Flight: EK532 Dubai - Kochi 02.45 - 08.05

Private transfer to your hotel: Welcome to India! You will be met on arrival in Kochi by a local representative and introduced to your private driver. Together they will take you to your hotel in Fort Kochi to check in. This will be a journey of just over an hour.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Old Harbour Hotel  (Superior Room)

Guided tour of Kochi: After breakfast, you will set out to explore Kochi. Start at Mattancherry Palace which was built by the Portuguese in 1555 for the Maharaja of Cochin. Later renovated by the Dutch, it came to be known as the Dutch Palace. It has a large central courtyard and a temple depicting scenes from the Ramayana and other legends. The little museum at the palace has a collection of costumes, palanquins and other articles from the royalty. Adjacent to the palace is the Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568. This simple building has marvellously rich interiors with clusters of coloured glass lamps hanging from the ceiling, and a floor of blue willow-patterned tiles, none of which are identical.

Although 'Jew Town', as the area around the synagogue is known, has lost much of its earlier glory, it has retained its status as an important centre of the spice trade. An exotic odour of the finest ginger, cloves, cardamom, turmeric and pepper - also known as black gold - emanates from the spice warehouses lining the street. From here move on to St. Francis Church, which was built in 1503 at Fort Cochin, making it one of the oldest churches in the subcontinent. It was built by the Portuguese, but became a Protestant church with the arrival of the Dutch and an Anglican church after the British occupation. Vasco da Gama – perhaps the father of the spice trade – is buried in its churchyard. After visiting St Francis Church take a short walk to see the Chinese fishing nets along the shoreline, then return to your hotel to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Old Harbour Hotel  (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure in Kochi: Today, you have a full day at leisure in picturesque, atmospheric Fort Kochi. Kochi is one of India's most 'walkable' cities: the streets of the Fort area are small and easily navigated, with little of the hustle and bustle found in other Indian centres. With an array of boutiques and cafes, the area is ideal for a leisurely stroll, possibly mixed in with souvenir-hunting and some good fresh seafood. Your driver/guide will be on hand if you wish to explore further afield.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Old Harbour Hotel  (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Journey by road and rail to Wayanad: After an early breakfast, you will be dropped at Kochi's Ernakulam station. At Ernakulam you will board the 9.30am Jan Shatabdi Express up to Kozhikode (formerly named and still widely referred to as Calicut). This will be a journey of approximately 4 hours, with a scheduled arrival in Kozhikode at 13.20pm. You will be booked in an AC seated carriage for this journey. At Kozhikode you will be met immediately off the train by a new private driver, and then set off by road up into the hills to Wayanad. Depending on traffic, this will take around 3-4 hours. On arrival in Wayanad, you will check in and relax after your long journey.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Amaryllis (Garden Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early morning visit to Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: Rise early this morning for 45-minute drive across Wayanad District to the Muthanga Wildlife Park (also known as Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary). Here you will take a shared jeep safari into the park. It is common to spot elephant, sambar deer, peacocks, and an array of birdlife. Wild dogs and bison are also common sightings, and if you are very lucky you may even catch a glimpse of a leopard or the elusive tiger. The safari drive will last around 1.5 hours, after which you will return to the park entrance and re-unite with your driver. Return to the hotel for a late breakfast and then some time to relax.

Please note all drives in Wayanad are on a shared basis with around 6-8 other visitors, conducted in open-top 'canter' jeeps.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Amaryllis (Garden Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day at leisure - optional activities: Today you have a full day at Amaryllis to relax or get stuck into your lush surroundings. The retreat has many enjoyable activities on offer: plantation walks (of numerous lengths and difficulties), bird-watching, or trips further afield to nearby Eddakal Caves or historic Sulthan Bathery. Staying onsite, you may like to relax around the outdoor pool, enjoy a complimentary yoga or meditation session, or indulge in an Ayuverdic massage.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Amaryllis (Garden Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey to Neeleshwar Hermitage: Depart Wayanad this morning, heading out of the Western Ghats and down to the tranquil retreat of Neeleshwar Hermitage. This will be a journey of approximately 4-5 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Neeleshwar Hermitage (Pool View Cottage)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at leisure: These days are at leisure to relax at the resort and reflect on your adventures. Yoga, meditation, and ayurveda are all available. The more active may enjoy hiring a bike to explore nearby villages.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Neeleshwar Hermitage (Pool View Cottage)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Mangalore: This evening, you will be picked up from the hotel and driven north to Mangalore. This will be a journey of approximately 3 hours. Arrive in time to check in for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast