The Backwater & Hills Route
Arrival Cochin 02 Nights Munnar 01 Night Thekkady 01 Night Alleppey (Houseboat) 02 Nights Kumarakom 01 Night Cochin Departure Cochin
Tour Overview
Discover the breathtaking contrasts of God's Own Country with our immersive 07 Nights / 08 Days Backwater & Hills Tour Package. Carefully designed by local Kerala travel experts, this itinerary provides the perfect equilibrium between the cool, misty altitudes of the Western Ghats and the lush, serene landscapes of Kerala's famous backwaters.
Your journey begins with a scenic drive from Cochin up to the breathtaking tea-covered mountains of Munnar, where you will spend two days exploring high-altitude national parks, dams, and aromatic tea factories. The adventure seamlessly transitions to Thekkady, home to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Here, you'll experience a unique boat safari offering chances to spot wild elephants and explore the region's rich spice plantations.
The second half of your tour is dedicated to unparalleled relaxation. You will step aboard a traditional Kettuvallam (Houseboat) in Alleppey for an overnight cruise through the intricate network of canals. The tranquility deepens as you move to the picturesque village of Kumarakom, situated on the banks of the vast Vembanad Lake, famous for its bird sanctuary and luxury backwater resorts. The tour gracefully concludes with a cultural immersion in the historic streets of Fort Kochi before your departure.
Expertly Paced & Safe Operations
This Cochin round-trip route is highly optimized for comfort. By dedicating ample time to the backwater regions (Alleppey and Kumarakom), we ensure your holiday is deeply relaxing. We partner exclusively with Government-approved, eco-friendly houseboat operators and provide highly experienced hill-station drivers to guarantee your safety.
Tour Highlights
- Wander through the sprawling, aromatic tea estates and visit the Tea Museum in Munnar.
- Spot the endangered Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam National Park (Rajamalai).
- Take a thrilling boat safari on Periyar Lake to spot wild elephants in Thekkady.
- Enjoy an exclusive overnight cruise and stay in a traditional Alleppey Houseboat.
- Relax by the vast Vembanad Lake and explore the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
- Explore the colonial heritage, Chinese Fishing Nets, and Jewish Synagogue in Fort Kochi.
Day-wise Itinerary
Welcome to God's Own Country! Upon arrival at Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam Railway Station, our representative will warmly greet you. Begin your journey with a highly scenic drive towards the misty hills of Munnar (approx. 130 km / 4 hrs). En route, marvel at the cascading Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls, and watch the landscape slowly transition into sweeping tea estates. Upon reaching Munnar, check into your resort. Spend the evening relaxing and breathing in the fresh mountain air. Overnight stay in Munnar.
After a hearty breakfast, embark on a full-day sightseeing tour of Munnar. Start by visiting the Eravikulam National Park (Rajamalai), home to the endangered mountain goat, the Nilgiri Tahr, and offering sweeping views of the Western Ghats. Next, visit the Tata Tea Museum to learn about the history of tea processing. Post lunch, proceed to the picturesque Mattupetty Dam, where you can opt for a speed boat ride. Continue to Echo Point and the beautiful Kundala Lake. Return to your hotel after a day surrounded by nature's bounty. Overnight stay in Munnar.
Places Covered:
- Eravikulam National Park
- Mattupetty Dam & Echo Point
- Tata Tea Museum
- Rose Garden / Blossom Park
After breakfast, check out and drive through the breathtaking Cardamom Hills to reach Thekkady (approx. 90 km / 3 hrs). Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel. In the afternoon, head to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for a unique boat safari on Periyar Lake, where you can spot herds of wild elephants, bison, and diverse birdlife coming to the water's edge. Later, take an aromatic guided tour of a local Spice Plantation to see how cardamom, pepper, vanilla, and cinnamon grow. You may also opt for an evening Kathakali or Kalaripayattu martial arts show. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive down the hills towards the coastal town of Alleppey (approx. 140 km / 4 hrs), famously known as the 'Venice of the East'. By noon, board your traditional Kerala Houseboat (Kettuvallam). Enjoy a welcome drink as the houseboat begins its leisurely cruise through the serene, palm-fringed backwaters, narrow canals, and vast paddy fields. Enjoy an authentic Kerala lunch, evening tea with snacks, and dinner freshly prepared on board. Spending the night floating on the backwaters under a starlit sky is a truly magical experience. Overnight stay in Houseboat.
Wake up to a beautiful morning on the backwaters. After enjoying breakfast on board, disembark from the houseboat at 9:00 AM. Take a short, scenic drive to the picturesque village of Kumarakom (approx. 35 km / 1 hr), situated on the banks of the vast Vembanad Lake. Check into your luxury backwater resort. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can opt for an Ayurvedic massage, relax by the lake, or watch a mesmerizing sunset over the waters. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
After a relaxed breakfast, visit the renowned Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, spread across 14 acres. It is a favorite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian Stork, egret, darter, heron, and teal. Later, you can explore the local Kumarakom village, interact with the locals, or take a peaceful canoe ride through the narrow, uncrowded canals (optional). Enjoy a quiet, peaceful evening at your resort. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
After breakfast, check out from the resort and drive back to Cochin (approx. 50 km / 1.5 hrs). Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour of historic Fort Kochi. Visit the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets, the St. Francis Church (where Vasco da Gama was originally buried), the Santa Cruz Basilica, the Jewish Synagogue, and the Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace). Spend the evening exploring the quaint cafes and spice markets of Jew Town. Overnight stay in Cochin.
Enjoy your final breakfast of the trip. Depending on your flight or train schedule, our representative will transfer you to the Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam Railway Station. Depart with a rejuvenated soul and a lifetime of beautiful memories from God's Own Country.
Package Inclusions
- 06 Nights stay in Premium Hotels & Resorts (2N Munnar, 1N Thekkady, 2N Kumarakom, 1N Cochin)
- 01 Night stay in an Exclusive AC Traditional Houseboat (Alleppey)
- Daily Buffet Breakfast at hotels/resorts
- All meals (Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast & Snacks) served on the Houseboat
- Private AC Sedan/SUV for all transfers & sightseeing
- All Toll taxes, State permits, Parking fees & Driver allowances
Package Exclusions
- Flights / Train tickets to and from Cochin
- Monument / National Park Entry Fees (Eravikulam, Museums, etc.)
- Periyar Lake Boating Tickets (Must be booked online in advance)
- Lunches and Dinners (Except during Houseboat stay)
- Optional activities like Elephant rides, Kathakali shows, or Ayurveda
- Tips, room service, laundry & personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
The ideal time to visit Kerala is during the winter months, from September to March, when the weather is pleasant and humidity is lower. The monsoon season (June to August) is also beautiful for Ayurveda treatments and witnessing the lush green landscapes.
Alleppey is famous for its intricate network of narrow canals, paddy fields, and houseboat cruises. Kumarakom, located on the shores of Vembanad Lake, is a quieter village known for luxury backwater resorts and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. This tour gives you the best of both!
In standard and deluxe category houseboats, the Air Conditioning in the bedrooms operates only during the night (typically from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM) while the boat is docked to conserve power. If you require full-time AC, please request an upgrade to a Premium/Luxury houseboat.
Yes! The meals prepared on the houseboat feature delicious, traditional Kerala cuisine. If you have specific dietary requirements (e.g., pure vegetarian, Jain food, or no seafood), please inform us at the time of booking so the onboard chef can arrange it accordingly.
