kerala tour highlights

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Kerala Tours & Trips

Beautiful Kerala with its beaches and intricate series of backwaters is calling for you to explore. Take an adventure through India and explore this area by sailing over the canals or trekking inland, through the Western Ghats to walk through endless tea, coffee or spice plantations and learn more about the area.

188 Kerala tour packages with 352 reviews

• Christmas & New Year

Exotic Kerala Tour (Coconut Holiday Of India)

Our overall experience was very positive, with our driver NOUFEL being very helpful indeed. With one exception our hotels were of a very good standard, the exception being the Hotel Las Palmas near Munnar. This hotel is situated 6.5kms from Munnar town, and in our opinion is too far out of the way of the main tour route. The manager Mr Sijo and his staff were very friendly and helpful, he went out of his way to procure some flowers and a cake for the occasion of our 40th wedding anniversary. But they are hampered by a premises crying out for investment in improvements to the exterior and upgrades to room facilities. The other SEALORD group hotel we stayed in, the Silver Crest at Periyar was also in need of improvement. The itinerary seriously underestimates the time taken to drive from one place to another, in our experience it took around 50% longer than stated . We arranged before the tour started to spend some time in Fort Kochi, and at the end of the tour we booked an extra two nights at the Hotel Abad Plaza in Cochin, and a very glad we did, as to get off the flight fro Cyprus and commence a tour immediately would have been too tiring. Overall we felt that the tour represented good value for money, and would use Tour Radar in the future when considering our holiday planning. Thank you Mr & Mrs Meacher Esentepe Cyprus

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.
• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Best of Southern India with Houseboat Stay

I booked this tour with Swastik after Golden Triangle Tour. I must i was impressed by the services. Hotel choices were excellent. Driver and guides were professional and knowledgeable.

• In-depth Cultural

Trip to God's Own Country

The tour was amazing.I had the best time of my life. Staying at houseboat was like a dream. Totally recommend this trip.

Kerala South India

Romantic Kerala Tour

Sehr eindrucksvoll mit einem sehr zuverlässigen Fahrer.

Highlights of Southern India - Kerala with Houseboat Stay

From the day of pick up to the end of the trip , everything went flawless . No issues at all .. that's why they have so much positive reviews by the customers . Keep us the good work guys .

South India : Backwaters, Tea Plantations, Temples & Beach Stay W/Private Guide & Chauffer

• Sightseeing

The best of Kerala in 9 days with idyllic houseboat and relax

We loved the tour with our friendly and professional driver Mr.Sunil. We saw all the most beautiful places in the south and everything was very well arranged by the travel agent. We had a great contact with Mr. Neera who was alway available whenever we needed to discuss something. In conclusion, we can say it was a very amazing experience.

Amazing Kerala Tour from Cochin - 6 Days

I had a great time in Kerala. I loved the scenery, the culture, and most of all, the people. Our driver, Mr. Sibu, was terrific. I'd love to come back to Kerala and have him as my driver again. The guides in Kochi and Munnar were also great—they were knowledgeable and flexible. We weren't too happy with the initial boat we were given for our Backwater tour, but the company quickly changed us to another boat, which was great. The hotels were all good and the staff were very helpful. All in all, it was a wonderful experience.

Beautiful Kerala 5 Nights

The tour was very pleasant all along. From our arrival to our departure from the airport, the tour was taking care of us. The experiences were very diverse all along the trip: even if the tour does not promote specific activities, Linto (our driver) was amazing and had tons of ideas to propose us in the different cities we stopped (from the botanic gardens, to Jeep tours). We are very happy with the organization of the tour. Also, the various hotels were aligned with our expectations: always very clean, and delivering high level of service. Finally Sandeep, our point of contact with the tour organization, was always there in case of need of assistance. Sandeep provided the relevant information before the beginning of the trip, but also was in touch with us all along the trip to ensure that we did not need anything. We recommend the tour!

Relaxing kerala tour ( Cochin Munnar Alleppy Cochin)

The Relaxing Kerala tour from Cochin to Munnar, Alleppy, and back to Cochin. It was an amazing tour that provided me with the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. The tour started in Cochin, which provided a great introduction to the culture and history of Kerala. We had the opportunity to see and explore the main attractions of the city, such as the Chinese Fishing Nets, Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, and the Jewish Synagogue. We also had the chance to visit the local spice markets and take a sunset cruise in the harbor. The tour then continued to Munnar, where we got to enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of the Western Ghats. We took a jeep safari to the top of the hills, which provided us with some amazing views of the surrounding tea plantations. We also went on a guided trek through the hills, where we got to explore some of the local wildlife and vegetation. After Munnar, we headed to Alleppy, where we had the chance to take a houseboat cruise on the backwaters. This was an incredibly relaxing experience, as we were able to take in the beautiful scenery and spot many birds and other forms of wildlife. Overall, I could not have asked for a better experience. The tour provided me with the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and memorable holiday experience. Thanks Mr.Krishna Sharma for giving me best service in India.

Blissful Kerala

I booked a trip to Kerala for 4 nights through Kerala Holiday Club. It was a wonderful experience. Everything was perfectly arranged and we had no issues throughout our trip. I would definitely recommend Kerala Holiday Club for holiday bookings.

Quick Cochin Munnar Thekkady Alleppy Kovalam 8 Days Tour

We went on a Quick Cochin Munnar Thekkady Alleppy Kovalam 8 Days Tour and it was an absolutely amazing experience. The tour was well-organized, the destinations were beautiful and the overall trip was very memorable. The first stop on our tour was Cochin, also known as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. We spent a day exploring this bustling city, visiting popular attractions like the Mattancherry Palace, Fort Kochi and the Chinese Fishing Nets. The highlight of our visit to Cochin was the Kathakali dance performance, a traditional dance form of Kerala. Next, we headed to Munnar, a scenic hill station in Kerala known for its lush green tea plantations. The drive to Munnar was breathtaking, with views of the Western Ghats and waterfalls. We also got a chance to visit the Tea Museum and learn about the process of tea-making. The stay in Munnar was in a beautiful resort surrounded by tea gardens, making it a truly serene and peaceful experience. Thekkady was our next destination, famous for its wildlife sanctuary and spice plantations. We went on a thrilling jeep safari in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, where we spotted various animals like elephants, deer, and birds. We also got a chance to visit a spice plantation and learn about the various spices grown in Kerala. Alleppy, also known as the 'Venice of the East', was our next stop. We spent a day cruising through the backwaters on a houseboat, enjoying the scenic views and delicious local food. The sunset on the backwaters was truly a sight to behold. The last stop on our tour was Kovalam, a popular beach destination in Kerala. We spent two days relaxing on the beautiful beaches, trying out various water sports and indulging in some delicious seafood. The highlight of our stay in Kovalam was the Ayurvedic massage, which left us feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Overall, the Quick Cochin Munnar Thekkady Alleppy Kovalam 8 Days Tour was an incredible experience. The tour was well-planned and executed, and our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. The accommodations were comfortable and the food was delicious. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to explore the beautiful state of Kerala in a short span of time. It truly is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful and relaxing holiday.

Romantic Beaches and Backwaters 10 Days Tour of Kerela

My driver and my tour guide they both are good after complete my tour they ask me about my whole journey and I share my start to end we going on the Romantic Beaches and Backwaters 10 Days Tour of Kerala and it was truly a magical experience. From the stunning beaches to the serene backwaters, every moment of the trip was filled with romance and beauty.One of the highlights of the tour was the houseboat cruise through the backwaters of Kerala. It was so peaceful and romantic, gliding along the tranquil waters surrounded by lush greenery and picturesque villages. The sunset views from the houseboat were absolutely breathtaking and something I will never forget.The tour also included visits to some of the most romantic beaches in Kerala, such as Kovalam and Varkala. The pristine sandy shores and clear blue waters were the perfect backdrop for long walks and intimate moments with my partner.Romantic Beaches and Backwaters 10 Days Tour of Kerala exceeded all of my expectations. The accommodations were luxurious, the food was delicious, and the scenery was simply stunning. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a romantic getaway in the beautiful state of Kerala.

Southern India Tour with Beaches and Houseboat Experience

Southern India that included visits to some of the region's most beautiful beaches and a unique houseboat experience. It was truly a memorable trip that left me with a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and cultural diversity of this part of the country. Our journey began in the bustling city of Chennai, where we were immediately immersed in the vibrant energy and rich history of South India. We visited iconic landmarks such as the Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the Marina Beach, the second longest urban beach in the world. The city's mix of modernity and tradition was evident in its bustling markets, ancient temples, and colonial-era buildings. From Chennai, we made our way to Mahabalipuram, a small coastal town known for its ancient rock-cut temples and stunning beaches. We spent a few days exploring the intricately carved monuments and relaxing on the golden sands of the beach. The highlight of our stay in Mahabalipuram was watching the sunset over the Bay of Bengal, a truly breathtaking sight. Next, we headed to Pondicherry, a former French colony that still retains its colonial charm. The quaint streets lined with French-style buildings, along with the serene beaches, made for a picturesque setting. We also had the chance to visit Auroville, an experimental township where people of different nationalities and cultures live together in harmony. The highlight of our trip was the houseboat experience in the backwaters of Kerala. We boarded a traditional houseboat and cruised through the tranquil backwaters, surrounded by lush greenery and local villages. It was a peaceful and unique experience, and we were able to witness the daily life of the locals living along the waterways. Our journey ended in Goa, a popular beach destination known for its laid-back vibe and beautiful beaches. We spent our days soaking up the sun on the pristine beaches, trying out water sports, and indulging in delicious seafood. We also explored the charming Portuguese-influenced old town of Panjim and visited the famous Basilica of Bom Jesus. my Southern India tour with beaches and a houseboat experience was a perfect blend of culture, nature, and relaxation. I was able to see the diverse landscapes of South India, from bustling cities to serene backwaters and stunning beaches. The warm hospitality of the locals, the delicious cuisine, and the rich cultural heritage of the region made this trip truly unforgettable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a unique and enriching travel experience in India.

What people love about Kerala Tours

Overall you provided good transport & Hotels . Excellent guides at Munnar Tea Plantations and other sites. Our only disappointed was a non English speaking driver who couldn’t arrange tea or toilet breaks unless we requested , However didn’t spoil a fantastic experience, thank you

All went smoothly, good srandard of accommodation and flexibility in the itinerary. Driver spoke reasonable English so we were able to communicate and he made some suggestions which were appreciated. Houseboat was relaxing, great crew and experience.

It was an incredible and well organized trip. We highly recommend!!

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THE 10 BEST Kerala Tours & Excursions

Kerala tours.

• Private Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full Day Backwater Village Punting Boat Cruise

2. Explore Munnar Day Trip From Cochin ( By Munnar Info)

3. kochi to munnar A Private guided fullday tour with hotel pickup

4. Half Day Village Backwater Eco Country Boat Cruise :Group Tour from Fort Cochin

5. Half day trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours )

6. 5 Days Kerala Tour Package - Private Tour with Exclusive Houseboat Stay

7. Adventure Tuk Tuk Tour in kochi - A Private Guided Tour with Hotel Pick up

8. Kochi Private Tour: Overnight Alleppey Backwaters Houseboat Cruise

9. Wild Elephant Village( Anakulam) life tour ( By Munnar Info)

10. Funny and helpful Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochin

11. Private Customizable Local Kochi Sightseeing Tour by Tuktuk

12. Kochi Private Tour: Kerala Backwater Houseboat Day Cruise in Aleppey

13. 21hrs Aleppey Village and Canal Tour by Private Houseboat.

14. Munnar Site-seeing Tour

15. Kochi Tour Guide -A Heritage walking tour in Fort kochi and Mattancherry !

16. Athirappilly & Vazhachal Waterfalls Private Day Tour from Kochi

17. Munnar Tea Trail with Factory Experience ( By Munnar Info)

18. Wild Elephant Anakulam & Waterfalls Tour(munnar valley Trekking)

19. Sunset Kayaking in Hidden Alleppey Backwater Routes

20. Best of Kerala Tour Package 7 nights / 8 days by Sanguine Holidays

21. Fortkochi or Backwater Shore Excursions Tour from Cruise Terminal

22. Mountain Hiking in Munnar (half day) By Munnar Info

23. Private Guided Kochi Tuk tuk Tours with Pickup from Cruise Ships

24. Munnar Tea valley Tour ( By Munnar Info)

25. Day trip to Kanyakumari beach and Padmanabhapuram palace

26. Private Day Trip to Munnar from Kochi (Cochin)

27. Tea Plantation Walk with Sunset View (By Munnar Info)

28. 3 Nights 4 Days Munnar Alleppey Private Tour with Exclusive Houseboat Stay

29. Sunrise Cruise with Village Life and Local Food

30. Alleppey Village and Canal Cruise in Houseboat from Kochi.

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How to Plan a Trip to Kerala (Guide for First-timers 2024)

4 reasons to visit kerala.

