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

Tea Hills, Periyar Wildlife & Backwater Houseboat

This private 9-day Colours of Kerala Tour shows the state in every shade: the green tea hills of Munnar, the wildlife and spice gardens of Periyar (Thekkady), the calm blue lakes of Kumarakom and a night on a traditional Alleppey houseboat, after a start in heritage Cochin (Kochi). Travelling by private chauffeur-driven vehicle at a relaxed pace, it suits couples, families, honeymooners and first-time visitors, and can be extended with Kovalam beaches or an Ayurveda retreat. Prefer a final night in Kochi before your flight? See our Classic Kerala Tour, or view more Kerala tour packages.

Tour Snapshot – Colours of Kerala Tour

• Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
• Route: Cochin → Munnar → Thekkady → Kumarakom → Alleppey Houseboat → Cochin Airport
• Stays: 2 nights Cochin, 2 nights Munnar, 2 nights Thekkady, 1 night Kumarakom, 1 night houseboat
• Itinerary: A suggested route, tailored to your dates and interests
• Included Experience: Overnight Alleppey houseboat cruise
• Arrival & Departure: Cochin International Airport
• Style: Nature, culture, wildlife & backwater experiences
• Travel: Private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation: Boutique resorts, plantation retreats & a traditional Kerala houseboat
• Meals: Daily breakfast at hotels, plus all meals on the houseboat
• Best For: Couples, families, honeymooners & first-time Kerala visitors
• Ideal Season: October to March, for pleasant weather and sightseeing

Highlights – Colours of Kerala

This is a suggested itinerary. The overnight houseboat cruise is included, and the other experiences below can be arranged on request, as you prefer.

• Explore the colonial charm and heritage landmarks of Cochin
• Enjoy scenic drives through the Western Ghats, with waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints
• Munnar tea plantations, valleys and hill station experiences
• Visit aromatic spice plantations in Thekkady and learn about Kerala’s spice heritage
• Periyar National Park boat safari and forest experiences
• Relax in peaceful lakeside resorts overlooking Kerala’s backwaters
• Spend a night on a traditional Kerala houseboat through the Alleppey backwaters (included)
• Witness authentic village life, coconut lagoons and paddy field landscapes
• Add optional Kathakali dance and Ayurveda wellness experiences
• Enjoy a blend of culture, nature, leisure, wildlife and backwaters

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.

9 Days Colours of Kerala Tour – Suggested Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Cochin – A warm welcome at Cochin International Airport, followed by a private transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed evening exploring Fort Kochi, Marine Drive or the nearby colonial streets. Overnight stay in Cochin.
• Day 2: Cochin Sightseeing – Discover Kerala’s rich colonial and cultural heritage, with suggested visits to Fort Kochi, the Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), the Paradesi (Jewish) Synagogue, St. Francis Church and the local spice markets. An optional Kathakali dance or Kalaripayattu martial arts performance can be arranged in the evening. Overnight stay in Cochin.
• Day 3: Cochin → Munnar (Approx. 125–130 km | 4–5 hrs) – A scenic drive through the Western Ghats, with views of waterfalls, tea plantations and mist-covered valleys. Arrive in Munnar and relax amid the landscapes of Kerala’s famous hill station. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 4: Munnar Hill Station Exploration – A full day of suggested sightseeing, including Eravikulam National Park (subject to its opening schedule), the Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Lake and panoramic viewpoints surrounded by tea gardens. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 5: Munnar → Thekkady (Approx. 90–95 km | 3–4 hrs) – Drive towards Kerala’s spice-growing region along scenic mountain roads and plantation landscapes. On arrival, you can visit aromatic spice plantations producing cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 6: Periyar Wildlife Experience – An optional morning boat safari on Periyar Lake, inside Periyar National Park, offers a chance to spot elephants, deer, birds and other wildlife. Later, explore local markets and spice gardens, or arrange an optional cultural performance. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 7: Thekkady → Kumarakom (Approx. 110–125 km | 3.5–4 hrs) – Travel to the peaceful backwater destination of Kumarakom, on the shores of Vembanad Lake. Check in to a lakeside resort and enjoy village walks, birdlife, sunset views and the serene Kerala countryside. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
• Day 8: Kumarakom → Alleppey Houseboat Cruise (Approx. 35 km | 1 hr) – Transfer to Alleppey and board your traditional Kerala houseboat for an overnight cruise through scenic backwaters lined with coconut palms, canals, paddy fields and village life, while enjoying freshly prepared Kerala cuisine on board. Overnight stay on the houseboat. (Included)
• Day 9: Alleppey → Cochin Airport (Approx. 85 km | 2–2.5 hrs) – After breakfast on the houseboat, drive to Cochin International Airport for your onward journey, with memories of Kerala’s hills, wildlife, spice plantations and tranquil backwaters.

