India9 days
Kerala: Backwaters, Tea Estates & Coast — 9 Days
Kochi to Kovalam via Munnar's tea plantations and a night aboard a traditional houseboat through Kumarakom's backwaters.
This nine-day itinerary moves through three distinct regions of Kerala: the port city of Kochi, the high-elevation tea country around Munnar in the Western Ghats, the backwater system centered on Kumarakom, and the southern beach town of Kovalam. The route includes waterfalls, boat travel through backwater canals, a night aboard a kettuvallam (traditional houseboat), time at a lakeside resort, visits to Eravikulam National Park and the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and road transfers between destinations. Accommodation ranges from city hotels to backwater resorts and a houseboat.
Highlights
- Sunset cruise on Kochi harbor followed by a Kathakali dance performance
- Valara and Cheeyappara waterfalls en route to Munnar (4-hour drive from Kochi)
- Nilgiri Tahr sightings at Eravikulam National Park
- Mattupetty Dam and Mattupetty Lake with boating and trekking options in the Western Ghats
- Overnight cruise through Kumarakom and Alleppey backwaters aboard a kettuvallam
- Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum and Veli Tourist Village waterfront park
Day by day
1Arrival in Kochi: Old Spice Market and Kathakali Performanceold spice market · Kochi airport · M.G. Road · harbor
Travelers arrive at Kochi airport and transfer to their hotel. After settling in, the afternoon allows time to visit the old spice market and shops along M.G. Road. In the evening, a sunset cruise departs from the harbor, followed by a traditional Kathakali dance performance—a classical form of theater native to Kerala, performed with elaborate costumes and hand gestures.
2Kochi to Munnar: Tea Plantations and Twin WaterfallsKochi to Munnar · Munnar · working spice plantations · Valara and Cheeyappara waterfalls
The drive from Kochi to Munnar covers 148 kilometers and takes approximately four hours, climbing steadily into the Western Ghats. En route, the itinerary includes stops at working spice plantations and visits to Valara and Cheeyappara waterfalls, both formed by seasonal streams flowing through the elevated terrain. Munnar is surrounded by sprawling tea estates. Check-in occurs in the afternoon; the remainder of the day is unscheduled.
3Munnar: National Park, Lake, and Tea GardensEravikulam National Park · Mattupetty Dam and Mattupetty Lake · Echo Point · working tea gardens
A full day in Munnar includes a visit to Eravikulam National Park, where Nilgiri Tahr—a rare, endemic mountain goat—can be spotted on the rocky terrain. Later, the itinerary moves to Mattupetty Dam and Mattupetty Lake, where boating, horse riding, and trekking through nearby Shola forests (stunted evergreen woodland typical of high-altitude Kerala) are available. The day concludes with visits to Echo Point, a viewpoint, and working tea gardens, where the mechanics of tea production and harvesting are visible.
4Munnar to Kumarakom: Transfer to Backwater ResortMunnar to Kumarakom · backwater resort
The transfer from Munnar to Kumarakom covers 158 kilometers and takes approximately four hours, descending from the highlands toward the coastal lowlands. Kumarakom sits on the banks of Vembanad Lake in the Kuttanad region, a low-lying area known for its network of waterways, coconut palms, and rice paddies. Upon arrival, check-in occurs at a backwater resort situated on the lakeside or among the canal systems. The remainder of the day is available for optional water sports or Ayurvedic treatments, depending on resort facilities.
5Kumarakom: Resort and Optional Water Activities
A day at leisure at the backwater resort. Optional activities may include water sports or spa treatments, pending resort availability and individual preference.
6Houseboat Overnight: Kumarakom and Alleppey BackwatersKumarakom and Alleppey backwaters · kettuvallam (wooden houseboat) · kettuvallam
A traditional kettuvallam (wooden houseboat) arrives at the resort, and travelers check in for an overnight cruise through the backwaters. The boat navigates narrow canals lined with coconut palms, passing villages, rice fields, and occasional small bridges. The backwater system covers large stretches of shallow water connected by interconnecting canals; the route typically moves through the Kumarakom and Alleppey (Alappuzha) areas. The houseboat remains on the water overnight, allowing uninterrupted views of the landscape at different times of day. Meals are typically prepared aboard.
7Disembark from Houseboat and Travel to KovalamKovalam · backwater dock · backwater dock to Kovalam
The houseboat disembarks in the morning or early afternoon. From the backwater dock, a road transfer of approximately 168 kilometers and five hours brings travelers south to Kovalam, a beach resort town on the Arabian Sea near Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). The shift moves from inland waterways to a coastal setting. Check-in occurs at a beachfront or nearby resort.
8Trivandrum: Temple, Palace, and WaterfrontSri Padmanabhaswamy Temple · Kuthiramalika Palace Museum · Veli Tourist Village · Shangumugham Beach · Kovalam beach resort
A sightseeing tour of Trivandrum introduces the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, and Veli Tourist Village's waterfront park. Shangumugham Beach offers views of the Arabian Sea. Return to your Kovalam beach resort for the night.
9Departure from TrivandrumTrivandrum airport
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be transferred to Trivandrum airport at the appropriate time for your onward journey home, bringing the tour to a close.