Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Alappuzha → Kochi
6 Days / 5 Nights · Private Kerala Tour

Tour Type: Kerala Highlights · Nature & Wildlife · Tea & Spice Plantations · Backwaters · Heritage & Culture

Starting Point: Kochi / Cochin International Airport
Ending Point: Kochi
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Guests: Private Tour · Ideal for Couples, Families & Small Groups
Accommodation: Well-rated Hotels + 1 Night Houseboat

Discover the many faces of Kerala on this carefully designed 6-day private journey combining mist-covered mountains, emerald tea plantations, wildlife, spices, tranquil backwaters and historic coastal heritage.

From the cool hills of Munnar to the wildlife-rich forests of Thekkady, from the peaceful waterways of Alappuzha to the historic streets of Fort Kochi, this journey brings together Kerala's most memorable landscapes and experiences.

Designed at a comfortable pace, it is an excellent introduction to Kerala for first-time visitors, while also offering plenty of opportunities to experience the state's natural beauty, local culture and traditional way of life.

• 🍃 Explore the spectacular tea plantations of Munnar
• ⛰️ Experience the cool Western Ghats and mountain landscapes
• 🦌 Discover the wildlife environment of Thekkady
• 🌿 Visit a traditional spice plantation
• 🚤 Enjoy an overnight Kerala backwater houseboat experience
• 🌾 Cruise past paddy fields, coconut groves and village communities
• 🏛️ Discover Fort Kochi and its colonial heritage
• 🕍 Explore Mattancherry, Jew Town and the historic Jewish Quarter
• 🐟 See Kochi's famous Chinese Fishing Nets
• 🍛 Enjoy authentic Kerala cuisine
• 🚗 Travel comfortably in a private A/C vehicle throughout the journey
• 📸 Plenty of opportunities for photography and cultural exploration

Distance: Approximately 130 km
Travel Time: 4–5 hours

Arrive at Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam Railway Station, where your private vehicle and representative will meet you.

Begin your journey towards Munnar, travelling gradually from the coastal plains into the green hills of the Western Ghats.

Along the way, enjoy scenic views of:

• 💦 Cheeyappara Waterfalls
• 💦 Valara Waterfalls
• 🌿 Spice plantations
• 🏡 Kerala's countryside and villages
• ⛰️ Winding mountain roads

On arrival in Munnar, check in to your hotel and relax.

Overnight: Munnar

After breakfast, set out for a full-day exploration of Munnar and its surrounding hills.

Visit some of the region's most popular attractions:

Home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and spectacular mountain landscapes.

Discover the history and development of tea cultivation in the Munnar region.

Enjoy beautiful mountain scenery around the reservoir.

A scenic location surrounded by hills and forests.

Relax beside the peaceful lake and enjoy the surrounding tea-country scenery.

Visit this famous viewpoint weather permitting for panoramic views of the Western Ghats.

The evening is free to relax, explore Munnar's local market or simply enjoy the cool mountain atmosphere.

Overnight: Munnar

Distance: Approximately 95 km
Travel Time: 3–4 hours

After breakfast, check out and travel towards Thekkady, gateway to the Periyar wildlife region.

The journey takes you through beautiful mountain roads, forests, plantations and spice-growing areas.

After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day can be kept flexible.

🚤 Periyar Lake Boat Cruise
Enjoy a boat ride through the lake surrounded by forested landscapes, with opportunities to observe wildlife from the water.

🌿 Guided Spice Plantation Visit
Learn about Kerala's famous spices, including pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and other tropical plants.

🎭 Kathakali Performance
Experience Kerala's traditional classical theatre.

🥋 Kalaripayattu Performance
Watch demonstrations of Kerala's ancient martial-art tradition.

Optional activities are subject to availability and are not included in the basic tour price unless specifically confirmed.

Overnight: Thekkady

Distance: Approximately 140 km
Travel Time: 4–5 hours

After breakfast, check out and travel towards Alappuzha, the heart of Kerala's famous backwaters.

On arrival, board your private houseboat or check into your backwater accommodation.

Settle into a slower rhythm as you cruise through a remarkable landscape of:

• 🌴 Coconut groves
• 🌾 Paddy fields
• 🚣 Narrow canals
• 🏡 Traditional villages
• 🛶 Local boats
• 🌿 Waterways and lagoons

Enjoy a traditional Kerala meal on board while watching everyday life unfold along the waterways.

