12-Day Kerala Extensive Tour – Private Munnar, Alleppey & Varkala

Tea Hills, Spice Country, Houseboat Backwaters & Varkala’s Cliff Beach

This private 12-day Kerala Extensive Tour follows Kerala’s natural travel rhythm at an unhurried pace: from the colonial quarters of Kochi up into the mist-covered tea hills of Munnar, through the spice forests of Thekkady to the quiet backwaters of Kumarakom and a night on an Alleppey houseboat, finishing with three nights beside the cliffs and beaches of Varkala, about 55 km from Trivandrum airport. With comfortable road journeys, local food and realistic driving distances, it suits couples, families, nature lovers and first-time visitors. Prefer Kovalam’s livelier resort beach? See our Best of Kerala Tour, or view more Kerala tour packages.

Tour Snapshot – Kerala Extensive Tour

• Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
• Route: Kochi (Cochin) → Munnar → Thekkady → Kumarakom → Alleppey Houseboat → Varkala → Trivandrum Airport
• Stays: 2 nights Kochi, 2 nights Munnar, 2 nights Thekkady, 1 night Kumarakom, 1 night houseboat, 3 nights Varkala
• Arrival & Departure: Arrive at Cochin International Airport and depart from Trivandrum Airport
• Travel Style: Slow-paced Kerala road journey with balanced sightseeing and a cliff-side beach finish
• Stay Experience: Hill retreats, backwater resorts, a houseboat & beach stays
• Meals: Daily breakfast, plus all meals on the houseboat
• Transport: Private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle
• Best For: Couples, families, nature lovers & first-time Kerala travellers
• Ideal Season: October to March for pleasant weather, June to September for monsoon landscapes
• Journey Highlights: Tea valleys, spice plantations, wildlife, a houseboat & coastal sunsets

Highlights – Kerala Hills, Backwaters & Coastal Experiences

• Walk through Fort Kochi’s colonial streets, spice markets and waterfront cafés
• Drive through misty tea plantations, waterfalls and mountain roads in Munnar
• Experience Periyar forests, spice gardens and Kerala’s cardamom hills
• Spend a night on a traditional Kerala houseboat, cruising the village backwaters
• Relax beside Vembanad Lake, with peaceful Kumarakom sunset views
• Spend three nights at Varkala, with its dramatic cliffs, beaches and sunset cafés
• Taste authentic Kerala cuisine, including seafood, appam, local curries and plantation chai
• Add Ayurveda wellness treatments by the sea, or choose Kovalam on our Best of Kerala Tour
• Experience a balanced journey of hills, forests, lakes, backwaters and Arabian Sea coastline

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 Extensive Tour Itinerary (12 Days / 11 Nights)

Kerala reveals itself gradually, through mist-covered tea valleys, winding mountain roads, spice-scented forests, peaceful backwaters, fishing villages and slow coastal sunsets over the Arabian Sea. This 12-day journey is paced realistically, so you can enjoy each region instead of rushing between stops, and it finishes with the dramatic sea cliffs of Varkala.

• Day 1: Arrival in Cochin – Fort Kochi & Coastal Atmosphere – Arrive in Cochin (Kochi), Kerala’s historic port city shaped by centuries of spice trade and colonial influence. After your airport transfer (about 1–1.5 hrs, depending on traffic), settle into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening along Fort Kochi’s seaside promenade and waterfront cafés. Overnight stay in Cochin.
• Day 2: Cochin Heritage Exploration – Visit Fort Kochi, the Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) and the spice markets of Jew Town. In the evening, you may choose to see a traditional Kathakali dance performance. Overnight stay in Cochin.
• Day 3: Cochin → Munnar – Scenic Hill Drive Through Tea Country (Approx. 125–130 km | 4–5 hrs) – The coastal plains gradually give way to misty mountains, waterfalls, tea plantations and winding roads through the Western Ghats. Stops at roadside waterfalls and tea stalls make the journey part of the experience. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 4: Munnar – Tea Gardens & Valleys – Explore scenic tea estates, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and viewpoints, with a visit to Eravikulam National Park (subject to its opening schedule). Munnar’s mist-covered valleys and fresh mountain air offer one of Kerala’s most peaceful landscapes. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 5: Munnar → Thekkady – Spice Plantations & Forest Landscapes (Approx. 90 km | 3–4 hrs) – Tea hills give way to spice-growing country, filled with cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and clove plantations. Thekkady’s dense greenery and cooler forest atmosphere show a completely different side of Kerala. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 6: Periyar Wildlife Experience – Enjoy the calm surroundings of Periyar National Park. An optional boat ride on Periyar Lake offers views of forested hills and, with luck, wildlife. Other optional activities include nature walks, spice plantation visits and traditional Ayurvedic treatments. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 7: Thekkady → Kumarakom – Backwater Villages & Lakeside Relaxation (Approx. 110–125 km | 3.5–4 hrs) – Descend from the hills to Kumarakom, on the shores of Vembanad Lake. Coconut groves, village canals and lakeside resorts offer the perfect transition into Kerala’s slower rural rhythm. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
• Day 8: Kumarakom → Alleppey Houseboat Cruise (Approx. 35 km | 1–1.5 hrs) – Continue to Alleppey and board a traditional Kerala houseboat for an overnight cruise. Drift through narrow canals, paddy fields, fishing villages and coconut lagoons while freshly prepared Kerala meals are served on board. Overnight stay on the houseboat.
• Day 9: Alleppey → Varkala – Kerala’s Scenic Coastal Belt (Approx. 120 km | 3.5–4 hrs) – After disembarking in the morning, drive south along the coast to Varkala, known for its dramatic cliffs above the Arabian Sea. Check in to your beach resort and watch the sunset from the famous cliffside cafés. Overnight stay in Varkala.
• Day 10: Varkala – Leisure, Beaches & Wellness – Enjoy Varkala’s laid-back coastal atmosphere. Relax on the beach, stroll the cliff promenade, enjoy fresh seafood, or add optional Ayurveda therapies, yoga sessions and wellness experiences by the sea. Overnight stay in Varkala.
• Day 11: Varkala Leisure Day – Keep the day flexible and unhurried. Explore quiet beaches, fishing villages and small coastal cafés, or simply enjoy the peaceful rhythm of Kerala’s southern coastline at your own pace. Overnight stay in Varkala.
• Day 12: Varkala → Trivandrum Departure (Approx. 55 km | 1.5–2 hrs) – After breakfast, drive to Trivandrum Airport for your onward journey, with memories of Kerala’s hills, backwaters, forests and coast.

