9 days best of Kerala with backwaters and beach

All of Kerala top to bottom: the port, the hills, the forest, the lake, the houseboat and two easy nights on the beach at Kovalam.

At a glance

Duration

9 days, 8 nights

Destinations

Kochi · Munnar · Thekkady · Kumarakom · Alleppey · Kovalam

Transport

Private AC car

Accommodation

7 nights hotel, 1 night houseboat

Tour type

Private

Starts

Kochi

Ends

Trivandrum airport

What makes this one worth it

• A Kathakali performance in Kochi
• Two nights in Munnar with Eravikulam and the tea estates
• Periyar Lake boat ride and a spice garden
• Kumarakom bird sanctuary on Vembanad Lake
• A houseboat night, then two nights at Kovalam beach

Your day by day

1. Day 1

   Kochi

   Arrive and check in. Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Palace and the old synagogue, and a Kathakali performance in the evening.

2. Day 2

   Kochi to Munnar

   About four hours into the hills, through tea gardens for the last stretch.

3. Day 3

   Munnar

   Tea plantations and the Tea Museum, Eravikulam National Park for the Nilgiri tahr, and Mattupetty Dam.

4. Day 4

   Munnar to Thekkady

   Three hours to Thekkady. A spice plantation walk, a boat on Periyar Lake, and a Kalaripayattu show in the evening.

5. Day 5

   Thekkady to Kumarakom

   Down to Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake. The bird sanctuary in the late afternoon.

6. Day 6

   Onto the houseboat at Alleppey

   An hour to Alleppey and onto your private houseboat for a day and night on the backwaters, meals cooked on board.

7. Day 7

   Alleppey to Kovalam

   Breakfast on board, then south along the coast to Kovalam.

8. Day 8

   A free day at the beach

   Nothing planned. The beach, an Ayurveda massage at the hotel, or the local market — your choice.

9. Day 9

   Departure from Trivandrum

   Half an hour to Trivandrum airport. With a later flight, the Padmanabhaswamy temple area and the Napier Museum fit in first.

What the price covers

• Private AC car and driver throughout
• 7 nights hotel with breakfast
• 1 night private houseboat with all meals
• English-speaking guide for sightseeing
• Kathakali and Kalaripayattu shows
• Periyar boat ride
• Tolls, parking and taxes

What it does not cover

• Flights
• Lunch and dinner on land
• Ayurveda treatments
• Park and museum tickets
• Tips

Questions people ask

What does this 9-day Kerala tour package cover?

Over eight nights you visit Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey and Kovalam. Handpicked hotels, a private AC car with driver, licensed English-speaking guides and one night on a private houseboat in Alleppey are all included.

Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors?

Yes. The pace is relaxed and the route gives you hills, wildlife, backwaters and beaches in one trip, while your driver and guides take care of all the logistics.

What is included in the Kerala houseboat tour?

You spend one night on a private houseboat in Alleppey, with breakfast, lunch and dinner freshly cooked on board. The crew steers you through quiet canals lined with coconut palms and paddy fields.

Can this itinerary be customised?

Yes. We can fit it to your dates and interests, for example by adding nights in Munnar or Kovalam, changing hotel categories or allowing more time for a spice plantation visit.

Is Ayurveda treatment part of the plan?

It is not included in the tour price, but there is a free day in Kovalam that is perfect for it. Most guests book an Ayurvedic massage directly with their resort's spa.

Do I need a visa from the US or UK?

Yes, most travellers from the US, UK, Canada, UAE and Mexico need an Indian visa. Apply online through the official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, well before your trip.

What's the best way to see wildlife?

Thekkady is the wildlife highlight, where a boat ride on Lake Periyar in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary gives you a good chance of seeing elephants and birds. Early-morning outings are usually the most rewarding.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included at every hotel, and all meals are included on the houseboat night. For other lunches and dinners, your driver and guides can suggest good local restaurants to suit your taste.

How much walking is involved?

Walking is light to moderate, mostly short, easy strolls through tea gardens, palaces and backwater villages. There are no long treks, so the tour suits most ages and fitness levels.

When is the best time to go?

October to March is the best time, with warm days and lower humidity. The monsoon months bring heavy rain but very green landscapes and quieter roads.

On the route