As the sun sets, the houseboat becomes a peaceful retreat surrounded by Kerala's backwater landscape.

Overnight: Alappuzha Houseboat

Meals: All meals on the houseboat

Distance: Approximately 60 km
Travel Time: 1.5 hours

After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and continue to Kochi.

Begin exploring the historic and multicultural heritage of the city.

See Kochi's iconic traditional fishing structures along the waterfront.

Visit one of India's oldest European-built churches.

Explore the historic Dutch Palace and its connection with the former royal family of Kochi.

Walk through the atmospheric streets of Kochi's historic Jewish Quarter, with its antique shops, heritage buildings and distinctive cultural character.

End the day with an evening promenade along Kochi's waterfront.

Overnight: Kochi

After breakfast, check out from your hotel.

Depending on your departure time, there may be an opportunity for additional sightseeing or free time in Kochi.

Your private vehicle will transfer you to:

• ✈️ Cochin International Airport
• 🚆 Ernakulam Railway Station
• Or another agreed departure point

Depart Kerala carrying wonderful memories of its mountains, tea plantations, wildlife, spices, backwaters and historic coastal culture.

Tour Ends

Your journey is conducted in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, exclusively for your group.

GuestsSuggested Vehicle

1–2  A/C Sedan

3–4 A/C SUV such as Toyota Crysta or similar

5–10 A/C Tempo Traveller / suitable vehicle

Vehicle selection may vary according to group size, luggage and availability.

Based on 2 adults travelling together

The final price depends on the travel arrangements selected and may vary according to:

• Travel season
• Number of travellers
• Hotel category
• Houseboat category
• Room configuration
• Special requests
• Optional experiences and upgrades

Contact us with your travel dates, number of guests and preferred hotel category, and we will prepare a personalized quotation with suitable hotel and houseboat options.

The package includes 5 nights of accommodation on a double-occupancy basis:

• 2 nights – Munnar
• 1 night – Thekkady
• 1 night – Alappuzha Houseboat
• 1 night – Kochi

Hotels are selected from well-rated properties according to the agreed accommodation category.

Standard, Deluxe and Premium options can be arranged.

• Daily breakfast included

• 1-night houseboat stay with all meals included

Lunch and dinner at other hotels are not included unless specifically mentioned in the final quotation.

• 5 nights accommodation in well-rated hotels / houseboat
• Double-occupancy accommodation
• Daily breakfast at hotels
• 1-night private Alappuzha houseboat stay
• All meals during the houseboat stay
• Private A/C vehicle throughout the tour
• Airport / railway station pickup and drop-off
• All transfers and sightseeing according to the itinerary
• Professional driver
• Fuel
• Toll charges
• Parking charges
• Driver allowance
• Applicable hotel and transport taxes
• Local assistance throughout the journey

• International or domestic airfare
• Train tickets
• Monument, museum, national park and attraction entrance fees
• Periyar Lake boat cruise
• Optional activities in Thekkady
• Kathakali / Kalaripayattu performances unless specifically included
• Special plantation experiences
• Lunch and dinner except during the houseboat stay
• Drinks and refreshments
• Personal expenses
• Laundry
• Telephone calls
• Shopping
• Camera and video fees
• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Includes

This journey is designed to give you a taste of Kerala's remarkable geographical and cultural diversity within six days.

Begin among the tea-covered mountains of Munnar, experience the spice and wildlife country of Thekkady, slow down on the tranquil waterways of Alappuzha and finish among the historic streets and waterfronts of Kochi.

Rather than simply visiting attractions, the itinerary allows you to experience the landscapes, flavours, traditions and everyday life that make Kerala unique.

✔️ Covers Kerala's essential highlights in 6 days
✔️ Private vehicle and flexible sightseeing
✔️ Comfortable combination of mountains, wildlife, backwaters and heritage
✔️ Overnight houseboat experience in Alappuzha
✔️ Suitable for first-time visitors
✔️ Ideal for couples, honeymooners and families
✔️ Comfortable pace without changing hotels every night
✔️ Professional local assistance throughout the journey
✔️ Customizable hotel categories and optional experiences

💑 Couples & Honeymooners
Romantic mountain landscapes, houseboat evenings and relaxed travel.

