Exotic Kerala Tour: 9 Days — Coconut Holiday of India, Kochi to Kovalam

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Kochi — Swagat Welcome

Arrive at Cochin International Airport (COK). Your representative greets you with a traditional “Swagat” (welcome) ceremony. Transfer to your hotel in Kochi. The afternoon is free to rest and explore the local area at your own pace. Kochi, known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea,” has been a major spice trading center for over 600 years and its architecture reflects layers of Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence. Optional: Cochin mangrove cruise through the city’s network of backwater canals. Optional: Kerala cooking class to learn the secrets of coconut-based curries and spice blending. Overnight at Abad Plaza Hotel in Kochi.

Day 2: Kochi Heritage Tour then Drive to Munnar

9:00 AM: begin a half-day heritage tour of Kochi. Visit St. Francis Church (India’s oldest European church, 1503), the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace) with its spectacular Ramayana murals, Jew Town’s narrow streets lined with antique shops and spice warehouses, the 450-year-old Paradesi Synagogue with hand-painted Chinese floor tiles, the lively Spice Market where the aroma of pepper and cardamom fills the air, and the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Kochi Beach. Afternoon: drive to Munnar (approximately 150 km, 4 hours), ascending through rubber plantations and cardamom forests into the cool tea country at 1,600 meters. Evening: attend a Kathakali dance performance — this classical art form with elaborate costumes, intricate makeup, and expressive storytelling through mudras, or hand gestures, is unique to Kerala. Overnight at Misty Mountain Resort in Munnar.

Day 3: Munnar — Tea Gardens, Eravikulam National Park & Spice Plantations

Full day exploring Munnar, the “Kashmir of South India.” Morning: visit the world-famous tea gardens that carpet the rolling hills in endless shades of green. Tour a working tea factory to see the orthodox tea manufacturing process. Then visit Eravikulam National Park, spanning 97 sq km of protected shola-grassland at 2,000 meters elevation. The park is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr — a sure-footed mountain goat found only here, with an estimated population of 800 animals. The panoramic views stretch to the Tamil Nadu plains far below. Afternoon: tour a spice plantation to see cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and vanilla growing in their natural habitat. Learn how each spice is harvested, processed, and used in Kerala cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Munnar town’s markets. Overnight at Misty Mountain Resort.

Day 4: Munnar to Periyar — Wildlife Sanctuary

After breakfast, drive to Periyar (Thekkady), passing through cardamom-scented forests and pepper-growing villages. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve, is one of South India’s most popular wildlife destinations, centered on the 26 sq km Periyar Lake. The sanctuary spans 925 sq km of tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forest, home to elephants, tigers, leopards, gaur (Indian bison), sambar deer, wild boar, and over 260 bird species. Afternoon: scenic boat ride on Periyar Lake — this is the best way to observe wildlife as animals come to the lake’s edge to drink and bathe. Keep your camera ready for elephant sightings. Optional: additional boat rides or bamboo rafting on the lake. Overnight at Hotel Silver Crest Periyar or Hotel PepperVine Thekkady.

Day 5: Periyar to Kumarakom — Elephant Safari & Lake Vembanad

Morning: elephant safari experience — get close to these magnificent animals in their natural habitat and learn about elephant conservation efforts in the region. Then visit a spice plantation for an in-depth tour — Kerala’s spice legacy goes back 3,000 years when traders from Phoenicia, Rome, and Arabia sailed here for “black gold” (pepper). Afternoon: drive to Kumarakom on the shores of Vembanad Lake — Kerala’s largest lake at 96km long, fringed with coconut palms and mangrove forests. Check into your waterfront resort. Optional: Kumarakom Ayurvedic massage — a 5,000-year-old healing tradition using warm medicated oils. Optional: sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake in a traditional country boat. Overnight at Manor Backwater Resort or Lakesong Resort in Kumarakom.

