Best of Kerala: Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Kovalam — 6 Nights / 7 Days
Fort Kochi on arrival, two nights in Munnar, Thekkady for spice and the Periyar Lake cruise, a full Kuttanad houseboat night, then Kovalam and a Trivandrum heritage morning. Hotels, a private AC vehicle, sightseeing, entry tickets and all houseboat meals are included, ending on the coast rather than doubling back inland.
About this itinerary
This 6 nights and 7 days package covers Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Kovalam, based on a Fort Kochi arrival night, two nights in Munnar and a full houseboat night through Kuttanad. Day 1 is a Fort Kochi walk, Day 2 climbs to Munnar past the waterfalls, Day 3 is the Munnar sightseeing loop, Day 4 crosses to Thekkady for spice and Kalari, Day 5 takes the Periyar Lake cruise and boards the houseboat, Day 6 drives south to Kovalam for sunset at Lighthouse Beach, and Day 7 is a Trivandrum heritage morning before the drop.
The route ends on the coast rather than doubling back inland, which is what a full week buys you. The single biggest saving has nothing to do with hotels: fly into Kochi and out of Trivandrum, an open-jaw booking that removes a whole day of driving north and usually costs no more than a return into one airport.
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 1KochiArrival day
Explore Fort Kochi: Five Centuries of Trade in One Walk
Pickup at Kochi airport or railway station and check in, then the Fort Kochi walk covering the Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church and Mattancherry Palace, which closes on Fridays, with an optional evening Kathakali show payable directly.
The highlight of this day is the Chinese fishing nets, each with its own name; the first past the ferry is called bank vala, after the loan that paid for it.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: 1 hour 50 minsStay: Kochi - Day 2MunnarTransfer day
Munnar via the Cheeyappara and Valara Falls
The drive to Munnar with waterfall halts at Cheeyappara and Valara, and an afternoon at Pothamedu viewpoint.
The highlight of this day is the Cheeyappara and Valara falls stretch, where the road runs right past the water.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 4 hrsStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 3MunnarSightseeing
Munnar Sightseeing: Dams, Viewpoints and Tea Estates
A full day of Munnar sightseeing covering Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, Top Station, the Tea Museum and Photo Point.
The highlight of this day is the run of panoramic viewpoints across the tea country.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: Full day local sightseeingStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 4ThekkadyTransfer day
Thekkady: Spice Plantations and an Evening of Kalari (Optional)
The drive to Thekkady, a spice plantation walk at Kumily and an evening Kathakali and Kalaripayattu show.
The highlight of this day is crushing a fresh cardamom pod in your hand at the plantation, which is nothing like the shop version.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 3 to 4 hrsStay: ThekkadyBreakfast included - Day 5AlleppeyHouseboat night
Boarding the Houseboat at Alleppey
The early Periyar Lake boat cruise, then the drive to Alleppey to board the houseboat, with all meals cooked on board.
The highlight of this day is anchoring for sunset in a canal, with dinner cooked on board.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 4 hrs to Alleppey, then cruiseStay: AlleppeyBreakfast, Lunch, Evening tea, Dinner included - Day 6KovalamTransfer day
Disembarking and the Onward Drive
Disembark after breakfast, then drive south to Kovalam via the coastal road, with sunset at Lighthouse Beach.
The highlight of this day is breakfast on the water before you step back onto land.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 4 to 5 hrs to KovalamStay: KovalamBreakfast included - Day 7Departure
Trivandrum Heritage Morning
A Trivandrum city round covering the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Napier Museum, then the drop at Trivandrum airport or railway station.
The highlight of this day is the Kuthiramalika Palace, with 122 carved wooden horses running along the eaves.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: 30 to 40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kochi | 1 | Emerald Inn | Deluxe, twin sharing |
| Munnar | 2 | Emerald Inn | Standard, twin sharing |
| Thekkady | 1 | Green view Homestay | Deluxe, twin sharing |
| Alleppey | 1 | Alappuzha Boat house | AC bedroom, 21:00–06:00 |
| Kovalam | 1 | Hotel Beach Flora Inn |
Notes
- This package is available with or without flights. To add flights or trains, call us for current fares.