• Top 7 Places to Visit
• Best 11 Things To Do
• Festivals and Events

Keralan Food

Best time to visit kerala.

• Best Accommodation
• How to Travel

Tailor-Make Your Kerala Itinerary

Kerala is often called God's Own Country because of its incredible natural beauty and charm. This South Indian state is a tropical paradise with beautiful waterfalls, bountiful wildlife, and a laid-back and peaceful vibe.

If you want to explore the main highlights of Kerala, your trip should be at least 4-5 days but a full 7-8 days is better. The top 3 places to visit in the state are Kochi with its great food and culture, Munnar with its expansive tea plantations, and Alleppey with its canal networks.

In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about planning your trip to Kerala including why you should visit, where you should go, what you should do, what to expect with food and accommodation, as well as a sample itinerary for your trip.

• Kerala is the perfect place to visit for travelers who are looking for a relaxing and laid-back trip to India or those who have visited India once before.
• In Kerala, visitors can explore tea and spice plantations, take a boat ride through rural backwater villages, try great food, and experience Ayurveda or yoga retreats.
• The top places to go in Kerala include Cochin, Munnar, Periyar National Park, and Alleppey.
• Kerala has excellent heritage hotels and gorgeous resort accommodation that offer spa services and Ayurvedic treatments.
• The best time to visit Kerala is from December to February, but those who don't mind hot weather can also visit from March to May.

Kerala is not usually the first place that travelers think of when they start planning a trip to India, but it is the perfect location to relax and is especially great for travelers who have already visited the Golden Triangle and have seen classic India.

While the rest of India tends to be chaotic, crowded, and dry, Kerala is tropical, laid-back, and peaceful. The culture here is unique and the scenery and wildlife are unbeatable.

1. Culture and cuisine that are refreshing and different from anything else in India

Kerala is a small piece of land that contains a large mixture of unique cultures. From the influence of the Portuguese, Arabs, and Chinese that you will find in Kochi to the rural villages of the backwaters, in Kerala travelers can experience parts of India that are often unseen.

The uniqueness and diversity of Keralan culture can also be seen in the local cuisine. Out of all the states in India, Keralan food is the most loved for its sweetness, fresh seafood, and mixture of aromatic spices that provide a depth of flavor without too much heat.

2. An abundance of opportunities to experience Ayurvedic treatments or do yoga

Kerala is the best place to go to experience Ayurveda which is one of the world's oldest and best-known forms of traditional medicine. This state is known for its Ayurvedic retreats that give clients unique treatment plans to cure their ailments naturally.

Kerala also offers yoga retreats and classes for people of all levels. Yoga enthusiasts can take a few classes or enroll in a longer and more intense program that involves meditation and spiritual awakening.

3. The state is absolutely full of unique wildlife and animals

Kerala has more than 25 wildlife reserves and its vast jungles are teeming with beautiful wild animals like elephants, Bengal tigers, and monkeys.

Periyar National Park is one of the state's biggest wildlife reserves covering almost 100 square kilometers of jungle. This is one of the best places to see Bengal tigers in their natural habitat. The park also includes lots of other critters like flying squirrels and macaques.

4. A tropical paradise with beaches, jungles, and forests

The state's absolutely beautiful scenery is one of the reasons that Kerala that draws so many visitors and continues to leave them awestruck. The coasts are lined with white-sand beaches that are bordered by the Arabian Sea on one side and tall palm trees on the other.

Once you leave the coast, you can head into the villages of the backwaters which are small patches of farmland separated by deep canals with blue waters full of lotus flowers.

In the hill stations near the Western Ghats, visitors can take in the lush green mountain forests and the local tea and spice plantations. In the national parks, you'll find the dense jungles, calm lagoons, and picturesque waterfalls.

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Top 7 Places to Visit in Kerala

Although Kerala is a small state, it has a lot to offer and many incredible places that are worth visiting.

Travelers who have 4-5 days can spend time in Kochi, Munnar, and Alleppey.

Those who have 7-10 days can also add visits to some of the state's other beautiful destinations such as Periyar National Park or some top beaches.

Kochi or Cochin is often called the 'Gateway to Kerala' and is the first place travelers will visit upon their arrival in the state. Kochi was originally an important port city during the spice trade and was once a Portuguese colony . The city has also been influenced by the Arabs, British, Dutch, and Chinese.

Walking through Fort Kochi, visitors can take in the charming colonial architecture, see the Chinese Fishing Nets at sunset, stop inside a spice shop to try the locally grown pepper or cardamon, and relax in boutique coffee shops near the Arabian Sea.

Munnar is Kerala's most famous hill station which was originally founded by the British as a place to grow tea. Today, Munnar is still famous for the variety and flavors of tea it produces. It also has coffee plantations and spice farms that grow everything from ginger and garlic to vanilla, cloves, and cardamom.

Munnar is located in the Western Ghats and because of its higher elevation is a great escape from the heat and humidity of the rest of the state. Here you can stay in a resort and spend your days taking in the rainforest scenery or touring aromatic plantations.

3. Alleppey

Alleppey is the name of a small island that is located in Kerala's famous backwaters . The backwaters are an area of Kerala with many small villages and farms that are separated by a complex system of canals . The people in these villages have their own unique culture and language.

The best way to explore this area is to rent a houseboat. Houseboats are comfortable and private boats that come with a captain and a chef and take travelers on excursions through the backwater canals.

4. Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park is located in Thekkady and is one of the most popular wildlife reserves in South India. This is a great eco-tourism destination where travelers can explore the jungles and see animals in their natural habitats instead of in captivity.

In Periyar, visitors can take a safari through the jungle or boat through the waterways in search of Bengal tigers, wild Asian elephants, and mischievous monkeys.

5. Varkala Beach

Varkala Beach is one of the best beaches in India due to its striking views and location. Varkala is a long stretch of land that is bordered by sheer cliffs on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other.

When visiting, travelers can stay in resorts and hotels on the cliff that overlook the beach and sea below. Varkala is becoming more and more popular these days but is still less developed than Kovalam while also offering plenty of beach shacks and shops for travelers.

6. Kovalam Beach

Kovalam Beach is the most popular and most developed beach in Kerala. This is the perfect place to go if you are looking for plenty of things to do, great restaurants, and adventure sports.

Kovalam is a great place to get a traditional Ayurvedic massage which will helps your body achieve balance and calm. Kovalam is full of massage parlors and most hotels here offer Ayurvedic treatments too.

7. Marari Beach

Marari Beach is located about 30 minutes north of Alleppey and is a quieter and less developed beach that is off the normal tourist track.

Marari is the perfect place to go after taking a tour of the backwaters on a relaxing houseboat. Here you can continue your relaxation by spending some time on the sand near the coconut groves.

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Best 11 Things To Do in Kerala

A good way to figure out where you want to go in Kerala is to first decide which experiences you are most interested in.

Check out the top 11 things to do in Kerala below:

1. Cruise Through the Backwaters

One of the most popular things to do in Kerala is to explore the backwaters on a houseboat. Taking a houseboat through the canals of local villages is an incredibly relaxing experience. On the boat, you can sit on the upper deck and unwind while your personal chef and captain take care of the rest.

Taking a cruise through the backwaters gives travelers an opportunity to see culturally unique villages that would otherwise be difficult to reach. It is also a great way to take in the tropical scenery of the Keralan countryside.

2. Get an Ayurvedic Treatment

Ayurveda is a traditional medicine practice that includes many different methods to bring the body back into balance through a variety of techniques that have been studied for 5000 years.

Those who are interested in learning more about Ayurveda can spend some time at an Ayurveda retreat where they will get a personal diagnosis and treatment plan. Most hotels and resorts in Kerala offer Ayurvedic massages for those who are curious but don't want to take the retreat route.

3. Relax with Yoga

Kerala is a popular destination for travelers who want to learn more about yoga and meditation from the place they originated.

Yoga practitioners of all levels can spend time at an Ashram where they will learn about the principles of yoga and follow a strict schedule and regimen. There are also plenty of options for more laid back yoga retreats that include yoga on the beach and massage treatments.

4. Take a Cooking Class

Keralan cuisine is famous for the way it achieves a perfect balance in the use of local spices and ingredients. Compared to North India, Keralan food is lighter and sweeter in flavor.

Taking a cooking class is a great way to get hands-on experience with this important part of Keralan culture. In your class, you can learn how to make the classic sambar (veggie curry), dosa (a flat rice batter crepe), fish masala, and more.

5. Explore the Tropical Jungles and See Native Wildlife

Kerala has a large variety of national parks and wildlife reserves. The most famous is Periyar which is a great place to see wild tigers and elephants while on a jungle safari.

Eravikulam is a beautiful park that is located near Munnar and is full of great forest treks and famous waterfalls and Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful parks in the state with its expansive evergreen forests.

6. Visit a Tea Plantation

Kerala is one of the top tea producing states in India and has some of the best plantations that grow the most high-quality tea. The Munnar hill station is covered in tea fields and plantations that visitors can explore.

All the tea in Munnar is handpicked by field workers to ensure quality. After exploring the plantations, travelers can hike around the surrounding hills or check out the local Tea Museum.

7. Explore the Spice Plantations

The high elevation hills of Munnar aren't just perfect for growing tea but are also great places to grow a variety of spices. The spices grown on plantations in Munnar have long been very lucrative for the state of Kerala and were once considered to be highly valuable by merchants from Europe, China, and the Ottoman Empire.

When exploring a spice plantation, you'll find a variety of spices including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, mace, and ginger all growing in their separate sections of the field.

8. Take a Food Tour

When talking about Kerala, one thing that is always mentioned is its incredible food. While it might seem like we are over exaggerating when we say Keralan food is amazing, our proof is in the travelers who return from India with nothing but love for this fresh and balanced cuisine.

The best way to experience everything that Keralan cuisine has to offer is to take a food tour. These tours often include cooking classes, visits to plantations, and lots of sampling and tasting.

9. Join in a Festival

Because the culture of Kerala is completely different from the rest of India, the state also celebrates unique and interesting festivals. Participating in a festival is one of the best ways to understand more about India's complex relationship with religion and local heritage.

Onam is Kerala's biggest festival of the year and is celebrated in late August or early September. This festival lasts for 10 days and includes large feasts, traditional Kathakali dance performances, music, intricate rangoli decorations, rituals, and boat races.

10. Hike Through the Lush Green Landscape

The Himalayan region of India is the most famous amongst trekkers who are interested in difficult climbs at high elevation. Kerala offers a different type of hiking that is more relaxed with the goal of taking in rural villages and tropical scenery.

The Western Ghats are the best area in Kerala for hiking or walking tours. Here you will find a large variety of landscapes including shrub forests, tropical jungles, evergreen forests, and rolling grasslands. On your walks, you will also see plenty of local wildlife including birds and small animals.

11. Unwind at the Beach

Kerala has a long coastline filled with beautiful tropical beaches that are surrounding by tall palm trees and the Arabian Sea.

Besides relaxing in the sun, Kerala's beaches offer plenty of things to do. In recent years, many beaches have become popular places for Ayurveda or yoga retreats where clients can learn about these traditional practices while also catching some rays.

The Keralan coast is also the best place to try local seafood dishes. Here, fish is caught and then immediately brought into restaurants where it is freshly cooked. Nowhere else does fish masala taste better than on the beaches of Kerala.

Festivals and Events in Kerala

While the most important festival for most Indians is Diwali, the most important holiday of the year in Kerala is Onam . Onam is a 10-day celebration that occurs in early September and is celebrated through many rituals and events.

During Onam, travelers can watch as people perform pujas or rituals at temples and celebrate in the streets of Kochi with dance performances and music. Onam is also famous for the beautiful rangoli which are designs that are made from colored rice and flowers.

Kerala also holds many temple festivals that celebrate one specific temple with rituals and parades of painted elephants. Our favorite temple festival is Thrissur Pooram which is celebrated at Vadakkunnathan Temple.

Other great festivals to experience in Kerala include Theyyam , the 800-year-old celebration of deities, and the boat races including Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alleppey.

If there is one thing that travelers can't stop talking about in Kerala, its the food. While food all over India is incredible, Keralan food is beloved by so many for its fresh ingredients, sweetness, and flavor that includes many spices but is not too hot.

One of the most famous and commonly eaten dishes in Kerala is fresh fish masala . This dish includes the catch of the day cooked in a spice-filled coconut sauce.

Another great thing to try in Kerala is the South Indian dosa . Dosas are a typical South Indian breakfast food that are made from rice batter and are fluffy and light pieces of flatbread. Dosas are often dipped in sauces or gravies like sambar.

