Athirappilly, Munnar and Kochi Nature Circuit — 4 Nights / 5 Days
A riverside night at Athirappilly puts you at Kerala's largest waterfall before the day crowd drives up from Kochi, then two nights in Munnar for the tea estate loop and a closing night in Fort Kochi.
About this itinerary
This 4 nights and 5 days package covers Athirappilly, Munnar and Fort Kochi from Kochi, based on one riverside night at Athirappilly, two nights in Munnar and a closing night in Fort Kochi. Day 1 drives to Athirappilly and Vazhachal falls for a riverside overnight, Day 2 takes in Charpa falls and the Thumboormuzhi butterfly garden before the drive to Munnar, Day 3 is a full Munnar sightseeing day, Day 4 returns to Fort Kochi for the heritage walk, and Day 5 covers Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town before the drop.
The pacing opens at Athirappilly with a riverside night so you reach the falls before the day traffic arrives from Kochi. Athirappilly runs at full volume right after the monsoon, though the forest department closes the descent to the base when the river is high, usually June to August, and we keep the plan flexible around that.
Everything below is included unless it is listed under Add-ons.
Day-by-day itinerary
Every day below can be moved, shortened or swapped. Replanning is free — you only pay the difference in what you change.
- Day 1AthirappillyArrival day
Athirappilly and Vazhachal Falls
Pickup from Kochi airport or Ernakulam railway station and the drive to Athirappilly via Chalakudy, then Athirappilly and Vazhachal falls, with a riverside overnight.
The highlight of this day is Athirappilly at full volume, an 80 foot curtain of water on the Chalakudy river.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 2 to 2.5 hrsStay: Athirappilly - Day 2MunnarTransfer day
Charpa Falls and Onward Through the Forest
A morning at Charpa falls and the Thumboormuzhi butterfly garden, a short ride away, then the drive to Munnar via Malayattoor, about three hours, and check in.
The highlight of this day is reaching the falls early, before the day traffic arrives from Kochi.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 3 hrs to MunnarStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 3MunnarSightseeing
Munnar Sightseeing: Dams, Viewpoints and Tea Estates
A full day of Munnar sightseeing covering Mattupetty, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, Top Station and the Tea Museum.
The highlight of this day is Top Station early, before the mist rolls in over the Kannan Devan hills.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: Full day local sightseeingStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 4Fort KochiTransfer day
Explore Fort Kochi: Five Centuries of Trade in One Walk
A stop at Pothamedu viewpoint, then the drive back to Kochi, with an evening Fort Kochi walk and an optional Kathakali show, payable directly or include it as add on.
The highlight of this day is the Chinese fishing nets at dusk, still worked by hand by teams of four.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 4 to 5 hrs to KochiStay: Fort KochiBreakfast included - Day 5Departure
Mattancherry Palace and the Jew Town Lanes
Mattancherry Palace and the Jew Town antique lanes, then the drop at Kochi.
The highlight of this day is the murals of the Rajas of Kochi inside Mattancherry Palace, painted in vegetable dye and still vivid.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: 1 hrs 20 minsBreakfast included
Hotels on this package
Rooms are held on twin sharing with daily breakfast. Switch the category to see the properties it puts you in — the tab you pick here also sets the price shown at the top of the page and on the enquiry form.
The base category — comfortable, well-run properties in walkable locations, picked for reliable power, water and staff more than for the view.
| Stop | Nights | Standard category | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athirappilly | 1 | Aathira Agri-Homes | |
| Munnar | 2 | Emerald Inn | Standard, twin sharing |
Notes
- This package is available with or without flights. To add flights or trains, call us for current fares.
- Customization option is available.
- Extra bed, child with or without bed, and single supplement are quoted separately.
- Quoted on the Bed and Breakfast (BB) plan: room with daily breakfast. A full meal plan or an all-inclusive plan can be arranged on request. Any meal not listed for a day, including on the arrival day, is on request and payable directly.
- The forest department closes the descent to the base of Athirappilly when the river is high, usually June to August, and that call is theirs. Even then the top of the falls and the Vazhachal stretch stay open, and the riverside overnight still gets you there before the day's traffic.
- Charpa falls is seasonal and is at its best from June to October, so it may be dry outside that window.
- The Kathakali show on Day 4 is optional and payable directly.
Popular add-ons
Priced per person unless noted, and added to your quote only if you want them. Everything below can also be booked on the ground once you are there.
| Add-on | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Ayurveda spa | ₹999/- onwards | Munnar — Day 2 or 3 |
| Ziplining, Munnar | ₹450-600 per person | Munnar — Day 2 or 3 |
What’s included
Included
- Hotel or resort stay on twin sharing, BB (CP) plan: room plus daily breakfast
- Private AC vehicle for all transfers as per the itinerary
- Airport or railway station pickup and drop
- Experienced local driver cum guide who knows the routes
- All fuel, toll, parking, inter-state permit and driver allowance
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Houseboat night on full board: welcome drink, lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner and next-morning breakfast, which is standard practice on Kerala houseboats
- 24x7 on-ground assistance from the trip2keralam team in Kerala.
