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Planning Kerala?
The Kerala Backwaters & Hills Classic package covers Kerala, India over 6N 7D, starting from ₹26,000 per person. Best visited September to March, with flights typically from Ahmedabad → Kochi (direct or via Mumbai/Bengaluru).
Trip Highlights
- Overnight houseboat cruise through Alleppey backwaters
- Munnar tea plantation walk at sunrise
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary boat safari, Thekkady
- Fort Kochi heritage walk & Chinese fishing nets
- Traditional Kerala Sadya lunch on banana leaf
Overview
Kerala rewards travellers who like to slow down. This 7-day circuit moves from the colonial lanes of Fort Kochi into Munnar's rolling tea hills, across Thekkady's forest reserve, and finally onto a private houseboat drifting through Alleppey's palm-fringed backwaters. It is built for families, honeymooners and anyone who wants Kerala to feel like a long exhale rather than a checklist.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1Day 1: Arrive Kochi — Fort Kochi Heritage Walk
Meals: Dinner
Day 1: Arrive Kochi — Fort Kochi Heritage Walk
Meals: Dinner
Arrive at Cochin International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Fort Kochi. In the evening, walk through the old quarter — the iconic Chinese fishing nets at sunset, the 16th-century St. Francis Church, and the Dutch Palace with its Kerala mural paintings. End the day with a Kathakali dance performance, Kerala's classical dance-drama form.
Heritage Hotel, Fort Kochi
2Day 2: Kochi → Munnar — Tea Country
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 2: Kochi → Munnar — Tea Country
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive up into the Western Ghats to Munnar (approx. 4 hours), climbing through spice plantations and waterfalls along the way. Munnar sits at 1,600m amid rolling tea estates once the summer retreat of British planters. Check in and spend the evening walking through a working tea estate as the light turns gold over the hills.
Resort in Munnar
3Day 3: Munnar — Eravikulam & Local Sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Munnar — Eravikulam & Local Sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, followed by Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point for panoramic valley views. Afternoon free for optional activities — spice garden visits or a short trek to Top Station, Munnar's highest viewpoint.
Resort in Munnar
4Day 4: Munnar → Thekkady — Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Munnar → Thekkady — Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive to Thekkady (approx. 4 hours) through spice-growing country. Check in and take a boat safari on Periyar Lake through the Periyar Tiger Reserve, watching for wild elephants, sambar deer and birdlife along the shoreline. Evening spice plantation tour with cardamom, pepper and clove growing at source.
Resort in Thekkady
5Day 5: Thekkady → Alleppey — Board Your Houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Thekkady → Alleppey — Board Your Houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Alleppey and check into your traditional Kerala houseboat (kettuvallam) by early afternoon. Cruise slowly through canals, paddy fields and coconut groves as village life drifts past. Lunch, evening tea and dinner are served fresh onboard, and the boat moors for the night on a quiet stretch of the backwaters.
Overnight Houseboat, Alleppey
6Day 6: Alleppey → Kumarakom — Bird Sanctuary
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Alleppey → Kumarakom — Bird Sanctuary
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Disembark after breakfast and drive to Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake. Visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, home to migratory herons, egrets and the occasional Siberian stork in winter. Evening at leisure by the lake.
Resort in Kumarakom
7Day 7: Kumarakom → Kochi — Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Kumarakom → Kochi — Departure
Meals: Breakfast
After a relaxed breakfast, drive back to Kochi (approx. 1.5 hours) for your departure flight, carrying home the scent of cardamom and the memory of water moving slower than time.
What’s Included
- 6 nights accommodation (hotels + 1 night houseboat)
- Daily breakfast; dinner on all nights except houseboat day (full board on houseboat)
- All transfers and sightseeing by private AC vehicle
- Periyar Lake boat safari entry
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary entry
- Kathakali performance ticket
- All applicable taxes
Not Included
- Flights to and from Kochi
- Lunch (except on houseboat)
- Elephant ride / jeep safari at Thekkady (optional, extra cost)
- Ayurvedic spa treatments
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Quick Facts
Destination
Kerala
Duration
6N 7D
Best Time
September to March
Fly From
Ahmedabad → Kochi (direct or via Mumbai/Bengaluru)
Travel Style
family, honeymoon, cultural
Package Type
Domestic India
Trip Details
Hotel & Meal Plan
| Destination | Hotel & Resort | Nights | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kochi | Ginger Cochin3★or similar | 01 | Dinner |
| Munnar | The View Munnar3★or similar | 02 | Breakfast, Dinner |
| Thekkady | Elephant Court Thekkady3★or similar | 01 | Breakfast, Dinner |
| Alleppey (Houseboat) | Deluxe Kettuvallam Houseboat3★or similar | 01 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Kumarakom | Vembanad Lake Resort3★or similar | 01 | Breakfast, Dinner |
Hotel names indicate category and are subject to availability at time of booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Kerala Backwaters & Hills Classic package starts from ₹26,000 per person for 6 nights and 7 days, covering accommodation, daily breakfast, private transfers and sightseeing. The final price depends on travel dates, hotel category and group size — contact Favourite The Holiday Makers for a personalised quote.
Favourite The Holiday Makers recommends 6 nights and 7 days to comfortably cover the major highlights of Kerala without rushing between locations. This duration allows time for travel between cities, sightseeing, and at least one relaxed day for shopping or leisure.
Yes, Kerala is a popular choice for both family holidays and honeymoon trips, offering a mix of scenic beauty, cultural sites and relaxing experiences suitable for all age groups. Favourite The Holiday Makers customises the itinerary pace and hotel selection differently for families versus couples.