Hotels and resorts in Kerala often have great chefs that serve some of the best authentic local food along with some western options. Eating in your hotel for lunch is a great way to get an introduction to Indian food. We also recommend eating in specialty restaurants or cafes to try out some local specialties.

If you want to learn more about Keralan food and spices, then make sure to take a cooking class to get first-hand experience with how authentic local food is made.

Kerala has a tropical and humid climate.

The best time to visit is typically from December to February when the state experiences dry and slightly cooler weather. This is the high season for tourism in Kerala which means higher prices on accommodation and travel. With Asia Highlights , you enjoy 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure ( detail⇒ ).

It is possible to visit Kerala during the hot season from March to May. During this time you can expect hot and humid days with temperatures typically 28 and 32°C (82 and 90°F). The hot season is the best time to visit Kerala's wildlife reserves because the animals are more active in hot weather.

Kerala experiences a long monsoon season that typically lasts from June to November. The state actually gets hit with two monsoons. The first brings the most rain and lasts from June to September. Kerala sometimes experiences flooding at this time.

The second monsoon hits in November and December, but brings much less rain and can be a great time to visit for those looking for more affordable prices on yoga retreats or Ayurveda resorts.

Best Accommodation in Kerala

Kerala is the perfect place to spend your holiday if you are interested in staying in beautiful colonial heritage hotels or resorts with pools, spas, and massage treatments. No matter where you go in Kerala, you'll be able to find great options for accommodation.

Check out some of our recommendations below:

Cochin is the largest city in Kerala and was once colonized by the Portuguese. This area's unique history makes it the perfect place to stay in a beautiful heritage hotel. We love the Taj Malabar Resort & Spa for its old-world charm, first-rate spa, and views of the harbor.

We also love the Trident Cochin for its 5-star facilities, beautiful gardens, and Ayurvedic center. If you would like to stay in a beautiful location that's farther away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, you can check out Le Meridien Kochi which overlooks the Cochin backwaters and has two beautiful restaurants that serve great western and Indian dishes.

Munnar is Kerala's best hill station and is famous for its cool and comfortable weather. This is a great place to stay in a luxurious hotel with views of the surrounding tea plantations.

One of our favorite hotels in Munnar is Fragrant Nature Munnar which is located in the mountain forest surrounded by wildlife. This hotel offers comfortable bungalows with mountain views and cozy fireplaces. Fragrant Nature also has a restaurant with all-day dining that serves North and South Indian cuisine.

We also love the Windmere Estate for its great views and location near the aromatic coffee and spice plantations and Ragamaya Resort & Spa for its luxurious rooms and on-site authentic Ayurvedic treatments.

When traveling to the backwaters of Alleppey, you will spend at least one night on a houseboat. If you would like to stay in the area for a longer period, then there is nowhere better than at a homestay. Homestays are a great way to get to know the local people. Most homestays in Alleppey offer simple but comfortable accommodations.

Our favorite homestays include Venice Castle and the Bella Art and Meditation House .

How to Travel in Kerala

In order to get to Kerala, most people will fly into the Cochin International Airport. This airport receives flights from many domestic cities including Delhi and Mumbai and a few international flights as well.

Once you have arrived in Kerala by plane, the best way to travel throughout the state is with a private chauffeured car. Hiring a chauffeured car is quite affordable in India and is the most convenient and comfortable way to travel in Kerala.

Here are the normal travel times by private car:

• Cochin to Munnar: 4 hours
• Munnar to Periyar: 4 hours
• Periyar to Alleppey: 3.5 hours
• Alleppey to Cochin: 2 hours

It is also possible to travel between these cities by bus. Local buses normally take longer than traveling by a private car and are often uncomfortable and crowded.

While there are some trains in Kerala, train travel is not as convenient as other methods of transportation. Kerala is a very hilly state that is full of dense jungles and wet lowlands making building large highways and train routes difficult.

At Asia Highlights, we tailor-make the itinerary of every guest to suit each traveler's specific interests and travel goals.

Our basic Kerala itinerary consists of visiting Cochin, Munnar, Periyar, and Alleppey. Go ahead and take a look to get some inspiration and then contact us if you would like to make changes or add on different destinations.

There are many benefits of taking a private tour of Kerala. Through a private tour, you will be able to see the best parts of this beautiful state conveniently and comfortably. The cost of a private tour includes a chauffeured car, private English-speaking guide, breakfast and lunch, and your gorgeous hotel.

Day 1: Arrive in Cochin

On the first day of your Kerala journey, you will arrive at the Cochin International Airport and then will be met by one of our representatives at the arrivals gate. Afterward, you will be introduced to your private chauffeur who will take you to your hotel.

Feel free to spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel spa or exploring nearby neighborhoods.

Day 2: Cochin

On your second day, your private guide will take you around this ancient port city to explore the streets of Fort Kochi and other areas. Here you can learn about Cochin's diverse heritage by visiting the Dutch Mattancherry Palace, Portuguese Santa Cruz Basilica, and the St Francis Church which is believed to be one of the oldest churches in India.

In Cochin, you can also take a cooking class, visit spice shops, relax in high-end restaurants, and explore local art galleries.

In the evening, head to the waterfront to see the fisherman using the famous Chinese fishing nets and get great photos of the sunset over the Arabian Sea.

Day 3: Munnar

After Cochin, you will take a private transfer to Munnar where the weather is cooler and the vast tea plantations are surrounded by misty jungles. Here, you can spend your first day touring a tea plantation, visiting the tea museum, or simply taking in the views of the surrounding forests from your hotel.

Day 4: Munnar

Wake up in the early morning to take a trek through the gorgeous forests and surrounding hills. On your trek, you will see various animals and plants and take in the beautiful views.

After your hike, you can check out some of the local coffee and spice plantations to learn more about Kerala's flavors. You can also take an excursion to the nearby Eravikulam National Park.

Day 5: Periyar

Spend the next morning in Munnar at your hotel spa or sipping a cup of tea while taking in the surrounding scenery. In the afternoon, you transfer to Periyar National Park via private car.

Day 6: Periyar to Alleppey

Wake up in the early morning to take a jungle walk with a park ranger to see monkeys, deer, giant squirrels, and some beautiful birds. Jungle walks typically last for around 3 hours and it's important to wear good shoes and comfortable clothes.

For those who don't want to walk, it is possible to take a boat safari through the jungles. Periyar National Park has wild Bengal tigers but spotting them often takes multiple days spent inside the park.

Day 7: Alleppey and the Backwaters

In the afternoon, head to Alleppey where you will meet the captain of your gorgeous houseboat. Spend the afternoon cruising through the canals and trying authentic local cuisine.

You can sit on the boat's upper deck to catch some sun with views of the surrounding villages.

Spend the night on the boat in your own private room.

Day 8: Return to Cochin Airport

The next morning, your driver will meet you at the docks and take you back to Cochin where you can catch your flight to your next destination.

Explore Kerala with Asia Highlights

If you want to see the best destinations in Kerala and have meaningful cultural experiences along the way, then look no further than Asia Highlights. At Asia Highlights, we make tours that are specifically created to fit the needs of each individual customer. Let us plan your trip for you so that you can just relax and prepare for your dream vacation.

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For many travelers, Kerala is South India's most serenely beautiful state. This slender coastal strip is defined by its layered landscape: almost 373 miles (600km) of glorious Arabian Sea coast and beaches; a languid network of glistening backwaters; and the spice- and tea-covered hills of the Western Ghats, dotted with fiercely protected wildlife reserves and cool hill stations such as Munnar. Just setting foot on this swathe of soul-soothing, palm-shaded green will slow your subcontinental stride to a blissed-out amble. Kerala is a world away from the hectic action of the rest of India, its long, fascinating backstory illuminated by historically evocative cities like Kochi (Cochin) and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum).

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Northern Kerala

Wayanad's ethereal 345-sq-km sanctuary is accessible only by two-hour jeep safari (₹680), on which you might spot langurs, chital deer, sambar, peacocks,…

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Bison, sambar, wild boar, langur, around 2000 elephants and 35 to 40 tigers wander the lushly green hills of South India’s most popular wildlife reserve,…

Pardesi Synagogue

Kochi (Cochin)

Originally built in 1568, Mattancherry's synagogue was partially destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662, and rebuilt two years later when the Dutch took…

Mattancherry Palace

Mattancherry Palace was a generous gift presented to the Raja of Kochi, Veera Kerala Varma (1537–65), as a gesture of goodwill by the Portuguese in 1555…

Museum of History & Heritage

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Occupying a handsome 120-year-old heritage building within the Kerala Tourism complex, this intelligently presented museum traces Kerala's history and…

Napier Museum

Housed in an 1880 wooden building designed by Robert Chisholm (a British architect whose Fair Isle–style version of the Keralite vernacular shows his…

Matha Amrithanandamayi Mission

The incongruously salmon-pink Matha Amrithanandamayi Mission, 30km northwest of Kollam, is the famous ashram of one of India’s few female gurus,…

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

This reserve on the 5-hectare site of a former rubber plantation on Vembanad Lake is the haunt of a variety of domestic and migratory birds. October to…

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Spice Trails of Kerala

• Discover the beautiful hill station of Munnar
• Trek through the historic tea plantations of Kerala
• Visit the colourful Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai
• Spend a night on a traditional houseboat in Kerala

Cycle the Coast of Kerala

• Explore the old spice town of Cochin
• Experience warm hospitality in a village homestay
• Cruise the backwaters on a traditional houseboat
• Relax on the sandy beaches of Varkala

Highlights of Southern India

• A 2-week adventure through South India's varied scenery, cuisine, culture and history
• Explore Tamil Nadu's ancient temples, a riot of colour and packed with local pilgrims
• Discover Kerala's peaceful backwaters, spice gardens and lush Western Ghats mountains

Southern India

• Discover the waterfalls, tea plantations and spice markets of South India’s Western Ghats, a jungle-clad mountain range older than the Himalaya and one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
• Known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Kochi is a fascinating blend of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and English influences, and is best explored by ferry.
• Step back in time among the iridescent hills of the very British ‘Snooty Ooty’ – home of snooker and the charming Nilgiri toy train.
• Search for elusive wildlife, including elephants, sloths, and birds on safari around one of the best places in India to observe nature up close – Periyar National Park.
• Experience a unique way of life with a family homestay and home-cooked meals in the idyllic backwaters of Kerala.

India Encompassed

• Discover ancient forts and temples
• Revel in the beauty of agra's taj mahal
• Sail the ganges in venerable varanasi
• Stay with the locals in the kerala backwaters
• Smell spices at a plantation in the cardamom hills

Southern India Coast to Coast Ride

• Cycle through two distinct Indian states
• Sample regional dishes served on a banana leaf
• Cruise on a traditional Keralan houseboat

The Tropical South

• Marvel at the tea plantations in Munnar
• Discover the Sri Meenakshi Temple of Madurai
• Sample traditional home-cooked food in a family home
• Cruise the Keralan backwaters on a traditional houseboat

India Experience

• Visit the Taj Mahal - one of the Seven Wonders of the World - and learn of its lesser-known poetic history from a local expert among the surrounding gardens.
• Soak up the unique atmosphere of a candle flower ceremony at dusk on the Ganges River in Varanasi, then wake up early for a sunrise boat ride, where you'll watch the light gradually illuminate the many ghats and temples along the river.
• See behind the scenes of local cuisine during cooking classes in local homes, an insightful ayurvedic cooking demonstration in Kochi and lovingly made Keralan favourites at a restaurant that provides training and employment to local women.
• Explore Puducherry and discover its colonial French Quarter and colourful multi-tiered temples, and cruise along the dreamy palm-lined waterways of the Kerala backwaters.
• Take a nature walk in the acclaimed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, looking out for tiger tracks with your local village guides.

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Kerala reviews & ratings, extraordinary holiday.

I had the most amazing and extraordinary holiday and most of that was down to the lovely people in the group and our wonderful guide Sam Benjamin. From start to fi...

Great southern India Experience

A great all round trip with lots of variety. Trekking to the peak. Santosh was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly. Lots of small interesting stops and ...

Great experience

Our trip was the first visit I'd made to India and so having a guided tour was brilliant. Our tour leader was really good at his job and in addition was willing &a...

Very interesting and varied itinerary with beautiful scenery, great food and lovely group of people to share the experience . Felt like we were off the beaten trac...

A Great Trip

All the positives about this mix of walking and touring in beautiful South India that others cite are true. It's a feast for the eye and the mind. To add that the ...

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Highlights of Kerala, India – Places to Visit & Things to Do in Kerala

Myself and 25 other bloggers and influencers were invited on a 17-day tour of Kerala. We were shown (almost) all the highlights of Kerala: must-visit places and the best this Indian state has to offer.

