Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kochi
You'll arrive at Cochin Airport where someone will meet you and take you to your hotel. Kochi has this interesting mix of colonial buildings, spice markets, and waterfront areas. After you check in, you can either relax at the hotel or take a walk around on your own if you're not too tired from traveling.
Included Activities
- Airport welcome in traditional style
Optional Activities
- Leisurely evening stroll around Kochi
- Day 2
Kochi Sightseeing
This morning you'll do a guided tour of Fort Kochi and stop at St. Francis Church, which was built back in 1503 and is India's oldest European church. Then head over to Mattancherry to see the Jewish Synagogue with its hand-painted Chinese tiles and Belgian glass chandeliers. Later in the day, you'll watch the Chinese Fishing Nets in action, which looks especially nice around sunset. By evening, you'll watch a Kathakali dance performance that shows off Kerala's cultural traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At hotel coffee shop or restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Fort Kochi
- Visit St. Francis Church
- Visit Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry
- Chinese Fishing Nets viewing
- Kathakali dance performance
Landmarks Fort Kochi St. Francis Church Jewish Synagogue Chinese Fishing Nets - Day 3
Kochi to Munnar
You'll drive to Munnar, a hill station sitting where three rivers meet. Tea plantations cover the hillsides and mist hangs over the mountains, with Anamudi (South India's highest peak) and wildlife sanctuaries nearby. After checking in, you'll have the rest of the day to relax and take in the cool mountain air.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At hotel coffee shop or restaurant)
Landmarks Anamudi - Day 4
Munnar to Thekkady
Start with a guided walk through Munnar's tea gardens to learn how the tea is grown and picked, then visit the Tea Museum to see old photos and machinery from tea production history. You'll also explore Eravikulam National Park where endangered Nilgiri Tahr live, with rolling hills all around. Stop at Mattupetty Dam for great views before driving to Thekkady, your gateway to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At hotel coffee shop or restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided walk through tea gardens
- Tea Museum visit
- Eravikulam National Park visit
- Mattupetty Dam stop
Landmarks Eravikulam National Park Mattupetty Dam - Day 5
Thekkady
At Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India's top tiger reserves, you'll take a boat cruise on Periyar Lake where you might see elephants bathing, deer grazing, and different bird species. After that, you'll tour a spice plantation to experience cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and cloves firsthand while learning about how Kerala became known for spices.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At hotel coffee shop or restaurant)
Included Activities
- Boat cruise on Periyar Lake
- Spice plantation tour
Landmarks Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Periyar Lake - Day 6
Thekkady to Kumarakom
You'll drive to Kumarakom, a quiet backwater village along Vembanad Lake. The bird sanctuary here is great for spotting migratory birds like Siberian cranes mixed with local waterfowl. Once you check in, you'll have a relaxing evening with an option to take a sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At hotel coffee shop or restaurant)
Included Activities
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary visit
Optional Activities
- Sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake
Landmarks Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Vembanad Lake - Day 7
Kumarakom to Alleppey
Next, you'll head to Alleppey, known as the 'Venice of India' because of all its canals, lagoons, and backwaters. You'll board a traditional houseboat and cruise along the waterways, seeing how people live in backwater villages, paddy fields, and coconut palms. Fresh Kerala meals are prepared on the boat while you take in the natural sounds around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast (On the houseboat), Lunch (Freshly prepared Kerala meals on board), Dinner (Freshly prepared Kerala meals on board)
Included Activities
- Traditional houseboat (kettuvallam) cruise on backwaters
- Observation of backwater village life
Landmarks Alleppey Backwaters - Day 8
Departure from Alleppey
After breakfast on the houseboat, you'll get off at Alleppey jetty and drive back to Kochi Airport for your flight home. You'll leave with memories of Kerala's landscapes, culture, and the hospitality you experienced throughout the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast (On the houseboat)
