9 Days • 8 Nights
Kerala Backwaters & Hills
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll explore the spice-trading heritage and Chinese fishing nets of Kochi, wind up into the tea-carpeted hills of Munnar, spot wildlife in the Periyar reserve at Thekkady, and cruise the palm-lined backwaters on a private houseboat with all meals aboard. Ayurvedic spas, kathakali dancers and beaches complete the picture.
With comfortable hotels, a houseboat night and a private guide and chauffeur arranged, it is India at its most relaxed and beautiful.
Trip Highlights
- The spice heritage and Chinese fishing nets of Kochi
- A kathakali dance performance
- The emerald tea hills of Munnar
- A spice plantation and the Periyar reserve at Thekkady
- A private backwater houseboat with all meals aboard
- Ayurvedic wellness and tropical scenery
- The beaches of the Malabar coast
- A private guide and chauffeur throughout
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Arrive in the historic port of Kochi and settle in, with a welcome dinner of Keralan flavours.
Explore Fort Kochi — the Chinese fishing nets, the Dutch and Portuguese heritage, the spice markets and Jew Town — ending with a colourful kathakali dance performance.
Drive up into the hills to Munnar, through spice plantations and waterfalls, arriving amid endless carpets of emerald tea.
Explore the tea estates and a tea museum, the rolling hills and viewpoints, and the cool mountain air of Kerala's highlands.
Drive to Thekkady, gateway to the Periyar wildlife reserve, with a spice plantation tour and a boat safari on the lake to spot elephants and birds.
Drive to Alleppey and board your private houseboat, drifting through the palm-lined backwaters past villages and rice paddies, with all meals cooked fresh aboard.
Disembark and drive to the beach resort of Kovalam on the Arabian Sea, settling in for an afternoon by the sea.
A relaxed beach day — swimming, an Ayurvedic massage or the lighthouse beach, at your own pace.
A final breakfast before your transfer to Trivandrum airport for your onward flight.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and a private guide and chauffeur throughout
- 2N Kochi, 2N Munnar, 1N Thekkady, 1N houseboat, 2N Kovalam beach
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and all meals aboard the houseboat
- A Kochi tour with the Chinese fishing nets and a kathakali performance
- The tea hills and gardens of Munnar
- A Periyar spice plantation and boat safari at Thekkady
- A private Alleppey backwater houseboat cruise
- Beach time at Kovalam and all entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from India
- India e-Visa fees (we can assist)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Camera and video fees at monuments where not stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities need an India e-Visa, applied for online before you travel, with a passport valid at least six months. We can point you to the official portal
- Currency: The currency is the Indian Rupee. Cards are accepted in cities and hotels, and ATMs are widespread, but carry cash for markets, tips and smaller towns
- Best season: October to March is ideal for most of India; the Himalayas (Ladakh) are best June to September; April to June is very hot and July to September brings the monsoon
- Food & water: Drink only bottled or filtered water, and enjoy freshly cooked, hot food from busy places. A little care avoids an upset stomach; carry any usual medication
- Culture & dress: Dress modestly, especially at temples and religious sites — cover shoulders and knees, remove your shoes, and cover your head at Sikh gurdwaras. Women should dress conservatively
- The Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, and sunrise is the most magical (and coolest) time to visit; your itinerary is arranged around this
- Health: Consult a travel clinic about recommended vaccinations and anti-malarial advice for your route. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential
- The pace of India: India is intense, colourful and can be overwhelming — expect crowds, noise and contrast. A private guide and driver make it wonderfully smooth and rewarding
- Tipping: Tipping (baksheesh) is customary for guides, drivers and hotel staff; small amounts are appreciated and we can advise on norms
- Connectivity & power: A local SIM requires registration, so an eSIM is often easier. Power is 230V with type C/D/M plugs, so bring a universal adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary (and all meals on the Kerala houseboat). Other meals are left free so you can explore India's incredible regional cuisines.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — you travel with your own private guide and chauffeur-driven car in each region, which makes travelling India wonderfully smooth and comfortable.
Do I need a visa for India?
Most visitors need an India e-Visa, applied for online before travel. We guide you to the official portal and the requirements for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
October to March is ideal for most of India, with pleasant days and cool nights. The Himalayas are best in summer (June-September); April to June is very hot and the monsoon runs July to September.
Is it safe and easy to travel in India?
Yes — with a private guide and driver, India is smooth, safe and deeply rewarding. Take normal care with food and water, dress modestly at sites, and let the colour and warmth of the country win you over.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, cities, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add a tiger safari, Varanasi, Kerala, Ladakh or the palaces of Rajasthan. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
By chauffeur-driven car for shorter legs and by domestic flight or train for longer ones — all included and arranged, with a private guide in each destination.
What is a backwater houseboat like?
A converted traditional rice barge (kettuvallam) with private bedrooms, a deck and a cook who prepares fresh Keralan meals as you drift through the palm-lined backwaters — a magical, peaceful highlight.
When is the best time for Kerala?
October or November to March is ideal, with pleasant, drier weather. The monsoon (June-August) is lush and green but very wet, though it is also the traditional season for Ayurvedic treatments.
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