Kerala's Landscape: Peaks, Woods, Waters, and Seas
This Kerala package links the most distinct landscapes, ranging from coastal regions to highlands to dense forests to spice plantations to backwaters to paddy cultivation to cliffs and many more. Beginning with the coastal city of Kochi, with ports, heritage streets, and quiet lagoons, the cool highlands of Munnar unveil the essence of tea gardens that blanket the mountain slopes. This peak altitude is a misty land where the breeze whispers the tea tales. As you climb down the roads to Thekkady, the spice-scented woods and the wilderness of the Periyar region welcome you. The terrain shifts drastically as you descend toward Alappuzha, where the canals, paddy fields, backwaters, and lakes create a lowland below sea level. Kuttanad in Alappuzha is the lowest point in India. Kovalam, on the other hand, is a rocky beach that offers a hippie vibe. Now, when you reach Trivandrum, the capital city, it is more traditional and divine with temples, museums, and palaces, marking an elegant end to your exploration.
- Day 01: Arrival in Cochin and Transfer to Munnar (126 kms: ~ 3 hrs 53 mins)
- Day 02: Munnar Sightseeing
- Day 03: Transfer from Munnar to Thekkady (90.8 kms: ~ 2 hrs 51 mins by road)
- Day 04: Arrival at Alleppey (139 kms: ~3 hrs 46 mins) and houseboat cruising
- Day 05: Transfer from Alappuzha to Kovalam (171 kms: ~ 4 hrs 15 mins)
- Day 06: Trivandrum Sightseeing and Departure
DAY-1
Day 1: Arrival in Cochin and Transfer to Munnar
- Pick-up Location: Cochin (Cochin Airport), Ernakulam Railway Station, or Cochin Bus Station.
Upon arrival at Cochin Airport or Ernakulam Railway Station, get assistance with all the arrival formalities and transfer to Munnar (126 kms: ~ 3 hrs 53 mins by road)
- En route Sightseeing: The geographical ascent from Kochi to Munnar through the Western Ghats is the most striking element of this trip, as you are going to experience an altitude shift from sea level to as high as 2600 meters. The scenery shifts from a flat coastal region to rolling tea gardens. You can witness many absolutely stunning viewpoints on the way.
- Cheeyappara waterfalls
- Valara waterfall
- Spice Plantation
- Check-in: Check into the hotel in Munnar for a quick refresh.
- Overnight Stay: Hotel in Munnar
DAY-2
Day 2: Sightseeing in Munnar
- Morning: Enjoy a free, delicious breakfast and head out for a full-day sightseeing.
- Sites to Visit:
- Mattupetty Dam/Lake
- Echo Point
- Nursery Garden
- Photo Point
- Tata Tea Museum
- Christ Church
- Kundala Lake
PS: All Activities are on a Direct Payment Basis
- Afternoon: In the evening, enjoy a calm, enriching Spice Tea trail at Munnar. You can experience a slow, fragrant walk through the iconic landscape of sprawling tea gardens and aromatic spice gardens.
- Overnight Stay: Hotel in Munnar
DAY-3
Day 3: Transfer from Munnar to Thekkady
- Early Morning: Check out from the hotel and proceed to Thekkady (90.8 kms: ~ 2 hrs 51 mins by road).
As the road descends, the panoramic vista takes a gentle shift from tea plantations and cloud-brushed peaks to dense forests, cardamom groves, and pepper vines. With a drop in altitude from 2000 meters above sea level to 900 meters above sea level, the air grows slightly warmer. The atmosphere gets richer with the scent of spices. The terrain becomes more wooded, paving the way for the dense forest and wildlife.
- Mid Morning: After breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing tour of Thekkady.
- Sightseeing and Activities:
- Periyar National Tiger Reserve
- Elephant ride
- Elephant bathing
- Spice Plantations
- Bamboo rafting
- Hiking
- Jungle Patrol
- Kadathanadan Kalari
PS: Activities and show ticket purchases will be on a Direct Payment Basis
- Overnight Stay: Hotel in Thekkady
DAY-4
Day 4: Transfer from Thekkady to Alleppey
- Early Morning: Check out from the hotel and proceed to Alleppey (139 kms: ~3 hrs 46 mins by road).
The gradual drop in altitude from Thekkady to Alappuzha is accompanied by a slight rise in temperature from the cool, forested spice hills to the warm, flat, serene water-rich countryside. As the road descends, the landscape flattens into open farmland, where terrain transitions from earthy, tropical wilderness to canals, paddy fields, rubber estates, and backwaters.
- Noon: Check in at the popular Alleppey Kettuvallam, known as houseboats. Enjoy a delicious Kerala cuisine lunch while cruising through the backwaters in a deluxe houseboat.
- Houseboat Activities
- Traditional Kerala Cuisine
- Traditional Dance
- Sightseeing from the Alleppey houseboat
- Vembanand Lake
- Kuttanad (the only rice-cultivating region)
- Punnamada Lake
- Lagoons
- Lush green paddy fields
- Coconut groves
- Canals and narrow waterways
- Palm-fringed canals
- Traditional village life
- Temples, churches, and local shrines
- Coir making
- Birdwatching
- Sunset over backwaters
- Visit Coir Village
- Overnight stay: Alappuzha Houseboat (Lake Park Cruise)
DAY-5
Day 5: Transfer from Alappuzha to Kovalam
- Morning: Enjoy a free, delicious breakfast, check out from the houseboat, and head to Kovalam (150 kms: approximately 3 hours by road).
A drive from Alappuzha to Kovalam is about a 3-hour journey along Kerala’s shoreline belt. As we take a drive from mid-Kerala to the south, the scenery shifts to a classic coastal region, the humidity rises, and a gentle coastal breeze embraces you.
- En route Sightseeing:
- Backwater channels
- Paddy fields
- Coconut-lined coastal stretches
- Fishing harbours
- Beachside villages
- Ashtamudi Lake region
- Quiet countryside roads
- Cliffside patches
- Sea views
- Mid-morning: Reach Kovalam, a hippie vibe coastal town in Trivandrum.
- Check-in: Check into the beachside hotel or resort and get set for the beach adventure at Samudra Beach, which is a jewel in the already ornate crown of Kovalam.
- En route Sightseeing:
- Beach Activities:
- Water Activities
- Swimming
- Parasailing (At Lighthouse beach)
- Speed Boat Safaris
- Sea Surfing
- Snorkeling
- Non-water Activities:
- Climb Kovalam Lighthouse
- Water Activities
PS: Activities will be on a Direct Payment Basis
- Overnight Stay: Hotel or resort in Kovalam
DAY-6
Day 6: Trivandrum Sightseeing and Departure
- Morning: Check out from your Resort and transfer to Trivandrum.
Thiruvananthapuram is the capital city of Kerala. It is an ancient city with a tradition dating back to 1000 BC. Located on the west coast of India, it is a beautiful seaside metropolis built on seven hills. It spreads over a total area of 2192 sq.km.
- Sightseeing Options:
- Padmanabhaswami Temple
- Srichitra Art Gallery
- Napier Museum
- Thiruvananthapuram Zoo
- Departure: Drop off at the Domestic / International Airport / Railway Station.
In the evening, bid farewell to this serene land as your holidays come to an end. You get transferred to Trivandrum Airport or Railway Station for your onward journey back home. Our representative will drop you off at the airport or railway station.