Backwaters
Classic Kerala Backwater & Hill Station
Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey (Kerala)8 Days / 7 NightsUp to 30 guests
About This Tour
Kerala — "God's Own Country" — is one of South India's most rewarding introductions for first-time visitors: colonial port towns, misty tea hills, spice-scented forests, and a slow float through palm-fringed backwaters on a traditional houseboat. This tour is designed for international travellers wanting an easy-paced, visually stunning slice of South India, without the long transfer distances of a pan-India trip.
Tour Highlights
Fort Kochi's colonial streets, Chinese fishing nets, and spice markets
Kathakali dance performance, Kochi
Munnar's rolling tea plantations and misty hill views
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady, and a spice plantation walk
Overnight houseboat cruise through the Alleppey backwaters
Traditional Kerala sadya meal served on a banana leaf
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Day 1: Arrive Kochi
Arrive at Cochin International Airport, met and transferred to your hotel in Fort Kochi. Evening walk through Fort Kochi's colonial-era streets — Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront, St. Francis Church (one of the oldest European churches in India), and the Dutch Palace area. Evening Kathakali dance performance, Kerala's classical dance-drama known for its elaborate makeup and costumes. Overnight in Kochi.
2
Day 2: Kochi to Munnar
Morning drive to Munnar (approx. 130 km / 4 hrs), climbing steadily into the Western Ghats through winding hill roads. Check in and relax amid the tea estates. Overnight in Munnar.
3
Day 3: Munnar
Full day exploring Munnar's tea plantations, including a visit to a working tea factory and museum to see how Kerala's famous tea is processed. Visit Mattupetty Dam and, seasonally, Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Overnight in Munnar.
4
Day 4: Munnar to Thekkady
Morning drive to Thekkady (approx. 100 km / 3.5 hrs). Afternoon walk through a spice plantation, learning about cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and vanilla grown in the region. Overnight in Thekkady.
5
Day 5: Thekkady
Morning boat ride on Periyar Lake within the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, keeping an eye out for elephants, bison, and birdlife along the shore. Evening at leisure, or an optional traditional Kalaripayattu martial arts performance. Overnight in Thekkady.
6
Day 6: Thekkady to Alleppey
Morning drive to Alleppey (approx. 140 km / 4 hrs). Board a traditional Kerala houseboat (kettuvallam) for an overnight cruise through the backwaters, passing paddy fields, coconut groves, and riverside villages. Meals are prepared fresh on board, including a traditional Kerala thali. Overnight on the houseboat.
7
Day 7: Alleppey to Kochi
Morning disembarkation and drive back to Kochi (approx. 60 km / 1.5 hrs). Afternoon at leisure for last-minute shopping — spices, coir products, and Kerala's famous handwoven textiles. Overnight in Kochi.
8
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Cochin International Airport for onward/international flight connection.
What's Included
Included
- Hotel accommodation for the entire duration of the tour, including one night on a private houseboat
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- All travel — airport pick-up and drop, and inter-city/local transport throughout
- Sightseeing and entry fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking local guide at all major sightseeing points
- Dedicated tour escort for the entire journey
- Private driver for the full duration of the trip
Excluded
- Personal purchases
- Tips and gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
Trip Details
- Duration8 Days / 7 Nights
- Group SizeUp to 30
- Best TimeOctober to March
- DepartureKochi (Cochin International Airport)
Tags
KeralaBackwatersHill StationsSouth IndiaOctober to March
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