👨‍👩‍👧 Families
A balanced combination of nature, wildlife, culture and easy sightseeing.

🌿 Nature Lovers
Tea plantations, waterfalls, forests, lakes, wildlife and backwaters.

🏛️ Culture & Heritage Enthusiasts
Traditional Kerala life, Kathakali, spice plantations and historic Kochi.

🌍 First-Time Visitors to Kerala
An excellent introduction to the state's most distinctive experiences.

• The itinerary is private and customizable.
• Sightseeing sequences may be changed according to weather, local conditions, opening hours and traffic.
• Eravikulam National Park may have seasonal closures or restrictions.
• Top Station is visited weather permitting.
• Wildlife sightings at Thekkady cannot be guaranteed.
• Periyar boat cruises and optional activities should be reserved in advance where possible.
• Houseboat category and facilities depend on the selected package.
• Hotel and houseboat availability varies by season.
• Exact accommodation details will be confirmed with the final quotation.

This itinerary can be customized for travellers arriving or departing through Cochin Port, subject to sufficient time in the ship's schedule.

For cruise passengers, the programme can be modified to create a suitable pre-cruise or post-cruise Kerala extension, depending on the ship's arrival and departure times.

To prepare your personalized Kerala package, simply provide:

1. Travel dates
2. Number of travellers
3. Hotel category preferred
4. Room requirements
5. Arrival and departure details
6. Any special interests or requests

We will then provide a personalized quotation with hotel options, houseboat category, vehicle details and the complete tour cost.

Experience tea-covered hills, spice-scented forests, tranquil backwaters and centuries of heritage on one unforgettable private journey through Kerala.

Book your Kerala Essentials journey with Excel India Tours and experience Kerala beyond the usual tourist trail.

Kochi → Thrissur → Calicut → Kannur → Vadakara → Kochi
7 Days / 6 Nights · Private Cultural & Heritage Tour

Tour Type: North Kerala Cultural Tour · Heritage & Folklore · Theyyam · Beaches · Slow Travel

Starting Point: Kochi / Cochin International Airport
Ending Point: Kochi
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Guests: Private Tour · Ideal for Couples, Families & Small Groups
Accommodation: 6 Nights in Well-Rated Hotels

Travel beyond Kerala's familiar tourist routes and discover the rich cultural landscape of Malabar on this carefully designed seven-day private journey.

From the temple traditions of Thrissur and the historic spice-trading heritage of Calicut, to the forts, beaches, handloom traditions and spectacular ritual culture of Kannur, this journey reveals a quieter and more authentic side of Kerala.

The highlight is an opportunity to witness Theyyam, one of Kerala's most extraordinary ritual traditions, performed in sacred groves and village temples.

Designed as a slow-paced cultural journey, the itinerary allows time to meet local communities, explore heritage sites, enjoy beaches and experience the food, folklore and traditions that have shaped North Kerala.

• 🎭 Experience the spectacular Theyyam ritual tradition in Kannur
• 🛕 Explore the historic temples of Thrissur and North Kerala
• 🏛️ Discover the cultural heritage of Kerala's Malabar region
• ⚔️ Explore the folklore and warrior traditions of Vadakara
• 🌊 Relax on the beaches of Calicut, Kannur and Vadakara
• 🏰 Visit historic St. Angelo Fort
• 🚗 Drive through Kerala's scenic northern countryside
• 🧵 Discover Kannur's traditional handloom heritage
• 🍛 Experience the flavours of authentic Malabar cuisine
• 🕌 Explore Calicut's multicultural trading-port heritage
• 📸 Excellent opportunities for cultural and documentary photography
• 🌿 Travel at a relaxed pace with time for local experiences

Distance: Approximately 85 km
Travel Time: 2.5 hours

Arrive at Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam Railway Station, where your private vehicle and representative will meet you.

Travel north towards Thrissur, widely regarded as the cultural capital of Kerala.

After checking into your hotel, begin exploring the city.

Visit the historic temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva and located at the heart of Thrissur.

Take a relaxed walk or drive around the famous circular centre of the city and observe everyday local life.

Explore local markets and cultural streets before returning to your hotel.

