Kerala

Welcome to Kochi, the Queen of the Arabian Sea. Drive into the Western Ghats towards Munnar — rolling hills, tea and spice plantations. En route, stop at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls.

Full-day sightseeing: spot the Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam National Park, wander the tea estates, then Rose Garden, Mattupetty Dam, Eco Point, Blossom Hydel Park and the Botanical Garden.

Drive to Thekkady via a spice plantation. At Elephant Junction, enjoy an elephant ride and watch the bathing; in the evening, a live Kalaripayattu martial-arts show.

Check in to your private houseboat and cruise Alleppey's backwaters until evening. Dinner and the night on board — the quietest night of the trip.

A last afternoon in Kochi: the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, the Jewish Synagogue and the Chinese fishing nets on the harbour.