Kerala: Private Houseboat, Munnar Tea Hills & Fort Kochi Tour

Summary

Tea gardens to backwaters, Kerala’s color and quiet with locals

You’ll ride from Kochi up into Munnar’s misty tea country, taste fresh chai, spot wildlife in Eravikulam Park, then float overnight on a private Kerala houseboat with home-cooked meals. End wandering Fort Kochi’s colorful streets and markets before your airport drop-off—with more memories than you expect.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t think the air would change so quickly—from the sticky warmth at Kochi Airport to that cool, green hush winding up toward Munnar. Our driver, Rajesh, pulled over near Cheeyappara Waterfalls without us asking. The spray was cold on my face and there were kids laughing somewhere behind the tea stalls. It smelled like wet leaves and diesel—oddly comforting. We stopped again at Neriamangalam bridge just to watch the Periyar river slide by. Rajesh said something about “three rivers” coming together in Munnar; I tried repeating it in Malayalam and he grinned but didn’t correct me.

The next morning started with cardamom chai so sweet it made my teeth ache (I drank two cups anyway). The tea gardens looked fake from a distance—too green, too neat—but up close you could see women picking leaves, their hands quick and practiced. Eravikulam National Park was quieter than I expected; we waited for Nilgiri tahr to appear but only saw mist rolling over the hills. At Mattupetty Dam, some local guys tried to sell us roasted corn and joked about selfies—my partner caved first. Honestly, I still think about that view from Echo Point, all soft light and silence except for someone’s distant laughter echoing back.

Switching gears completely: the houseboat day felt like a dream. We boarded at Kumarakom after breakfast (idli and coconut chutney), shoes off on warm wooden planks. The boat glided through Kerala backwaters past women making coir ropes and kids waving from doorways under banana trees. Lunch was fresh fish curry with rice—spicy enough that I had to sneak extra yogurt when no one was looking. That slow drift across Vembanad Lake at sunset… hard to explain unless you’ve done it. Even the air seemed thicker somehow.

Our last morning was Fort Kochi—Princess Street’s faded paint and old men playing chess outside tiny shops. The Chinese fishing nets creaked as fishermen hauled them up; one let me try (I nearly dropped it). At Paradesi Synagogue, a woman selling spices told me her family had lived here for generations—she handed me a clove pod “for luck.” By then I’d stopped trying to keep track of time or even what day it was.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and drive to Munnar

• Arrive at Kochi Airport
• Meet representative at airport
• Drive to Munnar by private car
• Stop at Valara and Cheeyappara Waterfalls
• Stop at Neriamangalam Bridge
• Visit Tea Gardens in Munnar
• Check into 3-star resort
• Relax at hotel

Day 2 — Munnar sightseeing tour

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Kundale Tea Plantation
• Explore Eravikulam National Park
• Visit Mattupetty Dam
• Visit Swiss Farm near Mattupetty
• Visit Echo Point
• Visit Rose Gardens
• Tour Kanan Devan Tea Museum
• Overnight stay at hotel

Day 3 — Houseboat cruise in backwaters

• Breakfast at hotel
• Check out from hotel
• Drive to Kumarakom
• Check into houseboat
• Overnight cruise on Kerala backwaters
• View local villages and coconut trees

Day 4 — Fort Kochi sightseeing and departure

• Breakfast on houseboat
• Check out from houseboat
• Drive to Cochin
• Leisure time in Cochin
• Sunset backwater cruise in Kochi
• Visit Chinese Fishing Nets and Marine Drive
• Visit Bolghatty and Willington Islands
• Visit Fort Kochi Beach
• Explore Princess Street
• Visit Cochin Spice Market
• Visit Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
• Walk Mattancherry Street
• Visit Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town
• Transfer to airport for departure

Top questions

How long is the Kerala houseboat cruise?

The houseboat cruise is an overnight experience included on Day 3 of the tour.

Is hotel pickup included for this Kerala tour?

Yes, private transportation with pickup from Kochi Airport is included.

Are meals provided during the trip?

Breakfast is included on Days 2–4; lunch and dinner are served during the houseboat stay.

Which attractions are visited in Fort Kochi?

You’ll visit Princess Street, Chinese Fishing Nets, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Mattancherry, Jew Town and Paradesi Synagogue.

What wildlife might I see in Eravikulam National Park?

The park is known for Nilgiri tahr (mountain goats) though sightings aren’t guaranteed.

Is this Kerala tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most travelers but not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Are public transportation options available nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options available near some stops if needed.

What’s included

Your days include private car transfers from Kochi Airport through tea hills to Alleppey and back again; overnight stays at curated 3-star hotels in Munnar and Kochi; an overnight cruise with lunch and dinner aboard a traditional Kerala houseboat; daily breakfasts; sightseeing with a local guide; plus all entry fees covered before your airport drop-off at the end of your journey.