Kochi Munnar Thekkady Alleppey Tour
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- 6 Days Kochi Munnar Thekkady Alleppey Tour
Kochi Munnar Thekkady Alleppey Tour 5N/6D
- Destinations : Kochi - Munnar - Thekkadyv - Alleppey
- Pickup Location : Kochi International Airport
- Drop Location : Kochi International Airport & and Hotel
- Tour Duration : 14 Nights / 15 Days
Tour Overview
Tea gardens cover the hills of Munnar. Elephants walk to the shore of Periyar Lake at dawn. Coconut palms line the quiet canals of Alleppey. Fort Kochi holds 500 years of trading history in its streets.
This 5-day tour takes you through all of it, in your own private air-conditioned car, with a dedicated English-speaking driver. You set the pace. You decide where to stop.
Day one starts in Kochi. You explore colonial churches, Chinese fishing nets, and the waterfront market. Day two takes you up into the Western Ghats to Munnar, where the air turns cool and the tea estates stretch across every hillside. Day three is for Eravikulam National Park and the rare Nilgiri Tahr. Day four brings you to Thekkady for a morning boat ride on Periyar Lake, with wildlife visible along the forested shore. Day five is the houseboat experience in Alleppey. Fresh meals cooked on board. Slow canals. Village life on the water.
Every hotel is handpicked. Every guide is licensed. Your driver handles the road so you focus on Kerala.
Tour Highlights
- Walk through colonial-era tea estates in Munnar at 1,600 metres above sea level
- Visit Eravikulam National Park and spot the rare Nilgiri Tahr
- Morning boat cruise on Periyar Lake with elephants visible on the shore
- Optional elephant experience at a responsible centre near Thekkady
- Overnight stay on a traditional Kerala houseboat in Alleppey
- Fresh meals cooked on board the houseboat
- Explore Fort Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets and colonial churches
- Watch a live Kathakali dance performance in Kochi
- Tour a working spice plantation in Thekkady
- Travel in your own private car with a dedicated English-speaking driver throughout
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kochi and City Exploration
Your Kerala tour begins at Kochi International Airport. Our driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall with a name board to welcome you and help with your luggage. You will be transferred to your hotel in a private, air-conditioned car.
Kochi is one of the most layered and interesting cities in India. For over 500 years it has been a meeting point of traders, sailors, missionaries, and colonial powers, and that history is still very visible in the streets of Fort Kochi today.
Depending on your arrival time, your driver will take you for an introductory walk through Fort Kochi. The famous Chinese Fishing Nets along the waterfront are among the most photographed sights in Kerala. These large cantilevered nets, introduced by Chinese traders in the 14th century, are still used by local fishermen today and the sight of them at sunset is genuinely beautiful.
Other highlights in Kochi include:
- St. Francis Church, built in 1503, the oldest European church in India and the original burial site of Vasco da Gama
- Santa Cruz Basilica, a stunning colonial church with striking pastel interiors
- Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), known for its exceptional collection of Kerala mural paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata
- Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568 in the heart of Jew Town, surrounded by antique and spice shops
In the evening, watch a live Kathakali dance performance, Kerala’s classical art form that combines intricate facial expressions, elaborate costume, and storytelling from Hindu epics. Most shows include a pre-performance makeup demonstration which is fascinating to watch.
Overnight: Kochi
Day 2: Kochi to Munnar
After an early breakfast, check out and begin the scenic drive to Munnar (approximately 4 to 5 hours, 130 kilometres). This drive is one of the most beautiful in South India. As you climb through the Western Ghats, the landscape transforms from coastal plains to rolling hills blanketed in tea.
On the way, stop at Cheeyappara Waterfalls and Valara Waterfalls, two spectacular cascades that pour down the hillside and are particularly impressive during and after the monsoon season. There are good viewpoints and small food stalls at both stops.
