Kerala Wildlife and Hill Stations Tour — 8 Nights / 9 Days
A north to south run through Kerala's forest and hill country, from a Wayanad plateau base through Kerala's largest waterfall to the tea estates of Munnar and the Periyar reserve at Thekkady, closing on a Kuttanad houseboat. Two nights each at Munnar and Thekkady keep the middle of the trip unhurried, with hotels, a private AC vehicle, sightseeing, entry tickets and the houseboat night included.
About this itinerary
This 8 nights and 9 days tour package covers Wayanad, Athirappilly, Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey, based on two nights in Wayanad, a night at Athirappilly, two nights in Munnar, two nights at Thekkady and a houseboat night through Kuttanad. Day 1 climbs the Thamarassery ghat to Wayanad, Day 2 covers the Edakkal Caves, waterfalls and Banasura, Day 3 runs south to Athirappilly, Day 4 takes in Charpa falls and drives on to Munnar, Day 5 is Munnar sightseeing, Day 6 is the Thekkady spice walk, Day 7 is the Periyar cruise, Day 8 boards the houseboat and Day 9 is the Kochi drop.
You fly into Kozhikode and out of Kochi so no ground is retraced, and the two-night stops at Munnar and Thekkady are there to slow the rest of the week down. The one leg to plan around is Day 3, the roughly six hour run south from Wayanad to Athirappilly, which we flag at booking rather than leave families to discover on the road.
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 1WayanadArrival Day
Kozhikode Pickup and the Climb to Wayanad
Pickup at Kozhikode, then climb up the Thamarassery ghat with a stop at the Lakkidi viewpoint, and check in at Wayanad.
The highlight of this day is the valley opening up at Lakkidi after the ninth hairpin bend.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 2.5 hrs from Kozhikode airportStay: Wayanad - Day 2WayanadSightseeing
Wayanad Sightseeing: Edakkal Caves, Waterfalls and Banasura
A full day across Wayanad: the Edakkal Caves, the Soochipara waterfalls, and Pookode Lake with the Banasura Sagar Dam.
The highlight of this day is the rock carvings inside Edakkal, cut into the stone thousands of years before anything else you will see on this trip.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: WayanadBreakfast included - Day 3AthirappillyTransfer day
South to Athirappilly, Kerala's Largest Falls
The long drive south from Wayanad to Athirappilly, then Athirappilly and Vazhachal falls in the evening light.
The highlight of this day is reaching Athirappilly in time for evening light on the falls.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 6 hrs to AthirappillyStay: AthirappillyBreakfast included - Day 4MunnarTransfer day
Charpa Falls and On to the Munnar Tea Hills
Charpa falls in the morning before the day traffic builds, then the drive on to Munnar to 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 3.5 to 4 hrs to MunnarStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 5MunnarSightseeing
Munnar Sightseeing: Dams, Viewpoints and Tea Estates
A full day around Munnar: boating at Mattupetty, Echo Point and Kundala Lake, Top Station, and the Tata Tea Museum.
The highlight of this day is Top Station early, before the mist closes in and takes the view with it.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 6ThekkadyTransfer day
Thekkady: Spice Walk and a Cultural Evening
The drive to Thekkady, a spice plantation walk, and an evening cultural 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 3.5 to 4 hrs to ThekkadyStay: ThekkadyBreakfast included - Day 7ThekkadySightseeing
Periyar Lake Cruise and the Kumily Market
An early Periyar Lake boat cruise, then bamboo rafting or a guided nature walk, and the Kumily market.
The highlight of this day is the first boat of the morning, when animals are still coming down to the water.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: ThekkadyBreakfast included - Day 8AlleppeyHouseboat night
Boarding the Kuttanad Houseboat at Alleppey
The drive to Alleppey to board the houseboat, with all meals served on board as it cruises Kuttanad.
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 9Departure
Houseboat Breakfast and the Kochi Drop
Disembark after breakfast, then the drive to Kochi for the drop.
The highlight of this day is breakfast on the water before you step back onto land.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 1.5 hrs to KochiBreakfast 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayanad | 2 | Hotel Bonita Banasura | |
| Athirappilly | 1 | Aathira Agri-Homes | |
| Munnar | 2 | Emerald Inn | Standard, twin sharing |
| Thekkady | 2 | Green view Homestay | Deluxe, twin sharing |
| Alleppey | 1 | Alappuzha Boat house | AC bedroom, 21:00–06:00 |
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. Family rooms, connecting rooms or two-bedroom cottages are available on upgrade.
- Quoted on the Bed and Breakfast (BB) plan: room with daily breakfast. The Day 8 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.
- Child rates apply and are usually free below a set age when sharing existing bedding. The cut-off is set by each property, so tell us your children's ages at enquiry and we will confirm it in writing.
- Day 3, the run south from Wayanad to Athirappilly, is roughly six hours. We flag it at booking so the stops on that stretch can be planned rather than discovered on the road.
- Bamboo rafting at Thekkady on Day 7 is optional and payable direct to the forest department if you take it up.
- During the June to September monsoon the Athirappilly and Soochipara waterfalls run at full volume, but forest areas and viewpoints can close at short notice, and we will tell you plainly if your dates carry that risk.
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 | Wayanad — Day 1 or 2 |
| Ziplining, Wayanad | ₹400-1100/- per person | Wayanad — Day 1 or 2 |
| Ayurveda spa | ₹999/- onwards | Munnar — Day 4 or 5 |
| Ziplining, Munnar | ₹450-600 per person | Munnar — Day 4 or 5 |
| Bamboo rafting | ₹2,200/- per person | Thekkady — Day 6 or 7 |
| Kathakali Show/Kalari Show | ₹300-600 per person per ticket | Thekkady — Day 6 or 7 |
| Alleppey shikara cruise | ₹800-1000 per person | Alleppey — 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 Wildlife and Hill Stations Tour cover?
Two nights in Wayanad, a night at Athirappilly, two nights in Munnar, two nights at Thekkady and a full houseboat night through Kuttanad, running north to south from Kozhikode to Kochi. It covers the Edakkal Caves, Soochipara falls, Munnar's tea estates, the Thekkady spice walk and Periyar cruise, and the houseboat, on bed and breakfast with a private AC vehicle.
Is this Kerala itinerary suitable for families with children?
Yes, it is built as a family package. Munnar and Thekkady both get two nights, so the middle of the trip is unhurried. The one thing to plan around is Day 3, the roughly six hour run south from Wayanad to Athirappilly. The vehicle is private, so the stops on that stretch are yours to call.
Why fly into Kozhikode and out of Kochi?
Because the route runs north to south and never doubles back. Kozhikode is the closest airport to Wayanad, and Kochi is a short drive from where the houseboat drops you on Day 9. Booking an open jaw saves you a full day of driving that a return to one airport would cost.
What is included at Thekkady, and is a wildlife safari part of it?
The Periyar Lake boat cruise on Day 7 is included, along with the spice plantation walk and the evening cultural show on Day 6. Jeep safaris are not included. Bamboo rafting is listed as payable direct, so you pay the forest department on the day if you take it up.
What meals do we get?
Every hotel night is on bed and breakfast, which is room plus daily breakfast. The Day 8 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 to MAP or AP, which we re-quote.
When is the best time to do this trip?
October to March suits this route best, when the hill stations are clear and the ghat drives are comfortable. During the June to September monsoon the waterfalls at Athirappilly and Soochipara run at full volume, but forest areas and viewpoints can close at short notice, and we will tell you plainly if your dates carry that risk.
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.
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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