7 days Kerala backwaters and hills tour

Kerala at its own pace — colonial Kochi, tea estates at Munnar, spice hills at Thekkady and a night on a houseboat in the backwaters.

At a glance

Duration

7 days, 6 nights

Destinations

Kochi · Munnar · Thekkady · Alleppey · Kumarakom

Transport

Private AC car

Accommodation

5 nights hotel, 1 night houseboat

Tour type

Private

Starts and ends

Kochi

Best season

October to March

What makes this one worth it

• Fort Kochi, Jew Town and a Kerala cooking class with dinner
• Two nights in Munnar — Eravikulam, Top Station and the tea estates
• A boat on Periyar Lake and a Kathakali show in Thekkady
• A night on a private kettuvallam houseboat
• Kumarakom bird sanctuary and a sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake

Your day by day

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Kochi

   Arrival and transfer to your hotel. The Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, Mattancherry and the Dutch Palace, the Jewish synagogue, Jew Town and the spice market, then a cooking class with dinner. Overnight in Kochi.

2. Day 2

   Kochi to Munnar

   About 133 km and five hours into the hills. Check in, then the tea and coffee gardens and the shops for tea, coffee, cashews and chocolate. Overnight in Munnar.

3. Day 3

   Munnar

   The Tata Tea Museum, the views of Anamudi peak, Mattupetty Dam, Eravikulam National Park for the Nilgiri tahr, and Top Station. Overnight in Munnar.

4. Day 4

   Munnar to Thekkady

   About 94 km and four hours to Thekkady. A boat on Periyar Lake through the tiger reserve and a Kathakali performance in the evening; a spice plantation, trekking or bamboo rafting if you want more. Overnight in Thekkady.

5. Day 5

   Onto the houseboat at Alleppey

   About 140 km to Alleppey and aboard a traditional kettuvallam for an afternoon and night on the canals, with meals cooked on board.

6. Day 6

   Kumarakom

   Breakfast on board, then 45 minutes to Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake. The bird sanctuary and a sunset cruise. Overnight in Kumarakom.

7. Day 7

   Departure from Kochi

   Transfer to Kochi airport or railway station for your onward journey.

What the price covers

• Private AC car for the whole route
• 5 nights hotel with breakfast
• 1 night private houseboat with all meals
• Cooking class with dinner in Kochi
• Kathakali tickets
• Periyar boat ride
• Kumarakom sunset cruise
• Local guides in Kochi and Thekkady
• Tolls, parking and taxes

What it does not cover

• Flights to and from Kochi
• Lunch and dinner outside the houseboat
• Camera fees
• Tips

Questions people ask

When is Eravikulam closed?

Every year from 1 February to around the end of March, for the Nilgiri tahr calving season. We swap in other Munnar viewpoints then.

When is the bird sanctuary at its best?

November to February, when the migrants are in.

Is the monsoon a bad time?

June to September is green and quiet, with rain most afternoons. It works if you do not mind getting wet.

Is the houseboat private?

Yes. The kettuvallam is yours alone, with a crew and a cook on board, and all meals on the houseboat night are included.

What is the food like, and can you cater to dietary needs?

Kerala food is rich in coconut, rice and fresh fish, with plenty of vegetarian dishes. Tell us about any diet or allergy and we will pass it on to the houseboat crew and the cooking class.

Are the roads to Munnar and Thekkady winding?

Yes, the hill roads have plenty of bends. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit in front, take something beforehand and ask your driver for stops whenever you need them.

What should we pack?

Light cotton for Kochi and the backwaters, plus a sweater for Munnar's cool evenings. Comfortable walking shoes, an umbrella and insect repellent are worth packing too.

Can we add a few days at the beach?

Yes. Many guests add two or three nights at a beach after Kumarakom, and we will send you a revised itinerary and price before you confirm.

How do booking and payment work?

We send you a written itinerary and a fixed price before you pay anything. The tour is confirmed with a deposit, and the balance is paid on arrival or as agreed.

On the route