Arrive in Munnar by early afternoon. Munnar sits at an altitude of around 1,600 metres above sea level, which means the air is noticeably cooler and fresher than the coast. The town is surrounded by tea estates that have been cultivated since the British colonial era.
In the afternoon, visit the Tea Museum run by the Tata Tea company. This is one of the best places in India to understand how tea is grown, harvested, and processed, and to taste several varieties of fresh Munnar tea. The museum also has interesting historical exhibits on the tea industry in Kerala.
Spend the late afternoon walking through the tea gardens near town. The geometry of the trimmed tea bushes against the hillsides, especially in the golden evening light, makes for excellent photography.
Overnight: Munnar
Day 3: Munnar Sightseeing and Eravikulam National Park
Today is a full day in the hills of Munnar. The main attraction is Eravikulam National Park, home to the world’s largest population of the Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat species that is remarkably unafraid of humans. The park is located about 15 kilometres from Munnar town and requires an entry permit.
The park’s grasslands are beautiful in themselves, and on a clear morning the views across the Western Ghats are extraordinary. The park is also one of the places where Neelakurinji flowers bloom in a spectacular mass flowering that occurs once every 12 years.
After the national park, visit Mattupetty Dam and Lake, a peaceful reservoir surrounded by hills and shola forest. Boating is available on the lake and it is a good spot to spot wildlife including elephants and sambar deer near the water’s edge.
Other highlights in Munnar:
- Top Station, at 1,868 metres the highest point in Munnar, with sweeping views into Tamil Nadu on clear days
- Kundala Lake, a quiet artificial lake where paddleboats can be hired
- Echo Point, a popular viewpoint on the Kundala Lake road where the surrounding hills create a natural echo effect
- Spice and tea plantations on the outskirts of town where guided walks explain how cardamom, pepper, and coffee are grown alongside tea
In the evening, if you are interested, your guide can arrange a visit to a local elephant sanctuary or elephant camp where rescued elephants are cared for. Responsible elephant interactions, including watching elephants being bathed, are offered at select ethical centres near Munnar.
Overnight: Munnar
Day 4: Munnar to Thekkady and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
After breakfast, drive from Munnar to Thekkady (approximately 3 to 4 hours, 110 kilometres). The road passes through some of the most scenic stretches of the Western Ghats, winding through cardamom plantations, small tribal villages, and forested valleys. This is one of those drives where you will want to stop frequently for photographs.
Thekkady is the gateway to the Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the finest and most accessible wildlife reserves in South India. The park covers 925 square kilometres of thick forest and grassland, centred on the Periyar Lake, a large reservoir created by the Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895.
The highlight of Periyar is the boat cruise on Periyar Lake. Conducted by the Kerala Forest Department, these morning and afternoon cruises take you quietly across the lake through the heart of the forest. Elephants regularly come to the lakeshore to drink and bathe, and the sight of a herd crossing the water or feeding at the edge of the forest is memorable. You may also spot Indian bison (gaur), sambar deer, wild boar, otters, and a wide variety of birds.
Optional activities in Thekkady:
- Elephant ride through the forest (optional, available at approved centres near the park)
- Bamboo rafting on the Periyar Lake with trained tribal guides
- Spice plantation tour, visiting farms that grow cardamom, pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon
- Tiger Trail, an overnight forest trek with armed forest guides (advance booking required)
- Kalaripayattu martial arts performance, Kerala’s ancient fighting tradition
In the evening, explore the small town of Kumily near the park entrance, where spice shops sell freshly ground cardamom and pepper, and local restaurants serve excellent Kerala meals on banana leaves.
Overnight: Thekkady
Day 5: Thekkady to Alleppey and Houseboat Stay
Today is the experience many travellers say they remember most from Kerala. After breakfast, drive from Thekkady to Alleppey (Alappuzha) (approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, 140 kilometres).
Alleppey is the heart of the Kerala Backwaters, a network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes, and lagoons that stretches for over 900 kilometres along the Kerala coast. The backwaters are one of the most unique ecosystems in India, and experiencing them from a traditional Kerala houseboat (Kettuvallam) is unlike anything else.
