Kerala Small Group Tours
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10 best Kerala small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaKerala travel expert at TourRadar
- The best of Kerala in 9 days with idyllic houseboat and relax
- Explore Kerala Backwater Tour 4 Night 5 Days
- Highlights of Southern India - Kerala with Houseboat Stay
- South India: Culture, Tea estates, Wildlife, Backwaters & Beaches With Meals & All Transfers
- Backwaters of Kerala - An authentic tour of Kerala
- Rejuvenating Kerala - India By Car & Driver with Good Hotels !!
- Women Special Kerala Tour
- Kerala Highlights Tour
- Luxury Kerala Backwaters and Wildlife
- Amazing Kerala 7 Day Tour
The best of Kerala in 9 days with idyllic houseboat and relax
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Good communication before our trip, accommodation was clean, and food was excellent.”
Julie, traveled in January
Parties of 2-12 visitors tour Kerala's highlights in matched vehicles, from Tata Indigo to Toyota Innova. Small groups ensure dedicated attention during Periyar wildlife safaris and authentic experiences in local backwater villages.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Periyar National Park, Alleppey, Kovalam Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Payless tours india From $2,605
50% Off- NZ$1,302You save $1,302
Small parties of 2-4 visitors tour Kerala with a private English-speaking driver. The intimate setting allows spontaneous stops at Munnar's tea gardens, extended time at Eravikulam National Park, and personalized spice plantation tours in Thekkady. Ideal for photography and cultural immersion.
Duration 5 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Fragrance of Taj From $878
20% Off- NZ$702You save $176
Highlights of Southern India - Kerala with Houseboat Stay
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We could not have been happier with our experience. Your attention to detail is impeccable.”
Ahmad, traveled in February
Groups of 8-12 visitors find the sweet spot between intimacy and comfort in Kerala. The size enables exclusive cultural demonstrations at Munnar's tea estates, serene navigation of Vembanadu Lake's backwaters, and rich interactions at local markets.
Duration 7 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Thekkady, Periyar National Park, Alleppey, Kovalam Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator K K Holidays N Vacations From $1,872
50% Off- NZ$936You save $936
Groups limited to 15 travelers ensure intimate Kerala moments. The select size enables private access to local homes in Kochi, exclusive spice plantation tours in Thekkady, and focused attention during Poovar Beach visits and backwater cruises in Alleppey.
Duration 11 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, Thiruvananthapuram Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $2,891
20% Off- NZ$2,313You save $578
Backwaters of Kerala - An authentic tour of Kerala
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It was very informative, and everyone was very friendly. We would highly recommend our driver Gurusamy.”
sha, traveled in July
Small groups of 2-8 companions share an immersive Kerala experience. Visitors enjoy exclusive access to Munnar's tea estates, private spice plantation tours in Periyar, and intimate houseboat cruises through Alleppey's backwaters with local guides.
Duration 7 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Periyar National Park, Alleppey, Kumarakom Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Italian, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 20 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator MTA Destination Management Company From $2,129
20% Off- NZ$1,703You save $426
Rejuvenating Kerala - India By Car & Driver with Good Hotels !!
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“You planned our holiday perfectly and took care of everything including all the special requests we asked for.”
Peterthomas, traveled in December
Small groups of 2-4 travel in private AC vehicles through Kerala's backwaters, while parties of 5-8 use spacious Tempo Travellers. Each size ensures dedicated attention during houseboat cruises on Vembanad Lake and visits to Munnar's tea plantations with English-speaking guides.
Duration 5 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator MTA Destination Management Company From $664
20% Off- NZ$531You save $133
Intimate parties of 2-4 visitors weave through Kerala's landscapes, from Fort Kochi's historic sites to Kumarakom's bird sanctuary. Small numbers allow for personalized experiences at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and genuine interactions during houseboat stays in Alleppey's backwaters.
Duration 11 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Eravikulam National Park, Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam, Kanyakumari Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $3,934
55% Off- NZ$1,770You save $2,164
Kerala Highlights Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The houseboat experience in Alleppey was a highlight, relaxing and unique.”
Jennifer, traveled in August
Intimate groups of 2-4 traverse Kerala in comfortable AC vehicles, while 5-10 visitors use spacious mini-vans. Smaller parties enjoy private houseboat experiences in Alleppey, while larger groups benefit from social activities at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Eravikulam National Park, Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Alleppey, Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $3,504
60% Off- NZ$1,402You save $2,102
Luxury Kerala Backwaters and Wildlife
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Very pleasant, comfirtable trip that combines nature, culture and leisure and shows many facettes of Kerala.”
Larissa, traveled in February
Duration 8 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Periyar National Park, Alleppey, Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $19,373
60% Off- NZ$7,749You save $11,624
Amazing Kerala 7 Day Tour
“An excellent tour. We didn't feel rushed because the itinerary was a combination of tours and free time.”
