7-Day Kerala Tour: Munnar, Thekkady & Alleppey Houseboat Stay

Summary

Cochin to Munnar: Tea Gardens, Wildlife & Backwater Houseboats

You’ll travel from Cochin’s historic streets to Munnar’s misty tea hills, spot wildlife in Thekkady, drift overnight on an Alleppey houseboat, and taste Kerala’s real flavors—all with local guides who know every shortcut and story.

What’s the experience like?

Landing in Cochin always feels like stepping into a different rhythm—humid air, the faint scent of cardamom, and the city’s old colonial buildings peeking through the morning haze. Our driver met us right at the airport exit with a big grin and cold water bottles (trust me, you’ll want those). We checked into our hotel just as the city started to wake up. Later that day, we wandered through Fort Kochi’s narrow streets—St. Francis Church was quieter than I expected, and the Chinese fishing nets creaked as fishermen hauled them up. At Mattancherry Palace, our guide Anil pointed out faded murals I’d have missed on my own. By evening, we were wiped but happy to crash early.

The drive up to Munnar is something else—hairpin bends with mist rolling over tea plantations. We stopped for chai at a roadside stall where the owner let us watch him pour it from a crazy height (no spills!). Waterfalls tumbled down mossy rocks along the way; you’ll probably want to pull over for photos more than once. Once in Munnar, we checked into a cozy hotel surrounded by green hills and spent the afternoon just soaking in the quiet.

Next morning after breakfast (idli and coconut chutney—simple but perfect), we set off for Rajamalai National Park. If you’re lucky with weather like we were—cool and not too foggy—you might spot Nilgiri tahrs grazing nearby. At Mattupetty Dam, families picnicked while kids tried echoing their names across the water at Echo Point (it really works). The tea museum was more interesting than I expected; turns out Tata Tea started here and you can smell fresh leaves being processed.

The road to Thekkady winds through spice plantations—pepper vines climbing everywhere. We visited one run by a family who showed us how nutmeg grows (I’d never seen it before). Periyar National Park felt wild: monkeys darted across our path and we heard an elephant trumpet somewhere deep in the trees during our boat ride on Periyar Lake. That night’s hotel had windows that opened onto thick forest—you could hear crickets all night.

Kumarakom’s backwaters are slow-moving and peaceful; boarding our houseboat felt like entering another world entirely. The crew cooked up fish curry with fluffy rice for lunch as we floated past villages where kids waved from banks shaded by coconut palms. At sunset, everything turned gold—the only sounds were birds settling in for the night and soft splashes against the hull. Sleeping on water is something I won’t forget soon.

After breakfast on deck (fresh pineapple juice!), we headed back to Cochin for one last night in town before flying home. It’s hard not to feel changed after a week here—Kerala gets under your skin in small ways: spicy food that lingers on your tongue, temple bells ringing at dawn, friendly faces everywhere you go.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Cochin City

• Pickup from Cochin Airport/Station/Hotel
• Visit St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, Chinese fishing nets
• Overnight stay in Kochi

Day 2 — Travel to Munnar

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Munnar with scenic views and waterfalls (4 hours)
• Check-in and leisure time
• Overnight stay in Munnar

Day 3 — Munnar Wildlife Tour

• Breakfast at hotel
• Private Kerala Wildlife Tour: Rajamalai National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Tea Museum
• Return and overnight stay

Day 4 — Munnar to Thekkady

• Breakfast at hotel
• Check out and drive to Thekkady
• Visit spice plantation and Periyar Lake in Periyar National Park
• Check-in and overnight stay

Day 5 — Houseboat in Kumarakom

• Breakfast at hotel and check out
• Transfer to Kumarakom
• Board houseboat for backwater cruise
• Enjoy authentic Kerala meals on board
• Overnight stay on houseboat

Day 6 — Return to Cochin

• Breakfast on houseboat
• Check out and drive to Cochin
• Check-in hotel and overnight stay

Day 7 — Departure from Cochin

• Breakfast at hotel
• Check out and transfer to Cochin Airport/Railway station/Hotel

Top questions

Is this Kerala tour suitable for seniors or travelers with limited mobility?

Yes! The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels. Private transport makes getting around easy.

Are meals included during the houseboat stay?

Absolutely—breakfast, lunch, and dinner are freshly prepared onboard using local ingredients.

Will there be an English-speaking guide throughout?

Yes, you’ll have an English-speaking guide who knows each area well—they’re great at sharing stories and tips.

Can I customize stops or add extra activities?

If you have special requests or want to tweak something along the way, just ask your guide—they’re flexible when possible!

What’s included

Your package covers 6 nights in hand-picked 4-star hotels plus one magical night on a premium houseboat (all meals included there). You get private AC transport throughout, an English-speaking guide for all sightseeing per itinerary, bottled mineral water daily—and all entry fees are taken care of so you can just relax and enjoy each stop.