+1-516-998-6615
Vegan Holiday in Kerala, India (Kochi + forests + backwaters)
Dates: October 24th-November 1st 2027
Price in USD: $4,795 for a shared room with one other person / $5,595 for a private, single room
Kerala is where peaceful waters meet ancient traditions and colorful vegan cuisine!
Join us on a vegan adventure to Kerala, one of India’s most lush and soul-stirring regions full of ancient culture on every corner. Imagine visiting the historic spice-port streets of Kochi, watching centuries-old dance performances, relaxing on an overnight houseboat and experiencing the dense biodiversity of local forests. We’re taking you on a journey through Kerala’s stories, culinary gems like the beloved avial and thoran to creamy coconut curries while immersing yourself into the tiny coastal villages that shape this little corner of paradise. Drift through the palm-fringed canals aboard a private houseboat, and unwind at a forest bird sanctuary, where time seems to soften. Along the way, we’ve scoured the state for 100% plant-based food thoughtfully reimagined from Kerala’s Sadhya, Malabar, and Syrian-Christian culinary traditions, offering a rare chance to experience the region’s flavors through a compassionate lens without seafood. We’ll stay in intimate heritage properties and engage in respectful wildlife encounters. This is a journey into what Indians call: “God’s own country”.
.jpeg)
Explore the full itinerary for India
DAY 1 | THE ADVENTURE BEGINS, WELCOME TO KOCHI
You will be picked up at Cochin International Airport and hotel check-in will be available starting at 3 PM and onwards. You will be given a warm welcome and a delicious welcome drink to help you get settled in, by our team! If your flight gets in earlier, we can show you around the neighborhood. If it gets in later, we’ll let you rest and see you in the morning. Tonight, we’ll have a welcome dinner to get to know each other and savor the first of many delicious meals on a banana leaf.
Meals included: Snacks + Dinner
DAY 2 | KOCHI ON FOOT: HERITAGE, SPICES AND SEAFRONT
After a leisurely breakfast and orientation, we set out with a local storyteller-guide, tracing 500 years of spice-trade history, colonialism and modern day Kerala through its many complicated layers. Imagine walking through centuries of culture, folk art, crafts like perfume making, and old spice warehouses turned into art galleries. For lunch, we’ll stop at a heritage cafe to eat vegan idiyappam, delicious sauces and our first taste of Kerala style chai. In the afternoon, we continue our walking tour into tucked-away courtyards and a closing golden-hour reflection by the Arabian Sea. Today will feel like stepping into a book and learning about Kerala’s enduring story.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 3 | EXPLORING MATTANCHERRY & A KATHAKALLI DANCE PERFORMANCE
Today we cross into Mattancherry, one of Kochi's most photographed neighbourhoods for its colorful streets. We’ll visit the Mattancherry Palace (previously Dutch) with its rare 17th-century Hindu temple murals, then walk the famous Jew Town lane with its 16th-century Paradesi Synagogue (the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth). We’ll learn about the resilience of the Jewish community in Kerala. For lunch, we’ll have do a vegan Kerala cooking class learning regional delicacies that you may have never tried before like avial, beetroot pachadi, banana-flower thoran, coconut chutney and payasam, all cooked by your own hands. You have the afternoon at leisure to relax with some chai, get an Ayurvedic massage or pop into a bookstore. In the evening we’ll watch a Kathakali dance performance, a 2,000 years old tradition of storytelling in gesture, eye and footfall.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 | ENTERING A LIVING FOREST & BIRD SANCTUARY
Late morning after check out, the journey gently unfolds out of Kochi toward the quiet edges of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, where the landscape softens into river, forest, and layered green. We’ll take a road trip past rubber groves, village markets, and spice garden before arriving at an intimate eco-retreat designed around bird song and biodiversity. After check-in, a guided late-afternoon walk introduces the rhythms of the sanctuary: bird calls echoing through the canopy, medicinal plants underfoot, and the subtle interdependence of species that defines this ecosystem. As dusk settles, we’ll gather for a rustic dinner shaped by fresh farm to table ingredients, many of the herbs will be picked right from the property. In the evening, we’ll take it slow with herbal Ayurvedic tea known as Pathimukham or sappan wood water, a Kerala specialty.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 5 | MORNING WALKS + FREE DAY (AYURVEDA)
