Modern Adventure founder Luis Vargas is recognized as one of the top travel specialists for 2025 by Condé Nast Traveler. This list includes travel experts for every trip and traveler imaginable.
2026 Kerala Extension
January 21 – February 4, 2026 | One Exclusive Departure
Kerala: The Next Chapter
Keep the story going with palm-fringed canals, Ayurvedic traditions, and spice-laden feasts
January 31 - February 4, 2026 | 5 Days, 4 Nights
“Modern Adventure opened doors that we would not otherwise be able to experience.”
Questions? Text or call us
+1 (855) 219-8018
$2,500
per person, based on double occupancy.
Continuing to explore India through Southern Lens in Kerala
Join us to extend your exploration of India and escape to the serene backwaters of Kerala. As you glide through the backwaters aboard a houseboat, a kingfisher flits past the bow, and a breeze rustles the palms overhead. A Kerala-style lunch is served, full of local steamed pearl-spot fish wrapped in banana leaf, scented with curry and kokum. As you float through Alleppey, village life unfolds on the bank as a woman rinsing rice and children laughing from a footbridge. Just yesterday, you wandered the faded lanes of Fort Kochi, where fishing nets swayed over the tide and spice-laden breezes drifted through Dutch-era streets. Tomorrow, you’ll walk barefoot through a sunlit village, sharing a vegetarian feast and learning how deeply ritual, rhythm, and flavor shape daily life in this part of the world. Kerala is a quiet revelation—lush, layered, and full of warmth—and this journey lingers long after it ends.
Trip Highlights
- Indulge in authentic Kerala cuisine
- Explore the vibrant city of Kochi,
- Experience a serene houseboat cruise
- Relax in the tranquility of Kumarakom
Day by Day
*On rare occasions, this itinerary may change.
Day 1:
January 31, SatWelcome to Kerala. Often called “God’s Own Country”, it’s a lush southwestern state where palm-fringed shores, tranquil backwaters, and misty mountain plantations converge in quiet harmony. From its spice-scented hills to its sun-dappled coast, Kerala invites you into a slower rhythm and a landscape shaped by nature, tradition, and deep-rooted hospitality.
Today we arrive in Kochi. After a domestic flight from Delhi, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your boutique hotel in the heart of Fort Kochi. This evening is yours to rest, wander, or simply breathe in the tropical air laced with salt, spice, and woodsmoke.
Your home for the night blends colonial Dutch character with the intimacy of a modern retreat.
Day 2
February 1, SunThis morning begins with a walk through the shaded streets of Fort Kochi. Alongside a local guide, we pass Portuguese chapels and Dutch homes that sit beside spice markets and ancient synagogues. Along the way, we’ll glimpse the rhythm of life in this port city that has welcomed traders and travelers for centuries.
Lunch brings us to the home of Nimmy Paul, a local culinary expert known for preserving and teaching the recipes of Kerala’s Syrian Christian tradition. In her sunlit kitchen, you’ll cook—and then taste—a feast of fragrant curries, coastal vegetables, and family-kept techniques.
In the evening, we board a boat for a gentle sunset cruise through Cochin Harbor. As the skyline glows gold and seabirds trace the breeze, you may even spot dolphins surfacing in the distance. After that, the rest of the evening is yours to embellish.
Day 3
February 2, MonToday we depart for Alleppey, where a traditional houseboat awaits. As it glides through the palm-fringed canals, we’ll witness a softer, slower India—one of mirror-like waters, women in bright saris rinsing clothes on the banks, and children waving from the shore. In the afternoon, a traditional Kerala lunch is served on board as the scenery drifts by.
Later in the day, we disembark at Kumarakom and continue to Coconut Lagoon, a tranquil lakeside resort where the quiet is punctuated only by birdsong and the rustle of palms.
Day 4
February 3, TueAfter breakfast, we’ll begin the day with a guided walk through a nearby village, where life unfolds much as it has for generations. Meet with locals, observe traditional fishing and coir-making, and listen as your guide shares stories about the customs and rituals of daily life.
