Itinerary
- Day 1
Trivandrum to Kovalam
You'll arrive in Trivandrum and head to your hotel in Kovalam, a popular beach destination along the southern coast. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to spend however you'd like on the beach. You can swim, relax in the sun, book a massage, catch a cultural program, or take a catamaran out on the water if you're interested.
Optional Activities
- Sunbathing on Kovalam Beach
- Swimming in the beach
- Herbal body toning massages
- Special cultural programs
- Catamaran cruising
Landmarks/POIs Kovalam Beach - Day 2
Trivandrum
Following breakfast, you'll drive to Trivandrum for a guided city tour. The morning takes you through Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which combines Kerala and Dravidian styles beautifully, then you'll walk through Puthenmalika Palace museum and the 19th-century Napier Museum. After that, you'll see the Sree Chithra Art Gallery with works by Raja Ravi Varma and other artists. By evening you'll be back in Kovalam.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Visit Puthenmalika (Kuthiramalika) Palace
- Visit Napier Museum
- Visit Sree Chithra Art Gallery
- Guided city tour of Trivandrum with English-speaking local guide
Landmarks/POIs Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Puthenmalika (Kuthiramalika) Palace Napier Museum Sree Chithra Art Gallery - Day 3
Kovalam
This day is completely free for you to relax. No car or guide comes along, so you have full control over your time at Kovalam Beach. Whether you want to spend hours in the water, read on the sand, or explore the area on your own, it's entirely up to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation at Kovalam
Landmarks/POIs Kovalam Beach - Day 4
Kovalam to Kumarakom
After breakfast, you'll transfer from Kovalam to Kumarakom, with stops for coffee and photos along the way. Once you check into your hotel, the afternoon is spent at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. You'll look for migratory birds like Siberian storks, egrets, and herons, plus native kingfishers going about in their natural environment.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Optional Activities
- Coffee break during transfer
Landmarks/POIs Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary - Day 5
Kumarakom to Alappuzha (Alleppey)
You'll head to Alappuzha, sometimes called the Venice of the East. Then you're boarding a traditional houseboat to cruise through Kerala's backwaters. The journey takes you past small villages and through paddy fields lined with coconut palms. Your chef prepares Kerala dishes right there on board. The boat sails for about 4 to 6 hours in the afternoon and moors for the night around sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Kerala specialties prepared on board), Dinner (Kerala specialties prepared on board)
Included Activities
- Houseboat cruise on Kerala backwaters with meals on board
Landmarks/POIs Kerala Backwaters Kuttanad - Day 6
Alappuzha to Periyar
After leaving the houseboat, you'll transfer to Periyar with coffee and photo stops along the way. Once you're settled at your hotel, you'll walk through a spice plantation to learn how different spices are used in medicine and cooking. In the afternoon, a cruise on Periyar Lake puts you in the heart of the tiger reserve where you might see deer, boar, and various birds.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Spice plantation visit with local naturalist
- Boat cruise on Periyar Lake
Landmarks/POIs Periyar Lake Periyar Tiger Reserve - Day 7
Periyar to Munnar
Breakfast comes first, then you'll transfer from Periyar to Munnar with coffee breaks as needed. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is relaxed and unscheduled, giving you time to settle in and rest up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Coffee break during transfer
- Day 8
Munnar
Start at Eravikulam National Park, where the endangered Nilgiri Tahr lives alongside rare butterflies and birds. Next, the Tea Museum shows you the history of tea plantations through old photographs and machinery. You'll then experience the natural echo at Echo Point and reach Top Station, the highest area in Munnar where rare Neelakurinji flowers bloom. Finish at Mattupetty at 1700m elevation. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Eravikulam National Park
- Visit Tea Museum
- Visit Echo Point
- Visit Top Station
- Visit Mattupetty
Landmarks/POIs Eravikulam National Park Tea Museum Echo Point Top Station Mattupetty - Day 9
Munnar to Kochi (Cochin)
After breakfast, you'll travel from Munnar to Kochi with coffee breaks as requested. Once you check into your hotel, the afternoon and evening are open for you to explore at your own pace or simply rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Coffee break during transfer
- Day 10
Kochi (Cochin)
Following breakfast, you'll explore Cochin's cultural side by walking through Jew Town and its antique shops. From there, you'll visit Mattancherry Palace (the Dutch Palace), St Francis Church built in 1503 as India's oldest European church, and the Jewish Synagogue. You can also watch local fishermen operating traditional Chinese fishing nets at the harbor. The afternoon is free, and there's an option to see a Kathakali dance performance in the evening if you'd like to pay extra.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Jew Town
- Visit Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
- Visit St Francis Church
- Visit Jewish Synagogue (Paradeshi Synagogue)
- Visit harbor to watch Chinese fishing nets
- Guided city tour of Cochin with English-speaking local guide
Optional Activities
- Kathakali classical dance performance (Supplement cost applicable)
Landmarks/POIs Jew Town Mattancherry Palace St Francis Church Jewish Synagogue - Day 11
Departure from Kochi
After breakfast, you'll be driven to the airport for your flight home. It's time to head back, taking the memories of Kerala's backwaters, beaches, and culture with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
