An 8-day grand tour of Kerala — Cochin’s colonial heritage, the tea hills of Munnar, Periyar wildlife at Thekkady, an overnight Alleppey houseboat, and the beaches of Kovalam. 8 Days / 7 Nights — Cochin · Munnar · Thekkady · Alleppey · Kovalam.
Trip Highlights
- Explore colonial Fort Cochin, Chinese fishing nets and the Paradesi Synagogue
- Tea gardens, Eravikulam National Park and Mattupetty Dam in Munnar
- Wildlife boat cruise on Periyar Lake at Thekkady
- Overnight houseboat cruise through the Alleppey backwaters
- Relax on Kovalam’s beaches and visit Trivandrum’s Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Overview
Discover the very best of Kerala on this 8-day journey through God’s Own Country. From the colonial charm of Fort Cochin and the rolling tea gardens of Munnar to the wildlife of Periyar at Thekkady, an overnight houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters, and the sun-kissed beaches of Kovalam — this itinerary packs the state’s most iconic experiences into seven memorable nights.
A cruise through the palm-fringed canals of Alleppey, a Periyar Lake wildlife boat ride, and the tea-scented hills of Munnar are the highlights of a route designed for first-time visitors who want to see it all.
Itinerary
Day 01 — Arrival in Cochin
Welcome to God’s Own Country. On arrival at Cochin Airport, our representative greets you and you set out on a Cochin city tour covering Fort Cochin, the Dutch Palace, Jew Street and Synagogue, St. Francis Church, the Chinese fishing nets, the Tripunithura Hill Palace and Folklore Museum, and Marine Drive. Overnight in Cochin.
Day 02 — Cochin to Munnar
After breakfast, drive to Munnar (approx. 130 km / 4 hrs), the gateway to South India’s hills. En route, stop at the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls and a spice plantation. Arrive amid mist-clad hills and sprawling tea gardens and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 03 — Munnar Sightseeing
After breakfast, tour Munnar — Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam and Kundala Dam (with optional boating), the famous Echo Point, and the Tea Museum. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 04 — Munnar to Thekkady
After breakfast, drive to Thekkady (approx. 100 km / 3 hrs), home to the Periyar wildlife sanctuary and fragrant spice plantations. Enjoy a wildlife cruise on Periyar Lake and, if you wish, a spice-plantation tour, bamboo rafting or an elephant ride. Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 05 — Thekkady to Alleppey Houseboat
After breakfast, transfer to Alleppey and board your private houseboat for an overnight cruise. Glide through palm-fringed canals past paddy fields and village life; the boat anchors on the lake by evening. Overnight on the houseboat.
Day 06 — Alleppey to Kovalam via Jatayu
After breakfast, disembark and drive to Kovalam (approx. 180 km / 4.5 hrs), stopping en route at the Jatayu Earth’s Centre. The evening is free to unwind at Lighthouse Beach and Hawa Beach on the Arabian Sea. Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 07 — Trivandrum Sightseeing
After breakfast, tour Trivandrum — the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Napier Museum, the zoo, and the Wax Museum — before returning to Kovalam. Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 08 — Departure from Trivandrum
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Trivandrum Airport for your onward journey. Your Best of Kerala tour concludes — with memories of tea hills, backwaters and beaches.
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights in comfortable hotels
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner aboard the Alleppey houseboat
- Meet-and-greet assistance on arrival at Cochin airport/railway station
- All transfers and surface travel by AC vehicle (AC does not operate in the hills)
- All parking, toll and state taxes
What’s Excluded
- Airfare and train/metro tickets
- Monument and entry ticket charges
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
- Early check-in and late check-out charges
FAQ
What is the best time to take the Best of Kerala tour?
October to March offers the most pleasant weather across Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady and the beaches. The monsoon months of June to September are lush and green and ideal for houseboat cruises, though hill views can be misty.
Is the houseboat private or shared?
The overnight Alleppey houseboat is booked on a private basis for your group, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served on board. Deluxe houseboats run air-conditioning from 21:00 to 06:00; premium and luxury boats offer full-time AC.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast and dinner are included at all hotels, plus all three meals on the houseboat. Lunches on other days are not included, leaving you free to explore local cuisine.
Is airfare included in the package?
No. Airfare and train tickets are not included. The package covers all ground arrangements from Cochin to Trivandrum. We can advise on the best flights into Cochin and out of Trivandrum on request.
How do I get a quote for this package?
This is a price-on-request package. Send us your travel dates, group size and preferred hotel category via the enquiry form or WhatsApp, and our consultants will send a personalised quote within 24 hours.
