The main destinations are Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, and Alleppey.
Tea Gardens, Spice Trails, and Backwaters
Kerala Backwaters and Hill Stations
Explore Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, and Alleppey on one memorable Kerala holiday.
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Tour Overview
Kerala Backwaters and Hill Stations
Kerala Backwaters and Hill Stations is a seven-day journey through some of the state’s most popular destinations. Beginning and ending in Cochin, the itinerary connects the colonial charm of Fort Kochi, the tea-covered hills of Munnar, the spice plantations and wildlife of Thekkady, and the famous backwaters of Alleppey. It is a suitable choice for travellers who want to experience Kerala’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and relaxed atmosphere in a comfortable route.
The journey begins in Cochin with a visit to Fort Kochi and the Chootanikara Bhagavathy Amman Temple before continuing to Munnar. The hill station offers cool weather, tea gardens, and scenic viewpoints. From Munnar, the route moves to Thekkady, where a spice plantation visit and a boat ride on Periyar Lake provide an introduction to Kerala’s wildlife and agricultural traditions. The tour then proceeds to Alleppey for a houseboat cruise around Vembanad Lake, with traditional Kerala meals prepared on board. The final day in Cochin allows time for shopping and a relaxed evening before departure.
This itinerary is well suited to families, couples, and leisure travellers who prefer a balanced mix of sightseeing, nature, and local culture. With smooth road transfers and a clear daily structure, it offers a rewarding introduction to Kerala’s most loved destinations.
Tour Highlights
Experiences That Define Your Journey
Munnar Tea Gardens
Munnar is one of Kerala’s most popular hill stations and is closely associated with tea cultivation. The area is known for its rolling plantations, cool weather, and scenic mountain views. A guided walk through the tea gardens offers insight into tea processing, local life, and the natural beauty of the Western Ghats.
Thekkady Spice Plantation and Boat Ride
Thekkady lies at the heart of Kerala’s spice country. A visit to a working spice plantation provides a sensory introduction to cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and other crops. The evening boat ride on Periyar Lake adds a wildlife dimension to the experience, with opportunities to observe animals along the shoreline in a peaceful forest setting.
Alleppey Houseboat Cruise
The houseboat cruise in Alleppey is one of Kerala’s most recognised travel experiences. Cruising through the backwaters and Vembanad Lake offers a relaxed view of village life, paddy fields, canals, and open water. Traditional meals prepared on board complete the experience and provide a genuine taste of Kerala’s cuisine.
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Day by Day Itinerary
Your Journey Unfolded
On arrival in Cochin, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for relaxation after your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may rest at the hotel or explore nearby surroundings at a leisurely pace. Cochin serves as the starting point for this Kerala holiday.
After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Fort Kochi. The area is known for its colonial architecture, historic churches, Jewish Synagogue, and seaside promenades. Later, visit Chootanikara Bhagavathy Amman Temple, an important pilgrimage site in the region. After the temple visit, begin the road journey to Munnar. On arrival, check in to the hotel and relax after the drive. The route offers changing landscapes from coastal plains to tea-covered hills.
After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Munnar and its surrounding areas. The programme typically includes tea gardens, viewpoints, dams, and selected local attractions depending on time and interest. Munnar is known for its cool climate, rolling plantations, and scenic mountain views. In the evening, attend a Kathakali dance show, a traditional Kerala performance known for its elaborate costumes, expressive gestures, and classical storytelling.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Thekkady. On arrival, visit a spice plantation to learn about Kerala’s traditional spices and cultivation methods. The region is known for cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and other aromatic crops. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride on Periyar Lake, which offers opportunities to observe wildlife along the shoreline and appreciate the peaceful forest setting.
After breakfast, depart for Alleppey. On arrival, board your houseboat and begin the cruise through the backwaters. The route passes through canals, paddy fields, village life, and the open expanse of Vembanad Lake. Traditional Kerala meals are prepared on board using local ingredients and recipes. The houseboat experience provides a relaxed and scenic way to enjoy Kerala’s famous waterways.
After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and drive back to Cochin. On arrival, check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening, you may visit Lulu Mall for shopping, dining, or simply to explore one of the city’s main commercial centres. The day is kept relaxed after the houseboat journey.
After breakfast, the day is free for personal activities, last-minute shopping, or further exploration of Cochin. Depending on your interests, you may visit local markets, try regional food, or relax at the hotel. In the evening, transfer to Kochi airport for your onward flight. The tour concludes with memories of Kerala’s tea gardens, spice plantations, backwaters, and coastal heritage.
