers wanting quiet coconut-grove beach resorts; Kovalam suits those wanting a more active promenade with restaurants and shopping. Check in and afternoon at leisure. This is the recovery block of the trip, built specifically for families needing downtime for children and grandparents after the hill-and-backwater sequence. Evening walk on the beach, fresh grilled catch dinner at a shack, and an early night. Overnight at Marari or Kovalam.

Beach day at Marari or Kovalam

A full day at leisure to swim, read, walk the beach or book optional Ayurvedic treatments at the resort spa. Kerala’s coastal Ayurveda tradition is well documented and a genuine treatment differs sharply from the tourist versions offered in many international spas. Optional afternoon village cycling tour through Marari’s fishing hamlets, or a catamaran ride from Kovalam beach. This day is deliberately unstructured and works as the mental reset before the return long-haul. Some bookings add a second beach night at this point on request. Sunset dinner planned at a beachfront restaurant with grilled king prawns and coconut rice. Overnight at Marari or Kovalam.

Departure from Kochi or Trivandrum

Post breakfast, transfer to Cochin International Airport (approximately 1.5 hours from Marari) or Trivandrum International Airport (approximately 45 minutes from Kovalam) for your return flight. Return connections to Madrid or Barcelona typically route back through Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi with total flying time between 14 and 17 hours depending on the connection. Our representative assists with airport drop, luggage handling and check-in guidance for the departure counter. Where morning departures are unavoidable, breakfast is arranged as a packed box from the hotel. This closes the nine-night circuit covering the core Fort Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and coast sequence.