The South Kerala Leisure Route
Arrival Trivandrum 02 Nights Kovalam 02 Nights Varkala 01 Night Alleppey Houseboat 02 Nights Kumarakom Departure Cochin
Tour Overview
Disconnect from the hustle of everyday life and embrace pure relaxation with our 07 Nights / 08 Days South Kerala Leisure Tour Package. Specifically designed to eliminate long, tiring hill-station drives, this itinerary focuses entirely on the soothing coastal belt and the serene backwaters of God's Own Country.
Your rejuvenating journey begins in Trivandrum, leading straight to the crescent-shaped golden beaches of Kovalam for two days of sun, sand, and heritage sightseeing. From there, you will take a short coastal drive to Varkala, famous for its dramatic red cliffs plunging into the Arabian Sea. Here, you can enjoy vibrant seaside cafes, spectacular sunsets, and traditional Ayurvedic wellness therapies.
The second half of your holiday shifts from the ocean to the backwaters. You will board an exclusive, traditional Kettuvallam (Houseboat) in Alleppey for a magical overnight cruise through palm-fringed canals. Finally, disembark and settle into a luxury lakeside resort in Kumarakom on the banks of the vast Vembanad Lake. Spend your final days bird watching, enjoying backwater breezes, and indulging in Kerala's rich culinary delights before departing from Cochin.
Expertly Paced Leisure Itinerary
This Trivandrum-to-Cochin linear route is the epitome of slow travel. By skipping the steep mountain drives of Munnar/Thekkady, we keep daily travel times to an absolute minimum (averaging just 1.5 to 2.5 hours). This ensures you spend maximum time enjoying your premium resorts, beaches, and backwater experiences.
Tour Highlights
- Unwind on the pristine, crescent-shaped shores of Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam.
- Seek blessings at the majestic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum.
- Enjoy sunset views from the dramatic seaside cliffs and bohemian cafes of Varkala.
- Rejuvenate your body and mind with authentic Kerala Ayurvedic spa therapies.
- Sail through the serene canals of Alleppey on an exclusive overnight Houseboat.
- Experience true luxury at a lakeside resort on the vast Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom.
Day-wise Itinerary
Welcome to Kerala! Upon your arrival at the Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) or Railway Station, our representative will greet you warmly. Begin your leisure holiday with a short, 30-minute drive to the internationally renowned beach town of Kovalam. Check into your premium beach resort. The rest of the day is entirely at your leisure. Take a barefoot stroll along the crescent-shaped golden sands of Lighthouse Beach, listen to the crashing waves, and witness a beautiful sunset over the Arabian Sea. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
After a hearty breakfast, take a short drive back into Trivandrum for a half-day city tour. Seek blessings at the incredibly wealthy and historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Note: strict dress code applies). Visit the Napier Museum and the Sri Chitra Art Gallery to witness rich local history. In the afternoon, we drive to the serene Poovar Island (approx. 45 mins from Kovalam). Enjoy a peaceful boat ride through the pristine Poovar backwaters and mangrove forests, where the river meets the sea. Return to your resort for a relaxing evening. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
After breakfast, check out from Kovalam and embark on a highly scenic coastal drive to Varkala (approx. 55 km / 1.5 hrs). Varkala is uniquely famous for its dramatic laterite cliffs that plunge directly into the Arabian Sea. Upon arrival, check-in to your cliff-side or beach resort. Spend the afternoon exploring the Varkala Cliff pathway, lined with bohemian cafes, Tibetan shops, and yoga centers. The sunset view from the cliff is simply spectacular. Overnight stay in Varkala.
Wake up to the sound of the ocean. After breakfast, you have the option to relax on Papanasam Beach or indulge in an authentic Ayurvedic massage therapy, for which Varkala is globally renowned. In the afternoon, we will take a short excursion to the Jatayu Earth's Center (approx. 40 km / 1 hr). Take a scenic cable car ride to the top of the hill to witness the world's largest bird sculpture, dedicated to the mythological bird Jatayu from the Ramayana. Return to Varkala for a relaxed evening dining at a cliff cafe. Overnight stay in Varkala.
After breakfast, bid farewell to the cliffs and drive towards the backwater capital, Alleppey (approx. 110 km / 3 hrs). By noon, step aboard your private, traditional Kerala Houseboat (Kettuvallam). Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink as the boat begins its leisurely cruise through the intricate network of serene canals, palm-fringed lakes, and vast paddy fields. Relish an authentic Kerala lunch, evening tea with snacks, and dinner freshly prepared on board by your private chef. Spending the night floating on the backwaters under a starlit sky is a truly magical experience. Overnight stay in the Houseboat.
Wake up to a misty 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 lakeside resort. Kumarakom is the ultimate destination for slow-paced leisure. The rest of the day is at your disposal to relax by the pool, enjoy world-class spa facilities, or take a village walk. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
After a relaxed breakfast, you have the option to visit the renowned Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, spread across 14 acres and a favorite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian Stork. Alternatively, you can spend the entire day unwinding at your resort. Enjoy the gentle backwater breeze, read a book by the lake, or take a peaceful canoe ride (shikara) through the narrow, uncrowded canals at sunset. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
Enjoy your final Kerala breakfast by the lake. Check out from the resort and drive to Cochin (approx. 50 km / 1.5 hrs). If time permits before your departure, we will take you for a quick heritage tour of Fort Kochi to see the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets and Jewish Synagogue. Our representative will then transfer you to the Cochin International Airport (COK) or Ernakulam Railway Station. Depart with a completely rejuvenated mind, body, and soul.
Package Inclusions
- 06 Nights stay in Premium Beach & Lakeside Resorts (2N Kovalam, 2N Varkala, 2N Kumarakom)
- 01 Night stay in an Exclusive AC Traditional Houseboat (Alleppey)
- Daily Buffet Breakfast at all resorts
- All meals (Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast & Snacks) served on the Houseboat
- Private AC Sedan/SUV for all transfers & sightseeing with an experienced driver
- All Toll taxes, State permits, Parking fees & Driver allowances
Package Exclusions
- Flights / Train tickets to Trivandrum and from Cochin
- Monument / Temple Entry Fees and Cable Car tickets at Jatayu Earth's Center
- Poovar backwater boating charges (paid directly based on boat type)
- Lunches and Dinners (Except during the Houseboat stay)
- Ayurvedic Spa treatments or massages
- Tips, room service, laundry & personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
This specific package is designed for pure "Leisure". Visiting Munnar and Thekkady requires long, winding drives through the mountains (4-5 hours each way). By skipping the hills, we keep daily travel under 2.5 hours, giving you maximum time to relax at the beaches and backwaters. It is perfect for those who dislike long road journeys or motion sickness.
We book an exclusive, private houseboat for your group/family. You will have your own bedrooms, a private deck, and a dedicated crew (captain and chef) catering only to you, ensuring complete privacy.
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.
This is a linear South-to-Central route to avoid backtracking. You should book your ARRIVAL flight to Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) and your DEPARTURE flight from Cochin International Airport (COK).
