12-Day Best of Kerala Tour – Private Munnar, Alleppey & Kovalam

Tea Hills, Wildlife, Houseboat Backwaters & Kovalam Beach

This private 12-day Best of Kerala Tour is the complete Kerala route with a beach finish: heritage Cochin, the tea hills of Munnar, the spice plantations and Periyar forests of Thekkady, the lakeside calm of Kumarakom, a night on a traditional Alleppey houseboat, and three nights by the sea at Kovalam. Travelling by private chauffeur-driven vehicle at a relaxed pace, it suits first-time visitors, couples, families and nature lovers. Prefer to skip the beach? See our Classic Kerala Tour, add a wellness retreat with our Kerala Ayurveda Tour, or view more Kerala tour packages.

Tour Snapshot – Best of Kerala Tour

• Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
• Route: Cochin → Munnar → Thekkady → Kumarakom → Alleppey Houseboat → Kovalam → Trivandrum Airport
• Stays: 2 nights Cochin, 2 nights Munnar, 2 nights Thekkady, 1 night Kumarakom, 1 night houseboat, 3 nights Kovalam
• Arrival & Departure: Arrive at Cochin International Airport and depart from Trivandrum Airport
• Style: Signature Kerala culture & nature journey, with a beach finish
• Accommodation: Handpicked hotels, resorts & a traditional Kerala houseboat
• Meals: Daily breakfast, plus all meals on the houseboat
• Travel: Private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle
• Best For: First-time visitors, couples, families & nature lovers
• Experience: Tea hills, wildlife, backwaters, beaches & local culture
• Tour Pace: Comfortable & relaxed, with scenic drives and leisure time
• Ideal Season: October to March

Tour Highlights – Best of Kerala Tour

• Take a Fort Kochi heritage walk and see the Chinese Fishing Nets
• Discover Munnar’s tea plantations, waterfalls and mountain viewpoints
• Visit Periyar National Park and spice plantations, with an optional boat safari
• Relax at a lakeside resort on Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom
• Spend a night on a traditional Alleppey houseboat, cruising the village canals
• Enjoy three nights in Kovalam, with beach time and Arabian Sea sunsets
• Add Ayurveda wellness treatments by the sea, or an optional excursion to Varkala
• Take scenic drives through the Western Ghats, spice country and Kerala’s coastal belt
• Savour Kerala cuisine, from fish curry and appam to fresh seafood by the coast
• Experience a seamless blend of Kerala’s culture, nature, wildlife and leisure

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 Through Hills, Backwaters & Coastal Roads (12 Days / 11 Nights)

Kerala is best experienced slowly. This 12-day journey is planned with realistic driving distances and a relaxed pace, from Kochi’s colonial quarters and Munnar’s cool hills to Thekkady’s spice country, the backwaters and the beaches of Kovalam.

• Day 1: Arrival in Kochi – Slow Evening in Fort Kochi – Arrive at Cochin International Airport and drive to Fort Kochi, which usually takes around an hour. Rather than heavy sightseeing on arrival day, slow down and adjust to Kerala’s relaxed pace, with an evening walk along the promenade near the Chinese Fishing Nets. Overnight stay in Kochi.
• Day 2: Kochi Heritage Walk & Local Food – Start early, before the coastal humidity builds. Explore Fort Kochi’s narrow lanes, St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), Jew Town and the old spice warehouses that still carry the aroma of pepper and cardamom. Enjoy a Kerala-style fish curry with appam at lunch, and an optional Kathakali performance in the evening. Overnight stay in Kochi.
• Day 3: Kochi → Munnar – Waterfalls, Tea Roads & Mountain Air (Approx. 125–130 km | 4–5 hrs) – The road climbs from the humid coastal plains into cooler hill country, passing rubber plantations, spice gardens and tea estates. Stop at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls, and at roadside tea shops for fresh banana fritters and strong Kerala chai, before checking in to your hill resort. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 4: Munnar – Tea Valleys & Slow Exploration – Spend the day among the tea plantations, with visits to Echo Point, Kundala Lake and mountain viewpoints. Visit Eravikulam National Park early to avoid queues (subject to its opening schedule), and stop at local tea stalls rather than rushing between viewpoints. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 5: Munnar → Thekkady – Cardamom Hills & Spice Country (Approx. 90 km | 3–4 hrs) – Tea plantations give way to cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and clove country, with village markets selling spices along the route. In the evening, visit a traditional spice plantation, where local growers explain how Kerala’s spice trade shaped the region. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 6: Periyar Forest Experience – Mornings near Periyar are calm and often misty. An optional boat safari on Periyar Lake is best treated as a quiet nature experience, not a guaranteed wildlife sighting, although elephants, deer and birdlife are sometimes seen along the forest edge. Guided nature walks or a traditional Ayurvedic massage are good ways to spend the rest of the day. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 7: Thekkady → Kumarakom – Countryside & Backwater Calm (Approx. 110–125 km | 3.5–4 hrs) – Descend from the hills through rubber plantations, village chapels and roadside fruit stalls to Kumarakom, on the shores of Vembanad Lake. Your lakeside resort is about silence, birdsong and sunset views over the water. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
• Day 8: Kumarakom → Alleppey Houseboat Journey (Approx. 35 km | 1 hr) – After breakfast, continue to Alleppey and board your traditional houseboat for an overnight cruise. The backwaters are active waterways, where you pass school boats, fishermen casting nets and coconut groves reflected in still water. Fresh Kerala meals, such as rice, vegetable thoran and fish fry, are served on board. Overnight stay on the houseboat.
• Day 9: Alleppey → Kovalam – Coastal Road Journey (Approx. 170 km | 4.5–5 hrs) – After disembarking in the morning, drive along Kerala’s coastal belt, with glimpses of fishing villages, churches and the Arabian Sea, to Kovalam near Thiruvananthapuram. Traffic builds closer to the capital, so an early start is more comfortable. Lighthouse Beach is lively, while Samudra Beach is quieter for sunset walks. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
• Day 10: Kovalam – Slow Beach Day & Ayurveda by the Sea – A day without fixed schedules. Enjoy a peaceful beach morning, and an optional Ayurvedic treatment after the hills and road journeys. Seafood cafés along the coast serve grilled fish, prawns, crab and coconut curries, best enjoyed at sunset. For a longer wellness stay, see our Kerala Ayurveda Tour. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
• Day 11: Kovalam Leisure Day – Keep this day flexible, with café hopping, fishing villages and local markets, or an optional drive to Varkala, known for its dramatic cliffs and quieter atmosphere. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
• Day 12: Kovalam → Trivandrum Departure (Approx. 15 km | 30 mins) – After breakfast, drive to Trivandrum Airport or railway station for your onward journey. Depending on your flight, you may have time for a last Kerala breakfast of appam with stew, or puttu with kadala curry.