Evening: At leisure

Overnight: Thrissur

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed cultural day exploring Thrissur and its surroundings.

Depending on opening hours and your interests, visit Kerala Kalamandalam, one of Kerala's renowned centres for traditional performing arts.

Learn about classical traditions such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and traditional percussion.

Explore selected temples, traditional neighbourhoods and heritage areas with your guide.

Browse local shops and markets for traditional handicrafts, cultural products and Kerala souvenirs.

The afternoon and evening remain flexible, allowing you to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Overnight: Thrissur

Distance: Approximately 120 km
Travel Time: 3.5 hours

After breakfast, check out and travel north towards Calicut (Kozhikode), one of the historic ports of the Malabar Coast.

For centuries, Calicut was an important centre of the spice trade and a meeting point for merchants from across the Indian Ocean.

After checking in, explore the city.

Enjoy the atmosphere of this historic coastal promenade and observe local fishing and seaside life.

Explore the lively Sweet Meat Street, one of Calicut's best-known commercial streets.

This is an excellent place to experience local flavours, shops and everyday Malabar life.

Visit the historic Mishkal Mosque, an important symbol of Calicut's multicultural maritime heritage, subject to access and local conditions.

Calicut is famous for its distinctive cuisine.

Your guide can recommend suitable places to sample local specialities.

Evening: At leisure

Overnight: Calicut

Distance: Approximately 95 km
Travel Time: 3 hours

After breakfast, continue north to Kannur, a region celebrated for its forts, beaches, handloom traditions and ritual culture.

Explore this historic coastal fort overlooking the Arabian Sea and learn about Kannur's important role in European maritime history.

Visit Kerala's famous drive-in beach and enjoy the long sandy coastline.

Take a relaxed walk, photograph the coastline or simply enjoy the sea breeze.

Continue through the surrounding coastal landscape, observing fishing communities, villages and traditional homes.

Evening: Free to relax by the beach or explore Kannur town.

Overnight: Kannur

Season: Generally October–May, subject to the local ritual calendar

Today is the cultural heart of the journey.

Rise early for the opportunity to visit a local temple, kavu (sacred grove) or village shrine where a Theyyam performance is taking place.

Theyyam combines:

• Ritual
• Dance
• Music
• Elaborate costumes
• Face painting
• Mythology
• Community traditions

Your guide will help explain the stories, symbolism and cultural significance behind the performance.

Theyyam is not simply a stage show — it is a living religious and community tradition deeply connected with the people and sacred spaces of North Kerala.

After the Theyyam experience, return for breakfast or continue with a relaxed exploration of the surrounding area.

Depending on your interests, the afternoon may include:

• 🧵 Traditional handloom weaving
• 🏡 Village walks
• 🌴 Local countryside
• 🛍️ Handloom shopping
• 🍛 Malabar food experience

The afternoon can also be kept free for relaxation.

Overnight: Kannur

Distance: Approximately 75 km
Travel Time: 2.5 hours

After breakfast, depart for Vadakara, a historic town strongly associated with Kerala's martial traditions and northern folklore.

Visit this important temple associated with the legendary warrior traditions of North Kerala.

Discover the stories surrounding Thacholi Othenan, one of Kerala's legendary warrior heroes celebrated in the region's traditional ballads and folklore.

Your guide will introduce you to the world of Vadakkan Pattukal, the northern ballads that preserve stories of warriors, honour, courage and family traditions.

Enjoy the coastal landscape and a relaxed evening by the Arabian Sea.

Evening: At leisure

Overnight: Vadakara

Distance: Approximately 250 km
Travel Time: 7 hours

After breakfast, check out and begin the journey back to Kochi.

The drive takes you through Kerala's changing landscapes, passing villages, agricultural areas and towns along the way.

Depending on your departure time, an optional short visit to Fort Kochi can be arranged.

Continue to:

• ✈️ Cochin International Airport
• 🚆 Ernakulam Railway Station
• 🏨 Kochi hotel
• Or another agreed drop-off point

Tour Ends

Travel throughout the journey in a private, air-conditioned vehicle reserved exclusively for your group.

GuestsSuggested Vehicle1–2A/C Sedan3–4A/C SUV such as Toyota Crysta or similar5–10A/C Tempo Traveller / suitable vehicle

Vehicle selection may vary according to group size, luggage and availability.