Please Note: This is a suggested itinerary, which we tailor to your dates and interests. The overnight houseboat stay is the only experience included in the package. Sightseeing, wildlife activities, plantation visits and performances can be arranged as you prefer. Travel durations are approximate and may vary with road conditions, traffic, weather and seasonal factors. Houseboats usually welcome guests around midday and ask them to disembark the next morning, and the drive from Alleppey to the airport takes around two hours or more, so we recommend an onward flight that departs in the afternoon or evening.

This tour can be customised from 7 to 10+ days, with optional extensions to Kovalam, Varkala, Wayanad or Ayurveda wellness retreats.

Inclusions – Colours of Kerala Tour

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with a professional chauffeur for the complete Kerala journey, including airport transfers and intercity drives as per the itinerary
• 8 nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast: 2 nights in Cochin, 2 nights in Munnar, 2 nights in Thekkady, 1 night in Kumarakom and 1 night on a traditional houseboat, in carefully selected hotels and resorts
• Overnight Alleppey houseboat cruise through the Kerala backwaters, with all meals on board
• All toll taxes, parking fees, fuel charges and driver allowances

This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing, wildlife activities, spice plantation visits, performances, guides, Ayurveda therapies and domestic flights are not included, and can be arranged on request.

Not Included – Colours of Kerala Tour

• International and domestic flights
• Visa fees and travel insurance
• Meals other than daily breakfast and the houseboat meals
• Sightseeing, entrance fees and guides, such as in Cochin, Munnar and Thekkady
• Wildlife and boat activities, including the Periyar Lake boat safari, and spice plantation visits
• Cultural performances, such as Kathakali and Kalaripayattu shows, and Ayurveda treatments
• Tips for chauffeurs, guides and houseboat crew
• Personal expenses such as laundry, camera fees and shopping

Tour Customisation – Colours of Kerala Tour

• Add sightseeing, guides and activities for any day, as in the suggested itinerary above
• Upgrade to boutique plantation stays or premium private houseboats, or explore our luxury India tour packages
• Add Ayurveda wellness treatments, spa therapies and yoga retreats
• Extend your itinerary with Kovalam beach, Varkala or the Wayanad hills
• Private multilingual guides available in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian
• Include village walks, cooking sessions, plantation tours or photography-focused experiences
• Choose a flexible tour length of 7 to 10+ days for honeymooners, families and senior travellers
• Add a final night in Cochin before your flight, as on our Classic Kerala Tour

Best Time to Visit – Colours of Kerala Tour

• October – March: The best season for hill stations, wildlife, houseboat cruises and comfortable sightseeing weather
• April – June: Peaceful travel with lush greenery and attractive hotel offers, and fewer crowds, though lower areas are warmer
• July – September: Kerala’s monsoon season, with dramatic landscapes, misty hills and rejuvenating Ayurveda experiences, although plans may be adjusted around heavy rain

FAQs – Colours of Kerala Tour

What destinations are covered in the Colours of Kerala Tour?
The suggested itinerary covers Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar), Kumarakom and Alleppey, with a mix of culture, wildlife, hills and backwaters.

Is the Kerala houseboat experience included?
Yes. The package includes an overnight stay on a traditional Kerala houseboat, with scenic canal views and all meals on board.

Are sightseeing and activities included?
The itinerary is a suggestion. Hotels, breakfast, the chauffeur-driven vehicle and the houseboat stay are included. Sightseeing, the Periyar boat safari, plantation visits and performances can be arranged on request and are charged separately.

Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends at Cochin International Airport. On the last day, the drive from Alleppey takes around two hours or more, so we recommend an afternoon or evening flight.

How does this differ from the Classic Kerala Tour?
Both are 9-day journeys through Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom and an Alleppey houseboat. This tour spends two nights in Thekkady and ends with the houseboat cruise, while our Classic Kerala Tour adds a final night in Kochi before departure.

Can I add beaches such as Kovalam?
Yes. Kovalam, Varkala and other destinations can be added as extensions to create a longer itinerary.

Can this Kerala itinerary be customised?
Yes. The tour can be personalised with hotel upgrades, beach extensions, Ayurveda programmes or additional destinations.

Is this tour suitable for families and honeymooners?
Yes. The Colours of Kerala Tour is ideal for couples, families, nature lovers and first-time visitors seeking a balanced Kerala experience.

Why Choose Premium India Tours

• Expertly crafted Kerala itineraries with authentic local experiences
• Handpicked resorts, boutique stays and quality backwater houseboats
• Private chauffeur-driven travel for comfort, flexibility and safety
• Transparent pricing, with clear inclusions and exclusions
• Dedicated travel assistance from the planning stage until departure
• Local expertise since 2010, with flexible customisation for family holidays and honeymoon tours