Cochin & Munnar

A private converted kettuvallam (traditional rice-barge) with 1–2 en-suite bedrooms, a lounge deck, an open sun deck and a chef who prepares fresh Kerala meals onboard. You cruise all afternoon through canals and paddies, anchor in a quiet village overnight and start again at sunrise. Everything from linen to bottled water is provided.

The 90-minute lake cruise offers near-daily sightings of Asian elephants, gaur, sambar deer, wild boar and Malabar giant squirrels. Tiger sightings are rare but possible. For deeper wildlife encounters, we can add a morning bamboo-rafting trek (3 hours through the reserve on foot) or the 'Border Hiking' programme.

Kerala cuisine is flavourful and coconut-based rather than fiery — think appam with stew, fish molee, olan and payasam. Most restaurants offer mild North Indian, Continental and Chinese options as well. Vegetarian, vegan and Jain requests are widely accommodated with advance notice.

Swimming in the main backwater channels is not recommended due to boat traffic and current, but many houseboats anchor near safe swimming zones and the crew can guide you. Alternatively, most Kumarakom / Alleppey resorts have private lakeside pools.

Perfectly — the private houseboat night is one of India's most romantic experiences and Munnar's tea-hills suites are honeymoon-favourites. We add rose-petal turn-downs, a candlelit sunset dinner on the houseboat and an Ayurvedic couples' spa on request at no extra cost.

Absolutely — we can integrate a 3-, 7- or 14-day authentic Ayurvedic wellness retreat at CGH Earth's Kalari Kovilakom, Somatheeram or a similar accredited centre either before or after the sightseeing loop. Just share your interest with our travel expert.