Approximately ₹1,20,000 for 2 People

Based on double occupancy

The above price is an indicative package price and may vary according to:

• Travel season
• Hotel category
• Number of travellers
• Room configuration
• Special cultural experiences
• Theyyam arrangements
• Special requests or upgrades

Contact us with your travel dates, number of guests and preferred hotel category and we will prepare a personalized quotation.

The package includes 6 nights in well-rated hotels on a double-occupancy basis:

• 2 nights – Thrissur
• 1 night – Calicut
• 2 nights – Kannur
• 1 night – Vadakara

Accommodation can be upgraded according to your preference and budget.

• Daily breakfast at the hotels
• Lunches and dinners are not included unless specifically mentioned in the final quotation
• Your guide can recommend authentic local restaurants and Malabar cuisine experiences along the route

• 6 nights accommodation in well-rated hotels
• Double-occupancy accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Private A/C vehicle throughout the journey
• Professional English-speaking driver
• Airport / railway station pickup and drop-off
• All transfers and sightseeing according to the itinerary
• Fuel
• Toll charges
• Parking charges
• Driver allowances
• Applicable transport and hotel taxes
• Local assistance throughout the journey

• International or domestic airfare
• Train tickets
• Monument and attraction entrance fees
• Special cultural-programme charges
• Theyyam offerings or customary contributions, where applicable
• Kerala Kalamandalam entrance or programme charges
• Lunch and dinner
• Drinks and refreshments
• Personal expenses
• Laundry
• Telephone calls
• Shopping
• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Includes

Theyyam is one of the most distinctive cultural experiences available in Kerala.

Performances take place according to a traditional annual calendar and are connected to individual temples, sacred groves and local communities.

Theyyam is seasonal and cannot be guaranteed for every travel date.

When a suitable performance is available, the itinerary will be adjusted to provide the best possible experience while respecting local customs and the sacred nature of the ritual.

This journey is designed for travellers who want to go beyond Kerala's conventional tourist circuit.

Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, you have time to discover the character of Malabar — its temples, coastal towns, warrior legends, handloom traditions, cuisine, beaches and vibrant ritual culture.

The result is a more personal journey through the living heritage of North Kerala.

✔️ Authentic North Kerala cultural experience
✔️ Carefully paced 7-day private itinerary
✔️ Theyyam experience in Kannur, subject to season and availability
✔️ Malabar's unique history, folklore and cuisine
✔️ Historic forts and temple towns
✔️ Beaches and coastal landscapes
✔️ Traditional handloom and village experiences
✔️ Excellent for photography and cultural exploration
✔️ Private vehicle and professional local assistance
✔️ Flexible itinerary with optional experiences

For visitors interested in temples, rituals, folklore, architecture and traditional arts.

An excellent introduction to the lesser-known cultural traditions of northern Kerala.

Particularly rewarding for travellers interested in people, rituals, landscapes and documentary photography.

Designed to allow time for local experiences rather than rushing through a checklist of attractions.

A private and flexible way to explore Kerala's northern cultural landscape.

This period generally offers pleasant weather for travelling and is particularly attractive for travellers interested in Theyyam, whose performance season generally runs from around October to May.

The exact Theyyam calendar varies from temple to temple and year to year, so the availability of a particular performance should be checked for your travel dates.

• This is a private and customizable cultural journey.
• Theyyam performances are seasonal and subject to the local temple calendar.
• A specific Theyyam performance cannot be guaranteed until the local schedule is confirmed.
• Some temples and sacred groves have restrictions on photography or visitor access.
• Appropriate and respectful clothing is recommended when visiting temples and sacred spaces.
• Sightseeing sequences may change according to local conditions, opening hours, weather and traffic.
• Cultural experiences are arranged subject to availability and local permission.
• Hotel availability and prices vary according to season.

The journey can be customized for cruise passengers arriving or departing through Cochin Port.

A pre-cruise or post-cruise North Kerala extension can be arranged depending on the ship's schedule.

For cruise passengers, the itinerary will be adjusted to ensure adequate time for transfers and the vessel's required boarding/departure time.