Your houseboat is a converted rice barge, fitted with comfortable bedrooms, an open-air observation deck, a kitchen, and a bathroom with hot water. A crew of two or three manages the boat and prepares freshly cooked Kerala meals on board, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cuisine is simple, fresh, and genuinely delicious, with fish curry, rice, coconut sambar, and pappadum forming the backbone of every meal.
As the houseboat moves slowly through the canals, you drift past village life on the water. Women washing clothes at the canal edges, fishermen casting nets, children waving from small wooden bridges, and egrets standing in the shallows. The pace is completely unhurried and the scenery is endlessly photogenic.
The boat typically cruises through the afternoon and moors for the night at a quiet spot on the canal, where the sounds of frogs, birds, and water replace the noise of traffic. Watching the sunset over the backwaters from the roof deck of your houseboat is the perfect end to your Kerala journey.
Overnight: Alleppey Houseboat
Day 6 (Morning): Alleppey to Kochi and Departure
After breakfast on board the houseboat, disembark and drive back to Kochi (approximately 1.5 hours, 85 kilometres) for your onward journey. Your driver will take you directly to Kochi Airport or to your hotel if you have additional time before your flight.
If you have time before departure, your driver can take you for a final walk through the lanes of Fort Kochi, a visit to the Kochi spice market, or a stop at one of the waterfront cafes overlooking the Chinese Fishing Nets.
We wish you a wonderful onward journey and hope to welcome you back to Kerala soon.
End of Tour: Kochi
Inclusions
- A private, air-conditioned car with your own dedicated driver
- Private AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary.
- Handpicked hotels and one night on a traditional Kerala houseboat
- All road travel, fuel, tolls, and parking charges
- Airport pick-up in Chennai and drop-off in Cochin
- Support by phone and WhatsApp throughout your trip
Exclusions
- Any flight or train tickets.
- Lunch and dinner, except on the houseboat.
- Monument/temple entry fees, camera, boating and optional activities.
- India travel visa
- Houseboat upgrade charges (if applicable)
- Personal expenses, tips, porterage and travel insurance.
- Anything not mentioned under “Inclusions”.
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
FAQs
Is this a private tour or a group tour?
This is a completely private tour. You travel in your own car with your own driver. There are no fixed group departures and you never share the vehicle with other travellers. The pace, schedule, and stops can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
How long is the Kochi Munnar Thekkady Alleppey Tour?
This tour covers 5 nights and 6 days, starting and ending in Kochi. The itinerary can be extended or shortened based on your available dates.
Can I customise this Kerala tour?
Yes, absolutely. Every tour we operate is tailor-made. You can add extra nights in any destination, change the hotel category, include additional activities, or combine this tour with our South India Heritage Tour. Contact us with your travel dates and we will send a personalised itinerary.
What type of houseboat is included in Alleppey?
We include a standard private houseboat with one or two bedrooms depending on your group size. All meals are included on board. Premium and luxury houseboats with air-conditioned rooms and larger decks are also available on request.
Is the elephant ride included in the tour price?
The elephant ride in Thekkady or Munnar is optional and not included in the base price. Your driver or guide can arrange it locally. We only recommend ethical, responsible elephant centres where animal welfare is taken seriously.
What is the best time to visit Munnar and Alleppey?
September to March is the ideal time for this Kerala circuit. October, November, and December offer a particularly pleasant combination of post-monsoon greenery in Munnar and calm backwaters in Alleppey. Avoid travelling during the peak monsoon months of June and July when some roads in the hills may be affected by heavy rain.
Does the driver speak English?
Yes. All our drivers are experienced, professional, and conversant in English. They know the routes well and can help you with local recommendations throughout the journey.
How much does this Kerala tour cost?
The price depends on your group size, hotel category, and travel dates. Contact us with your details and we will send a full itemised quote within 24 hours, with no obligation.
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