If you are an early bird, wake up for dawn and go on a walk with us as the early morning reveals its richest layer: drongos, hornbills, kingfishers, and countless endemic species moving through the forest canopy. After a slow breakfast, the afternoon is yours to take a walk by the river, relax on a hammock, or schedule an Ayurvedic consultation with a doctor at a nearby center. Kerala is known for its Ayurvedic wisdom and is the best place to receive both consultations and treatments. In the evening, we meet up for a candle lit dinner back.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6 | SOFTLY GLIDING THROUGH THE CANALS ON AN OVERNIGHT HOUSE BOAT
After checking out, we’ll take a 2 hour drive to Kerala’s iconic backwaters, where a private, traditionally crafted kettuvallam (houseboat) awaits. We’ll begin gliding through the serene waterways, a vast, living network of canals, lakes, and narrow village channels where daily life unfolds along the water’s edge. Lunch is prepared fresh onboard full of coconut, rice, and seasonal vegetables. The afternoon moves at an unhurried pace past paddy fields, toddy huts, and open stretches of water pass through us. You can do some yoga on the deck, jump into the water and go for a swim, or journal. At some point, we’ll anchor by a small village so that we can take in some sunset reflection. Dinner is on the houseboat with open skies and eventually to unwind and fall asleep in the cabins.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 | SETTLING INTO LIFE ON THE LAKE
After a relaxed morning breakfast on the boat, we’ll checkout and settle into our hotel close to the lake. Let’s go on an afternoon village walk and have lunch in town. Today is about observing India’s coastal rural life as coconut vendors set up their stalls, school children buzz around in the afternoon, men do toddy tapping and women gather ingredients for evening dinner. We are going to let the time unfold at its own pace so that we become a part of Kerala.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 | EXPLORING KERALA’S COASTAL TOWNS
On our last day together, we’ll go to our favorite coastal to visit artisans making Kerala pottery, local handlooms and weaving techniques, and learn how to draw traditional art using natural powders into the land as practiced in sacred local rituals. For our goodbye dinner, we will have a feast of 14 different delicacies all served on a banana leaf to signify the abundant harvest and generous spirit in this part of the country. Tonight is also to celebrate the friendships that we all created with each other!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 | AIRPORT DROP OFFS
After breakfast, we’ll be taking everyone back to Kochi (approximately a 90 minute drive). If you have a late night flight (recommended), you can leave your luggage in storage and get in some last bits of shopping, massage or cafe time. We hope you leave having fallen in love with Kerala!
Meals included: Breakfast
“Kerala is a little piece of heaven and I was glad to travel with your team. You made the language barrier so easy and let me enjoy the beautiful backwaters which has always been on my bucketlist. I can't wait to come back and explore more."
Chloe, Canada
Why you'll love this tour
Mexico City is fast becoming the vegan capital of the world! We've ran this tour over 11 times and each time is better than the last. Here's what makes visiting Mexico City so special with Ahimsa Travel Club.
Prehispanic food
Taste Mexican foods such as vegan tlacoyos, sopes and tetelas
Frida Kahlo & art
Explore the incredible works of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera & other artists
Aztec architecture
Guided anthroplogical deep dives into pyramids and Centro Historico
Walking tours
We'll show you our favorite neighborhoods, alleys and cute cafes
Why you'll love this tour
Kerala beautifully combines rich cultural traditions, lush landscapes, peaceful backwaters, and delicious vegan food. From exploring the colorful streets and history of Kochi to cruising through the backwaters and experiencing local traditions, every stop offers something special!
.jpeg)
Vegan Kerala Cuisine
Taste your way through Kerala with delicious local vegan dishes, and a hands-on cooking class that teaches you how to make regional favorites!
.jpeg)
Backwaters and Village Life
Relax on the peaceful backwaters, and immerse yourself in Kerala’s beautiful villages, waterways, scenary, and traditional village life.
.jpeg)
Forests and Wildlife
Explore Kerala’s striking forests while viewing local wildlife, and learn about the biodiversity of the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.
.jpeg)
Cultures and Traditions
Experience Kerala’s traditions through Kathakali dance, local crafts, and walking the streets of Kochi.
Essential Trip Information
Price
Price in USD: $4,795 for a shared room with one other person / $5,595 for a private, single room
Please note that on the houseboat for one night only, we will have to reorganize the rooms and do shared for everyone since the largest houseboats only have 8 rooms total.
