Backwaters
Take a trip to the beautiful backwaters of Kerala, comprising stunning lakes, lagoons and canals that run parallel to the Arabian Sea. It is no surprise that the backwaters are one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, boasting houseboat cruises that float effortlessly upon the tranquil waters. Visit Alappuzha, known as the ‘Venice of the East’, on a canal cruise - a truly great place to soak up both Keralan culture and nature.
Museums
Discover Kerala’s rich and fascinating history at one of the many museums in the region. Visit the brilliant Museum of History & Heritage, situated in a beautiful old building, which focuses on tracing Keralan history and culture through interactive audio-visual presentations and static displays. Among the exhibits are Iron Age implements, bronze and terracotta sculptures, dhulichitra (beautiful floor paintings), and recreations of traditional Keralan homes. Alternatively, take a trip to Napier Museum, housed in a captivating 1880 wooden building designed by the British architect, Robert Chisholm; explore alluring displays of eclectic bronzes, temple carts, ivory carvings and Buddhist sculptures.
Wildlife
Kerala is home to countless beautiful wild animals - including elephants, exotic birds and striking tigers - which can easily be seen from many of the brilliant sanctuaries dotted around the region. Take a trip to the 5-hectare Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary on Lake Vembanad, home to a large variety of native and migratory birds - visit from October to February to see travelling birds such as garganey teal, marsh harrier, osprey and steppey eagle, whilst from May to July is breeding season for local species including the Indian shag, pond herons, darters and egrets. A little further afield, discover the brilliant Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the protected animals that thrive there - spot leopards, elephants, deer and the endangered grizzled giant squirrel on a truly brilliant day out.
Please contact our Travel Consultants for flight details.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.