Trip Overview
Kerala is one of India's most diverse and scenically extraordinary states, and this 8-day complete tour is designed to ensure you miss none of its many faces. Beginning in Kochi and ending at Trivandrum, the journey traces a classic south-to-north arc through every major landscape zone — coastal heritage, high-altitude mountains, jungle wildlife, waterway networks, and pristine beaches. Day one immerses you in Fort Kochi's colonial heritage — the only place in India where Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, Jewish, and British influences all coexist in a single neighbourhood. Days two and three carry you up into the Western Ghats to Munnar, where the world's highest tea estates meet national parks housing rare Nilgiri Tahr. Day four takes you into the Cardamom Hills of Thekkady for a Periyar boat safari and the sights and scents of a working spice plantation. The tour's centrepiece is the Alleppey backwaters — a full night on a private houseboat drifting through the Venice of the East, all meals prepared by your onboard chef. After the backwaters, Kumarakom's bird sanctuary offers a tranquil morning of birdwatching before the final chapter: two nights at Kovalam Beach on the Arabian Sea, where Ayurvedic spas, fresh seafood, and lighthouse sunsets provide a perfect epilogue to an unforgettable Kerala adventure.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive Kochi — Fort Kochi Heritage Walk
Arrive at Cochin International Airport. Transfer to Fort Kochi. Explore the Chinese fishing nets, Dutch Cemetery, Paradesi Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), and the vibrant Jew Town spice market. Evening: sunset walk along the Kochi harbour. Kathakali performance. Overnight in Fort Kochi.
Kochi to Munnar — Tea Country Arrival
Drive to Munnar (4 hours via Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls). Check in. Evening: stroll through tea estate and Munnar town. Overnight.
Munnar Full Day Sightseeing
Eravikulam National Park (Nilgiri Tahr), Top Station panorama, Echo Point, Tata Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam boating, Kolukkumalai jeep option. Overnight Munnar.
Munnar to Thekkady — Jungle & Spices
Drive to Thekkady (2 hours). Afternoon: guided spice plantation tour. Evening: Kathakali cultural performance. Overnight Thekkady.
Periyar Safari & Drive to Alleppey
Early morning Periyar Lake boat safari. Drive to Alleppey (4 hours). Board private houseboat. Backwater cruise, Kerala lunch onboard, sunset from deck, dinner on water. Overnight on houseboat.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary & Kovalam Beach
Disembark houseboat. Morning: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary canoe tour — spot painted stork, purple heron, cormorant, darter, and migratory birds. Drive to Kovalam Beach (3.5 hours). Check in. Evening: walk along Kovalam's crescent lighthouse beach. Ayurvedic massage. Overnight Kovalam.
Trivandrum City Tour & Kovalam Evening
Morning: Trivandrum sightseeing — Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (exterior), Napier Museum, Kanakakunnu Palace, and the Chalai Bazaar market. Return to Kovalam for a final afternoon on the beach. Seafood dinner at a beachside restaurant. Overnight Kovalam.
Sunrise Beach Walk & Departure
Watch the sunrise from the Kovalam lighthouse. Final breakfast. Transfer to Trivandrum International Airport for your return journey. Eight days, a lifetime of memories.
What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation as per preference
- 1 night private houseboat with all meals
- Daily breakfast (non-houseboat nights)
- Airport pick-up at Kochi + drop at Trivandrum
- Fort Kochi heritage tour
- Munnar full sightseeing (Eravikulam, Top Station, Tea Museum)
- Thekkady — Periyar boat safari, spice plantation
- Alleppey private houseboat overnight
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary canoe/boat
- Kovalam Beach sightseeing (lighthouse, Hawah Beach)
- Couples/family Ayurvedic massage session (1)
- All transfers by AC vehicle
- Toll, parking & driver allowance
What's Not Included
- Airfare or train tickets
- Lunches & dinners (except on houseboat)
- National park entry fees
- Personal expenses & shopping
- Travel insurance
- Any item not listed in inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are enough for a complete Kerala tour?
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What is the best month to visit Kerala?
Can I do this tour without a flight from North India?
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How is the food in Kerala? What must I try?
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