Ultimate Kerala: Nine Nights Across God's Own Country — 9 Nights / 10 Days
Fort Kochi, Athirappilly, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, a houseboat night and a Kovalam finish, with two nights each in Munnar and Thekkady for real time in both. Hotels on bed and breakfast, the houseboat on full board, a private AC vehicle, sightseeing and entry tickets are included, ending with a Trivandrum heritage morning before the drop.
About this itinerary
This 9 nights and 10 days tour package covers Kochi, Athirappilly, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey and Kovalam, based on a Fort Kochi night, a riverside Athirappilly night, two nights each in Munnar and Thekkady, a Kumarakom lakeside night, a full board houseboat night and a Kovalam beach night, ending with a Trivandrum heritage morning.
This is our most complete standard tour, and the difference from the shorter versions is depth rather than distance. Two nights each in Munnar and Thekkady means real time in both, so Thekkady gets a full second day for bamboo rafting or the guided border hike instead of a dawn cruise and a departure.
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 Kathakali Evening
Pickup at Kochi and check in, a Fort Kochi and Mattancherry heritage walk, and an evening Kathakali show.
The highlight of this day is the Chinese fishing nets at dusk, still worked by hand by teams of four.
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 Climb to Munnar
Charpa falls in the morning, the drive on to Munnar, 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 and Echo Point, Kundala Lake and Top Station, then the Tea Museum and Photo Point.
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 5ThekkadyTransfer day
Drive to Thekkady and a Kalari Evening
The drive to Thekkady, a spice plantation walk, and an 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 6ThekkadySightseeing
Periyar Lake Cruise and Kumily Spice Market
A morning Periyar Lake boat cruise, then bamboo rafting (payable direct) or the guided border hike, and the Kumily spice 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 7KumarakomTransfer day
Transfer to Kumarakom and a Sunset Shikara Ride
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 3.5 to 4 hrs to KumarakomStay: KumarakomBreakfast included - Day 8AlleppeyHouseboat night
Bird Sanctuary at Dawn and a Kuttanad Houseboat Night
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary at first light, the transfer to Alleppey, and a houseboat with all meals on board.
The highlight of this day is darters, herons and kingfishers at dawn, with migratory arrivals from November to March.
Transfer: HouseboatTransfer duration: About 1 hr to Alleppey, then cruiseStay: AlleppeyBreakfast, Lunch, Evening tea, Dinner included - Day 9KovalamTransfer day
Disembark and the Long Drive to Kovalam
Disembark after breakfast on board, then 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 4.5 to 5 hrs to KovalamStay: KovalamBreakfast included - Day 10Departure
Trivandrum Heritage Morning and Departure
A Trivandrum city round covering the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Napier Museum, then the airport or station drop.
The highlight of this day is Kuthiramalika Palace, with 122 carved wooden horses running along the eaves.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 45 mins 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 | 2 | Green view Homestay | Deluxe, twin sharing |
| Kumarakom | 1 | Arcadia Magnet | |
| 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. Upgrades from standard to deluxe, 4-star or premium resort category are re-quoted.
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.
Entry rules and dress codes at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple on Day 10 are set by the temple authority. Dress is traditional and conservative, and our team confirms the current rules and the day's darshan timing before you set out.
Bamboo rafting, the guided border hike, wildlife safaris and other adventure activities are payable direct and controlled by the forest department, with limited numbers, so tell us in advance if you want one.
Kumarakom's migratory arrivals run November to March, the strongest window for the Day 8 sanctuary morning. Rates and availability tighten across 20 December to 5 January, Onam, Christmas, New Year and long weekends.
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 or 6 |
| Kathakali Show/Kalari Show | ₹300-600 per person per ticket | Thekkady — Day 5 or 6 |
| Alleppey shikara cruise | ₹800-1000 per person | Alleppey — Day 8 |
| Ayurveda spa | ₹999/- onwards | Kovalam — Day 9 |
| Yoga sessions | ₹999/- onwards | Kovalam — Day 9 |
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.
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Questions about this package
What does the Ultimate Kerala tour package cover?
A Fort Kochi arrival night, a riverside night at Athirappilly, two nights each in Munnar and Thekkady, a Kumarakom lakeside night, a full board houseboat night and a Kovalam night, ending with a Trivandrum heritage morning. It covers Athirappilly falls, Munnar's tea country, the Thekkady spice walk and Periyar cruise, the Kumarakom sanctuary and the houseboat, with a private AC vehicle and 24x7 Kerala support.
What is included in the price?
Hotel or resort stay on twin sharing with daily breakfast, a private AC vehicle with a local driver cum guide for the full route, all fuel, toll, parking, permits and driver allowance, entry tickets and ride charges for everything named in the day-by-day itinerary, airport or station pickup and drop, and 24x7 on-ground assistance from our team in Kerala throughout the trip.
Why two nights each in Munnar and Thekkady?
Because one night in either is a drive-in and a drive-out. The second Munnar day covers Mattupetty, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, Top Station and the Tea Museum without rushing, and the second Thekkady day frees you for bamboo rafting or the guided border hike instead of a dawn cruise and an immediate departure. Two nights changes what you actually see in a place.
Is the Periyar boat cruise included, and what about bamboo rafting?
The Periyar Lake boat cruise on Day 6 is included, as it is named in the itinerary. Bamboo rafting, the guided border hike, wildlife safaris and other adventure activities sit outside the package and are payable direct. Numbers on these are limited and controlled by the forest department, so tell us in advance if you want one and we will try to arrange it.
What is included on the houseboat night?
Day 8 is a Kuttanad houseboat on full board: welcome drink, lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner and next-morning breakfast. That is the standard on Alleppey and Kumarakom boats, all cooked on board. Every other night on this trip is bed and breakfast, which is room plus daily breakfast, so other lunches and dinners are yours unless you upgrade the plan.
What should we know before the Padmanabhaswamy Temple visit on Day 10?
Entry rules and dress codes are set by the temple authority and are not within our control, so treat them as fixed. Dress is traditional and conservative, so cover shoulders and legs. Our team confirms the current rules and the day's darshan timing before you set out, and the Napier Museum, Kuthiramalika Palace and the rest of the city round go ahead either way.
When is the best time to book this trip?
Kumarakom's migratory arrivals run November to March, which is the strongest window for the Day 8 sanctuary morning. Rates and availability tighten across 20 December to 5 January, Onam, Christmas, New Year and long weekends, so book those dates early because rooms fill first. Ask us and we will tell you honestly what your chosen dates will actually look like on the ground.
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. Send us your dates and we will build the ten days around them with a firm quote.
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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