Dates
October 24th-November 1st 2027
Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Group size
Maximum of 8 people
What's included
-
8 nights accommodation
-
8 breakfasts
-
6 lunches
-
7 dinners
-
Pre-depature Orientation
-
Assistance with visa
-
Airport transfers
-
Private drivers for excursions
-
Cultural excursions and entrance tickets
-
Local team
-
Tips to drivers and guides
What's not included
-
Roundtrip Airfare to Kochi
-
Travel Insurance
-
Visa Costs
-
Laundry and any additional hotel expenses
-
Meals not indicated above, alcohol, any extra snacks
-
Tips for your room cleaning
-
Massages, shopping, or other personal expenses
-
Additional activities and transportation for personal trips
Lodging
We will be staying in 4 different accommodations throughout the trip. The first will be upon arrival for 3 nights in Kochi in a heritage, boutique hotel. The second will be at the bird sanctuary. The third will be a one night overnight on a houseboat. The last one will be in a hotel in Kumarakom. All the hotels are lovely, comfortable, clean and meant to help you experience the essence of Kerala.
Walking + Mobility
While we ask everyone to be mobile, this is not a very active trip where you will be hiking or doing more than a maximum of 10,000 steps on a given day.
Airport
This tour starts and ends at Cochin International Airport (COK).
Optional Yoga + Ayurveda
Kerala is the birthplace of ayurveda and we strongly recommend fitting in treatments during your free time.
Allergies
We can accommodate most allergies on this tour including celiac.
Good to know for India
Meet your India Trip Leaders
Prachi
Pre-departure support
Pradeep
On-site trip leader and host
Custom India Travel Planning
Looking for a more personalized experience? We offer private travel planning for independent travelers, couples, families, groups, and universities who share our love of compassionate travel and meaningful cultural connection. Tell us where you dream of going, and we'll help bring it to life with our global network of expert trip leaders, guides and travel consultants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ahimsa Travel Club and what kind of vegan travel company are you?
Ahimsa Travel Club is a global vegan travel company offering ethically designed, small-group vegan tours around the world. We focus on compassionate, sustainable travel that respects animals, supports local communities, and allows travelers to experience cultures through a fully plant-based lens.
Are your tours fully vegan and plant-based?
Yes. All Ahimsa Travel Club trips are 100% vegan tours, including plant-based meals, carefully selected accommodations, and ethical activities. We work with local partners to ensure that your experience aligns with vegan values and cruelty-free travel wherever possible.
Can I join if I'm not vegan?
Yes you can join if you are not vegan. Our tours are ideal for vegans, plant-based travelers, and ethically minded explorers—as well as anyone curious about traveling more compassionately. You do not need to be vegan; our trips are designed to be welcoming, supportive, and well-paced. All meals on the tour will be vegan.
How large are your tour groups?
We specialize in small-group vegan travel, typically keeping group sizes intentionally limited. Smaller groups allow for deeper cultural immersion, stronger community impact, and a more personal, relaxed travel experience. Groups of 8-12 people also allow us to travel more responsibly and build meaningful relationships with local guides, businesses, and communities.
What is included in the cost of your vegan tours
Most of our vegan travel packages include accommodations, most meals, guided experiences, ground transportation during the trip, and professional tour leadership. Each tour page clearly outlines inclusions so travelers can plan with confidence.
How do I book a tour or ask more questions?
You can book directly through our website by selecting your preferred vegan tour destination. If you have questions before booking, our team is always available to help you feel confident about your travel plans. If you have questions, we’re always happy to help simply reach out through our contact form or email at info@ahimsatravelclub.com, and we’ll personally assist you.
Where do you offer vegan tours and ethical travel experiences?
We offer international vegan travel experiences across multiple continents, with destinations chosen for their culture, history, nature, and growing vegan food scenes. Each itinerary is designed to support sustainable tourism and ethical travel practices.
Are these tours suitable for families and kids?
Some Ahimsa Travel Club tours are suitable for families and older children, depending on the destination and itinerary. We clearly note age recommendations, activity levels, and pacing on each tour page. Our tours can also be customized just for you and your family by emphasizing cultural learning, nature, and shared meals, making them a meaningful option for families seeking ethical, plant-based travel together. If you’re traveling with kids, we’re happy to help you choose the best-fit tour or be your personal travel concierge.
Keep exploring more vegan tours and departures
January 9th - 17th 2027
Sri Lanka
June 4th - 12th 2027
Norway
September 10th - 20th 2027
Peru