To prepare your personalized North Kerala Cultural Journey, simply provide:

1. Travel dates
2. Number of travellers
3. Preferred hotel category
4. Room requirements
5. Arrival and departure details
6. Whether Theyyam is a priority
7. Any special cultural, culinary or photography interests

We will then confirm the accommodation, vehicle, itinerary and cultural experiences and provide the final quotation.

Meet the traditions, stories and people of Malabar — from ancient temples and legendary warriors to the extraordinary world of Theyyam.

Travel slowly. Experience deeply. Discover North Kerala with Excel India Tours.

Experience the remarkable diversity of Kerala on a carefully designed private journey that connects rainforests, waterfalls, tea-covered mountains, spice plantations, wildlife landscapes and tranquil backwaters.

Beginning in Kochi, travel into the lush Western Ghats to discover the spectacular Athirappilly Waterfalls, continue into the cool tea country of Munnar, explore the spice-growing hills of Thekkady, and finally descend to the peaceful waterways of Kumarakom.

The journey ends back in Kochi, where Kerala's fascinating colonial and multicultural heritage provides the perfect finale.

This itinerary is designed for travellers who want more than a conventional sightseeing tour. It combines nature, landscapes, local culture, plantation life and relaxation at a comfortable pace.

• 💦 Visit magnificent Athirappilly Waterfalls
• 🌿 Explore the lush Western Ghats and rainforest landscapes
• 🍃 Discover the famous tea plantations of Munnar
• ☕ Experience Kerala's tea-growing heritage
• 🌱 Visit a traditional spice plantation in Thekkady
• 🐘 Explore the wildlife environment around Periyar
• 🚣 Experience the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom
• 🛶 Enjoy a traditional canoe or country-boat experience
• 🌾 Cruise through paddy fields, canals and village landscapes
• 🏛️ Discover the historic heritage of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry
• 📸 Enjoy excellent opportunities for landscape and cultural photography
• 🍛 Experience authentic Kerala cuisine
• 🚗 Travel comfortably in a private A/C vehicle throughout

Distance: Approximately 75 km
Travel Time: 2–2.5 hours

Arrive at Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam Railway Station, where your private vehicle and representative will meet you.

Begin your journey towards the lush interior of Kerala and the Western Ghats.

As the landscape changes from urban Kochi to rural countryside, rubber plantations, villages and forested hills gradually appear.

Arrive at Athirappilly, home to Kerala's most famous waterfall.

Enjoy the spectacular sight of water cascading down through the forested landscape and take time for photography and sightseeing.

Depending on conditions and your interests, continue to Vazhachal Waterfalls, surrounded by dense greenery.

The Athirappilly region provides an introduction to Kerala's Western Ghats ecosystem, with forest, rivers, plantations and village communities forming a remarkably diverse landscape.

Check in to your hotel or nature resort and relax.

Overnight: Athirappilly

Travel Time: Approximately 4–5 hours, depending on the selected route and stops

After breakfast, begin the scenic journey towards Munnar.

The landscape gradually changes as you climb into the Western Ghats.

Along the way, enjoy views of:

• 🌿 Forests and plantations
• 🌱 Rubber and spice-growing areas
• 💦 Waterfalls and streams
• 🏡 Rural villages
• ⛰️ Winding mountain roads

There will be opportunities for scenic stops and photography along the route.

Arrive in Munnar and check in to your hotel.

The evening is free to relax and enjoy the cool mountain climate.

Overnight: Munnar

After breakfast, spend the day exploring the remarkable tea-growing landscape around Munnar.

Rather than simply visiting viewpoints, the day focuses on understanding the tea country and mountain environment.

Visit a tea plantation and discover how tea is cultivated in the highlands.

Learn about:

• Tea bushes and cultivation
• Tea plucking and harvesting
• Plantation workers and their daily lives
• Seasonal changes in tea production
• The history of tea in the Munnar region

Where available, enjoy a tea tasting or visit a tea-processing facility to learn how freshly harvested leaves are transformed into the tea enjoyed around the world.

Factory visits and special tea experiences are subject to availability and prior confirmation.

Continue through the surrounding hills with stops at selected viewpoints and scenic locations.

Depending on weather and local conditions, the itinerary may include:

• Mattupetty area
• Echo Point
• Kundala Lake
• Selected tea plantation viewpoints
• Local villages and countryside

Depending on the selected route and available time, a spice plantation visit can also be included.

