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
- Highlights of Southern India - Kerala with Houseboat Stay
- Explore Kerala Backwater Tour 4 Night 5 Days
- Backwaters of Kerala - An authentic tour of Kerala
- Amazing Kerala Tour from Cochin - 6 Days
- Women Special Kerala Tour
- Luxury Kerala Backwaters and Wildlife
- Amazing Kerala 7 Day Tour
- Kerala Wildlife with Munnar
- Kerala Gods Own Country
The best of Kerala in 9 days with idyllic houseboat and relax
10 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 $2,812
50% Off- NZ$1,406You save $1,406
Highlights of Southern India - Kerala with Houseboat Stay
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“They book the best hotels, use the best and reliable drivers and nothing is too much trouble for them.”
Jane, traveled in January
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 $1,867
40% Off- NZ$1,120You save $747
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
40% Off- NZ$883
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
40% Off- NZ$2,117
Amazing Kerala Tour from Cochin - 6 Days
29 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Kerala lived up to the hype – peaceful backwaters, lush greenery, and warm locals. The houseboat stay was a highlight and felt like something out of a dream.”
Sronsn, traveled in April
Groups of 2-10 visitors uncover Kerala's magic through personalized experiences. The limited size ensures unhurried visits to Tata Tea Museum, private houseboat stays on Vembanad Lake, and authentic cultural exchanges during home-cooking demonstrations.
Duration 6 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Memorable India Journeys From $1,006
35% Off- NZ$654You save $352
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 $3,923
55% Off- NZ$1,766You save $2,158
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 $19,319
60% Off- NZ$7,727You save $11,591
Amazing Kerala 7 Day Tour
“An extremely well organised tour from start to finish.”
Daxton, traveled in October
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 $3,552
65% Off- NZ$1,243You save $2,309
Small parties tour Kerala's landscapes in size-matched vehicles - couples in AC Etios cars, groups of 3-4 in Toyota Innovas. Intimate groups enjoy flexible timing at Eravikulam National Park and dedicated attention during Periyar's bamboo rafting adventures.
Duration 6 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Eravikulam National Park, Munnar, Thekkady, Periyar National Park 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 $2,664
65% Off- NZ$933You save $1,732
Duration 8 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Kottayam, 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 $3,328
60% Off- NZ$1,331You save $1,997
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
We were looking for a holiday of a lifetime to 'celebrate' our anniversary. We asked for quote for many companies but the one that caught our eye was K K Holidays. Everyone that we dealt with at K K Holidays could not have been more helpful and kind. We booked this South India Tour with them.We were slightly worried because we were going a long way away and had never done a holiday like this before. We were met at the airport as arranged and were looked after from that moment on. We had a wonderful tour of the ‘South India' for a week. We had our own driver, Babu and we picked up a guide at each town. Every hoteI provided to us were upto the mark . Food was good . Overall a great trip. Can't wait to go back one day . Thanks
- 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."