Trip highlights
Tea country, a houseboat night and the Varkala cliffs to finish.
Kolukkumalai sunrise above the tea estatesMunnar tea gardens and viewpointsAlleppey houseboat night with Kerala foodVarkala cliff beachesAthirapally falls on the way inFive breakfasts, plus lunch and dinner aboard
Day-wise plan
Meals and stay listed on every day · pace built for a group.
1Day 1 · Day 01: Cochin to Munnar, by way of the Athirapally falls. · Meals: ·
- Start at 8:00 AM and head towards Athirapally.
- Athirapally Waterfalls, the largest in Kerala, set against thick green forest.
- A scenic drive on to Munnar through hills and spice plantations.
- Optional between 5:00 and 7:00 PM: the Punarjani traditional village, for Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances.
- Overnight in Munnar.
2Day 2 · Day 02: Munnar: Kolukkumalai sunrise and the local gems. · Meals: ·
- 4:00 AM jeep safari to Kolukkumalai peak for sunrise, paid on the spot. Back at the stay by 9:00 AM for breakfast.
- 10:30 AM: Eravikulam National Park, with a bus safari between 12:00 and 2:00 PM, paid on the spot, to look for the Nilgiri tahr.
- Through the afternoon: Photo Point, Echo Point, Mattupetty Dam with optional jet-ski, and Kundala Lake.
- Evening among the local tea shops.
- Note that most attractions in Munnar close by 4:00 PM, so the day is front-loaded.
3Day 3 · Day 03: Munnar to Alleppey, and a night on the backwaters. · Meals: ·
- 9:00 AM start after breakfast, towards Alleppey on the Vembanad lake, about 4 hours.
- Houseboat check-in, strictly by 2:00 PM.
- A traditional Kerala lunch served on board as you cruise the canals, paddy fields and villages.
- Time for bird watching or simply doing nothing as the water goes by.
- Dinner and overnight on the houseboat.
4Day 4 · Day 04: Alleppey to Varkala, by way of the Jatayu Earth Centre. · Meals: ·
- 8:30 AM start after breakfast, driving to Varkala.
- Stop at the Jatayu Earth Centre, with an optional ropeway to the top and its sculpture from the Ramayana, at your own expense.
- Arrive in Varkala, known for its cliff beach: good for sunset, cafes and the flea market.
- A walk along the cliff and dinner there.
- 7:00 PM, on to the stay in Varkala or Trivandrum.
5Day 5 · Day 05: Trivandrum, and farewell to God’s own country. · Meals: ·
- Breakfast and check out, then on to Trivandrum.
- Visit the Padmanabhaswamy temple, with its reclining Vishnu, one of the 108 Divya Desams.
- On to the Azhimala Shiva temple on the cliff by the sea, with its 58 foot Gangadhareswara statue.
- Transfer to Trivandrum airport, railway station or bus stand for your onward journey.
Where you'll stay
The properties this batch sleeps in — swapped only for something equal or better.
Stays as per the itinerarySharing basis, allocated same-gender
What's in, what's not
Included
- Pick-up and drop at the designated airport or railway points.
- All travel through the trip as per the itinerary in a shared MUV or tempo traveller.
- 4 nights accommodation on triple or double sharing: 2 nights in Munnar, 1 night on an Alleppey houseboat and 1 night in Varkala or Trivandrum.
- Complimentary 5 breakfasts, plus 1 lunch and 1 dinner on the houseboat.
- A houseboat cruise with traditional Kerala food served on banana leaves.
- Entry to sightseeing as per the mentioned itinerary only.
- An experienced tourism professional with the group.
- All permits, tolls and taxes, fuel and driver allowances.
Not included
- To and from fares of airlines, buses or railways.
- Any entry fee, camera fee, activity or ride not named in the inclusions.
- Any food or beverage not listed in the inclusions, including alcoholic drinks, mineral water and meals on the go.
- Any travel insurance.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
