- Kerala Multi-Centres
- Treasures of Kerala with 5* Kerala Beach Stay
Begin your adventure in Trivandrum, the perfect gateway for exploring Kerala’s hidden treasures. Watch the world go by as you meander through the winding waterways and lakes of Kerala’s stunning backwaters. An early morning cruise on Kerala’s Periyar Lake allows you to witness the sensational biodiversity of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to large herds of elephants, majestic tigers, and elusive leopards, plus many more fascinating creatures, including over 300 species of bird. Conclude your adventure with a relaxing stay on Kerala’s shores.
Depart on your overnight flight to Kerala.
On arrival at Trivandrum International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Next, we will embark on a short city tour of Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, a city with a blend of both ancient and modern architecture. You will be visiting the Padmanabha Swami Temple, Horse Palace and Napier Museum.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel North to Alleppey to board an authentic Keralan houseboat, journeying through the scenic backwaters, riverside villages and breath-taking scenery. Take a journey through the scenic backwaters with typical Kerala meals served on board by your private chef. Today you will enjoy a boat cruise, which is an incredibly unique experience cruising in the backwaters, absorbing the beauty of Kerala villages. The scenery absorbs vivid contrasts of breathtaking greens and deep blues, curving and winding through the backwaters whilst experiencing nature in all its beauty.
Breakfast
After breakfast, depart on your journey to Kochi where you may spend some time at leisure. In the afternoon, experience a 'Tuk Tuk' ride followed by a performance of traditional Kathakali, a classical, colourful dance drama.
Breakfast
After breakfast we will embark on a sightseeing tour of Kochi, famed as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. Visiting Mattanchery Dutch Palace, St Francis Church and the Chinese fishing nets.
Breakfast
After breakfast, Venture deeper into Kerala's green heart visiting tea and spice plantations en route to Thekkady. Enjoy the Periyar wildlife sanctuary, home to herds of Elephant as well as the majestic tiger. The Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
Breakfast
Take an early morning cruise of Periyar lake to view the wildlife with a chance to see elephants on the lake’s fringes. After breakfast, we will proceed to Elanthoor Mannaas home stay. Later, enjoy a visit to Aranmula Temple and the Manufacturing Centre of Aranmula Kannadi.
Breakfast
Transfer to your beach stay. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel. The rest of your time here is at leisure.
Let the serene landscapes of Kerala, often called “God’s Own Country,” offer you the perfect escape. Whether you're relaxing at your hotel, enjoying the golden sands and swaying palms, or taking a refreshing dip in the Arabian Sea, every moment invites you to unwind. Discover the region’s rich traditions, indulge in Ayurvedic wellness, or simply let the gentle rhythm of the waves and the warmth of the sun restore your spirit.
Transfer to airport for your return flight to UK.
The Uday Samudra Leisure Hotel & Spa is a five-star hotel located in the popular resort of Kovalam. The classic almost colonial styled fascia, elegant rooms and the grand sweep of its swimming pool all catch the eye. And the outlooks over the ocean are just as amazing.
Lit up at night the hotel looks 'a million dollars' – the lights reflecting off the surface of the pool. It's a majestic sight and, if you choose, could be your holiday home…
The Uday Samudra Leisure Hotel & Spa gives easy access to the many fine beaches at Kovalam – some of the best in Kerala. It's one of the region's vibrant nexus points too – everyone comes to Kovalam, for its shops and restaurants as well as for its beaches a quick rickshaw ride away.
Staying at the Uday Samudra Leisure Hotel & Spa you'll be spoilt for choice. Along the front, there are a host of shops and restaurants, including some excellent fresh fish restaurants. You can quite happily spend a week or more here without feeling the need to venture to Kovalam – everything you need is on hand.
The Uday Samudra Leisure Hotel & Spa itself will be a big part of your holiday experience. The comfortable, air-conditioned rooms offer a view looking out over the pool and gardens which you can enjoy from your private balcony.