What I want to share with you here are some of these highlights of Kerala. Some of the places I think are worth visiting and some of the best things to do in Kerala.

Not sure if Kerala is a destination you would like to visit? Read: Why Should You Visit Kerala?

Highlights of Kerala: 10 Things to See & Do

Peaceful backwaters, long stretches of beach, cooler hill stations, beautiful tea fields, lush greenery, and interesting art performances… Kerala has become a tourist destination for good reasons! 

When you plan a trip to Kerala, these are 10 things to do in Kerala:

1. Explore Kerala’s Famous Backwaters

Kerala’s backwaters are one of the main reasons for people to visit Kerala .

Picture a vast network of canals, lakes, and rivers surrounded by lush greenery with local houses dotted along the riverbeds.

Boat trips along these tranquil waterways have become a popular tourist attraction and are a must do in Kerala for many visitors.

Large kettuvallams (traditional boats, originally used to transport fish, rice and spices) have been converted into  luxury houseboats to offer cruises on the backwaters.

Where to Go to Enjoy Kerala’s Backwaters

Alappuzha (also called Alleppey) is best known as the go-to place to explore Kerala’s backwaters on a houseboat. But Kumarakom and Kollam are also famous places for houseboat cruises these days.

And Thiruvallam, Kappil, Kozhikode, and Valiyaparamba offer different boating options on their backwaters too.

Today there are more than 1500 houseboats to choose from in Kerala!

Visiting Alappuzha and seeing the backwaters was one of my highlights in Kerala . And although I don’t really understand its nickname “Venice of the East” (it’s nothing like Venice, at all), it’s gorgeous in its own right and well worth visiting!

Note: I loved exploring the backwaters on a houseboat. Unfortunately, shortly after my trip, I learned about some of the negative effects this type of tourism has.

Many locals depend on the marine environment for their livelihoods and well-being. They fish, and they use the water for rice farming, to wash their clothes, to cook, and to bathe.

The polluting diesel engines on these houseboats and the growing number of them, have polluted the water in many places.

Depleted fish stocks and boatmen who discharge human and other waste directly into the lake rather than pay to dispose of it properly, are causing big issues for the local population.

So as long as there are no solar powered houseboats, this can’t be called sustainable tourism.

If you visit Kerala’s backwaters and decide not to stay on these houseboats, I would recommend renting a non-motorized boat to explore the area (we went kayaking, which was great fun!). Or rent bicycles and cycle along the canals.

Also Read: What is Ecotourism and How to Travel More Sustainably

Is it Alappuzha or Alleppey?

Officially it’s Alappuzha.

This district in Kerala was formed as Alleppey District in 1957. However, the name was officially changed to Alappuzha in 1990.  Alleppey town was renamed Alappuzha only in 2012, and Alleppey is still commonly used to describe the town as well as the district.

So when you are searching for travel information online, you will find both names.

2. Visit a Spice, Coffee and Tea Plantation

Another thing Kerala is famous for is its beautiful tea fields.

You definitely can’t leave Kerala without seeing these gorgeous, endless fields of green.

There are many coffee, tea and spice plantations across Kerala, with the best ones in Munnar, Thekkady, and Wayanad .

You’ll get a chance to learn more about tea and spices and get to take in the stunning scenery.

We visited Carmelia Haven in Thekkady and were given a great tour around their beautiful plantation.

3. Visit Kerala’s Wildlife Sanctuaries & National Parks

Kerala is a part of India you visit because of its incredible flora & fauna and rich wildlife.

The state is a perfect place to spot wild animals, migratory birds, and unspoiled nature.

If you are lucky you could spot a Bengal tiger, Asian elephants, leopards, Nilgiri tahrs, grizzled giant squirrels, lion-tailed macaques, Indian grey hornbills, great king cobras, and many other animals in their natural habitats.

Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the popular parks in Kerala. And although you are not very likely to spot a tiger, it’s a beautiful park.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is another popular choice and a favorite for bird lovers.

You can find more information about Kerala’s parks and sanctuaries here .

Note: unfortunately, some places in Kerala still offer elephant riding… Please don’t! It is really cruel to the animals, no matter what the organization says.

Here you can find more information about why you shouldn’t ride elephants.

4. Go Camping

Because Kerala has such stunning nature camping was one of my favorite things to do in Kerala.

Sitting around a campfire at night and waking up to the sounds of nature in the morning… Perfect!

There are many river camps and mountain camps to choose from, and many will combine it with a trek through nature. Don’t worry, no intense trekking unless you choose to!

Camping can range from very simple tents to glamping in luxury. Whatever fits your needs and budget! Booking.com offers a good selection of options.

Also Read: Where to Stay in Kerala, India

5. Don’t Miss Kerala’s Waterfalls

Kerala offers some impressive waterfalls. Some are easy to reach, others require a good hike.

Athirappilly and Vazhachal are the most famous waterfalls in Kerala, and Meenmutty is said to be the most spectacular one.

You can find a list of all of the main waterfalls here .

Tip: How impressive the waterfalls are depends on the time of year you visit Kerala. Right after the monsoon, the waterfalls will be at their most impressive.

The picture above of Athirappilly was taken in April and although already impressive, it’s nothing like what it can be!

6. Visit at Least One of Kerala’s Beaches

Although Kerala by no means boasts the best beaches in the world , it does offer some of the best beaches in India.

Most of Kerala’s 600 km (373 miles) of coastline is lined with sandy beaches and palm trees. The best beaches in Kerala are said to be in Kovalam, Kappad, Kannur, Varkala, Cherai, Marari and Bekal.

I enjoyed Kovalam and even managed to go scuba diving there (again, not the best in the world and nothing compared to the neighboring Maldives , but a great day nonetheless).

Varkala is a much less developed option than Kovalam, and Poovar is another option off the main tourist trail, by a secluded fishing village.

You can find more information about Kerala’s beaches here .

Also Read: Why You Shouldn’t Take Seashells From the Beach or Buy Them as Souvenirs

7. Try Some Adventure Sports

Water sports, hiking, biking, zip lining, bamboo rafting… You name it and you can do it in Kerala!

If you love the outdoors, I am sure you will enjoy Kerala.

For me, this was one of the highlights of Kerala. It’s just so beautiful here that it pushes you to go out and explore. Even if you are not the most active person normally.

I especially enjoyed Wayanad (one of Kerala’s 14 districts) for its outdoor activities.

With 26% forest cover Wayanad offers great trekking routes, rafting, zip lining and has vast areas that are still unexplored.

8. Visit Kerala’s Cooler Hill Stations

I don’t know about you but before I traveled to India I had never heard of hill stations. So I’ll first explain what they are:

Hill station: a town in the low mountains of the Indian subcontinent, popular as a holiday resort during the hot season. 

So basically once you have had enough of the beautiful but hot & humid lower areas of Kerala, do as the British rulers once did: escape to a hill station!

Munnar is probably the most popular hill station to escape to in Kerala. It’s a former resort for the British Raj elite, surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations.

Vythiri in Wayanad is another hill station I enjoyed visiting, with its mist-capped mountains and beautiful scenery.

Keep in mind that you don’t visit these hill stations to explore a town. You go here to be surrounded by nature and enjoy the stunning scenery and local wildlife.

Therefore I would recommend choosing hotels surrounded by greenery that offer the type of activities (trekking, plantation visits, safaris, etc.) you enjoy.

9. Watch a Kathakali Performance

If I had given you the idea that Kerala is only about nature and the outdoors, that’s not exactly true.

Kerala also offers delicious food, a rich history, and some traditional dances and arts you shouldn’t miss.

A popular thing to do in Kerala is watching a Kathakali performance.

Kathakali is one of the major forms of classical Indian dance. It is a “story play” genre of art, known for the colorful make-up, costumes, and facemasks that the traditionally male actor-dancers wear.

These dance performances have become a bit of an icon of Kerala and are definitely one of the highlights of Kerala.

The Kerala Kathakali Centre in Kochi is said to be the most popular place to watch a Kathakali performance in Kerala.

10. Have an Ayurvedic Massage

When I think about the highlights of my trip to Kerala, the Ayurvedic massages definitely come to mind!

Many hotels in Kerala come with spas that offer Ayurvedic massages. Additionally, there are numerous Ayurvedic centers and some great Ayurvedic resorts.

Ayurveda is often referred to as a sister science to yoga. It’s a 5000-year-old traditional science that was designed to bring the body back into balance in order to heal itself.

Its main beliefs are that the mind and body are inextricably connected and that nothing has more power to heal and transform the body than the mind.

If you are looking for some relaxation after a day of exploring Kerala , go for an Ayurvedic massage!

Or if you really want to get the benefits of Ayurveda you can book more extensive Ayurveda treatment packages or plan a yoga & Ayurveda retreat.

4 Other Things to Do in Kerala

Apart from the highlights of Kerala I listed above, there are plenty of other things to do in Kerala. Four of those things I wanted to share with you here.

If you have enough time or visit Kerala at the right time of year, you might be able to add some of these to your list of things to do.

1. Visit One of the Most Popular Temples in Kerala

Kerala isn’t the go-to place in India to see temples. But, the state does have a number of temples worth visiting. Some of these are:

• Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram
• Sri Krishna Swamy Temple in Ambalapuzha
• Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala
• Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram
• Sri Vadakkumnatha Temple in Thrissur

You can find all of these on Google maps, with pictures, to decide which one you would like to visit on your trip to Kerala.

Tip: if you love temples, consider visiting Madurai .

2. Visit an Amusement Park

Kerala has a good number of water and amusement parks. Especially if you are visiting Kerala with kids it’s worth checking some out!

We visited Jatayu Earth’s Center which is an adventure park that focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly tourism .

They offer various fun activities from rock climbing to archery or paintballing, plus a unique, giant eagle statue on top of a scenic hill.

3. Go For a Romantic Cave Dinner

Are you looking for a unique thing to do in Kerala? Go for a romantic candlelit dinner in a cave!

The Edakkal Hermitage offers this unique dining option that has been featured in many travel magazines. We were lucky enough to experience this and it was one of my most fun and unique experiences in Kerala!

Plus this cave is located very close to the Edakkal Caves which are a popular tourist destination. These caves are the only known place in India with carvings dating back to the Stone Age. 

4. Experience One of Kerala’s Festivals

If you are lucky enough to visit Kerala during one of its main festivals, make sure you witness them!

One of the most important festivals of Kerala is Onam, also known as the harvest festival of Kerala . It is a 10-day celebration that falls between August and September.

But, that is definitely not the only festival in Kerala. From religious occasions to boat races and music festivals, Kerala is home to a great heritage of festivals.

You can find an overview of the festivals in Kerala here . So make sure you check if you happen to be visiting Kerala during a festival!

• Why Visit Kerala? Even if You Don’t Think You’ll Like India!
• Best Places to Stay in Kerala – A Mix of Unique, Luxury & Eco-Friendly
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• The Best Places in Asia to Go on Honeymoon – Including India

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Disclaimer: I want to thank the Kerala tourism board for inviting me to travel to Kerala and see all of the highlights of Kerala. Although my trip was sponsored, of course all opinions shared here are my own.

This post about the best things to do in Kerala contains an affiliate link. I may receive a commission for purchases made through this link, at no additional cost to you.

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A 7 day Kerala itinerary perfect for first-timers

By: Author Sylvia

Posted on Last updated: March 11, 2023

The make-up is done in such a way that you might think that the actors wear a mask.

Are you wondering what’s the best Kerala itinerary? You came to the right place.

Kerala is super green with lots of palm trees.  

We loved the seemingly endless lush green nature of Kerala, a paradise for nature lovers and for those who want to relax for a few days.

In this Kerala travel blog post, we share our complete Kerala trip itinerary.

So definitely keep reading.

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.  

In a hurry? Here we share our Kerala trip plan for 7 days

If you don’t have time to read through the full 7 days Kerala trip itinerary,  use this overview to get an idea of the things to do each day and save it for later.

• Day 1-2 Kochi ( Cochin ):  Chinese Fishing Nets, the Pardesi Synagogue, the St. Francis Church, walk through Princess street, Mattancherry Palace, attend a Kathakali dance show.
• Day 3-4 Munnar:  Visit the tea plantations, Mattupety Dam, Echo Point, and Top Station. Go hiking, visit Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Day 5-7 Allepey, Kumarakom, and Cochin: Relax in Allepey, cruise the backwaters, make a Shikara boat ride, take an Ayurveda massage.