Travel Tips: Munnar evenings are cool between November and February, so bring a light jacket. Between March and May, start sightseeing early to avoid the coastal heat. Road conditions can vary seasonally, and during the monsoon (June to September) mountain routes may see fog, rainfall or slower traffic, so we allow flexible departures and regular comfort stops.

Please Note: Driving distances and times are approximate and may vary with traffic, weather and road conditions. The itinerary can be upgraded with boutique plantation stays, lakeside resorts, a private houseboat, or guided culinary and cultural experiences.

Inclusions – Best of Kerala Tour

• Private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle throughout the journey, including the airport pick-up in Cochin and the drop-off in Trivandrum
• 11 nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast: 2 nights in Cochin, 2 in Munnar, 2 in Thekkady, 1 in Kumarakom, 1 on a houseboat and 3 in Kovalam, in carefully selected hotels, resorts and backwater stays
• Overnight Alleppey houseboat cruise through the Kerala backwaters, with all meals on board
• Sightseeing in Cochin and Munnar, and a spice plantation visit in Thekkady, as per the itinerary
• All toll taxes, fuel charges, parking fees and driver allowances

Optional arrangements, such as the Periyar Lake boat safari, professional guides, domestic flights, Ayurveda therapies, cultural performances and curated local experiences, can be arranged on request.

Not Included – Best of 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 performances, Ayurveda treatments and the Varkala excursion
• Monument and national park entrance fees, including Eravikulam
• Tips for chauffeurs, guides and houseboat crew
• Personal expenses such as laundry, camera fees and shopping

Tour Customisation – Best of Kerala Tour

• Upgrade to boutique heritage hotels or premium houseboats, or explore our luxury India tour packages
• Add Ayurveda wellness therapies, yoga sessions or spa experiences, or choose our Kerala Ayurveda Tour for a longer retreat
• Extend your stay with additional nights in Kovalam, Alleppey or Munnar
• Add an excursion to Varkala, or Trivandrum sightseeing before your flight
• Private English, Spanish, French or German-speaking guides available
• Include village walks, tea plantation visits, cooking demonstrations and cultural performances
• Combine Kerala with the Golden Triangle or Rajasthan for a longer India journey

Best Time to Visit – Best of Kerala Tour

• October – March: Ideal weather for hill stations, wildlife, beaches and backwaters, and the calmest sea conditions at Kovalam
• April – June: Warm months with fewer crowds and peaceful travel, although the coast is hotter and more humid
• July – September: The monsoon brings lush green landscapes and dramatic scenery, although sightseeing, boat plans and mountain roads may be adjusted around heavy rain

FAQs – Best of Kerala Tour

What is included in the Best of Kerala Tour?
The tour includes the private chauffeur-driven vehicle, hotel stays with breakfast, sightseeing in Cochin and Munnar, a spice plantation visit, and an overnight stay on a traditional Alleppey houseboat. The full list of inclusions and exclusions is given above.

Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts at Cochin International Airport and ends with a transfer from Kovalam to Trivandrum Airport or railway station, about 15 km away, so you do not need to return to Cochin.

Are houseboat experiences included in the tour?
Yes. The itinerary includes an overnight stay on a traditional houseboat in Alleppey, with all meals on board.

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

How does this differ from the Classic Kerala Tour?
Both cover Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom and an Alleppey houseboat. This 12-day tour adds three nights at Kovalam beach and ends in Trivandrum, while our 9-day Classic Kerala Tour has no beach stay and ends in Cochin.

Is this Kerala itinerary suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes. This tour is designed as a balanced introduction to Kerala’s hills, wildlife, backwaters, beaches and cultural highlights.

Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. Hotels, duration, activities, wellness experiences and destinations can all be tailored to your preferences.

Why Choose Premium India Tours

• Experience arranging tailor-made Kerala holidays and private South India journeys
• Hand-picked resorts, quality houseboats and trusted local experiences
• Private chauffeur-driven travel focused on comfort and flexibility
• Transparent pricing, with personalised planning and clear inclusions and exclusions
• Local expertise since 2010, with dedicated assistance from enquiry to departure