11-Day Kerala Gateways Tour – Private Munnar, Thekkady & Backwaters

Tea Hills, Periyar Wildlife & Two Backwater Regions

This private 11-day Kerala Gateways Tour is an unhurried journey through the state, with two nights in each base: heritage Cochin, the tea hills of Munnar, the spice plantations and Periyar forests of Thekkady, and then two backwater regions, Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake and the quieter Ashtamudi Lake, with a suggested canoe excursion to Munroe Island. Travelling by private chauffeur-driven vehicle, it suits couples, families and slow travellers. Want a shorter trip or a houseboat night? Compare our Kerala Spices Tour, Backwater Tour of Kerala and Classic Kerala Tour, or view more Kerala tour packages.

Tour Snapshot – Kerala Gateways Tour

• Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
• Route: Cochin → Munnar → Thekkady → Kumarakom → Ashtamudi Lake → Cochin Airport
• Stays: 2 nights each in Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom and Ashtamudi Lake
• Arrival & Departure: Cochin International Airport
• Style: Heritage, tea hills, spice plantations, wildlife & backwaters
• Meals: Daily breakfast at hotels
• Travel: Private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle
• Best For: Couples, families, first-time visitors & slow travellers
• Experience: Colonial heritage, tea estates, spice trails, wildlife and serene backwaters
• Ideal Season: October to March

Tour Highlights – Kerala Gateways Experience

• Explore Fort Kochi, colonial landmarks and the Chinese Fishing Nets
• Discover Munnar’s rolling tea plantations, waterfalls and scenic viewpoints
• Visit Periyar National Park and aromatic spice plantations
• Experience Kerala’s famous cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and clove-growing region
• Relax beside Vembanad Lake and enjoy peaceful backwater landscapes
• Stay beside tranquil Ashtamudi Lake, with an optional Munroe Island excursion
• Take scenic drives through the Western Ghats, plantations and traditional villages
• Enjoy two nights in each base, for an unhurried pace
• Experience two backwater regions, Kumarakom and Ashtamudi, in one journey
• Discover a balanced mix of Kerala’s heritage, nature, wildlife and authentic local life

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.

Kerala Gateways Tour – Day-by-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Cochin (Kochi) – Begin your Kerala journey in the historic port city of Cochin. On arrival at Cochin International Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed evening exploring Marine Drive, the Fort Kochi waterfront or the local spice markets, which reflect Kerala’s centuries-old trading heritage. Overnight stay in Cochin.
• Day 2: Cochin Sightseeing – Discover the cultural and colonial charm of Cochin, with visits to Fort Kochi, the Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town and the traditional spice markets. The day offers a glimpse into Kerala’s history, shaped by traders from across the world. An optional Kathakali performance can be arranged in the evening. Overnight stay in Cochin.
• Day 3: Cochin → Munnar (Approx. 125 km | 4–5 hrs) – Leave the coast behind and travel towards the Western Ghats. The scenic route passes waterfalls, spice plantations, rubber estates and lush countryside before climbing into Munnar’s tea-covered hills. Stop at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls before arriving at your mountain resort. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 4: Munnar Sightseeing – Explore the scenic beauty of Munnar, with visits to tea plantations, the Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Lake and panoramic viewpoints. An optional visit to Eravikulam National Park (subject to its opening schedule) offers a chance to explore the mountain ecosystem and spot the Nilgiri Tahr. Enjoy the cool climate and peaceful surroundings. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 5: Munnar → Thekkady (Periyar) (Approx. 90–95 km | 3–4 hrs) – Continue towards Kerala’s spice and forest region. The winding mountain road passes through cardamom, pepper and coffee plantations before reaching Thekkady. The evening is free to relax, explore the local spice markets, or enjoy an optional cultural performance. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 6: Periyar Wildlife & Spice Experience – Explore the natural surroundings of Periyar National Park, with an optional boat ride on Periyar Lake that offers a chance to see elephants, deer and birdlife. Later, visit a spice plantation to learn about Kerala’s famous cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and other aromatic crops. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 7: Thekkady → Kumarakom (Approx. 110–125 km | 3.5–4 hrs) – Descend from the hills towards Kerala’s famous backwater region. As the landscape changes from forests to coconut-lined waterways, arrive at Kumarakom on the shores of Vembanad Lake. Spend the evening relaxing at your lakeside resort, with sunset views and peaceful backwater scenery. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
• Day 8: Kumarakom Backwater Experience – Enjoy a relaxed day in Kumarakom. Explore the lakeside surroundings, visit local villages, go birdwatching, take a canoe ride, or simply relax by Vembanad Lake. This slower pace lets you enjoy Kerala’s traditional lifestyle away from the busy tourist routes. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
• Day 9: Kumarakom → Ashtamudi Lake (Approx. 100–110 km | 2.5–3 hrs) – Continue towards Ashtamudi, one of Kerala’s most beautiful and less-explored backwater destinations. Known for its palm-fringed waterways, fishing villages and peaceful lake views, Ashtamudi offers a quieter backwater experience. Enjoy a relaxed evening by the lake. Overnight stay at Ashtamudi.
• Day 10: Ashtamudi → Munroe Island Excursion → Ashtamudi (Approx. 25–30 km | 45 mins each way) – After breakfast, take a suggested excursion to Munroe Island, a hidden gem of Kerala’s backwaters, known for its peaceful canals, traditional villages and authentic local life. Explore the island on a guided canoe ride through narrow waterways lined with coconut palms, while seeing coir-making, fishing and village landscapes. Experience the slower rhythm of Kerala’s backwater communities before returning to Ashtamudi in the evening. Overnight stay at Ashtamudi.
• Day 11: Ashtamudi → Cochin Departure (Approx. 165–170 km | 4–4.5 hrs) – After breakfast, check out and begin the drive to Cochin through Kerala’s countryside, passing lush landscapes and local villages. On arrival, you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport or the railway station for your onward journey, concluding your Kerala Gateways Tour of hills, wildlife and backwaters.