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India essentials 

• To find  cheap flights to India, click here.
• Most travelers need a visa for India. The easiest way is to apply for an e-visa through  a Visa agency. Click here to see prices and submit your application.
• For more inspiration on what to do and to see in India, take a look at our  2 weeks in India itinerary  and our  Rajasthan itinerary.
• Here you can find an overview of  the best India group tours . If you are specifically looking for  group tours that visit Kerala, click here.
• Last but not least, make sure you have good  travel insurance.

Kerala tour itinerary 7 days 

In this 7 days Kerala travel itinerary you will discover most of Kerala’s highlights. 

Day 1-2: Kochi (Cochin)

If the use of Cochin and Kochi gets you confused you’re not alone. 

Both names refer to the same city.  Kochi is the official name but many people still use the unofficial Cochin which was used by the British occupiers.

Kochi is the major airport in Kerala.  The airport is served by many domestic and international flights.

Depending on how late you arrive in Kochi we would recommend staying one or two nights.

Our driver was waiting for us at the arrivals hall.  In hindsight, we can now tell you that we are glad we had arranged one.

Although the distances that you will cover to visit these Kerala sights are nothing compared to the kilometers we traveled in the Northern part of India it is still a much more comfortable way of traveling.

45 Amazing facts about India you should read before you go

Kochi sightseeing

I’m not sure if you have ever been to Rajasthan.

If you have we can tell you that Kerala will be a whole different experience. It could just as well be another country.   

It’s a very tropical city with lots of water and palm trees and if somebody would have told us that we were no longer in Indian but in Thailand instead we could have believed him.

Here we share the best things to do in Kochi.

Things to do in Fort Kochi

Kochi is the economic capital of the state of Kerala. 

It is a big city but the highlights are all located in the same part of the city called Fort Kochi and can be covered in a half-day.

We visited the Chinese Fishing Nets, the Pardesi Synagogue, and the St. Francis Church.  Along the way we walked through Princess street, the place to hunt for souvenirs, snoop around bookstores or relax with a drink and some food.

Next, we went to the Mattancherry Palace, also called the Dutch Palace.  It’s a beautiful small palace with some awesome mural paintings.  It can in no way be compared to any of the palaces we visited in Rajasthan.

The museum does a good job of showcasing the many differences in the life of the Maharaja between the north and the south of the country.

Kochi is also a good place to attend a Kathakali dance show. This is a story play that originated in Kerala and is still unique to this region. 

The show kept us amused for the full hour.  Although we lost the storyline somewhere halfway, the costumes, make-up, and acts alone justify attending the show.

You can see a similar Kathakali show in Munnar if your agenda wouldn’t allow you to attend the show in Kochi.

Here you can find more places to visit in Fort Kochi. 

Where to stay in Cochin

Le méridien cochin.

We stayed in  the Meridien Cochin  and had a wonderful time. We had a very big comfortable room and enjoyed the delicious breakfast.  The staff was very accommodating and even invited us to the miss Kerala election that was held in the hotel. We would definitely stay here again if we would return to Cochin.

Check prices and availability:

Booking.com

If you aren’t convinced of this hotel, you will find a lot of other hotels in Cochin on Booking.com: Booking.com

Day 3-4: Munnar

From Kochi, we continued our journey towards the hill station of Munnar.

Driving time:  112 km- approximately 4 hours.

Things to do in Munnar

Munnar is a great location to spend 2 days.  Best of all is that the temperature is really enjoyable as it is higher up in the mountains.  It might even feel a little chilly when you’re acclimatized to the temperatures in the other parts of India.

So bring a warm jacket or sweater.

The main tourist attraction of Munnar are the many tea plantations. Did you know that India is famous for producing one of the best teas in the world? 

You can’t miss them, all roads in the area zigzag through the tea plantations. 

The sight is so spectacular that I think we may have asked our driver a hundred times to stop for a picture.

Several tea plantations are open to visitors. 

Some of them have a small museum where you can see how tea is made in the factories. 

There’s also the tea museum that tells more about the history of tea in this region.

For an even more authentic experience, you can book an organized tour that takes you on unpaved routes deep into the fields.   You will meet some of the tea pickers and see how they still mostly manually pick the leaves.  Did you know that they collect around 100kg of leaves every single day?

We loved the tea plantations so much that we would almost forget the other sights of Munnar. 

Once we sort of had enough of the impressive vistas on the tea plantations we headed to the Mattupety Dam, Echo Point, and Top Station.

Except for Top Station, the sights in themselves are not that special but the roads that take you there are all the more. 

Along the way, you pass several photogenic waterfalls as well as many more incredible vistas.

Munnar is also surrounded by some beautiful national parks.

Eravikulam National Park is located half an hour outside Munnar and is the habitat of the almost extinct Nilgiri Tahr . 

Almost 2 hours North of Munnar is Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary where you can spot elephants and deer (and even leopards if you are really really lucky).

Hiking is another excellent way to witness the beauty of the region. 

Several gorgeous hikes and trekkings can be done ranging from easy to rather difficult but most are unmarked and require a guide.

If you plan on doing a lot of hiking, we would advise you to wear hiking leggings. They are a lot more comfortable than shorts when you plan on hiking a lot.

In the evening you can attend the Kathakali as well as Kalaripayattu shows.   The latter is a very energetic martial arts show.

Where to stay in Munnar 

Fragrant nature munnar.

The Fragrant Nature Munnar hotel is gorgeous and beautifully situated on the top of the valley amidst the jungle.  It is surrounded by tea and spice plantations. The hotel has comfortable and well-equipped rooms and is run by helpful and accommodating staff. The view from the room is outstanding.

Check prices and availability: Agoda

Day 5-7: Alleppey-Kumarakom-Cochin

Kumarakom and Alleppey are both nice places to end your vacation in Kerala. They are located on opposite sides of the Vembanad lake. 

We ended our vacation with some quality time in a resort in Kumarakom but you can also spend some relaxing days in Alleppey.

We have included a short comparison between the two to help you pick the best destination for your vacation.

Driving time: 175 km- approximately 4-5h

Should you go to Alleppey or Kumarakom?

This depends on what you want to do.

If you want to cruise the backwaters and stay a night on a houseboat you might want to choose for Alleppey.

The boats leave from both locations but Alleppey has by far the biggest choice for a backwater cruise.

You won’t find a lot of resorts in Alleppey, these are all located along the lakeside in Kumarakom.

Kumarakom is the most flexible of the two as it allows you to combine a stay in a resort with an overnight cruise in a houseboat.  Some of the resorts have their own houseboats and offer this as a package.

You should know that although a Kerala backwater cruise lasts almost a full day the boat will only sail for about 6 hours. 

Local regulations reserve the lake for the fishermen at night, all houseboats need to dock by 5:30 PM. 

The majority of the 6 hours are also spent on the lake, most Kerala houseboats are too large to navigate the narrow channels of the backwaters where you can really experience daily life.

The small boats called Shikara offer an alternative way to see the backwaters. You can charter these per hour as a couple or family.

An advantage of these small boats is that they can navigate the narrow channels and because it’s a private tour you can ask the driver to stop if you want to take pictures.  We saw a lot of colorful birds so there’re plenty of picture opportunities.

We arranged a 2-hour Shikara boat ride. It seemed like 2 hours was enough although the scenery is really stunning. This cruise was one of the highlights of our trip to Kerala as the backwaters are so peaceful and beautiful. I think the backwaters might be the reason why they call this state “God’s own country”.

If we would go back we would definitely opt for a Shikara again.

The Shikara boats leave from the Kavanattinkara boat jetty in Kumarakom.  This is close to the entrance of the bird sanctuary and your boat ride will actually take you along part of the edge of the sanctuary.   The sanctuary is a nice place to enjoy nature but the dense forest will make it difficult to spot birds. 

You can combine your boat ride with a visit to the sanctuary, just know that you will probably see more birds during the boat ride than during your forest trek in the sanctuary.

This region in Kerala is also famous for its Ayurveda massages. 

Ayurveda is a buzzword that’s popping up all over the world.  What you may not know is that it originated in India several thousand years ago.  It’s a way of life that revolves around creating peace and harmony in the body by aligning different energy channels, called chakras. 

The Ayurveda oils that are used have medicinal and detoxing properties.

You should try an Ayurveda massage if you currently suffer from insomnia or high levels of stress.

We had our massage at an Ayurveda Massage Center but you will see that most hotels offer these massages as well.

If you like to combine a backwater tour with a massage, this is the perfect tour for you. 

Where to stay in Alleppey 

Angel queen houseboat.

A lovely boat with a top deck for great viewing. The boat has comfortable bedrooms with ensuites. The meals that are served are delicious and the scenery divine.

A good option for a relaxing and comfortable trip.

If you aren’t convinced of this houseboat, you will find a lot of other houseboats in Alleppey on Booking.com: Booking.com

Where to stay in Kumarakom?

Park regis aveda kumarakom.

Classy resort with beautiful rooms that look out over the pool. Excellent food and service at the restaurant.  Very courteous and friendly staff. The hotel offers a complimentary sunset cruise. 

A beautiful peaceful place on the lake.

If you aren’t convinced of this hotel, you will find a lot of other resorts in Kumarakom on Booking.com: Booking.com

Best time to visit Kerala

The best period to visit Kerala is from September to March although it can rain occasionally until December.

We had some daily scattered showers in October.  They usually occurred somewhere during the afternoon but not to that degree that it affected our travel plans for Kerala.

Kerala has an overall enjoyable climate whole year-round.  Most visitors prefer the above period because it’s warm but not too hot and there’s only a small chance to have vacation days ruined by rain. 

There are some popular activities in Kerala in this period. 

One is the Kumarakom Boat race in September and October and there is also Cochin Carnival which is widely celebrated in January.

This is the most popular tourist season and that is reflected in the hotel prices.

You will have to pay more for your accommodation, certainly around the year-end period.

As of April, the temperatures start rising towards 30 degrees and more.  Most tourists avoid Kerala during these months.

It’s a great time to explore the region if the heat doesn’t bother you, the hotel rates are lower and there will be fewer crowds.

In general, there will be plenty of sun during the daytime. 

Chances of heavy showers and thunderstorms towards evening increase as April ends and May kicks in.

June, July, and August is monsoon season in Kerala. 

The temperatures are hot and humid and almost daily there will be some heavy showers. 

Floods are not uncommon during this time of the year so it may be difficult to get around.

If your travel plans are limited to this time of the year and you are looking for a nature destination, we would recommend you to consider a trip to Borneo.

Cheap Flights to Kerala

If you want to score  cheap flights to Kerala we advise you to have a look at Momondo  and  Skyscanner.   

Both are flight aggregators that compare several hundreds of booking sites and give you an overview of the best flights and the cheapest sites to book them. 

Momondo and Skyscanner are both very good at finding good deals, of the two, Momondo is probably the one with the most intuitive user interface.

Visa requirements for India

With the exception of residents of Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives everybody needs a visa to enter India.

Recently the country has introduced e-visas.  You can find out if you’re eligible to apply for an e-visa on the government’s e-visa website .  The website also lists the fees.  These vary by country. (see point 4 of the instructions)

Note that the Indian government charges the fee regardless of whether your application has been approved or not.  The fee is seen as a processing fee and therefore non-refundable.  It’s always charged, even if your application would be rejected due to an unclear picture or an unreadable scan of your passport.

This made us a little uncomfortable and we decided to apply for our e-visa through a visa agency so that our information would be subject to an additional review by the agency before it was finally submitted.

Apply for a travel visa with VisaHQ: Visa for India

When you want to apply for the e-visa yourself make sure to do this directly on the official government website.  Ignore sites that falsely claim to be official like the one below, they add significant service charges to your application, more than reputable visa agencies such as iVisa.  The official e-visa site run by the government is  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ .

Take a car and driver or join an organized tour

We always prefer to explore a country on our own. Primarily for the freedom that it gives us but also because it feels more authentic if you mingle with the locals on public transportation and in the streets.

We did some research but it wasn’t really easy to find something that worked for us. 

There’re buses that go to the hill stations but you would need an additional taxi or tuk-tuk to get to your hotel as many of them are spread out across the region and not really within the limits of those stations.

Then you will also have to make arrangements with a taxi or tuk-tuk to take you to the various sights, or you could book an organized tour.

Car and driver

In the end, we opted for a private chauffeured tour as it looked much easier.  

To book a private chauffeured tour you need to provide the company with your planned itinerary. This is because the price not only depends on the number of days but also on the number of kilometers that you will travel.

If you’re not sure about your itinerary for Kerala you can finetune it together with the company.

Most companies will be able to book your accommodations as well but you’re free to arrange your hotels yourself if you prefer.

Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport in the arrivals hall.  From this point on you have all the freedom about how you fill in your days.  We were well prepared and had a list of things that we wanted to see and do. Our driver always had some extra suggestions ready.  Each evening we made the final arrangements with him for the next day.