Enjoy a relaxed evening in Munnar.

Overnight: Munnar

Distance: Approximately 95 km
Travel Time: 3–4 hours

After breakfast, check out and travel towards Thekkady, gateway to the Periyar wildlife region.

The route takes you through some of Kerala's most beautiful mountain landscapes.

On arrival, check into your hotel.

Visit a traditional spice plantation and discover the plants and trees that have made Kerala famous for centuries.

Depending on the plantation, you may encounter:

• Black pepper
• Cardamom
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Nutmeg
• Vanilla
• Coffee
• Tropical fruits

Your guide will explain how these crops are cultivated and used in Kerala's traditional cuisine and daily life.

Depending on your interests and availability:

🎭 Kathakali
Experience Kerala's classical theatre tradition.

🥋 Kalaripayattu
Watch a demonstration of Kerala's ancient martial-art tradition.

🚤 Periyar Lake Cruise
A boat cruise can be arranged as an optional activity, subject to availability.

Overnight: Thekkady

After breakfast, leave the mountains and descend towards the peaceful waterways of Kerala.

The journey takes you from the highlands into the lush lowlands, where coconut palms, paddy fields, canals and waterways begin to dominate the landscape.

Arrive in Kumarakom, one of Kerala's most beautiful backwater destinations.

Check into your backwater resort.

In the afternoon, enjoy a private canoe or traditional country-boat experience through the smaller waterways around Kumarakom.

This provides a more intimate perspective of backwater life than travelling only on the larger canals.

Observe:

• 🌴 Coconut groves
• 🌾 Paddy fields
• 🏡 Traditional homes
• 🛶 Local boats
• 🎣 Fishing activities
• 👨‍🌾 Village life along the waterways

Take time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and watch the changing colours of the landscape towards sunset.

Overnight: Kumarakom

After breakfast, check out and begin the journey back to Kochi.

Depending on your departure time, enjoy a short heritage exploration of Kochi.

See Kochi's iconic traditional fishing structures along the waterfront.

Visit one of the oldest European-built churches in India.

Discover the history of the former royal family of Kochi and the city's fascinating connections with European powers.

Walk through the historic Jewish Quarter, known for its heritage buildings, antique shops and distinctive cultural atmosphere.

After sightseeing, transfer to:

• ✈️ Cochin International Airport
• 🚆 Ernakulam Railway Station
• 🏨 Kochi hotel
• Or another agreed departure point

Tour Ends

Travel throughout the journey in a private, air-conditioned vehicle reserved exclusively for your group.

GuestsSuggested Vehicle1–2A/C Sedan3–4A/C SUV such as Toyota Crysta or similar5–10A/C Tempo Traveller / suitable vehicle

Vehicle selection may vary according to group size, luggage and availability.

Approximately ₹1,20,000 for 2 people

Based on 2 adults travelling together

The final price depends on the travel arrangements selected and may vary according to:

• Travel season
• Number of travellers
• Hotel / resort category
• Room configuration
• Selected experiences
• Special requests
• Optional activities and upgrades

Contact us with your travel dates, number of guests and preferred accommodation category, and we will prepare a personalized quotation with suitable hotel and experience options.

The package includes 5 nights of accommodation on a double-occupancy basis:

• 1 night – Athirappilly
• 2 nights – Munnar
• 1 night – Thekkady
• 1 night – Kumarakom

Accommodation can be arranged in Standard, Deluxe or Premium categories according to your preference and budget.

• Daily breakfast at hotels / resorts
• Lunches and dinners are not included unless specifically mentioned in the final quotation
• Your guide can recommend authentic local restaurants and Kerala cuisine experiences along the route

• 5 nights accommodation in well-rated hotels / resorts
• Double-occupancy accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Private A/C vehicle throughout the journey
• Professional English-speaking driver
• Airport / railway station pickup and drop-off
• All transfers and sightseeing according to the itinerary
• Athirappilly Waterfalls visit
• Selected tea plantation experience in Munnar
• Selected spice plantation experience in Thekkady
• Kumarakom backwater canoe / country-boat experience, subject to availability
• Fuel
• Toll charges
• Parking charges
• Driver allowances
• Applicable transport and hotel taxes
• Local assistance throughout the journey

• International or domestic airfare
• Train tickets
• Monument, museum, park and attraction entrance fees
• Special tea factory / tea-tasting charges where applicable
• Periyar Lake boat cruise
• Kathakali or Kalaripayattu performances
• Lunch and dinner
• Drinks and refreshments
• Personal expenses
• Laundry
• Telephone calls
• Shopping
• Camera / video charges where applicable
• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Includes

Athirappilly provides a spectacular beginning to this Kerala journey.

