Day 1-7 Mangalore – Neeleshwar (90km/2hr)              
Fly to Managalore and  drive to Neeleshwar (2hr) to the newly created luxury ‘Neeleshwar Hermitage’ spa resort for one week of heavenly Ayurvedic spa treats together with complimentary yoga classes. Consult resident ayurvedic physican and plan a programme of massages and inner cleansing. Or just simply relax, unwind, far and away from it all and enjoy the peace and serenity under the Keralan sun.

Throughout your stay, optional tours offered include, visit to local famous historic site ‘Bekal Fort’ the largest & best preserved fort in Kerala. A golden triangle temple tour to the ‘Ananthapura Temple’ serenely poised centre of a Lake, the Shiva ‘Adoor Temple’ set in forest  and the Durga  ‘Madiyankoolam Temple’. Ashram Visits to the Ananda Ashram and Nityanand Ashram. Cultural  lectures and meditation classes are offered by the hermitage’s resident Indologist, inspirational!

Swim and sunbask upon Neeleshwar’s idyllic golden sands beach, the best along India’s coastline and for a change of scenery, visit the aromatic spice plantations and Ranipuram hillstation for a walkabout or take a backwaters sunset cruise. Enjoy the Kerelan classical dance story ‘Kathakali’ and the impressive ‘Theyyam’, a shamanistic ritual ceremony unique to North Malabar culture. (B,L,D)

Day 8  Neeleshwar – Kannur (70km/1.5hr)
Now rejuvenated and relaxed, journey south along the Keralan coast to Kannur and beyond the town to the Costal Malabari Beach village. Another picturesque seaside setting under a canope of palms. Enjoy the local ambience, delicious cuisine and perhaps even a dolphin sighting as well as evening or very early morning ‘Theyyam’ in an authentic forest village. ( B,L,D)

Day 9 -10 Kannur – Kochi  (275km/6hr)
Enjoy the morning and after lunch, journey on to Kochi (Cochin) by express train. Arrive evening in Kochi, one of the finest natural harbours on Arabian Sea Coast, and an early port for foreign traders. Enjoy the sites, by rickshaw or sea boat, of the Santa Cruz Basilica, the Dutch Palace, St.Francis Church, the Jewish Synagogue and Jewtown antique shops and Matancherry Palace. At sunset, stroll along the harbour  past the iconic Chinese fishing nets. Enjoy the home inspired cuisine of ‘The Fort House’ harbourside restaurant. Malabar Junction café is another ambient courtyard for dinning with local dance & music performances.    
(B,L,D) ( Day 10 - Breakfast only)  

Day 11 Kochi - Alappuzha  (60km/1.5hr)
After breakfast drive to Alappuzha (Allepey) known as the Venice of India. Famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry, Alappuzha is set in a labyrinth of backwater channels and is the best gateway to explore the unspoilt countryside. Optional visit to a coir factory and the impressive museum. Canal boat transfer to an original backwaters resort on the edge of lake Vemband for postcard-perfect views. Rice barges available for sunset cruises. ( B,L,D)  

Day 12 Alappuzha - Kollam (8 hours cruising)
Board a ‘Kettuvallam’ traditional rice barge houseboat and cruise on down the Backwaters all the way south near Kollam (Quilon) situated between Ashtamundi Lake and the Arabian sea. Sit back, relax and enjoy the lush vegetation and glimpses of  kerala’s unique rural life where water and land are inseparable through the Palm-fringed  back-waters. See the magnificent Shiva Temple, believed to be best in Kerala. Overnight afloat in The Backwaters.(B,L,D)

Day 13  kollam - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary – Thekkady (210km/6-7hr)
Cruise to shore and disembark your kettuvallam, find your feet and drive inland to the idyllic Idukki district. Lunch enroute. Late afternoon arrive in Thekkady, the entry to ‘Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve’. Optional, early evening boat cruise into the sanctuary. Stay amidst plantation gardens of heavenly aromatic spice. (B,D)

Day 14  Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Thekkady
Enjoy an early morning boat cruise into the sanctuary through the mists, perhaps see the elephants watering and feeding beside the dammed lake and if you are exceptionally lucky a tiger! Many lively monkeys, deer and prolific bird life are sure to enrapture. Late Breakfast and relax all day in the largest wildlife sanctuary in India, a slice of heaven on earth!  (B,L,D)

Day 15 Thekkady  - Amritapuri
Drive back to the Backwaters to the coastal village of Amritpuri. Travel through one of Kerala’s most beautiful districts surrounded by plantations of rubber, tea, coffee, cardamon  and pepper. Lunch enroute and visit to picturesque village of Aranmula and the ‘Parthasarathy Temple’ dedicated to Krishna and ‘Mannarsala’, the naga/snake temple. Arrive early evening to Amma’s Ashram and experience the simplicity of ashram life in this large and busy complex with high-rise accommodations for visitors. (B,D) (café dining,optional)

Day 16 Amritapuri (Amma’s Ashram)
If home and so blessed audience with ‘Mata Amritanandamayi Devi’  (Mother of Immortal Bliss) also widely known as ‘the hugging Saint’ and be truly blessed and hugged! See her pure heart in action through her many charitable activites locally and nationwide. Full free day for ashram activities and enjoy the loving peaceful harmomious atmosphere that permeates Amma’s Ashram. Experience evening puja/prayers and satsang/talk. Overnight at Amma’s Ashram. (B,L,D)

Day 17 - 20  Amritapuri -  Kovalam Beach (100km/4hrs)
Drive to Kovalam, just 16km south of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). Arrive at your final spa destination and end your journey as your began with complete relaxation for body and mind with four nights and three free days at an original  ayurvedic health resort.

Optional, day tours to ‘Padmanabhapuram Palace’ one of the finest examples of Kerala’s distinctive wooden architecture and all day tour to Thiruvananthapuram, the costal capital so named as the ‘Abode of Sacred Serpent ‘Anantha’ on whom Lord Vishnu the preserver reclines.  Sightseeing  in the Southern Fort area, Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Puttan Malika Palace and for showcase Art in the North, the Shri Chitra Art Gallery and the Napier Museum.(B,L,D)
                                                
Day 21 Thiruvanathanapuram