Kerala End to End: Kochi to Kovalam — 8 Nights / 9 Days
Kerala end to end from Fort Kochi through Athirappilly's falls, the Munnar hills, Thekkady, a Kuttanad houseboat, a Kumarakom lakeside night and a Kovalam beach finish, booked open-jaw into Kochi and out of Trivandrum. 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, Athirappilly, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, Kumarakom and Kovalam, based on a Fort Kochi arrival night, an Athirappilly night, two nights in Munnar, a Thekkady night, a Kuttanad houseboat night, a Kumarakom lakeside night and a Kovalam finish. Day 1 is Fort Kochi, Day 2 is Athirappilly and Vazhachal falls, Day 3 is Charpa falls and the drive to Munnar, Day 4 is Munnar sightseeing, Day 5 is Thekkady, Day 6 is the Periyar cruise and the houseboat, Day 7 is Kumarakom, Day 8 is the bird sanctuary and the drive to Kovalam, and Day 9 is a Trivandrum heritage morning before the drop.
Nine days is enough to cover Kerala end to end without skipping anything that matters, and each stop earns its place. Book open-jaw flights, into Kochi and out of Trivandrum, and you save a full day that would otherwise go on the drive back north.
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 a Heritage Walk
Pickup at Kochi and check in, a Fort Kochi and Mattancherry heritage walk, with an optional Kathakali show in the evening.
The highlight of this day is the Chinese fishing nets at dusk on the Fort Kochi shore.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 1.5 hrs from Kochi airportStay: Kochi - Day 2AthirappillyTransfer day
Athirappilly and Vazhachal, Kerala's Largest Falls
The drive to Athirappilly, the Athirappilly and Vazhachal falls, and 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 hrs to AthirappillyStay: AthirappillyBreakfast included - Day 3MunnarTransfer day
Charpa Falls and the Drive Up to Munnar
Charpa falls in the morning, the drive to Munnar and check in, and the Pothamedu viewpoint.
The highlight of this day is reaching the falls early, before the day traffic arrives from Kochi.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 3.5 to 4 hrs to MunnarStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 4MunnarSightseeing
Munnar Sightseeing: Dams, Viewpoints and Tea Estates
Mattupetty, Echo Point and Kundala Lake, Top Station, and the Tea Museum and Photo Point.
The highlight of this day is Top Station, with its view across two southern states.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 5ThekkadyTransfer day
Thekkady: Spice Plantations and a Kalari Evening (optional)
The drive to Thekkady, a spice plantation walk, and an optional evening of Kathakali and Kalaripayattu.
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 3.5 to 4 hrs to ThekkadyStay: ThekkadyBreakfast included - Day 6AlleppeyHouseboat night
Periyar Cruise and a Kuttanad Houseboat Night
A Periyar Lake boat cruise, the drive to Alleppey to board the houseboat, and all meals on board.
The highlight of this day is Kuttanad's paddy fields, farmed below sea level behind earth bunds, seen from the water.
Transfer: HouseboatTransfer duration: About 4 hrs to Alleppey, then cruiseStay: AlleppeyBreakfast, Lunch, Evening tea, Dinner included - Day 7KumarakomTransfer day
Kumarakom and a Sunset Shikara on Vembanad Lake
Disembark after breakfast, the drive to Kumarakom, and a sunset shikara ride on Vembanad Lake.
The highlight of this day is the sunset shikara ride, when the lake goes completely still.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 1.5 hrs to KumarakomStay: KumarakomBreakfast included - Day 8KovalamTransfer day
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, then South to Kovalam
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary at first light, the drive south to Kovalam, and sunset at Lighthouse Beach.
The highlight of this day is darters, herons and kingfishers at dawn, with migratory arrivals from November to March.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 4.5 hrs to Kovalam, after the sanctuaryStay: KovalamBreakfast included - Day 9Departure
Trivandrum Heritage Morning and Departure
A Trivandrum city round covering the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Napier Museum, then the drop at Trivandrum.
The highlight of this day is Kuthiramalika Palace, with 122 carved wooden horses running along the eaves.
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 |
| Athirappilly | 1 | Aathira Agri-Homes | |
| 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 |
| Kumarakom | 1 | Arcadia Magnet | |
| 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 6 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.
- Book open-jaw flights, into Kochi and out of Trivandrum. The route ends at Kovalam, just south of Trivandrum, so a return flight from Kochi means giving up a full day to drive back north.
- The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary gets its migratory arrivals from November to March, which is the fullest time for the first-light walk on Day 8.
- The itinerary may be re-sequenced on the ground for weather, traffic, forest closures or temple and festival restrictions, and the inclusions stay the same. Temple entry rules and dress codes, and forest permit rules, are set by the authorities concerned.
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 3 or 4 |
| Ziplining, Munnar | ₹450-600 per person | Munnar — Day 3 or 4 |
| Bamboo rafting | ₹2,200/- per person | Thekkady — Day 5 |
| Kathakali Show/Kalari Show | ₹300-600 per person per ticket | Thekkady — Day 5 |
| Alleppey shikara cruise | ₹800-1000 per person | Alleppey — Day 6 |
| 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 End to End package cover?
Kerala end to end, open-jaw into Kochi and out of Trivandrum: Fort Kochi, Athirappilly falls, two nights in Munnar, Thekkady, a full-board Kuttanad houseboat, a Kumarakom lakeside night, Kovalam and a Trivandrum heritage morning. Stays are on bed and breakfast, a private AC vehicle covers all transfers and sightseeing, and our Kerala team is on call 24x7.
Which airports should we fly into and out of?
Fly into Kochi and out of Trivandrum, on an open-jaw ticket. The route ends at Kovalam, just south of Trivandrum, so a return flight from Kochi means giving up a full day to drive back north. Sort this before you book tickets, not after.
Is the houseboat night included, and what does it cover?
Yes. Day 6 is a houseboat through Kuttanad and the night is served on full board: welcome drink, lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner and next-morning breakfast. That is standard practice on Alleppey and Kumarakom houseboats. Every other night is bed and breakfast, room plus breakfast.
When is the best time for the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary morning?
Go at first light on Day 8, which is when darters, herons and kingfishers are active. Migratory birds arrive from November to March, so a winter booking gives you the fullest morning. The sanctuary sits on the Vembanad shore next to the Kumarakom hotel strip, so it is a short run from your room.
Is nine days better value than seven for Kerala?
The two extra nights buy Athirappilly and Kumarakom. A seven day route usually covers Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, a houseboat and one beach. Nine adds Kerala's largest waterfall with a riverside overnight, and a lakeside night at Kumarakom with the sanctuary the next morning, without lengthening any single drive.
How do we book, and can the itinerary be changed?
Customization option is available, with or without flights. 50% of the package amount confirms the booking and the balance is due before departure or on arrival, by bank wire transfer. Confirmed dates may be changed, shortened or cancelled with 30 days' written notice, subject to availability.
What happens if a site is closed on the day we are there?
The itinerary may be re-sequenced on the ground for weather, traffic, forest department closures or temple and festival restrictions, and the inclusions stay the same. Temple entry rules and dress codes, and permit rules inside forest areas, are set by the authority concerned and are outside our control, so we plan around them.
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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