The combination of a dramatic waterfall, forested hills and the surrounding Western Ghats gives travellers an immediate introduction to Kerala's extraordinary natural diversity.

Depending on the season and water flow, the appearance of the waterfall can change considerably, making every visit slightly different.

Munnar is more than a collection of viewpoints.

This itinerary gives you time to appreciate the tea-growing landscape itself — the plantations, mountain environment, workers, cultivation traditions and the distinctive character of Kerala's highlands.

Where possible, the tea experience can be enhanced with a plantation walk, factory visit or tasting.

Thekkady introduces another important part of Kerala's identity — spices.

Walking through a spice plantation and seeing pepper vines, cardamom plants, cinnamon and other tropical crops growing in their natural environment creates a very different experience from simply purchasing spices in a shop.

Optional cultural performances or wildlife experiences can be added according to your interests.

The final stage of the journey slows the pace dramatically.

After the mountains and winding roads, Kumarakom offers a peaceful transition into Kerala's famous backwaters.

A traditional canoe or country boat allows you to enter the smaller waterways and village channels, where you can observe everyday life at close quarters.

✔️ Combines four of Kerala's most distinctive landscapes
✔️ Spectacular Athirappilly Waterfalls
✔️ Two nights in the tea country of Munnar
✔️ Authentic spice plantation experience
✔️ Optional wildlife and cultural experiences
✔️ Peaceful Kumarakom backwaters
✔️ Private vehicle throughout
✔️ Comfortable and flexible pace
✔️ Excellent for first-time visitors to Kerala
✔️ Strong combination of nature, culture and relaxation
✔️ Ideal for photography and experiential travel

A beautiful combination of mountains, waterfalls, plantations and peaceful backwaters.

A varied itinerary offering nature, sightseeing, culture and relaxation.

Waterfalls, forests, tea plantations, spice gardens, mountains and backwaters.

Exceptional opportunities for landscapes, rural life, plantations and traditional Kerala scenes.

An ideal introduction to the diversity of Kerala beyond the standard tourist circuit.

For travellers who want to understand Kerala's landscapes, agriculture and local way of life.

Generally the most comfortable period for travelling through Kerala, with pleasant conditions for sightseeing, mountain journeys and outdoor experiences.

The monsoon months can also be rewarding for travellers who enjoy lush green landscapes and powerful waterfalls, particularly at Athirappilly, although weather and road conditions can affect the itinerary.

• This is a private and customizable itinerary.
• Travel times are approximate and may vary according to traffic, road conditions and weather.
• Athirappilly Waterfalls can look very different according to seasonal rainfall and water flow.
• Tea factory visits and special tea experiences require advance confirmation.
• Wildlife sightings in Thekkady cannot be guaranteed.
• Periyar boat cruises and cultural performances are optional and subject to availability.
• Backwater canoe experiences depend on weather, water conditions and local operating arrangements.
• Hotel and resort availability varies according to season.
• The itinerary may be adjusted to suit your arrival and departure timings.

This journey can be customized as a pre-cruise or post-cruise Kerala extension for travellers arriving or departing through Cochin Port.

The itinerary can be adjusted according to the ship's arrival and departure schedule.

For cruise passengers, sufficient time will be allowed for transportation to and from the cruise terminal and for the vessel's required boarding time.

To prepare your personalized Essence of Kerala journey, simply provide:

1. Travel dates
2. Number of travellers
3. Preferred hotel category
4. Room requirements
5. Arrival and departure details
6. Preferred optional experiences
7. Any special interests or mobility requirements

We will then provide a personalized quotation with hotel options, vehicle details, sightseeing arrangements and the complete tour cost.

Experience the landscapes, flavours and traditions that make Kerala one of India's most captivating destinations.

Travel through Kerala's forests, mountains, plantations and waterways with Excel India Tours — and experience the true essence of Kerala.