It worked out really well and turned out to be a comfortable way to visit Kerala.

If you are looking for a car and driver, take a look here. 

Joining an organized tour 

If you don’t have time to create your own itinerary or just don’t want to go independent, then you could also join an organized tour. 

TourRadar is an online travel agency specialized in multi-day tours.  Their well-arranged interface makes it easy to compare package tours from different operators.

They have several 7 days Kerala tour packages.

Tipping in India

There’s something strange about tipping in India and it took some time before we got a hold about when and how much we should tip.  Tipping, in India known as Baksheesh, is not common and didn’t exist before tourism became popular in India.  You will hardly ever see a local give a tip.

Westerners introduced the custom of tipping, maybe because poverty can be confronting, but our driver was quick to remind us that we didn’t need to be overly generous.

The Baksheesh has already found its way in the culture and staff in restaurants that see a lot of tourists now seem to expect tips from foreigners.

We sometimes noticed how we got treated differently than an Indian couple sitting at the table next to us.  Mostly regarding the bill because the service was equally good regardless of skin color, language, or origin.

We usually tipped about 10% in restaurants.

Make sure to check the bill for a service charge before you tip. 

Some restaurants will add this automatically, others don’t. 

We did try to hand the tip subtly to our waiter because we often noticed how restaurant managers were quick to collect the tips that were left on the table and they just disappeared in their own pockets.

The tipping policy was not any more clear in hotels. 

We noticed how luxury hotels seemed to have a no-tipping policy. 

We had some small rupees handy (the guideline is 50 rupees per bag) each time we arrived in a hotel but the porters in most luxury hotels were very fast to leave to the room. We often didn’t have the chance to hand over the tip. 

On the occasions where we did, they were overly grateful.   

Less luxurious hotels often showed a completely different picture. 

Hotel porters in these hotels would put on a whole show and acted like our bags weighed at least 50kg each. 

They clearly expected a tip and did not make a start to leave the room until we handed them the Baksheesh. 

We tipped the first group with pleasure, but the 2nd group gave us a bad feeling.

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” 

If you have a car with a driver it is also expected that you tip your driver for good service. 

Our driver was always on time and even acted as a guide whenever he could. 

He would tell us more about the places that we visited and would always offer suggestions about the places where we could go to. 

If you’re happy with the services of your driver the suggested tip is 200 INR per day per person. 

If you’re sharing a driver with a larger group you can lower these amounts, a tip of 800INR/day is very generous.

Scams in India

We encountered various small scams but luckily nothing that was too bad.

Most of them occurred in Rajasthan but you will be confronted with them in all public and touristic places all over India, even in temples.

Do not accept any free things that are offered to you.  Once you have accepted the so-called gift they will ask money in return.

Overall we had the impression that things weren’t as bad in Kerala as in Rajasthan but we prefer to share our tips anyway.

A small piece of advice is to not be annoyed too much by these scams.  If you allow them to influence your mood it will just ruin your experience.  Let it go and move on. It’s not worth ruining your trip over it.

Know how much you need to pay

We experienced how Indians shamelessly dared to ask a twentyfold of the official price for snacks or drinks. 

A coke in an ordinary Indian supermarket was suddenly more expensive than what we would pay in a fancy bistro along the Champs-Elysée. 

Although you clearly know that this cannot be correct it’s hard to negotiate a fair price if you do not know this price. 

After we overpaid once our driver showed us where could find the official price.

All drinks and snacks should have the price printed on them.  If the bottle or package is not showing the price or the price has been barred just move on and find a trustworthy seller.

We visited most sites with our driver and when we did he told us the entry fees we needed to pay. 

Most of the time these were also clearly indicated at the ticket offices. Prices for foreigners are more expensive than those for locals. 

Luckily the difference is not that big here than it was in the North where foreigners often paid the fifteenfold or twentyfold of locals.

Most entrance fees can be paid with a credit card or cash. 

Monuments that are run by the government often have some discount for credit card payments. 

 When paying cash make sure to check your change, short-changing is not uncommon in India.

The chances are smaller that they will try to pull short-changing tricks on you if you clearly show the notes that you hand over or even mention how much cash you give them.

Something else we experienced, although in New Delhi, is that people pretended to be ticket vendors although the entrance is free. 

This happened at the Jama Masjid mosque. 

Scammers stopped us at the entrance and rather aggressively asked us to pay 300 INR per person and an additional 300 INR for each camera.

Because we knew the entrance was free we ended up only paying the camera fee and saved 600 INR.

2 days in Jaipur, a detailed itinerary. 

If you plan on visiting any monuments look up the price online before you go.

Adapter for electrical appliances

India uses a mix of electrical plugs type C (also known as Europlug), D and M .  The type C plug is similar to what is used in most European countries. 

The Type M plug has three round pins in a triangular pattern and looks similar to the Type D plug, the only difference being that its pins are much larger.

Type M pins are used for bigger appliances.

Since we are from Belgium, we did not need an adapter.

If you have problems using type C plugs in Type D sockets you should try to insert an object with a fine tip into the top hole while inserting the plug.

Stay healthy

Maybe it was the temperature that was slightly more pleasant or maybe the kitchen hygiene is just better, whatever the reason was, once we arrived in Kerala we were released of the famous Delhi belly.

We still obeyed the following rules:

Avoid drinking any tap water or brushing your teeth with it.  Try to steer clear from any food that may have been washed in it like salads and order any soda’s without ice.

Indians have the lowest rate of meat consumption in the world. India has 500 million vegetarians, that are more vegetarians than the rest of the world put together.

The country offers perhaps the world’s most fabulous choice of vegetarian food so it may be a good choice to go veggie for the duration of your stay in India.

Undercooked or rotten meat can do a lot more harm than a badly prepared vegetarian dish.

Expenses abroad can be seriously inflated by fees from your bank or credit card.  That’s why I’m a huge fan of my  N26 account.   

The account is available to most EU residents.

 The  checking account  is free as well as the associated Mastercard and there’s no exchange rate provision when you use to card for payments abroad. 

There’s a 1,7% exchange rate provision when you withdraw money abroad but even that is free with  the premium Black Mastercard.  

The app is another great feature of the card, you can follow your expenses in real-time and instantly block your card if you see any signs of fraud.

When paying cash double-check the amount you hand over to the cashier and double-check the notes you get back.  Shortchanging is, unfortunately, a common practice in India.

Also, check the quality of the notes you get back.

It doesn’t matter so much for small notes (anything up to 100INR) but don’t accept any notes over 100 that are damaged or have been written on. 

We had one 500 rupee note with some yellow marks on it and it took us a while before somebody wanted to accept it.

We stayed in both 3, 4, and 5-star hotels. 

The level of service in all of them was excellent but we noticed how the cleanliness was significantly lower in 3-star hotels. 

We found dust on the shelves, old worn towels, raffled carpet in the corridors, sticky tables in the restaurant, and pigeon poop all around the pool. 

What we didn’t find was toilet paper in the public toilets. 😊 Not what we would expect from a 3-star hotel but you have to keep in mind that the standards for cleanliness are different in India.

Indian cities are often very hectic and noisy and we were often happy that we could relax in a comfortable hotel after a busy day.

We would recommend taking slightly better hotels then you usually take so that you can unwind and relax after a hectic day.

Travel Insurance 

Last but not least… I’m not sure how good or bad Indian hospitals are. 

I do want to believe that they have a higher standard of cleanliness than the average Indian restaurant but still, I rather don’t experience it myself.

We never had anything serious happen on any of our journeys around the world but we never take any risks, better safe than sorry…  That’s why we always travel with good travel insurance.

If you don’t have travel insurance yet, check out HeyMondo or Safetywing . Both companies over good travel insurance for a competitive price.

HeyMondo Travel Insurance

SafetyWing Insurance

We had an amazing week in Kerala.

The backwaters are incredibly beautiful and although this is the third time that we visit tea plantations they keep on inspiring us to snap hundreds of pictures.

Kerala has everything you need for a lovely vacation. 

There’re fantastic hotels in all price classes.

One thing I noticed about hotels in India is that the service is always excellent.  Cleanliness is somewhat troublesome in 3-star hotels (we did not stay below 3 stars) but the service remains spotless.

Nature lovers as we are we were definitely charmed by the beautiful nature of the state. 

If we would come back we would certainly do some trekkings and maybe even try one of the bounty beaches to relax afterward.

If you like this article, pin it

Bharat Taxi

Friday 27th of December 2019

Thanks for sharing your itinerary for the trip, Kerala is very beautiful city and there have many places to visit for sightseeing. I really appreciate this post, all images are so beautiful, Thanks for sharing this post.

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Essential Information

Kerala Highlights (7 Nights)- Overview

A ground tour totalling just over 500 kilometres over 8 days  which take in the delights of the tea economy in and around Munnar, the exotic wildlife at Thekkady, a houseboat experience at Alleppey and the blissful joy of Cherai Beach on the Arabian Sea.  Just like Indian tea, this tour is infused with the right flavour, culture and heritage of Kerala, this beautiful part of India. There are  plenty of opportunities to get out and in amongst the lovely scenery in the mountains or you can kick back and just unwind.  Unspoilt, authentic and very beautiful, Kerala is some many things to so many people, not for nothing is it known as, God’s Own Country.

Additional Inclusions

Kerala Highlights (7 Nights)- Itinerary

Kochi airport to fort kochi.

Travel from the airport to Fort Kochi with our tour guide and after check-in at your hotel, a chance to freshen up in your deluxe suite before sampling the delights of this busy and historic port.  Fort Kochi is set slightly away from the town and is a museum experience of past colonial influences, rich in heritage surviving from the earlier Dutch, Portuguese and British settlers.  Visit St. Francis Church or Jew Street, fascinating, historic and cosmopolitan all overlaid with a peaceful blanket of local native Indian life.

• Room 3 Star Hotel
• Style Superior Room

From Kochi to Munnar

Leave Kochi and travel to the delights of Munnar where your luxury hotel awaits.  Your guide will take time out on the journey to show you the famous Valara and Cheeyappara waterfalls and the Periyar River.  Water is an essential element of the landscape in Kerala, providing hydration to support the many plantations and creating the most incredible green and verdant landscape, hills and valleys interspersed with falls, rivers, streams and peaceful lakes.  Add in the serenity, a temperate climate and the exotic wildlife and you have the perfect Indian cocktail for a truly memorable holiday.

• Room 3 Star Resort
• Meals Breakfast

Munnar Sightseeing

Munnar is a hill station established during the time of the Raj for elite British society as their own mountain retreat.  Munnar is situated at 1,600 feet but for those with a head for heights, the views from  Anamundi, the highest peak in this part of India, are spectacular.  For a lazy lakeside lunch, head for Mattupetty, a dam built into the side of the Kerala mountains creating a serene lake, the perfect spot to dine al fresco after an invigorating walk.  For those fascinated by India’s tea tradition, the Tea Museum at Munnar gives an insight into the workings of this industry with a chance to view heritage exhibitions as well as the actual manufacture of the tea.

• Style Tea Valley View Room

Head to Thekkady from Munnar

Visitors to Kerala cannot fail to be impressed by the rich wildlife that inhabits this terrain, attracted by the abundance of food and the availability of water.  Today’s tour is all about the animals as you head to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady.  Cruise on Lake Periyar, a large of body of water which sits within the reserve, the perfect viewing point for the multitude of animals which head to the lakeside to drink.  Retire to your accommodation for the night which makes the most of the fantastic views and the prospect of spotting yet more wildlife from your hotel window.

• Style Premium Room

Your houseboat awaits at Alleppey

Live on the water for a night in a charming thatched houseboat at Alleppey.  Upon arrival, your boat will take you for a cruise amongst the beautiful waterways, offering you the opportunity to view local people as they go about their daily lives earning their living either from the water or by fashioning coir into crafts.  Your deluxe houseboat is your berth for the night.  Lull yourself into sweet dreams listening to the gently lapping water after your evening meal on deck with the backdrop of the setting sun.

• Room Deluxe Houseboat
• Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Style Heritage Houseboat

Alleppey (Houseboat) to Cherai

No holiday to Kerala would be complete without a visit to the ocean and the choice of best and beautiful beaches in Kerala is endless along this stretch of coastline.  Cherai is a suburb of Kochi with a beautifully clean beach which is regularly lifeguarded.  Enjoy sunset Indian style over the Arabian Sea before retiring to your luxury hotel.

• Style Beach Grove

Relax & Cherai Sightseeing

A day on the Cherai beach gives you time to relax and unwind, perhaps swim with the dolphins or take advantage of the hospitality of one of the eateries nearby.  Uncluttered and unspoilt, Cherai Beach is the ultimate tropical paradise with space to walk, play beach games or just relax and enjoy this tropical haven.