Day 6: Kumarakom to Alleppey — Bird Sanctuary & Houseboat Cruise

Morning: visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a 14-acre protected mangrove forest on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake. Walk the trails with your guide, spotting cormorants, teals, ducks, snakebirds (Indian darters), night herons, egrets, and — if you’re lucky between November and March — the magnificent Siberian stork on its annual migration. The sanctuary is a birdwatcher’s paradise with both resident and migratory species in a stunning lakeside setting. Afternoon: transfer to Alleppey and board your traditional kettuvallam houseboat. As you cruise through the backwaters — a 900km network of lakes, canals, and rivers — you witness an extraordinary water-world: village life along the banks, fishermen casting circular nets, women washing at stone ghats, children swimming and waving. Your onboard chef prepares lunch, dinner, and breakfast using fresh local ingredients. Anchor in a secluded backwater for the night. All meals included today. Overnight on the houseboat (deluxe or premium category).

Day 7: Alleppey to Kovalam — The Arabian Sea Coast

Disembark after breakfast and drive south to Kovalam — one of India’s most famous beach destinations, located near the southern tip of the subcontinent. Kovalam features two main crescent beaches (Lighthouse Beach and Hawah Beach) separated by rocky headlands, with a third beach (Samudra) to the north. The area is known for its laid-back atmosphere, Ayurvedic wellness centers, and fresh seafood. Check into your beach resort. Afternoon at leisure: swim in the warm Arabian Sea, walk along the palm-fringed shore, or explore the cliff-top promenade with its cafes and shops. Optional: Ayurvedic treatments and spa therapies — Kovalam is one of India’s premier destinations for traditional healing and rejuvenation. Overnight at Sagara Beach Resort or Travancore Heritage.

Day 8: Kovalam — Free Day at the Beach

Full day at leisure to enjoy Kovalam at your own pace. Sleep in, swim in the Arabian Sea, try surfing lessons, take a yoga class, or book an Ayurvedic treatment. For the active, rent a bicycle and explore the coastal villages, visit the Vizhinjam lighthouse for panoramic views, or take a day trip to nearby Poovar Island where the backwaters meet the sea. For those seeking relaxation, the beaches offer miles of golden sand with safe swimming areas patrolled by lifeguards. Evening: watch the sunset from the cliff-top walkway — the sky ignites in orange and pink as fishing boats return to the harbor. Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 9: Trivandrum Sightseeing & Departure

Morning: drive to Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala’s capital city. Visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams (sacred abodes of Vishnu), with its distinctive Dravidian architecture and seven-tiered gopuram. The temple gained worldwide attention in 2011 when vaults containing billions in gold, jewels, and artifacts were discovered. Visit the Napier Museum, a 19th-century architectural gem combining Kerala, Mughal, Chinese, and Italian styles, housing rare archaeological artifacts and bronze sculptures. Explore the Sri Chitra Art Gallery with its collection of Indian art including works by Raja Ravi Varma and Mughal miniatures. Then transfer to Trivandrum International Airport for your departure flight, carrying unforgettable memories of God’s Own Country.

What’s Included

• 8 nights accommodation (3-star hotels, resort, deluxe houseboat)
• Daily breakfast + all meals on houseboat (Day 6)
• Air-conditioned private vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing
• Experienced English-speaking guide throughout (also available in German, Italian, French, Spanish)
• Kochi half-day heritage city tour
• Kathakali dance performance
• Munnar tea garden and tea factory visit
• Eravikulam National Park entry and guided visit
• Spice plantation tour (Munnar and Periyar)
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary entry and lake boat ride
• Elephant safari experience
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary entry and guided walk
• Traditional houseboat overnight cruise with all meals
• Trivandrum sightseeing (Padmanabhaswamy Temple, museums)
• All airport transfers (pickup COK, drop TRV)
• All fuel, tolls, parking fees, driver allowances

What’s Not Included

• International/domestic flights
• Travel insurance
• Optional activities: mangrove cruise, cooking class, Ayurvedic massages, Periyar bamboo rafting, sunset cruise
• Personal expenses, tips, laundry, drinks
• Monument and camera fees
• Anything not specified in inclusions