9-Day Classic Kerala Tour – Private Munnar, Thekkady & Alleppey

Munnar Tea Hills, Periyar Wildlife & Alleppey Backwaters

This private 9-day Classic Kerala Tour is the complete journey through the state: heritage Kochi, the tea hills of Munnar, the wildlife and spice gardens of Thekkady, the lakeside calm of Kumarakom and a night on a traditional Alleppey houseboat. Travelling by private chauffeur-driven vehicle at a relaxed pace, with handpicked resorts and boutique stays, it suits couples, families and first-time visitors to South India. Prefer a shorter trip? See our 7-day Kerala Triangle Tour or Backwater Tour of Kerala, or view more Kerala tour packages. For higher-end stays, explore our luxury India tour packages.

Tour Snapshot – Classic Kerala Tour

• Duration: 8 Nights / 9 Days
• Route: Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Kumarakom → Alleppey Houseboat → Kochi
• Stays: 2 nights Kochi, 2 nights Munnar, 1 night Thekkady, 1 night Kumarakom, 1 night houseboat, 1 night Kochi
• Arrival & Departure: Cochin International Airport
• Style: Private Kerala cultural & nature tour
• Accommodation: Boutique resorts, hill retreats & a private houseboat
• Meals: Daily breakfast, plus all meals during the houseboat stay
• Travel: Private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle
• Best For: Couples, families & relaxed holidays
• Experience: Tea hills, wildlife, spices & backwaters
• Ideal Season: October to March

Highlights – Kerala’s Signature Experiences

• Explore Kochi’s colonial streets & Chinese Fishing Nets
• Take a scenic drive through waterfalls and tea plantations
• Visit Munnar’s viewpoints, tea estates & local markets
• Enjoy wildlife and spice plantation experiences in Thekkady
• Taste traditional Kerala cuisine & enjoy cultural performances
• Relax beside the Kumarakom backwaters on Vembanad Lake
• Spend a night on a private Kerala houseboat through the Alleppey backwaters
• Discover village life, canals & coconut-lined waterways
• Travel at a relaxed pace, with flexible private transport
• Enjoy a balanced mix of nature, comfort & local culture

Please note: Mattancherry Palace is generally closed on Fridays, and the Paradesi Synagogue on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Eravikulam National Park usually closes for several weeks, normally around February–March, for the Nilgiri Tahr calving season. We plan your sightseeing around these closures.

Classic Kerala Tour – 9-Day Journey Through Hills & Backwaters

• Day 1: Arrival in Kochi – Arrive at Cochin International Airport, where your private chauffeur will welcome you for the start of your Kerala journey. Transfer to your hotel and relax after the flight. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a gentle walk around the Fort Kochi waterfront or the cafés near the colonial quarter. Overnight stay in Kochi.
• Day 2: Kochi Heritage Sightseeing – After breakfast, explore Kochi’s layered history through Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. Visit the Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) and the historic Paradesi (Jewish) Synagogue. Walk through old spice trading lanes that still reflect Kerala’s maritime past. In the evening, you may enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance or a local seafood dinner. Overnight stay in Kochi.
• Day 3: Kochi → Munnar (Approx. 125 km | 4–5 hrs) – After breakfast, drive into the Western Ghats towards Munnar. The journey itself becomes part of the experience, as the road winds through waterfalls, spice gardens, forests and rolling tea estates. Stop along the route for scenic viewpoints and tea breaks before checking into your hill resort, surrounded by cool mountain air. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 4: Munnar Sightseeing Tour – Spend the day exploring Kerala’s famous hill station. Visit tea plantations, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the valleys. Depending on the season and timing, you may also visit Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The relaxed climate and green surroundings make Munnar ideal for slow travel and photography. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 5: Munnar → Thekkady / Periyar (Approx. 90 km | 3–4 hrs) – After breakfast, continue towards Thekkady, known for spice plantations and wildlife experiences. On arrival, explore cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and clove plantations that perfume the surrounding hills. Optional activities include a Periyar Lake boat safari, a Kalaripayattu martial arts show or a guided nature walk. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 6: Thekkady → Kumarakom (Approx. 4 hrs) – After breakfast, travel towards Kerala’s peaceful backwater region. Arrive in Kumarakom, on the shores of Vembanad Lake, where daily life moves at a slower rhythm. Spend the evening relaxing at your lakeside resort, or enjoy an optional canoe ride through narrow village canals surrounded by coconut groves and birdlife. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
• Day 7: Kumarakom → Alleppey Houseboat Experience – After breakfast, board your traditional Kerala houseboat for an overnight cruise through the famous backwaters of Alleppey. Drift past paddy fields, village homes, fishing boats and palm-lined canals while freshly prepared Kerala meals are served on board. The slow-moving backwaters offer one of South India’s most relaxing travel experiences. Overnight stay on the private houseboat.
• Day 8: Alleppey → Kochi (Approx. 55 km | 1.5–2 hrs) – After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and return to Kochi by private vehicle. The rest of the day is free for shopping, café visits, Ayurvedic wellness experiences, or simply relaxing before departure. Overnight stay in Kochi.
• Day 9: Departure from Kochi – After breakfast, transfer to Cochin International Airport or the railway station for your onward journey. Your Classic Kerala Tour concludes with memories of tea hills, wildlife forests, local culture and Kerala’s serene backwaters.