• Room 3 Star A/C Room

Departure from Kochi Airport

Spend your last day in Cherai – only within a 45-minute drive of Cochin Airport – so linger awhile and savour your last tastes of Kerala paradise before you are taken by your Chauffeur back to catch your flight home.

Kerala Highlights - Distance & Map

The map covers a distance of 698KMs; starting the trip from Cochin International Airport and going to Munnar, Thekkady, Kovalam, Kanyakumari and Trivandrum.

• Arrival & Pickup from Cochin
• Departure & Drop at Cochin
• Type of Vehicle Private Vehicle with Chauffeur
• Package Category Premium
• What is included
• What is not included
• Airport Pickup and Drop Off
• Welcome at Airport by our representative
• Sightseeing as per the Itinerary
• Government Taxes and Service Charges
• Accommodation and meal plans as mentioned.
• Air Conditioned Private Vehicle with Chauffeur blocked from your arrival till departure
• Airport/Hotel Transfers and Transfer by Road in Private Vehicle
• All Currently applicable taxes incuded
• Sightseeing & Entrance Charges for Activities at Tourist Attractions
• Camera & Video Permits
• Airtickets not included
• Personal Expenses (telephone bills, room service, laundry)
• Visa Processing Charges
• Travel & Medical Insurance
• Late Checkouts and Early Check in Charges
• Any Airport Arrival/ Departure Tax
• Drinks (neither with meals, nor on vehicles or during tours, unless otherwise indicated)
• Any other services not mentioned in the itinerary
• Tips & gratuities for drivers & guides

Select your trip type

Questions on kerala highlights (7 nights).

Asked by Kara Fielding from United Kingdom 1 Year ago

How do I book this holiday?

Answered by Niranjana(Travel Advisor) December 23, 2019

You can enter your details online any time day or night, and one of our Trip Designers will call you back within 24 hours to help you with booking. Our Trip Designers will be able to assist you further in customising the holiday as per your requirements.

Asked by Josephine Kong from Singapore 1 Year ago

Can I customise this holiday with few hotels of my choice?

We specialise in Customised holiday packages in Kerala and we will be able to offer you any resort in Kerala as we have direct relationshops with most resorts. If you want to change the resorts in this package, one of our trip designers will work with you till you are happy with the package. Our Trip Designers will be also able to tell you the highlights of each resort and you can decide on whether you woud like to book the same resort

Asked by Michala Vestergaard from USA 1 Year ago

I want to book a taxi for this holiday. Do you offer only taxi services only ?

When you book a holiday with hotels and taxi together with us we will be able to offer you much lower rates than what you will get directly. As we use carefully handicked drivers who can offer the quality that we ideally want, we dont offer taxi only booking services.

What are the payment options you offer?

We offer all major payment options including credit cards , debit cards , wire transfer, net banking and UPI.

INR ₹28200 per person

Usd $383 per person.

George Joseph (Trip Designer)

Designed 12500 + Tour Packages | Kerala and International Tour Specialist

This package is popular

It has been booked 234 times in the past year

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Kerala highlights is also featured in, 2 reviews on kerala highlights add a review.

Solo Female Trip-7 days Kerala Tour Package Review

I had 7 amazing days travelling around Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, and Marari beach. The holiday plan was fully tailored to my needs, thanks to Saranya. All hotels had a very good standard.Moreover, I can highly recommend trekking in Munnar hi....

Fab Bespoke 7 night holiday in Ft Kochi, Thekkady, Aleppey and Kumarakom

My daughter and I decided to research an in country travel agency rather than book through a UK company - when we approached a few, IRIS (Arun Dev) was easily the most proactive and understood very quickly the sort of holiday we wanted to book in Ker....

Booked Kerala Highlights ?

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Why book with Iris Holidays ?

We visit and verify all resorts in Kerala that we suggest to you so that guests like you can have a VERY warm & comfortable about an awesome holiday.

We won’t suggest anywhere that we haven’t been to and tried ourselves. When you book online or call us, we share the kind of insider low-down we'd give to our best friends about destinations and hotels. Rest assured: when you book with us, every last detail is taken care

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Our tours are consistently recognized by prestigious organizations across the travel industry and TripAdvisor. We have won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence from 2014 till 2022 consecutively for 9 consecutive years. We design our unique tours based on extensive knowledge of Kerala tourist destinations strives to offer personalized top-notch service.

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Highlights Of Kerala

• Places Visited  : Cochin ↠ Thekkady & Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary ↠ Kumarakom ↠ Alappuzha
• Duration  : 8 Days 7 Nights
• Estimated Distance  : 600 Km`s

This Tour Idea Is Fully Customizable

Kerala is an ideal tourist destination in India for many reasons. Be it for relaxation, nature or culture, you will love to spend a few days in this state. It is a beautiful place with rich green tropical landscapes of beaches, mountains, backwaters and forests. Our 7 nights Highlights of Kerala tour package is a good choice to enjoy the beauty and culture this marvelous Indian state.

• DAY 1 : COCHIN / KOCHI

Transfer to your hotel for 2 nights stay upon your arrival at Kochi. Enjoy a cruise in the afternoon on Cochin Harbour which is one of the major sea ports in India. Besides, it is among the most attractive natural harbours of the world. Cochin Harbour is a busy port where you can see commercial cruise lines and huge container ships. Travelers can enjoy cruise in traditional fishing boats also in this port. Chinese Fishing Nets is another attraction of Kochi. Buy fish of your choice from the local market before you return to your hotel. Move to the lawn of the hotel where they arranges a grill for their guests. Enjoy a cooking session in the evening at your hotel with a chef. He cooks the fish for you. It is the perfect chance to taste delicious fish preparations and to mingle with your fellow traveler.

• DAY 2 : COCHIN / KOCHI

Enjoy your breakfast and join a walking tour in the Fort Cochin area. Then visit the Dutch Palace. You will love the traditional Kerala architecture of this palace. It was built in the mid-16th century by the Portuguese as a gift to the Maharaja of Kochi. Now it is a gallery where you can see the portraits of Cochin Rajas and several beautiful Hindu murals. Paradesi Synagogue is certainly a great place to visit in Kochi. It is adjacent to the Dutch Palace. Built in 1568, it is an oldest synagogue in the world. Aside, it is among the few of its kind in the country. The 16th century St. Francis Church is the final stop.

Enjoy a cultural Kathakali performance in the evening. Arrive early for the show so that you can watch the preparations of the dancers for it. You will love to watch the elaborate costumes and makeup of the Kathakali artists. Simply enjoy the historic and traditional dances.

• DAY 3 : COCHIN / KOCHI TO PERIYAR / THEKKADY

Check out your hotel and travel to Periyar region to enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes. It takes nearly 6 hours to reach this destination from Cochin. You can spend 2 beautiful days in this destination. Each traveler to Periyar loves to watch the wildlife in Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. It spreads more than 357 square miles in the southern Western Ghats region of the Cardamom and Pandalam Hills. This park is a famous tiger and elephant reserve in the state. In addition to scenic charm, this area is notable for its bio-diversity.

Your hotel arranges a few shows including cultural performances in the evening for their guests. After that you can join the chef to get an idea about the use of different spices in Indian cuisines particularly in Kerala dishes. Here you can learn about different spices and how to use them in dishes. Simply taste the cuisines to know how those spices help to make delicious dishes.

• DAY 4 : PERIYAR / THEKKADY

Exploring the Periyar region can be a beautiful experience. Take a ‘soft trek’ in the morning along the beautiful nature trails to enjoy the scenic nature. Some of the valleys of Periyar contain lush tropical evergreen forests. It is a place where you can see deciduous and evergreen forest and marshy grasslands. We arrange a tribal guide to accompany our guests. So, he will point out different wildlife species and birds to make your trip more interesting. He will give all information about this park and be there to answer every question you ask about the wildlife.

After returning to your hotel, a naturalist will join you. He will take you for a tour through the spice garden of the hotel. It is a part of the cooking demonstration in the previous evening. You can watch a short film on the wildlife of the Periyar National Park including Bengal tiger after that. Enjoy a cultural performance at the end of the day.

• DAY 5 : PERIYAR TO KERALA HOUSEBOAT

Check out your hotel to proceed to Alleppey, the panoramic backwater destination. In fact, backwaters are the prime attraction of this tourist place. Board your traditional houseboat here to enjoy a delightful cruise experience. Enjoy an overnight stay in your houseboat and taste a wide range of tasty cuisines. It must be a wonderful experience for the travelers to spend a night in the houseboat. These thatch-roofed traditional houseboats are locally known as kettuvallams or the ‘boat with knots’. Houseboat cruising is the best way to enjoy the natural beauty of Alleppey. Spend the rest of the day to enjoy cruising along the shimmering backwaters.

Backwater cruising is an excellent way for relaxation. Besides, travelers can get an idea about the day-to-day life of the backwater villages. The kettuvallams are usually come with 2-3 bedrooms, a separate kitchen, an en suite basin, WC and a sit out area. Guests can enjoy air conditioning from 9 pm to 7 am. The crew members make your houseboat cruise a memorable experience. Overnight stay in the houseboat.

• DAY 6 : KERALA HOUSEBOAT TO KUMARAKOM

Disembark the houseboat in the morning after your breakfast. Travel to Kumarakom, a scenic backwater village by boat. Check in to the Coconut Lagoon, a resort in this destination to spend 2 relaxing nights. Enjoy your lunch at the family-run homestay, Philipkutty Farm. You can enjoy several traditional dishes here. The cooks of this homestay use locally grown organic vegetables and fruits to prepare dishes. Besides, you will get the chance to mingle with the local family. After that, enjoy a serene sunset cruise on the Vembanad Lake. Watch cultural performances at the hotel in the evening. Overnight stay at Coconut Lagoon.

• DAY 7 : KUMARAKOM

Enjoy a beautiful morning at the butterfly garden of your hotel. After your delicious breakfast, move out for a bird watching tour at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Here you can spot many local and migratory birds. Some of the birds that you can spot include kingfishers, flycatchers, parrots, herons and egrets. Be at leisure in the afternoon. It must be rejuvenating to undergo Ayurvedic treatments and massages during this trip. This is the final evening of your tour and the hotel hosts a cocktail party for you at their paddy fields. After that you can enjoy your farewell dinner. Overnight stay at Kumarakom Hotel / Resort.

• DAY 8 : KUMARAKOM TO KOCHI AIRPORT

Check out the hotel after your breakfast and drive to the Cochin / Kochi International Airport or Ernakulam railway station for your onward journey. Guests have the option to extend their stay.

Included in price:

• All accommodations (breakfast included daily)
• Small group activities
• Car rental and private transfers as detailed in the itinerary
• Local taxes

Not included in price:

• Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera / video camera fee at all monuments, medical expenses etc.
• Travel Insurance
• Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions

Additional Information

• Flights are not inclusive in the cost. We can book flights at a reasonable price if you require.
• Breakfast is not included on Day 01.
• Driver is not a tour guide. We provide tour guides or Driver cum guides at additional cost.
• Tipping is a way of life in Kerala, we recommend tipping your driver.
• Local conditions may necessitate slight variations to the timings of itineraries.
• Check-out time is until 12:00 hrs.
• Early check-in or late check-out is subject to availability and may be chargeable by the hotel.
• KSU reserves the right to change/modify or terminate the offer any time at its own discretion and without any prior notice.
• In case of unavailability in the listed hotels, alternate accommodation will be made in a hotel of similar standard.
• A maximum of 3 adults are allowed in one room. The third occupant shall be provided a mattress/rollaway bed.
• Disputes, if any, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Kochi.

Hire Luxury Tempo Traveller In Kerala

Luxury passenger van / traveller rental & hire, sometimes journey is more important than the destination.

Karmic Luxury Force Tempo Traveller Rental Kochi. Enjoy Amazing Tours Around Kerala With A Great Team Of Expert Chauffeurs.

Karmic Luxury Travel Service Offers Vans, Traveller & Coaches For Group Transportation In Kochi, ( Cochin ), Kerala For Best Fares.

Transpire House 7, Tel Exchange Road, Maradu, Kochi - 682304

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Highlights of Kerala

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Starts from

per person on twin sharing

It was an amazing experience with Veena world.. Right from booking of the tour till return journey to home, each and everything was taken care of at the perfection. The staff was in touch with us till the date of flying to Kerala.. We use to get regular emails with all the instructions and Itenrary and other details related to the tour.. Rohan and Swapnil both tour managers were so co-operative and so caring.. It was a fun with them and because of them the tour was smooth. I was the most senior person among all... Swapnil and Rohan took extra care of me personally so well.. They ensured my journey is comfortable and smooth and i enjoy it to the fullest. Also, they Thank you to both of them, I am so amazed to see their hospitality.. Thank you once again to the whole Veena world team for wonderful experience and making our tour comfortable and smooth... I would recommend and would love to travel again through Veena world..