Lunch today is served in traditional style: a vegetarian thali on a banana leaf, rich in coconut, curry leaves, and the gentle heat of regional spice. The rest of the day is yours to rest, enjoy the gardens, or sit lakeside watching the sun drift behind the palms. Enjoy the calm and relaxation of our final night in Kerala.
Day 5
February 4, WedAfter a final breakfast, we return to Kochi Airport for your onward flight to Delhi. Your mind perhaps already wandering back to the taste of curry leaves and the sound of birds along the backwaters. Until next time!
“
I loved the warmth, sincerity and caring of the Modern Adventure team.
“
It was evident that everyone who had a hand in the planning truly wanted the trip to be special and memorable.
“
I was blown away by how flawlessly Modern Adventure executed this trip. You exceeded my every expectation.
Where We Sleep
Ease into the rhythm of coastal life with boutique stays that blend colonial charm, lush landscapes, and the quiet luxury of Kerala’s storied backwaters.
Eighth Bastion
A boutique hotel with Dutch colonial charm, Eighth Bastion nestles into the historic lanes of Fort Kochi. Inside, crisp white walls, reclaimed wood, and minimalist interiors offer a calm contrast to the vibrant streets beyond. The breezy courtyard, attentive staff, and proximity to the sea make it a relaxing base for discovery.
Coconut Lagoon
Accessible only by boat, Coconut Lagoon is a lush retreat set on the shores of Lake Vembanad. Restored wooden bungalows, Ayurvedic gardens, and breezy verandas offer immersion in the rhythms of nature. The property pays homage to Kerala’s cultural heritage while inviting complete relaxation.
Book 2026 Kerala Extension
Make It Private
We understand that certain dates can work better than others, or sometimes a more private experience is more appealing. We’d be happy to modify this departure so it fits the needs of you and your group.
Start HereQuestions?
That’s OK, we have answers.
Read our FAQs below. Or text or call us at +1 (855) 219-8018 to speak with a Modern Adventure Trip Specialist.
-
What does the price include?
Four nights at unique four-star accommodations; private travel for all day trips and excursions; arrival and departure airport transfer; internal flights within the itinerary, private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities, adventures and expeditions; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, most lunches; local beverages with meals.
-
What does the price not include?
International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; transportation to the trip’s starting point; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; food and beverages not included in itinerary; gratuity for tour leader.
-
Where does the trip start and end?
Our adventure begins in Delhi, India. The closest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi, India. We recommend arriving on or before January 21 to ensure you’re at our starting point on time.
Our last day is February 4, 2026. The closest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
-
What travel documents are needed?
A valid passport and visa are required for all international travelers. Your passport should be valid at least six months after your return date and have two unused pages. If you are traveling to India soley for recreation, you may be eligible to apply for an e-Tourist Visa. For details visit www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
-
Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?
For solo travelers, there is an $800 single-supplement fee paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. These spots are extremely limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
-
Who is going on this trip?
Our adventures typically have between 10 and 20 guests, and our Modern Adventure Team. Our experiences are fun and inclusive and you can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This adventure is for travelers age 18 and above.
-
Who is leading this trip?
This trip is led by an expert Modern Adventure Trip Leader. They’re an experienced travel guide, a representative of Modern Adventure and your go-to person for questions or concerns on the trip. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local, expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.
-
What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel 120 days or more before departure and receive a full refund minus a $1500 per person service fee ($500 of which may be retained as a future travel credit, valid for one year after cancellation). If you cancel on or after 119 days in advance, there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after 59 days in advance, there is a 100% cancellation fee. See our full terms and conditions for details.
-
Can I book this trip by itself?
This journey to Kerala is intended to be an extension of our trip to India that precedes it. This is a way to continue your exploration, but not a standalone trip or Modern Adventure experience. If you would like to only visit Kerala, please reach out to our travel experts to plan a custom trip here.