Please Note: Driving durations mentioned above are approximate and may vary depending on road conditions, weather, traffic and sightseeing stops along the route. Houseboats usually welcome guests around midday and ask them to disembark the next morning, so exact boarding and check-out times depend on the houseboat. Kerala journeys are best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, with scenic breaks and local experiences along the way.

Inclusions – Classic Kerala Tour

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced chauffeur for the complete Kerala journey, including airport transfers, intercity drives and sightseeing as per the itinerary
• 8 nights’ accommodation: 2 nights in Kochi, 2 nights in Munnar, 1 night in Thekkady, 1 night in Kumarakom, 1 night on a traditional houseboat and 1 final night in Kochi, in carefully selected resorts and boutique stays
• Daily breakfast at hotels, along with all meals during the overnight houseboat stay
• Overnight Kerala houseboat cruise through the backwaters of Kumarakom and Alleppey
• Sightseeing in Kochi and Munnar, and a visit to a spice plantation in Thekkady, as mentioned in the itinerary
• All fuel charges, toll taxes, parking fees and driver allowances
• Assistance with hotel check-ins, route planning and local travel coordination throughout the trip

Additional arrangements, such as local guides, Ayurveda therapies, cultural performances, cooking experiences or domestic flights, can be added based on your travel preferences.

Not Included – Classic Kerala Tour

• International and domestic flights
• Visa fees and travel insurance
• Meals other than daily breakfast and the houseboat meals
• Optional activities, such as the Periyar Lake boat safari, Kathakali and Kalaripayattu shows, canoe rides and Ayurveda treatments
• Monument and national park entrance fees
• Tips for chauffeurs, guides and houseboat crew
• Personal expenses such as laundry, camera fees and shopping

Tour Customisation – Classic Kerala Tour

• Upgrade to wellness resorts, heritage stays or premium private houseboats, or explore our luxury India tour packages
• Add Ayurveda treatments, yoga retreats or spa-focused Kerala experiences
• Extend the journey with beach stays in Kovalam or Varkala
• Private local guides available in English, Spanish, French or German
• Include village walks, spice plantation visits, tea tasting sessions or Kerala cooking classes
• Add extra leisure nights in Munnar, Kumarakom or Kochi for a slower pace
• Combine Kerala with the Golden Triangle or Rajasthan for a longer India journey

Best Time to Visit – Classic Kerala Tour

• October – March: Pleasant weather, ideal for hill stations, wildlife experiences, sightseeing and houseboat stays
• April – June: A quieter travel season with greener landscapes and attractive resort offers in many regions, though lower areas are warmer
• July – September: Kerala’s monsoon period, best for lush scenery, Ayurveda wellness stays and peaceful backwater experiences, although sightseeing and boat plans may be adjusted around heavy rain

FAQs – Classic Kerala Tour

How many days are recommended for a Kerala tour?
This itinerary covers Kerala comfortably in 9 days, allowing time for hill stations, wildlife, culture and backwater experiences without rushing between destinations.

Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Kochi. We meet you at Cochin International Airport on arrival and transfer you back to the airport or railway station for your departure.

Is the houseboat private or shared?
The overnight stay is on a private houseboat, with a private bedroom, all meals on board and a dedicated crew.

Is the Periyar boat safari included?
The boat safari on Periyar Lake is optional and can be arranged on request, subject to availability and weather. Tickets are not included.

Is Kerala suitable for families and senior travellers?
Yes. Kerala is known for comfortable road journeys, scenic landscapes, slower-paced travel and relaxed stays, making it suitable for families, couples and senior guests.

What is the difference between this tour and the Kerala Triangle Tour?
Our 7-day Kerala Triangle Tour covers Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady and a houseboat night. This 9-day Classic Kerala Tour adds a night at Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake and a final night in Kochi before departure. For a quieter route without the hills, see our Backwater Tour of Kerala.

Can this Kerala itinerary be customised?
Yes. The route, hotels, travel pace, activities and extensions can all be adjusted based on your interests, budget and available travel time.

Why Travel with Premium India Tours

• Privately designed Kerala journeys with flexible pacing and personalised planning
• Carefully selected hotels, quality houseboats and reliable chauffeur-driven transport
• Balanced itineraries focused on comfort, scenery and authentic local experiences
• Transparent pricing, with clear inclusions and exclusions and responsive support before and during your journey
• Local expertise since 2010, creating custom South India and Kerala journeys for international travellers