Air-conditioned Deluxe Rooms have a balcony with a view of the pool and garden. They are all en-suite and are equipped with satellite TV, phone, mini-bar, safe, hairdryer, FREE Wi-Fi and tea/coffee making facilities. Atrium Rooms and Double Ocean View Rooms are available at a supplement.
With three swimming pools, a health club, a spa, a beauty parlour and four restaurants, Uday Samudra Leisure Hotel & Spa is packed with the sort of amenities that will make your holiday wonderfully comfortable and ever so memorable.
Overlooking the sea and only a short walk to Kovalam's popular beaches, this hotel provides comfortable accommodation with excellent guest facilities. Samudra Beach itself offers a selection of restaurants and varied shopping. The busy resort centre of Kovalam is close at hand, only a few minutes away by auto-rickshaw.
Your Next Adventure Awaits! We've been arranging award-winning, expertly crafted hoildays and tours since 1980. We're also ABTA protected and ATOL bonded for your total peace of mind. Call us today to book your next unforgettable holiday!
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is required for entry into India. British Citizen Passport Holders will need to obtain a tourist visa. You can apply for an E-visa no more than 30 days in advance. Your E-visa must be valid for your whole trip so please ensure the expiry date is for the whole duration of your stay. Alternatively you can visit The Indian Visa Application Centre in London: 142-148 Goswell Road, London, EC1B 7DU. We also work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. Additionally, you will need to complete an e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before your arrival. This can be done on the Indian visa website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months before you enter India. Visa requirements are subject to change and obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the traveller and not Mercury Holidays. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity.
This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves climbing of steep stairs and getting on and off coaches, boats and 4x4 vehicles. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in India is the Rupee or Rs. The Rupee is a closed currency and officially you are not allowed to take any cash out of India. US Dollars and GBP are also widely accepted in India should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. There are restrictions on taking Indian rupees into India. Visitors, including tourists, are not permitted to take any amount of Indian currency into the country. You can take cash or travellers' cheques (in pounds sterling or another foreign currency) and/or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in India. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in your local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country
You will need to take extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases. Approximately £400-£500 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour.
Tipping
It is customary to tip your guide and driver. This is at your discretion, but we recommend you allow approximately £3 per person per day. It is asked that you tip in pounds and not local currency, please do not give coins as these are difficult to exchange. If you want to tip your bell boy, porter etc this is at your discretion.
There is no minimum number of passengers required to run this trip. If we are not able to operate your departure date for any other reason, then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable
For your tour portion, guests will be met by drivers who are fully trained as driver guides with a wide knowledge of each destination. For the beach portion of your holiday, you will not be escorted by a tour guide. Your time here will be free to do as you wish. Details of your departure transfer will be confirmed by your guide at the end of your tour or by a representative in the hotel. Unless advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.
Breakfast is always a combination of Indian and western style and served in the hotel each morning (sometimes a packed breakfast depending on train journey). Lunch and dinner where applicable will be taken in hotel/wayside restaurants. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
There are some dry hotels in India, and some hotels where alcohol can be consumed on the premise but must be brought in from outside. Your guide will pre-warn you of this and if anyone in the group would like to purchase drinks before getting then he will arrange for you to visit a local shop and get what you need wherever possible.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegan, vegetarian and non-spicy meal options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. 2 bottles of water are supplied per person per day on your tour.
On your arrival in Cochin or Trivandrum, you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Jayasree Travels & Tours, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Jayasree Travels & Tours representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any queries.
If you need to contact Jayasree Travels and Tours, during your stay the details are:
F 341-Ground Floor, Lado Sarai, New Delhi, 110030.
Contact number: 0091 9526188860/ 0091 995 898 8719
Emergency contact information
Telephone number 24 hr:
Biju Unnikrishnan 0091 952 618 8860, Ms Jayasree Vikraman 0091 974 700 5888, Mrs Samitha Azhar 0091 974 471 3380, Mrs Rekha Anil 0091 9744813380, Mr Amit Bhardwaj 0091 995 898 8719
E-mail: biju@jayasreetravels.com