Porter, traveled in January
Intimate groups of 10-12 visitors receive dedicated attention during Kerala's highlights, from private spice plantation tours in Thekkady to exclusive houseboat experiences in Alleppey's backwaters. Small numbers enhance interaction at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
Duration 7 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Eravikulam National Park, Thekkady, Periyar National Park, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Alleppey Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $3,562
65% Off- NZ$1,247You save $2,315
Reviews of Small Group tours to Kerala
We have just comeback from our trip to Southern India with Payless Tours. Good communication before our trip as I had asked for additional days at either end of the holiday, this was agreed and booked very quickly. We had the name and telephone number of our guide before we left. Pick up went smoothly. Our driver/guide was an excellent driver and we felt very safe with him. He could have given us some more info about sites we went to see but he was very attentive and accommodating. The accommodation was as described 3 star but all clean, showers, with working air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Bottled water was provided in every room daily. The hotel in Munnar was rather isolated which meant that we had to eat there both nights, somewhere with a bit more atmosphere/ nearer other hotels/ restaurants would be preferable. The overnight on the Houseboat was great. The two evening entertainments , were both worth seeing, they only lasted an hour. Food was excellent, no issues with upset tummies. Stick to restaurant food and bottled water and you will be fine. A lovely way to see South India. Very safe and well organised. I would recommend this company and this holiday.
The best of Kerala in 9 days with idyllic houseboat and relax
- Highlights of Southern India - Kerala with Houseboat Stay
A well planned holiday is said to start with just one step...and K K Holidays was with us from the very first step to the very last step of our journey! First, they customised an itinerary to South India that fit my travel goals and my time-frame. They stayed in contact via email as the details were agreed upon and finalized. Then, once in India on our tour, they made sure that the trip unfolded as planned and made adjustments as necessary. The drivers and guides we came in contact with were warm, helpful, and professional. We were guided and helped. It's hard to describe the feeling of having been in such competent care as that which we received with K K Holidays during our tour. It was as if we had our own set of "guardian angels" quietly working behind the scenes to make sure everything was going well. Highly recommended !!
- Rejuvenating Kerala - India By Car & Driver with Good Hotels !!
Thank you for the wonderful Kerala tour and I would just like to say it was one of the best vacations we have had. You planned our holiday perfectly and took care of everything including all the special requests we asked for. Our driver was a very friendly and knowledgeable guy who really went out of his way to help us enjoy our trip even more. He took us sightseeing to amazing locations that were not on our itinerary but which he knew we would enjoy. The management at all the hotels made sure everything was perfect during our stay and they helped us with directions when visiting local attractions. My favourite meal was the lunch we had at that very small hotel near Marari Beach !
What our customers ask about Kerala Small Group Tours
What is the ideal group size for exploring Kerala's wildlife sanctuaries and backwaters?
Small groups of 6-8 travelers provide the most rewarding experience when visiting Kerala's natural attractions. These numbers work particularly well for quiet observation at places like Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and the peaceful backwaters of Alleppey. The limited size ensures better wildlife spotting at Eravikulam National Park where the rare Nilgiri Tahr roams and creates a quieter environment at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary for bird watching. A TourRadar traveler noted "the small group size made wildlife viewing much more intimate and allowed for better interaction with our naturalist guide at the spice plantations."
How does accommodation differ in small group tours versus larger tours in Kerala?
Boutique properties and heritage stays characterize the small group tour experience in Kerala. These include distinctive properties like the Elephant Court in Periyar and Lake Song Resort in Kumarakom. Traditional houseboats in Alleppey feature 2-3 bedrooms designed for intimate groups while properties like the Devonshire Green in Munnar focus on individualized attention. A TourRadar traveler remarked: "staying at smaller character-filled properties gave us a much more authentic experience of Kerala's hospitality."
What unique experiences are available specifically for small group tours in Kerala?
Small groups can access experiences that larger tours simply cannot manage. These include visits to family-run spice plantations in Periyar cooking classes in Fort Kochi homes and private tea tastings at the Munnar Tea Museum. Groups can get up close to the Chinese fishing nets with local fishermen and enjoy Kathakali performances in private settings. A TourRadar traveler noted: "our small group size allowed us to visit a local family's home in Kumarakom for a traditional Kerala meal something impossible with larger groups."
How does transportation work for small group tours in Kerala?
Transportation centers on nimble AC vehicles like Toyota Innovas that seat 4-6 people. These vehicles can navigate narrow village roads and access tea plantation paths that coaches cannot reach. Stops at places like Valara waterfalls or local markets become easy spontaneous additions. A TourRadar review states: "having a smaller vehicle meant we could explore hidden corners of Kerala's backwaters and stop at authentic local restaurants that larger groups simply couldn't access."
What is the typical duration of small group tours in Kerala?
Most small group itineraries span 6-8 days covering Kerala's essential experiences. The common schedule includes 2 nights exploring Munnar's tea regions 2 nights discovering Periyar's wildlife and 1-2 nights experiencing Alleppey's backwaters. Many tours conclude at the Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Resort in Kovalam. A TourRadar traveler shared: "our 7-day small group tour provided the perfect balance of activities and relaxation time."
How does dining work on small group tours in Kerala?
Small groups enjoy greater dining flexibility from home-cooked meals in local houses to special menus at places like the Radisson Blu Kochi. Groups can easily visit family restaurants and experience meals in traditional Syrian Christian homes. Local cuisine becomes more accessible with the ability to visit small authentic eateries. One TourRadar traveler noted: "our small group size allowed us to dine at family-run restaurants in Thekkady and learn about local spices directly from the chef."
What is the best season for small group tours in Kerala?
The period from October to March offers optimal conditions for Kerala's activities. These months bring clear weather for wildlife viewing at Periyar Tiger Reserve and comfortable temperatures for backwater cruises in Alleppey. Properties like Lake Song resort in Kumarakom see peak bird activity during this time. A TourRadar review confirms: "traveling in a small group during December allowed us to enjoy perfect weather while avoiding the crowds at popular spots like Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point."