Please Note: Travel times are approximate and may vary depending on road conditions, weather, traffic and seasonal factors. Wildlife activities, lake experiences and local visits are subject to operating conditions and availability. The drive from Ashtamudi to Cochin takes around four hours or more, so we recommend booking an onward flight that departs in the afternoon or evening.

Customisation: This itinerary can be personalised with boutique stays, Ayurveda experiences, private guides, additional backwater activities, or extended beach stays, based on your travel preferences. For a houseboat night, see our Classic Kerala Tour.

Inclusions – Kerala Gateways Tour

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with a professional English-speaking chauffeur throughout the journey, including airport transfers and intercity travel as per the itinerary
• 10 nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast: 2 nights each in Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom and Ashtamudi Lake, in carefully selected hotels and resorts
• Sightseeing in Cochin and Munnar, and a spice plantation visit in Thekkady, as mentioned in the itinerary
• Time to enjoy the Kumarakom and Ashtamudi backwaters, with scenic lakeside surroundings
• All toll taxes, fuel charges, parking fees and driver allowances
• Personalised travel assistance throughout your Kerala journey

Optional arrangements, such as the Periyar Lake boat ride, the Munroe Island excursion, Eravikulam National Park, professional guides, Ayurveda treatments, cultural performances and private boat experiences, can be arranged on request.

Not Included – Kerala Gateways Tour

• International and domestic flights
• Visa fees and travel insurance
• Meals other than daily breakfast
• Optional activities, such as the Periyar Lake boat ride, the Munroe Island excursion, canoe rides, Kathakali performances and Ayurveda treatments
• Monument and national park entrance fees, including Eravikulam
• Tips for chauffeurs, guides and hotel staff
• Personal expenses such as laundry, camera fees and shopping

Tour Customisation – Kerala Gateways Tour

• Upgrade to boutique hotels, heritage properties or premium lakeside stays, or explore our luxury India tour packages
• Add Ayurveda wellness therapies, yoga sessions and relaxation experiences
• Include private English, Spanish, French or German-speaking guides
• Extend your stay in Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Ashtamudi Lake or Cochin
• Add village walks, spice plantation visits, cooking experiences and local cultural activities
• Choose slower pacing, additional leisure days or an extended South India journey
• Add a night on an Alleppey houseboat, as on our Classic Kerala Tour
• Combine Kerala with the Golden Triangle or Rajasthan for a longer India journey

Best Time to Visit – Kerala Gateways Tour

• October – March: The ideal season for exploring Kerala’s hills, wildlife, plantations and backwaters in pleasant weather
• April – June: Warmer months with fewer visitors, suitable for relaxed journeys and peaceful resort stays
• July – September: The monsoon turns Kerala lush and green, with misty mountains and beautiful lake scenery, although sightseeing plans may be adjusted around heavy rain

FAQs – Kerala Gateways Tour

What is the duration of the Kerala Gateways Tour?
This private itinerary covers 10 nights / 11 days, connecting Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom and Ashtamudi Lake, with a balanced mix of nature, culture and backwater experiences.

Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Cochin. We meet you at Cochin International Airport on arrival. The last day is a drive of around four hours or more from Ashtamudi Lake, so we recommend an onward flight that departs in the afternoon or evening.

Does this tour include a houseboat cruise?
No. This itinerary focuses on quiet lakeside and backwater experiences in Kumarakom and Ashtamudi. A houseboat night can be added on request, and our Classic Kerala Tour includes one.

Is the Munroe Island excursion included?
The excursion to Munroe Island is a suggested day out from Ashtamudi Lake. It can be arranged on request and is charged separately.

How does this differ from your other Kerala tours?
This is our unhurried 11-day route, with two nights in each base and two different backwater regions. For a shorter trip, see our 9-day Kerala Spices Tour or 7-day Backwater Tour of Kerala.

Is this Kerala tour suitable for families and couples?
Yes. The Kerala Gateways Tour is ideal for couples, families, honeymooners, senior travellers and first-time visitors looking for a comfortable, immersive Kerala journey.

Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Hotels, travel pace, activities, experiences and additional destinations can be adjusted to your interests and preferred travel style.

Why Choose Premium India Tours

• Experience arranging private and tailor-made Kerala journeys
• Hand-picked hotels, lakeside resorts and trusted local experiences
• Comfortable chauffeur-driven journeys, with destination expertise
• Transparent pricing, with clear inclusions and exclusions
• Local expertise since 2010, with dedicated planning support before and during your Kerala journey