Please Note: Travel times in Kerala may vary depending on season, road conditions, monsoon weather and traffic, particularly in hill and coastal regions. Comfortable pacing and regular scenic stops make the journey far more enjoyable. 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.

This itinerary can be customised with boutique stays, a private houseboat, Ayurveda retreats, guided cultural experiences and flexible pacing, based on your travel preferences. Prefer Kovalam to Varkala? See our Best of Kerala Tour.

Inclusions – Kerala Extensive 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: 2 nights in Cochin, 2 in Munnar, 2 in Thekkady, 1 in Kumarakom, 1 on a houseboat and 3 in Varkala, in carefully selected hotels, resorts and a houseboat
• Daily breakfast at hotels
• Overnight Alleppey houseboat cruise through the Kerala backwaters, with all meals on board
• Sightseeing in Cochin and Munnar, and intercity transfers, as per the itinerary
• Driver allowances, toll taxes, fuel charges and parking fees
• Assistance during arrival and departure transfers

Optional services, such as the Periyar Lake boat ride, private guides, Ayurveda therapies, cultural performances, plantation experiences and yoga sessions, can be arranged on request.

Not Included – Kerala Extensive 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 ride, nature walks, Kathakali performances, Ayurveda treatments and yoga sessions
• 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 – Kerala Extensive Tour

• Upgrade to heritage hotels or boutique plantation stays, or explore our luxury India tour packages
• Add Ayurveda wellness programmes, spa therapies or yoga retreats, or choose our Kerala Ayurveda Tour for a longer retreat
• Include private English, French, Spanish or German-speaking guides
• Extend your stay with additional nights in Varkala, Kumarakom or Munnar
• Add local cultural experiences, including cooking sessions, village walks, spice plantation visits and Kathakali performances
• Adjust the pace, with shorter driving days and additional leisure time
• Prefer Kovalam to Varkala? See our Best of Kerala Tour
• Combine Kerala with the Golden Triangle or Rajasthan for a longer India journey

Best Time to Visit – Kerala Extensive Tour

• October – March: Pleasant weather, ideal for hill stations, backwaters, beaches and sightseeing across Kerala
• April – June: A warm season with quieter destinations and attractive resort offers, although the coast is hotter and more humid
• July – September: The monsoon brings lush green landscapes, misty hills and dramatic waterfalls, although sightseeing and mountain roads may be adjusted around heavy rain

Kerala remains a year-round destination, though travel experiences vary seasonally. Monsoon months bring slower road travel in the hills, but reward travellers with greener landscapes, fewer crowds and atmospheric backwater journeys.

FAQs – Kerala Extensive Tour

How many days is the Kerala Extensive Tour?
The itinerary is a relaxed 12 days / 11 nights, covering hills, wildlife, backwaters and the coast.

Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts at Cochin International Airport and ends with a transfer from Varkala to Trivandrum Airport, about 55 km away, so you do not need to return to Cochin.

Does the tour include a houseboat cruise?
Yes. The itinerary includes an overnight stay on a traditional Kerala houseboat in Alleppey, with all meals on board.

Is the Periyar boat ride included?
The boat ride 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 Best of Kerala Tour?
The route is the same until Alleppey. This Kerala Extensive Tour finishes with three nights at Varkala, a quieter cliff-top beach about 55 km from Trivandrum airport. Our Best of Kerala Tour finishes at Kovalam, a livelier resort beach.

Is this Kerala itinerary suitable for families and senior travellers?
Yes. The route is designed with balanced pacing, realistic driving distances and comfortable overnight stays, suitable for couples, families and senior travellers.

Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. Hotels, destinations, travel pace, wellness experiences and sightseeing activities can all be personalised.

Is Kerala safe for first-time international travellers?
Kerala is widely regarded as one of India’s most traveller-friendly regions, known for its hospitality, scenic roads, wellness culture and relaxed atmosphere. As anywhere, sensible precautions apply, and your private chauffeur and our team are on hand throughout.

Why Choose Premium India Tours

• Private Kerala journeys designed with realistic pacing and local insight
• Hand-picked hotels, boutique stays and trusted Kerala houseboat partners
• Experienced chauffeur-driven travel focused on comfort and flexibility
• Transparent pricing, with clear inclusions and exclusions and personalised planning support
• Local expertise since 2010, with experiences blending nature, culture, cuisine, wellness and slow travel