Not included
- Air and rail fare
- Lunch and dinner except where houseboat full board is stated
- Any site, ride or activity not named in the day-by-day itinerary, including wildlife safaris, bamboo rafting and adventure activities
- Ayurveda treatments and spa unless listed, camera fees, tips and personal expenses
- Extra bed, child with or without bed, and single supplement, all quoted separately
- Travel insurance
- Early check-in and late check-out beyond standard hotel timings
- GST as applicable on tour packages
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
Good to know before you book
- 50% of the package amount confirms the booking. The balance is due before departure or on arrival.
- Prices are per person on twin sharing, land only, and do not include air or rail fare. Adding flights or trains will move the price up.
- Rates move during peak dates: 20 December to 5 January, Onam, Christmas, New Year, festive holidays and long weekends.
- Quoted rates hold for the hotel category confirmed at booking. Room and meal plan upgrades are re-quoted.
- Standard hotel check-in is around 2 PM and check-out by 11 AM or 12 noon. Early check-in and late check-out depend on availability and are not guaranteed.
- Guests must carry a valid government photo ID at every hotel. Foreign nationals must carry a passport and visa.
- Houseboats stop cruising by evening and anchor for the night, as required by Kerala government rules, with air-conditioning running for fixed night hours. This is standard across all operators.
- The itinerary may be re-sequenced on the ground for weather, traffic, forest department closures or temple and festival restrictions. Inclusions stay the same.
- Entry rules and dress codes at temples, and permit rules inside forest areas, are set by the authority concerned and are not within our control.
- Costs arising from events beyond our control, including hartals, floods, landslides, roadblocks and other natural calamities, and from any delay or change they force, are borne by the guest and are not refundable.
- The vehicle is provided as per the itinerary. It is not at disposal for unplanned running.
Cancellation and Payments
- Payment by bank wire transfer to our account. Confirmation follows receipt.
- Confirmed dates may be changed, shortened or cancelled with 30 days' written notice to the company, subject to availability.
- Eligible refunds are processed to the original bank account within a reasonable period after cancellation. Bank or wire transfer charges are deducted from the refunded amount.
- Inside 30 days, the reservation cannot be changed, postponed or cancelled, and the package amount is retained in full.
- No-shows are not eligible for any refund.
- No credit is given for unused nights or an early departure.
- Peak-date bookings (20 December to 5 January) may carry stricter hotel cancellation terms, which we confirm at the time of booking.
Traveller reviews — 4.9 average from 412 trips
Questions about this package
What does the Athirappilly, Munnar and Kochi Nature Circuit cover?
A riverside night at Athirappilly so you reach Kerala's largest waterfall before the day crowd, a morning at Charpa falls and the Thumboormuzhi butterfly garden, two nights in Munnar for the tea estate loop, and a closing night in Fort Kochi for the heritage walk. Day 5 covers Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town before the drop at Kochi.
What is included in the package?
Hotel or resort stay on twin sharing with daily breakfast, a private AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing, all fuel, toll, parking, permits and driver allowance, airport or railway station pickup and drop, entry tickets for everything named in the day-by-day itinerary, and 24x7 on-ground assistance from our team in Kerala. Air and rail fare, lunch and dinner, and anything not named in the day plan are not included.
Can you walk down to the base of Athirappilly falls?
Usually, but not always. The forest department closes the descent to the base when the river is high, typically June to August, and that call is theirs and not ours. We keep the plan flexible around it. Even with the descent closed, the top of the falls and the Vazhachal stretch stay open, and the riverside overnight still gets you there before the day's traffic.
When does Athirappilly run at full volume?
Right after the monsoon, when the Chalakudy river is carrying the most water. That is also when the descent to the base is most likely to be shut, so there is a trade-off between the falls at their loudest and getting close to them.
Why stay overnight at Athirappilly instead of doing it as a day trip from Kochi?
Because the day crowd drives up from Kochi and arrives mid-morning. Staying by the river means you are at the falls before that traffic, which is the whole reason this route opens where it does. Photographers get the light as well as the space.
Who is this itinerary for?
Repeat visitors who have already done the standard Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey circuit, and photographers who want something other than another dam viewpoint. There is no houseboat night in it. If a houseboat matters more to you than the waterfalls, tell us and we will swap the plan.
How do I book, and can I cancel?
50% of the package amount confirms the booking, and the balance is due before departure or on arrival. Payment is by bank wire transfer to our account. Dates may be changed, shortened or cancelled with 30 days' written notice, subject to availability. Inside 30 days the package amount is retained in full.
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Want this trip on your dates?
- The same day-by-day plan, priced for your dates and hotel category
- Your houseboat blocked the moment your trip is confirmed
- Free replanning — swap Thekkady for Kumarakom, add nights, upgrade the boat