North to South Kerala Odyssey: Bekal to Kovalam — 8 Nights / 9 Days
The full length of Kerala in one run, roughly 1,100 km from Bekal on the Kasaragod coast down to Kovalam, taking in the Valiyaparamba backwaters, two nights in Wayanad, Fort Kochi, two nights in Munnar and a Kuttanad houseboat night. It is driving-heavy by design, with hotels, a private AC vehicle, sightseeing, entry tickets and the houseboat night included, and an open jaw into Mangalore and out of Trivandrum.
About this itinerary
This 8 nights and 9 days tour package covers Bekal, Wayanad, Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey and Kovalam, based on a Bekal arrival night, two nights in Wayanad, a Fort Kochi night, two nights in Munnar, a houseboat night through Kuttanad and a Kovalam night. Day 1 is Bekal Fort, Day 2 is the Valiyaparamba cruise and the drive to Wayanad, Day 3 is Wayanad sightseeing, Day 4 descends to Fort Kochi, Day 5 climbs to Munnar, Day 6 is Munnar sightseeing, Day 7 boards the houseboat, Day 8 runs south to Kovalam and Day 9 is the Trivandrum heritage morning and drop.
The route runs the full length of the state, north Malabar to the deep south, with almost no packaged itinerary attempts. It is driving-heavy by design, roughly 1,100 km end to end with real hours in the car, so we match it only with guests who enjoy the road, and we say so at enquiry rather than after you have paid. You fly into Mangalore and out of Trivandrum so no ground is retraced.
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 1BekalArrival day
Mangalore Pickup and Bekal Fort at Sunset
Pickup at Mangalore and the drive down to Bekal, Bekal Fort at sunset, and Kappil Beach.
The highlight of this day is Bekal Fort at sunset, a 300-year-old laterite headland fort with the Arabian Sea on three sides.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 1.5 hrs from Mangalore airportStay: Bekal - Day 2WayanadTransfer day
Valiyaparamba Backwater Cruise and On to Wayanad
A Valiyaparamba backwater cruise in the morning, then the drive to Wayanad via Kannur or the Kasaragod ghat road.
The highlight of this day is a backwater fed by four rivers, with almost none of the houseboat traffic you get further south.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 4 to 5 hrs to WayanadStay: WayanadBreakfast included - Day 3WayanadSightseeing
Wayanad Sightseeing: Edakkal Caves, Waterfalls and Banasura
A full day across Wayanad: the Edakkal Caves, the Soochipara waterfalls, and the Banasura Sagar Dam with Pookode Lake.
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 vehicleTransfer duration: Full day local sightseeingStay: WayanadBreakfast included - Day 4KochiTransfer day
Down the Thamarassery Ghat to Fort Kochi
The descent of the Thamarassery ghat, the drive to Kochi, and an evening Fort Kochi walk with a Kathakali show.
The highlight of this day is the valley opening up at Lakkidi after the ninth hairpin bend.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 5 to 6 hrs to KochiStay: KochiBreakfast included - Day 5MunnarTransfer day
Mattancherry Morning and the Climb to Munnar
Mattancherry and Jew Town in the morning, then the drive up to Munnar to check in.
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 hrs to MunnarStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 6MunnarSightseeing
Munnar Sightseeing: Dams, Viewpoints and Tea Estates
A full day around Munnar: Mattupetty, Echo Point and Kundala Lake, Top Station, and the 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 7AlleppeyHouseboat 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 4.5 hrs to Alleppey, then cruiseStay: AlleppeyBreakfast, Lunch, Evening tea, Dinner included - Day 8KovalamTransfer day
Houseboat Breakfast and the Run South to Kovalam
Disembark after a houseboat breakfast, the long drive south to Kovalam, and 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 4.5 hrs to KovalamStay: KovalamBreakfast included - Day 9Departure
Trivandrum Heritage Morning and Drop
A Trivandrum city round in the morning, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bekal | 1 | Balaji Regency | |
| Wayanad | 2 | Hotel Bonita Banasura | |
| Kochi | 1 | Emerald Inn | Deluxe, twin sharing |
| Munnar | 2 | Emerald Inn | Standard, 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.
- 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 7 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.
- This route covers roughly 1,100 km end to end and is driving-heavy by design, with real hours in the car on the long transfer days. We flag it at enquiry so you know before you book.
- During the June to September monsoon the long driving days are harder and viewpoints can close at short notice, and we will flag it if your dates fall in that window.
- Pickup is at Mangalore on Day 1 and the drop is at Trivandrum on Day 9, so an open jaw saves a full day of backtracking.
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 2 or 3 |
| Ziplining, Wayanad | ₹400-1100/- per person | Wayanad — Day 2 or 3 |
| Ayurveda spa | ₹999/- onwards | Kochi — Day 4 |
| Kathakali Show/Kalari Show | ₹300-600 per person per ticket | Kochi — Day 4 |
| Ayurveda spa | ₹999/- onwards | Munnar — Day 5 or 6 |
| Ziplining, Munnar | ₹450-600 per person | Munnar — Day 5 or 6 |
| Alleppey shikara cruise | ₹800-1000 per person | Alleppey — Day 7 |
| 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 North to South Kerala Odyssey package cover?
A Bekal arrival night, two nights in Wayanad, a Fort Kochi night, two nights in Munnar, a full houseboat night through Kuttanad and a Kovalam night, running the length of Kerala from Mangalore to Trivandrum. It covers Bekal Fort, the Valiyaparamba cruise, the Edakkal Caves, Munnar's tea estates, the houseboat and Kovalam, on bed and breakfast with a private AC vehicle.
How much driving does this Kerala itinerary actually involve?
A lot, and that is the point. The route covers roughly 1,100 km end to end and it is driving-heavy by design. We match it with guests who enjoy the road. If long transfers are not for you, tell us and we will suggest a tighter loop instead.
Which airports do we fly into and out of?
Mangalore for the arrival, Trivandrum for the departure. Bekal is a short run down the coast from Mangalore, and Day 9 ends in Trivandrum city. An open jaw is essential here, because a return to the same airport would add an entire day of backtracking.
What is the Valiyaparamba cruise, and how is it different from Alleppey?
Valiyaparamba is a Kasaragod backwater fed by four rivers, with almost none of the houseboat traffic you see further south. You cruise it on Day 2. The Kuttanad houseboat night on Day 7 is the classic Alleppey experience, so the trip gives you both, quiet and classic.
What meals are included?
Every hotel night is on bed and breakfast, which is room plus daily breakfast. The Day 7 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.
When is the best time for this route?
October to March, when the coastal stretches and the ghat roads are both comfortable. The June to September monsoon makes the long driving days harder and can close viewpoints at short notice, so we will flag it honestly if your dates fall in that window.
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.
Similar itineraries
Same region, different pace or budget.
OffbeatOffbeat Kerala Deep Dive: Nilambur to Kollam
Nilambur → Wayanad → Kochi → Vagamon → Gavi → Thekkady → Kollam
HoneymoonNine Days of Kerala Romance
Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Marari → Varkala → Kovalam
FamilyKerala Family Explorer
Kochi → Athirappilly → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Marari
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