7 Nights
Kerala, in the southwest of India, and Sri Lanka, may be two different worlds separated by an ocean. However, this Route du Bonheur itinerary, leading from Fort Cochin to Weligama, via Thiruvananthapuram, offers glimpses of continuity between the cultures and landscapes of the Indian subcontinent. Cruise along its backwaters, take a tuk-tuk ride, enjoy Ayurvedic treatments or tea-tasting, and walk along beaches lined with coconut palms: this trip will immerse you in its many facets of unspoiled nature.
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Hotel and restaurant in town. The Malabar House is more than a beautifully designed heritage hotel. It is an art hotel, home of a carefully curated collection, highlighting Kerala’s composite culture as a passage between East and West. The rooms are comfortable and the service is flawless. Malabar Junction, the hotel’s renowned restaurant and Divine, its wine lounge, combine the tradition of South India with exciting culinary innovation. Enjoy classical music or a dance performance on the patio’s stage, rejuvenate body and soul at the ayurvedic centre, step into the history and culture of Fort Cochin, and explore Kerala’s backwaters on the hotel’s own eco-friendly house boat. ... Learn moreless
A sort of ballet takes place every day along the banks of Fort Cochin. At high tide, each Chinese fishing net, 10m high, needs four men to act as counterweights. This fishing technique, all along the coast of the Sea of Oman, dates back to the merchants of the court of Kublai Khan, at the turn of the...
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Kerala’s typical theatrical art, Kathakali, means ‘play telling a story’. Inspired by the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana, its plays only depict male characters. In Kochi, different sites including the Kerala Kathakali Centre offer short versions where you can watch the actors putting on their makeup...
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Restaurant and hotel on the seafront. Tucked away in the South Indian state of Kerala, Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra overlooks the Arabian Sea. Its cottages, nestled amongst the coconut trees and caressed by the sea breeze, offer the best in Keralian Heritage architecture. A path wends its way to the ‘Chandra’ beach – an idyllic beach with intensely private vibes. Ayurvedic massages and Thai relaxation therapies take you on exhilarating sensory journeys, while Yoga sessions on a platform at the cliff’s edge make for an absolutely enlivening experience. In the restaurants, bold flavours compete with stunning views – the chef’s Indian cuisine is a masterly blend of the most delicate of herbs with the warmth of spices. ... Learn moreless
Built in the 19th Century, the Napier museum is a strange architectural mix with influences from Kerala, China and Italy. Known for its incredible carnivalesque décor, the museum offers visitors a beautiful collection of archaeological objects, bronzes and other Buddhist sculptures. Nearby, the Thiruvananthapuram...
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This splendid palace evokes the past splendour of Travancore, the old capital of the realm. All in worked wood, decorated with sculpted ceilings and painted murals, the palace is fully surrounded by a magnificent outer wall of teak and granite. Each staircase, each room, evokes with nostalgia and refinement...
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On the second Saturday in August, every year since 1952, the whole population of Alleppey and its environs meets around the Punnamada lake to the north east of the town to challenge each other in a unique race: 16 snake-like boats, almost 45 metres long, carrying around 100 rowers, speed by as fast as...
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Travelling to Kerala means first and foremost sailing on its canals through luxurious vegetation. This network of almost 900km between lakes, lagoons and rivers allows you to go deep into the land itself. We sail slowly, so slowly, from one village to another between the delicious perfumes of copra and...
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Hotel and restaurant on the seafront. The guest rooms open onto private gardens with vistas of palm trees swaying in the breeze against an ocean backdrop. Cape Weligama’s residences and villas sit atop a promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean and enjoy stunning views of idyllic landscapes on all sides. At the seafront, the crescent-shaped infinity pool seems to float above the waves; alongside stone pathways leading to secluded coves where turtles flap about in the crystal-clear shallows. The terracotta-tiled rooftops of the accommodations, designed by renowned architect Lek Bunnag, create the illusion of a traditional Sri Lankan village with generously sized, stylishly furnished interiors. ... Learn moreless
The seas off Weligama are well known as home to a large colony of blue whales. Enjoy particularly amazing whale watching in calm seas between November and April. The abundance of food in this part of the Indian Ocean also attracts sperm whales and dolphins. Extend your outing by taking an optional diving...
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Built by the Portuguese in 1589 to protect the city of Galle, the fort was expanded by the Dutch and in later centuries by the British. The perfectly restored old city and its fortifications have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. The architecture and urbanisation here is a wonderful example...
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**Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Total price communicated as an indication, based on a stay of the number of nights recommended on this webpage, taking place in the next 3 months, and based on double occupancy (excluding recommended activities, excluding properties not bookable online).
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur:
Suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
** Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Call our concierge to tailormade your booking and itinerary*. *Price of a local call
