School Groups - INDIA - Kerala and the Western Ghats
India’s tropical south ~ Trekking in the Cardamom Hills ~ Houseboat cruise on the Kerala 'backwaters' ~ Madurai's outrageous Sri Meenakshi Temple
7 nights hotels and lodges, 1 night houseboat, 4 nights camping, 5 days trekking, Max. Altitude 2600 m / 8530 ft. All meals included.
Grade 4
A school group adventure through India's tropical south. At the southern tip of India, the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu offer a range of experiences unlike anything else on the Indian Subcontinent. After a day’s relaxation on the Indian Ocean beaches of Kovalam, we transfer to Alleppey to meet our houseboat for a sunset cruise and overnight stay on the uniquely atmospheric Kerala 'backwaters'. Our next stop is at the Periyar Wildlife Reserve, home to wild elephants and tigers, where we have a full day’s exploration with Kerala Forest Department guides. Another unmissable attraction is the amazing Sri Meenakshi temple complex at Madurai, probably the most colourful example of Indian religious architecture. Then, from the British Raj hill-station of Munnar, 4-days of trekking takes us through tea plantations, shola forest and rolling grassland, with a high point at the summit of Meesapulimala (2600m / 8530ft), the second highest Indian peak south of the Himalayas. Between the plantations and tribal villages and the highest peaks of the Cardamom Hills there is a world of forest and high moorland which provides excellent trekking. This area is also the natural habitat of a number of endangered animal species, most notably the ibex-like Nilgiri tahr and the Nilgiri langur, a large monkey. A visit to the picturesque old Portuguese city of Cochin brings this varied schools adventure to a close.
Educational perspective
The Kerala backwaters, with their mix of fresh and salt water, provide a unique habitat for many species of water birds, including kingfishers, cormorants and darters (also called snake birds).
Amend or Extend
Spend an extra day on the backwaters, allow more time in Tamil Nadu, or return to Kovalam at the end of the trip for another day on the beach.
You may also be interested in:
School Groups - SRI LANKA - A Land Like No Other
School Groups - BORNEO – Orang-Utans & Kinabalu
School Groups - THAILAND – Hilltribes & Temples
School Groups - SRI LANKA - A Land Like No Other
School Groups - BORNEO – Orang-Utans & Kinabalu
School Groups - THAILAND – Hilltribes & Temples
The trip pages are only a brief summary of the details available within our trip dossiers. It is important that you read the full day to day description and further information for this trip before making your booking.
Download a dossier for School Groups - INDIA - Kerala and the Western Ghats
