On Silver Travel Advisor’s recent exclusive tour, Penny Worthy hosted 12 solo Silver Travellers for a deep dive into the Kerala region of India
We stood quietly at the summit, 1,450 metres above sea level, gazing out over the glorious green tea plantations, and taking in the magnificent views of Anaimudi (the highest peak in south India) in the distance. The only sound was the occasional deep breath, and I couldn’t work out if this moment was quite literally breathtaking, or if we were still recovering from the hike through the Letchmi Hills to get here. Either way, it was one of my favourite moments during our recent Silver Travel Tour of Kerala.
I had the pleasure of hosting a group of our readers and customers on an exclusive 12-day tour which took us from the cosmopolitan city of Cochin to the sandy shores of Kovalam, with plenty of stops in between. Over the course of the trip, our group – who arrived as solo travellers – became a little family, navigating the intricacies of Kerala together.
Sights, scenic views and serene lakes
After city sightseeing and an unforgettable Kathakali dance show in Cochin, we moved on to the hill station of Munnar, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams. As well as hiking through the tea plantations we also enjoyed the opportunity to taste a variety of the flavours created here and learn about Munnar’s long legacy of tea production at the Tea Museum. The following day we went from tea plantations to a spice plantation in Periyar. Wandering through the garden, aromas of vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon filled the air. It was the perfect insight into south Indian cuisine, which was quite apt as we had the most delicious lunch at our hotel in Periyar – fresh salads, seafood and rich curries.
We woke the next day to a heavy morning mist which gave an atmospheric backdrop to our boat ride on Periyar Lake. As we glided across the still waters the mist broke giving way to a glorious sunrise. The Periyar National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife, and we were lucky enough to spot wild boar, bison, monkeys, and our most memorable spot, a family of elephants including adorable little babies chasing after their mums and herd.
Taking in tradition
If I fast forward shortly to the end of our time together, we sat and chatted about our favourite moments of the trip, and I think pretty much everyone mentioned our next experience in Alleppey – an overnight stay on a traditional houseboat which is a simple converted rice barge, known locally as a kettuvallam. As we arrived on the jetty we were split into groups and boarded our home for the night. While the houseboats had many home comforts such as air-conditioned bedrooms, modern bathrooms and a cosy living room, it was the scenes outside we were more interested in.
From the deck we watched as we cruised through the network of waterways and canals, witnessing local village residents going about their daily life. It was peaceful, it was quiet, and it was just what we needed after a busy few days on the go. With just two or three guests and crew onboard each houseboat, the service was exceptional. The most important crew member was surely the chef who, despite a lack of space, dished up mouth-watering, authentic Keralan cuisine – our main course was even served in a banana leaf for photo-worthy presentation.
Along the way we stopped for walk through the rice fields and, to toast the end of the day, we took a sunset walk to watch the sky turn all shades of orange, red and amber. Then it was time to settle down in our cabins and drift off to sleep as the water gently lapped the boat.
Time to slow down
Feeling mostly relaxed after the peace and quiet of the houseboat, things we set to stay at a slower pace as we arrived at our final stop of the tour, Kovalam. We had two days to ourselves to enjoy the beach and take in some shopping. You can find everything from local arts and crafts, to beautiful scarves and dresses in the many street side stalls and shops along the beach. Kovalam is known as the ‘paradise of the south’ and it certainly lived up to the moniker with palm-fringed beaches and turquoise waters.
As we said our goodbyes at the airport, our group of solo travellers departed as friends, with a promise to keep in touch. And I can confirm that our WhatsApp group is still a flurry of messages reminiscing about our time in Kerala, and making plans for our next tour! Nanni (thank you) to all our lovely travellers who made this trip so special.
Next steps
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