Feedback on Tour Code: KLHL291223/A, Highlights of Kerala tour (God's Own Country) which was excellently managed by Mr.Nitin Narkar. Mr.Nitin Narkar is very knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, enthusiastic, lively, patient and kind. He was disciplined and punctual during the tour. I found very easy the way gave us all information about kerla. Excellent luxury bus facilities sightseeing were nicely planned itineraries and posted in whatsapp group one day prior so it was very easy for us to plan our next day. Everything—including the accommodations, meals, and driver—were wonderful. Traveling was very nice and comfortable. All hotels were very good. Sply Sterling Thekkady was the the best hotel among the all 4 hotels. Whole group enjoying together while long distance travelling in bus with playing games. All over atmosphere was very friendly we had an amazing experience with Veena World. Me and my parents enjoyed the tour from day one to the last. This is my second tour with Veena World, my first tour experience was very nice, so I had choosen Veena World for Kerala tour. Thanks Onces again for unforgettable experience with Veena World. Warm regards, Bhakti Vartak

This is regarding Feedback for Tour - KLHL291223/A Tour Manager - Nitin Narkar Sir We are extremely Happy with Kerala highlights with the New year celebration tour. This is our first tour with Veena World . I was very worried initially . But our tour was amazing and memorable . and it all happened because of Tour Manager "Nitin Narkar Sir" . He is a great tour manager . Perfect Planning , Management ,Celebration on the tour . Nitin Sir is not only a tour manager but he is a genuine person . He was caring for each and every person on the tour . One day We had fast , But he arranged that food as well . Also hats off to the bus management team . Bus was extremely clean .Driver uncle drived the bus perfectly . We thoroughly enjoyed Kerala Tour . New year celebration , sight seeing, Hotels , Meals , snacks were perfectly arranged . Thank you Veena Mam , Nitin Narkar Sir & Bus Management team for giving us a wonderful experience for a lifetime 🙏🙏🙏. Thank you 🙏🙏 Thank you, Amruta

Feedback on Kerala tour (Tour Code: *****/*****) : Dear Veena World Team, I hope this message finds you well. I recently had the pleasure of embarking on a tour to Kerala (tour code: KLHLP281223/A) with your esteemed company, and I felt compelled to share my feedback on the experience I had. From the moment the tour commenced until its conclusion, every aspect of the journey was perfectly organized and executed, showcasing the professionalism and dedication of Veena World. The carefully curated itinerary allowed us to explore the rich cultural and natural beauty of Kerala, leaving us with unforgettable memories. One standout element of this tour was our incredible Tour Manager, Mr. Hudson Francis. His passion for his job and commitment to ensuring a seamless experience for all participants truly set this journey apart. This guy was like a walking encyclopedia of Kerala - he knew everything about the place and made our journey way more interesting. Hudson's exceptional organizational skills were evident throughout the tour. From coordinating transportation and accommodation to managing the daily itinerary, he demonstrated an unparalleled level of efficiency. Even in the face of unexpected challenges, Hudson remained calm and composed, always finding swift and effective solutions to ensure the comfort and satisfaction of every traveler. What truly stood out about Hudson was his genuine and warm personality. He was Super friendly, always ready to chat, and made sure everyone felt included and valued. His approachability and willingness to address any concerns or questions made the tour feel like a personalized and enjoyable experience. Along with Hudson, Yash, and Gourav also went above and beyond to manage the logistics and details of the tour, ensuring everything ran like clockwork, and making sure we didn't miss out on any of the fun. In summary, our journey to Kerala with Veena World exceeded all expectations, thanks in large part to the outstanding efforts of Hudson Francis. Please extend my heartfelt gratitude to him for his remarkable service and dedication. I will undoubtedly recommend Veena World to friends and family, and I look forward to future adventures with your esteemed company. Thank you once again for a truly memorable experience. Warm regards, Sayali Chavan. Savita Chavan.

Tour includes

Key highlights.

Note: The highlights and sightseeing's may change depending on the departure date you choose.

Select departure city, dates & add guest to book your tour

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1. Select departure city & date

All departure dates (6).

• Terms and Conditions apply.
• 5% GST is applicable on given tour price.
• Mentioned tour prices are Per Person for Indian Nationals only.

0 Adult(s) | 0 Child | 0 Infant

• Tour Details

Tour Information

Need to know.

• Policy & Terms

Itinerary (Day Wise)

Cochin – alleppey (1 night).

Tour Guests will arrive at Cochin Airport as per their Scheduled flight. Upon arrival in the evening they will meet Veena World tour manager at the airport and proceed to Alleppey – known as ‘the Venice of the East’. Today we have a short Meet & Greet session.

• Tea/Coffee in the evening

Alleppey – Periyar (1 Night)

Today we proceed to Periyar. En route we enjoy the famous Kerala Backwaters ride and admire the scenic sites of lush paddy fields and coconut trees as we sail. Upon arrival in Periyar, we have free time for shopping at Kumily Spice Village. In the evening we enjoy Kalaripayattu show- an Indian martial art. Further we also enjoy Kathakali show - is one of the oldest theater forms in the world.

• Night Stay in Periyar
• Breakfast , Lunch & Dinner
• Tetra Packed Juice during backwater ride, Banana Wafers at Kumily village

Periyar – Munnar (2 Nights)

Today we visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - one of the popular national parks in India and famous as an elephant and tiger reserve. It is home to around 35 species of mammals like tiger, Indian elephant, gaur, sambar, wild pig, Indian giant squirrel, jungle cat, etc. We explore this wildlife sanctuary by sailing in the Periyar Lake. Later we proceed to Munnar – Munnar is well known for its lush green hills and tea plantations. Please Note: Periyar Boat Ride is subject to Availability. In case of non-availability, alternative sightseeing will be provided.

• Tea/Coffee en-route to Munnar

Today we enjoy speed boat ride at Mattupetty Dam near Sunmoon Valley, followed by a visit to Echo Point and Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park (subject to security permission).

• Fruit slice at Sun moon Valley, Mirchi Pakoda at Echo Point and Tea/Coffee/ ice Cream at Eravikulam

Munnar – Cochin (1 Night)

Today we proceed to Cochin – Popularly known as the Queen of Arabian Sea. Upon arrival we visit Chinese Fishing Nets and St. Francis Church at Fort Kochi - one of the oldest European churches in India which has great historical significance. Later we proceed to Muttancherry, here we visit the Jewish Synagogue - oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, Dutch Palace - one of the finest examples of the Kerala style of architecture.

• Coconut water at Jewish Synagogue and Tea/Coffee in the evening

Cochin – Departure

It’s time now to say goodbye to our travel companions. Let’s stay in touch with each other through email, phone, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and meet again on yet another memorable tour. See you all!! Tour Guests will proceed to Cochin airport as per their schedule flight and start their return journey back home. Tour Concludes. Please Note: All guests must follow the mandatory requirements for travel, such as RT-PCR tests, vaccination certificate, web check-in, self-declaration, e-pass formalities etc. as per the state/country, which are subject to change periodically. Any cost incurred for such requirements should be borne by the guests. For transfers and sightseeing we will use small cars / Tempo Travellers / Mini or big coaches depending on the respective tour group size. In case of small cars there will be 4-6 guests in one car. If you wish to utilise the vehicle solely for yourself or your family or you would like to upgrade the vehicle, we can arrange the same at an additional cost subject to availability. Given the current dynamic situation some monuments or sightseeing places may be closed temporarily without any prior notice; in such cases every attempt will be made to visit an alternate sightseeing if possible.

Tour details

Best facilities with no added cost.

City - Country

Check in - check out, reporting point, dropping point.

Note: Flight details are tentative only. The airline, departure, arrival times and routing may change. Hotel details are tentative only. The hotel or place of accommodation may change.

Read this to prepare for your tour in the best way!

• To and Fro economy class air ticket (Ex-Mumbai) with current airport taxes
• Baggage Allowance as per the airline policy
• Travel by comfortable A/C or non A/C small cars or Tempo Travellers or Mini Buses or big buses depending on the respective tour group size
• Accommodation in comfortable hotels on twin/triple/Single sharing basis
• All Meals – Morning tea/coffee, breakfast, lunch, evening tea/coffee with cookies/snacks, dinner and Water Bottle (1 Litre) per person per day
• Guide & driver tips, hotel & restaurants tips
• Permits/ entrance fees of all sightseeing places which is to be visited from inside
• Accompanied local guide/s services wherever require
• Veena World Tour Manager Services from Day 01 Meeting point till the dropping point on last day
• Travel Insurance for guests up to 70 years of age
• Government of India Goods & Services Tax (GST) of 5%
• Any increase in airfare, airport tax, fuel surcharge etc.
• Any new tax/es levied by the central or state government
• Cost of Insurance
• Any upgradation in airline class, vehicle, hotel or hotel room category
• Cost of Pre/Post tour hotel accommodation
• Any extra expense incurred due to any forced majeure situation before the tour departure or during the tour, such as change in airline schedule, route or operation, changing the tour date, change in hotel etc.
• Personal expense like porterage, laundry, telephone, shopping, alcoholic beverages, extra mineral water or food which is not a part of group’s set meal menu
• Any extra cost incurred due to illness, accident, hospitalization or any personal emergency
• Cost of any optional activity or service
• Anything specifically not mentioned in the ‘tour price includes’ column
• As everyone is becoming a frequent traveller now, we suggest that you make your own travel accessories kit to ensure a stress free holiday.
• Always make sure to carry less and light luggage, use a four wheel small or medium suitcase and please make sure that you are carrying only one suitcase per person. This will ensure that you will travel smartly and without any inconveniences.
• It is also recommended that you have one cross shoulder bag or haversack for your handy needs which will ensure that you are comfortable at the time of sightseeing and also easy for photography during your tour.
• A smart cap/hat and sunglasses are definitely something that you should have in your kit.
• Though Veena World provides all three meals, that is breakfast, lunch, dinner and Veena World treats as per the itinerary, you can carry dry snacks of your choice in small sealed packets for munching during air travel or road journeys.
• If you are travelling during the monsoon or to destinations where it is rainy, please carry a small umbrella or poncho.
• For international tours, please carry a universal adapter for charging your cameras and mobile phones.
• Ensure that your clothing and footwear is suitable for the destination you are travelling to.

Things to consider before the trip!

• For detailed Information about weather kindly visit www.accuweather.com

Coach Tavel

• AC Vehicle Type - Depends upon group size

Documents Required for Travel

• Aadhar Card front and Back page
• ADULT: Adhar card/ Driving License/ Voter ID / Passport
• CHILD 5- 11: Adhar card/ School ID / Passport
• CHILD 2- 4 year: School Id/ Birth Certificate/ Passport
• For Infants - Birth Certificate/ Passport

Cancellation Policy & Payment Terms

We keep it transparent, crystal clear!

Payment Terms

Guest can pay by Cheque/ Demand Draft/ Debit card / Credit card/ NEFT/ RTGS/ IMPS. For Debit / Credit card payment additional 1.8 % convenience charge will be applicable Cheque / Demand draft should be in favour of "Veena Patil Hospitality Pvt ltd".

• All meals are provided by Veena World in case the flight reaches the stipulated destination early morning or leaves destination late in the evening.
• The tour price mentioned for this tour is for Indian nationals only.
• The tour price varies for NRI’s or foreign nationals, for more details kindly contact your travel advisor
• NRIs and Foreign nationals please ensure proper identity is conveyed to booking executive at the time of booking and all details along with passport copies are handed over to the booking executive.
• Standard Check-in and check-out time of hotels in India is generally 1.30 PM and 10 AM respectively.

Upgrades Available

Want luxury? Add luxury at minimum cost!

Need to upgrade to business or first class? Please get in touch with our team on 1800 22 7979 for more details.

You can select the prime seat(s) in your coach at an additional cost. Please get in touch with our team on 1800 22 7979 for more details.

Veena World tour reviews

What are you waiting for chalo bag bharo nikal pado.

"It was an amazing experience with Veena world.. Right from booking of the tour till return journey to home, each and everything was ta... Read more

"Feedback on Tour Code: KLHL291223/A, Highlights of Kerala tour (God's Own Country) which was excellently managed by Mr.Nitin Narkar. M... Read more

"This is regarding Feedback for Tour - KLHL291223/A Tour Manager - Nitin Narkar Sir We are extremely Happy with Kerala highlights w... Read more

Highlights of Kerala - Pune

"Feedback on Kerala tour (Tour Code: *****/*****) : Dear Veena World Team, I hope this message finds you well. I recently had the ple... Read more

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