Detailed itinerary
Kerala Hills, Backwaters & Beaches — 6N/7D
From
₹31,900
Kerala end to end. The hills of Munnar, the forest at Thekkady, a private houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters, and then south to the coast for two nights at Kovalam with an optional Varkala cliff day. Flies in to Kochi and out of Trivandrum, so no backtracking.
Trip at a glance
- Private kettuvallam houseboat with all meals
- Eravikulam National Park and Top Station
- Periyar Lake and spice plantations
- Kovalam's Lighthouse Beach
- Optional Varkala cliff excursion
Day by day
7 days, start to finish — travel, activities and where you sleep each night.
- 1
Day 1
Arrive Kochi and drive up to Munnar
Met at Kochi airport or railway station and straight into the Western Ghats. The road climbs through rubber, then cardamom, then tea, with stops at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls and the first tea-garden photo halts. Check in at Munnar by afternoon — it is noticeably cooler up here. Evening at leisure or a walk into the local market. Overnight in Munnar.
- 2
Day 2
Munnar sightseeing — Eravikulam to Top Station
An early start for Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr, which come close to the path in the Rajamalai zone. Then the Tea Museum for the story of how these hills were planted and how the leaf is processed, Mattupetty Dam (boating optional) and Echo Point, and finally Top Station for the long view over the Theni plains. Optional plantation walk or jeep safari. Overnight in Munnar.
- 3
Day 3
Munnar to Thekkady — spice country
Breakfast, check out and drive down through cardamom hills to Thekkady on the edge of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Afternoon in the sanctuary, with boating on Periyar Lake to look for elephant, gaur and sambar on the shoreline. Optional spice plantation tour and an evening Kathakali or Kalaripayattu performance. Overnight in Thekkady.
- 4
Day 4
Thekkady to Alleppey — private houseboat
Drive to Alleppey and board your private houseboat with a welcome drink. Cruise through the backwaters past villages, paddy fields and coconut lagoons, with lunch, evening snacks and dinner cooked on board. Sunset over the water from the deck. Overnight on the houseboat.
- 5
Day 5
Alleppey to Kovalam — the coast
Breakfast on board, disembark and drive south along the coast to Kovalam. Check in at your beach resort and take the evening at Lighthouse Beach — a crescent of sand under the red-and-white lighthouse, with the sunset and the shacks behind it. Overnight in Kovalam.
- 6
Day 6
Kovalam at leisure or Varkala excursion
Yours to shape. Stay put for the beach, an Ayurvedic massage and optional water sports, or drive up to Varkala for the cliff — a red laterite bluff with cafés along the top, steps down to Papanasam beach, and the best sunset on this coast. Overnight in Kovalam.
- 7
Day 7
Kovalam to Thiruvananthapuram — departure
Breakfast and check-out, with a 20–30 minute transfer to Trivandrum airport. If time permits, a stop at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple on the way. Departure.
Inclusions & exclusions
What's included
- Accommodation in well-rated hotels/resorts as per selected category
- Daily meals at hotels as per the selected package
- One night houseboat stay in Alleppey with lunch, evening snacks and dinner on board
- Private AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- All sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
- Driver allowance, toll taxes, parking and fuel charges
- Meet and greet assistance on arrival at Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram
- All applicable hotel taxes (GST as per current norms)
Not included
- Airfare / train tickets / any transportation not mentioned in inclusions
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels (subject to availability)
- Entry tickets to monuments, parks and sightseeing places
- Safari charges, jeep rides, plantation visits and activity fees unless included
- Water sports and beach activities in Kovalam / Varkala
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone calls, tips, shopping)
- Meals other than those specified in inclusions
- Any increase in taxes, fuel prices or government levies
- Travel insurance and medical expenses
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Inclusions
Where you stay
Plantation-view hotels in Munnar, forest-edge stays in Thekkady, a private kettuvallam houseboat in Alleppey and a beach resort in Kovalam on the longer plans.
Good to know
Is the houseboat private?
Yes — the longer itineraries include a private kettuvallam for your group, with a cook on board. On the shorter plans a private or shared boat is offered depending on the category you select.
When should we visit Kerala?
September to March is ideal across the whole circuit. June to August is the monsoon: the hills are at their greenest and it is the traditional Ayurveda season, but backwater cruises and sightseeing can be rain-affected.
Is Eravikulam National Park always open?
It closes for roughly two months during the Nilgiri tahr calving season (usually February–March). If your dates fall in the closure we substitute a tea plantation walk or Blossom Park.
Are the drives comfortable for elderly travellers?
Yes. Roads are good throughout, drives are 3–4 hours at most, and there are frequent stops. Munnar has some winding ghat sections — carry motion sickness tablets if you're prone.
Which airport should we book?
Fly into Kochi and out of Kochi for the 5D/6D plans, and into Kochi and out of Trivandrum for the 7D/8D plans that end in Kovalam.
Ready for Munnar · Thekkady · Alleppey, Kerala?
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