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Tour Route
Your Journey at a Glance
Kochi - Munnar - Thekkady - Alleppey - Cochin
Kochi
2 Nights - Transit & Fort Kochi Tour
Munnar
2 Nights - Munnar Tea Gardens, Kathakkali Dance Show
Thekkady
1 Night - Periyal Wildlife, Spice Plantations
Alleppey
1 Night - Backwater Cruise
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Limited availability during peak season
What's Included
Thoughtfully Curated Inclusions
A clear overview of the services included in your journey and the items that are not part of the tour package.
Included in Your Journey
- Accommodation in the selected hotels on double/twin-sharing basis.
- Daily breakfast at the hotels. All meals during houseboat stay.
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers, sightseeing tours and intercity travel as per the itinerary.
- All requisite airport and railway station transfers with personal assistance.
- Services of a professional and courteous driver throughout the tour.
- Two bottles of packaged drinking water per person per day during travel.
- Fuel charges, toll taxes, parking fees, interstate taxes and driver allowances.
- All presently applicable hotel and transportation taxes.
Not Included
- International and domestic flight tickets, unless specifically mentioned under inclusions.
- Visa fees and visa-related expenses.
- Travel, medical and personal accident insurance.
- Monument, temple, museum and attraction entrance fees, unless specifically mentioned under inclusions.
- Meals other than those specifically mentioned under inclusions.
- Beverages, including soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, tea and coffee.
- Professional tour-guide services, unless specifically mentioned under inclusions.
- Special darshan, VIP entry, pooja or religious ceremony charges.
- Optional tours, activities and experiences.
- Camera and video-camera fees at monuments or attractions.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, minibar and shopping.
- Tips and gratuities for drivers, guides, hotel staff and other service personnel.
- Charges arising from flight delays or cancellations, road closures, weather conditions, natural disasters, strikes or other circumstances beyond our control.
- Any increase in government taxes, fuel charges, entrance fees or other statutory charges after confirmation.
- Any service or expense not specifically mentioned under inclusions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know
Find helpful answers about your journey, travel arrangements and tour experience.
Yes. This tour is well suited to families, couples, and leisure travellers interested in nature, culture, and relaxed travel.
Yes. The itinerary includes a spice plantation visit in Thekkady and a houseboat cruise in Alleppey.
The best time is generally from September to March, when weather conditions are more comfortable for hill station visits, wildlife activities, and backwater cruises. Kerala can be visited throughout the year, but the monsoon season may affect some outdoor plans.
Yes. The route can be adjusted according to hotel preferences, arrival and departure times, and the amount of time travellers wish to spend in Munnar, Thekkady, or Alleppey.
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South India Tours
South India offers a different rhythm to the classic North India circuit — slower-paced, deeply cultural, and rich in temple heritage, coastal scenery, and wellness traditions. From the grand Dravidian temples of Tamil Nadu and the backwaters of Kerala to the heritage cities of Karnataka, the beaches of Goa, and the historic charm of Hyderabad, this region is ideal for travellers seeking culture, spirituality, relaxation, and natural beauty in one journey. Our South India tours are designed for international visitors who value comfort, clarity, and authentic experiences. Whether you wish to explore the temple towns of Madurai, Rameswaram, and Thanjavur, cruise through the Kerala backwaters, enjoy the hill stations of Munnar and Ooty, discover the heritage of Hampi and Mysore, or relax on the beaches of Goa and Kovalam, you will find itineraries suited to different interests and durations. Most of our South India packages include private transport, carefully selected hotels, daily breakfast, sightseeing with local guides, and flexible routing so you can adjust the pace as needed. These tours work especially well for families, couples, and small groups who prefer a private journey over large group travel.
Kerala Tour Packages
Kerala is one of India's most popular destinations for travellers seeking a relaxed, scenic, and culturally rich holiday. Known as "God's Own Country," the state offers a unique combination of backwaters, hill stations, beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, and Ayurveda wellness traditions, all set within lush green landscapes and a slower pace of life. Our Kerala tour packages are designed for international visitors who want a comfortable, well-organised, and authentic experience. Whether you wish to cruise through the Alleppey backwaters, explore the tea gardens of Munnar, enjoy the heritage of Fort Kochi, relax on the beaches of Kovalam, or experience traditional Ayurveda treatments, you will find itineraries suited to different interests and durations. Most of our Kerala packages include private transport, carefully selected hotels and heritage properties, daily breakfast, sightseeing with local guides, and flexible routing so you can adjust the pace as needed. The best time to visit is October to March, when the weather is pleasant for sightseeing and outdoor activities, though the monsoon season (June to September) is also popular for Ayurveda treatments and lush green scenery. These tours work especially well for families, couples, and small groups who prefer a private journey over large group travel.
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