Kerala Backwaters and Beaches: Kumarakom to Kovalam — 8 Nights / 9 Days
A slow water-and-coast route with three nights at Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake, a Kuttanad houseboat night, two nights at Varkala and a Kovalam finish, with short drives and no ghat roads. Hotels, a private AC vehicle, sightseeing, entry tickets and daily breakfast are included, with the houseboat night on full board.
About this itinerary
This 8 nights and 9 days package covers Kochi, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Varkala and Kovalam, based on a Fort Kochi arrival night, three nights at Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake, a Kuttanad houseboat night, two nights at Varkala and a Kovalam finish. Day 1 is Fort Kochi, Day 2 drives to Kumarakom for a sunset shikara, Day 3 is the bird sanctuary and Pathiramanal Island, Day 4 is a free day on the lake, Day 5 boards the houseboat at Alleppey, Day 6 moves south to Varkala, Day 7 covers Papanasam, Sivagiri and Kappil Lake, Day 8 is Kovalam, and Day 9 is the Trivandrum drop.
Three nights at Kumarakom is the point of this route, giving you the lake at different hours rather than a single overnight: the bird sanctuary at first light, Pathiramanal by boat, a sunset shikara and a full free day.
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
Arrival in Fort Kochi and the Harbour Front
Kochi pickup, a Fort Kochi walk, and an evening at the harbour front.
The highlight of this day is the Chinese fishing nets, worked with bamboo and teak poles on the Fort Kochi shore.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 1.5 hrs from Kochi airportStay: Kochi - Day 2KumarakomTransfer day
Kumarakom and a Sunset Shikara on Vembanad Lake
The drive to Kumarakom and check in, a free afternoon by the lake, and a sunset shikara ride.
The highlight of this day is the sunset shikara ride, when the lake goes completely still.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 2 hrs to KumarakomStay: KumarakomBreakfast included - Day 3KumarakomSightseeing
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Pathiramanal Island
An early Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary walk, Pathiramanal Island by boat, and an evening by the lake.
The highlight of this day is darters, herons and kingfishers at dawn, with migratory arrivals from November to March.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: KumarakomBreakfast included - Day 4KumarakomFree day
A Free Day on Vembanad Lake
No fixed schedule, and a free day at Kumarakom on the water or by the lake.
The highlight of this day is a day with nothing booked, which is the whole reason we hold three nights here.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: KumarakomBreakfast included - Day 5AlleppeyHouseboat night
Boarding the Houseboat at Alleppey
The transfer to Alleppey and a houseboat cruise through the Kuttanad backwaters, with all meals on board.
The highlight of this day is lunch cooked on board as you move out into Vembanad Lake.
Transfer: HouseboatTransfer duration: About 1.5 hrs to Alleppey, then cruiseStay: AlleppeyBreakfast, Lunch, Evening tea, Dinner included - Day 6VarkalaTransfer day
South to Varkala and the North Cliff at Sunset
Disembark after breakfast, then drive south to Varkala, and sunset from the North Cliff.
The highlight of this day is sunset from the cliff path, the best free view on the Kerala coast.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 3.5 hrs to VarkalaStay: VarkalaBreakfast included - Day 7VarkalaSightseeing
Papanasam Beach, Sivagiri and Kappil Lake
Papanasam Beach in the morning, the Sivagiri Mutt, and Kappil Lake.
The highlight of this day is Kappil Lake, where the backwater runs a few metres from the sea with only a strip of sand between them.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: VarkalaBreakfast included - Day 8KovalamTransfer day
Kovalam and a Lighthouse Beach Sunset
The drive to Kovalam and check in, a free afternoon on the beach, and a Lighthouse Beach sunset.
The highlight of this day is sunset from below the Vizhinjam lighthouse, with the fishing boats coming in.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 1.5 hrs to KovalamStay: KovalamBreakfast included - Day 9Departure
Relaxed Final Morning and Trivandrum Drop
A slow final morning, then the drive to Trivandrum for the drop.
The highlight of this day is a relaxed final morning before the transfer, with no early checkout rush.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 1 hr to TrivandrumBreakfast 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 |
| Kumarakom | 3 | Arcadia Magnet | |
| Alleppey | 1 | Alappuzha Boat house | AC bedroom, 21:00–06:00 |
| Varkala | 2 | Black Beach Resort | |
| 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.
- 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 Day 5 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.
- Ayurveda treatments, yoga and spa sessions are not built into this package. We arrange them at Kumarakom, Varkala and Kovalam on request and quote them separately.
- The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary gets its migratory arrivals from November to March, which is the fullest time for the first-light walk.
- The June to September monsoon brings the lowest rates of the year, though sea conditions at Varkala and Kovalam can turn rough, so we tell you honestly how your dates look.
- The route runs Kochi in and Trivandrum out. An open-jaw flight saves a long drive back at the end.
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 |
| Alleppey shikara cruise | ₹800-1000 per person | Alleppey — Day 5 |
| Ayurveda spa | ₹999/- onwards | Kovalam — Day 8 |
| Yoga sessions | ₹999/- onwards | Kovalam — Day 8 |
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 Kerala Backwaters and Beaches package cover?
A Fort Kochi night, three nights at Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake, a full-board Kuttanad houseboat night, two nights at Varkala and a Kovalam night. It covers the Kumarakom bird sanctuary, Pathiramanal Island, a sunset shikara, a free lake day, Varkala's North Cliff and Kappil Lake. Bed and breakfast stays, a private AC vehicle throughout, and 24x7 Kerala support.
Are Ayurveda or yoga sessions included?
No, not at this price. This is a backwaters and beaches itinerary. We do arrange Ayurveda treatments and yoga at Kumarakom, Varkala and Kovalam, so if you want them added, tell us at enquiry and we will quote them separately rather than including it in the package.
Why three nights at Kumarakom instead of moving on?
Because one night on a houseboat shows you the backwaters for a few hours and no more. Three nights on Vembanad gets you the bird sanctuary at dawn, Pathiramanal Island by boat, a sunset shikara ride and a completely free day. Day 5 then still gives you the full houseboat night.
What meals are included?
Every hotel night is bed and breakfast, which is room plus daily breakfast. The Day 5 houseboat night is full board: welcome drink, lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner and next-morning breakfast, all cooked on board. Other lunches and dinners are on you, unless you move the plan to MAP or AP, which we re-quote.
How much driving does this itinerary involve?
Very little by Kerala standards. Kochi to Kumarakom, Alleppey to Varkala and Varkala to Kovalam are the only real transfers, and none of them climbs a ghat road. Days 4, 8 and 9 have almost no driving at all.
Which airports work best?
Kochi for the arrival and Trivandrum for the departure. The route runs steadily south and never doubles back, so booking an open jaw saves you a long drive at the end. A return into Kochi is possible if your fares work out better, but tell us at enquiry so we can plan Day 9 around it.
When is the best time for the Kerala backwaters and beaches?
October to March is the main season, with dry days and calm water, and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary gets its migratory arrivals from November to March. The June to September monsoon brings the lowest rates of the year, though sea conditions at Varkala and Kovalam can turn rough. We will tell you honestly how your dates look.
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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