- Customization option is available.
- The room category and meal plan stay open. Upgrades to deluxe, 4-star or premium or luxury resort category, and from Bed and Breakfast to MAP or AP, are re-quoted. 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. The houseboat night is on full board: welcome drink, lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner and the next morning's breakfast. Any meal not listed for a day, including on the arrival day, is on request and payable directly.
- The route starts at Kochi and ends at Trivandrum, so fly into Kochi and out of Trivandrum. A return into one airport means driving back north on the last day for no gain.
- Mattancherry Palace is closed on Fridays, so Day 1 is re-sequenced when arrival falls on a Friday.
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple sets its own dress code and entry rules: dhoti for men, saree or set-mundu for women, and no cameras or phones inside. The Napier Museum and Kuthiramalika Palace are alongside on Day 7 either way.
- For peak dates, 20 December to 5 January, Onam, Christmas, New Year and long weekends, book two to three months ahead.
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 | Kochi — Day 1 |
| Kathakali Show/Kalari Show | ₹300-600 per person per ticket | Kochi — Day 1 |
| Ayurveda spa | ₹999/- onwards | Munnar — Day 2 or 3 |
| Ziplining, Munnar | ₹450-600 per person | Munnar — Day 2 or 3 |
| Bamboo rafting | ₹2,200/- per person | Thekkady — Day 4 |
| Kathakali Show/Kalari Show | ₹300-600 per person per ticket | Thekkady — Day 4 |
| Alleppey shikara cruise | ₹800-1000 per person | Alleppey — Day 5 |
| Ayurveda spa | ₹999/- onwards | Kovalam — Day 6 |
| Yoga sessions | ₹999/- onwards | Kovalam — Day 6 |
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 Best of Kerala 6N/7D package cover?
Fort Kochi on arrival, two nights in Munnar for the tea estates, Thekkady for spice and the Periyar Lake cruise, a full Kuttanad houseboat night, then Kovalam for the Arabian Sea and a Trivandrum heritage morning to finish. Hotels are on bed and breakfast, the houseboat night is on full board, and a private AC vehicle covers all transfers, sightseeing and entry tickets.
What is included?
Hotel stay on twin sharing with daily breakfast, the houseboat night on full board, a private AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing, all fuel, toll, parking, inter-state permits and driver allowance, airport or railway station pickup and drop, entry tickets and ride charges for everything named in the day-by-day itinerary, and 24x7 on-ground assistance from our team in Kerala.
Should we fly into Kochi and out of Trivandrum?
Yes, and this is the one thing we tell guests to sort out before they book flights. The route starts at Kochi and ends at Trivandrum. A return into one airport means driving back north on your last day, which costs you a full day and buys you nothing. An open-jaw booking generally costs about the same.
Are meals included on the houseboat night?
Yes. The houseboat night is served on full board: welcome drink, lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner and next-morning breakfast, all cooked on board. That is standard practice on Alleppey and Kumarakom houseboats. On every other night the plan is bed and breakfast, so breakfast is included and lunch and dinner are on you.
Is seven days enough to see Kerala properly?
For the classic circuit, yes. Seven days is what lets you give Munnar two nights instead of one, keep the Periyar cruise and the houseboat unhurried, and still end on the coast. Shorter versions of this route work, but something gets cut, usually the second Munnar night or the beach.
Can we enter Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum?
The temple has a strict dress code and entry rules that the temple authority sets, not us. Dhoti for men and saree or set-mundu for women is the usual requirement, and cameras and phones are not allowed inside. Day 7 works either way, since the Napier Museum and Kuthiramalika Palace are alongside.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Customization option is available. The room category and meal plan stay open, upgrades to deluxe, 4-star or premium and to MAP or AP are re-quoted, and the package runs with or without flights. Tell us your dates and group size and we will rework the days around them.
How do I book, and what happens if 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. Cancellations made within 30 days of your travel date are non-refundable.
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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