Detailed itinerary
Kerala Classic — Munnar, Thekkady & Alleppey 4N/5D
From
₹21,900
The most requested Kerala route, done properly. Two nights in Munnar for Eravikulam, the tea museum and Top Station, a night in Thekkady on the edge of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, and a houseboat night drifting through the Alleppey backwaters with all meals cooked on board. Private vehicle, private driver, your dates.
Trip at a glance
- Eravikulam National Park and Nilgiri tahr
- Tea Museum, Mattupetty and Top Station
- Periyar Lake boating in Thekkady
- Overnight kettuvallam houseboat
- Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls
Day by day
5 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 — houseboat
Drive west out of the hills to Alleppey and board your kettuvallam houseboat at midday. The rest of the day is spent moving slowly through the backwaters — canals, paddy fields below sea level, coconut lagoons, and village life happening on the bank an arm's length away. Lunch, evening snacks and dinner are served on board. Overnight on the houseboat.
- 5
Day 5
Alleppey to Kochi — departure
Breakfast on board and disembark, then transfer to Kochi. If time allows, a quick run through Fort Kochi for the Chinese fishing nets and the waterfront before your drop at the airport or station.
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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