The tour covers Munnar, Thekkady, and Alleppey, with Kochi as the arrival and departure point.
Tea, Wildlife, and Waterways
Kerala Hills, Wildlife and Backwaters Tour
Discover Munnar, Thekkady, and Alleppey on a relaxed five-day Kerala holiday.
Kochi
Munnar
Thekkady
Alleppey
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Tour Overview
Kerala Hills, Wildlife and Backwaters Tour
Kerala Highlands and Backwaters Escape is a five-day journey that combines the cool tea country of Munnar, the forest landscapes of Thekkady, and the calm waterways of Alleppey. Beginning and ending in Kochi, this compact itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to experience Kerala’s most recognisable natural settings without spending long periods changing hotels or rushing between destinations.
The journey begins with a scenic drive from Kochi to Munnar, where the landscape changes from the coastal plains to winding roads, plantations, and mountain viewpoints. A full day in Munnar allows time to visit tea gardens and selected local sights at an unhurried pace. The route then continues to Thekkady, the gateway to Periyar Tiger Reserve. A boat ride on Periyar Lake offers a gentle way to see the forest edge and may provide sightings of elephants, sambar deer, wild boar, and birdlife, although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Periyar boating trips generally last around 1.5 hours and operate at scheduled times, so advance booking is strongly recommended.maverickbird+1
The final part of the tour is an overnight houseboat cruise in Alleppey. As the boat moves through canals, paddy fields, village waterways, and the wider backwater landscape, guests can slow down and enjoy traditional Kerala meals prepared on board. The tour ends with a return transfer to Kochi airport.
Tour Highlights
Experiences That Define Your Journey
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Munnar Tea Gardens
Munnar is known for its rolling tea estates, cool mountain air, and expansive views across the Western Ghats. A sightseeing day here includes time to see the plantation landscape, understand the journey from leaf to cup at a tea museum or factory where available, and pause at viewpoints without rushing. It is an ideal introduction to Kerala’s hill country.
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Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Boat Ride
A scheduled boat ride on Periyar Lake is a peaceful way to experience the forested landscape of Thekkady. The 1.5-hour trip travels along the reserve’s shoreline, where elephants and sambar deer are sometimes seen near the water. As this is a wildlife reserve, sightings depend on weather, season, and animal movement; advance tickets are recommended.
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Alleppey Houseboat Cruise
The Alleppey houseboat cruise offers a relaxed view of Kerala’s backwater life. Travellers pass canals, paddy fields, coconut palms, small villages, and fishing boats before anchoring for the night. Traditional Kerala meals prepared on board add a local touch, making the overnight cruise a fitting conclusion to the journey.
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Limited availability during peak season
Day by Day Itinerary
Your Journey Unfolded
🍽 No Meals
On arrival at Kochi airport, you will be welcomed and begin the drive to Munnar. The route gradually rises into the Western Ghats, passing small towns, spice-growing areas, waterfalls, and tea plantations. On arrival, check in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Munnar’s cooler climate and green surroundings provide a relaxing start to the tour.
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Munnar. The programme can include tea estates, scenic viewpoints, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, and a tea museum or factory visit, depending on opening hours and your preferred pace. Munnar is best enjoyed without overloading the day, allowing time to stop for photographs, short walks, and a cup of locally grown tea. Return to the hotel in the evening.
🍽 Breakfast
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Thekkady. On arrival, check in and relax before the planned wildlife activity. The main experience is a boat ride on Periyar Lake inside Periyar Tiger Reserve, subject to ticket availability and the assigned departure time. The reserve operates scheduled lake boating trips that last around 1.5 hours; early booking is advisable, particularly during holidays and peak travel periods.
The boat ride follows the quiet forest edge of the lake and can offer sightings of elephants, sambar deer, wild boar, and birdlife. Wildlife is free-ranging, so sightings are never guaranteed. The evening is free for relaxation or an optional local spice plantation visit.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, drive from Thekkady to Alleppey. On arrival, board your private or shared houseboat and begin the backwater cruise. The boat travels through a network of canals and lagoons, passing coconut groves, paddy fields, small settlements, and local fishing activity. A traditional Kerala lunch and dinner are prepared and served on board.
The houseboat usually anchors for the night in a peaceful section of the backwaters. This is the slowest and most relaxed part of the tour, offering time to enjoy the changing views and regional cuisine. Overnight stay on the houseboat.
🍽 Breakfast
After breakfast on board, disembark from the houseboat and drive back to Kochi. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a short stop in Fort Kochi or a final local meal before continuing to the airport. The tour concludes with onward transfer from Kochi.
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Tour Route
Your Journey at a Glance
Kochi - Munnar - Thekkady - Alleppey - Cochin
Munnar
2 Nights - Tea Gardens, Kathakkali Dance Show
Thekkady
1 Night - Periyar Wildlife and Spice Plantation
Alleppey
1 Night - Houseboat 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.
- 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, the itinerary includes a Periyar Lake boat ride, subject to official ticket availability, weather conditions, and reserve schedules. The boating trip typically lasts around 1.5 hours.
No. Periyar is a natural wildlife reserve, so animal sightings depend on the season, weather, water level, and animal movement. Elephants, deer, wild boar, and birdlife may be seen along the lake edge.
Yes. The itinerary includes an overnight houseboat stay in Alleppey, with a backwater cruise and Kerala-style meals prepared on board.
September to March is generally comfortable for sightseeing, hill-station travel, and backwater cruising. Kerala is beautiful during the monsoon as well, although heavy rain may affect outdoor plans and road conditions.
Yes. The tour can be adapted according to arrival times, hotel category, houseboat preference, travel pace, and additional activities such as a spice plantation tour, Kathakali performance, or Fort Kochi sightseeing.
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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.
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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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