Days 1–2
Kochi
Fort Kochi's Chinese fishing nets, the Jewish quarter and the spice warehouses of Mattancherry. A Kathakali performance in the evening.
2 nights in Fort Kochi
India · Sample journey
Backwaters, tea hills and temple towns
Old Kochi, the tea estates of Munnar, the great temple of Madurai, a night on a houseboat and three days by the sea.
- Length
- 12 nights
- Best time
- October to March
- Price
- On request
The Kerala backwaters
The journey
The green south
South India moves at a different pace from the north. This loop runs from the spice port of Kochi up into the tea hills, across the Western Ghats to the temple city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, and back into Kerala for the forests of Periyar and the backwaters.
It ends with three nights on the coast at Kovalam, where you can add Ayurvedic treatments or simply rest.
Route: Kochi · Munnar · Madurai · Thekkady · Alleppey · Kovalam
Day by day
How the days run
A sample plan. Driving times are approximate.
Days 3–4
Munnar
Up into the hills, about four hours. Walk through the tea estates with a planter and visit Eravikulam National Park.
2 nights in a hill resort
Days 5–6
Madurai
Down the Bodi pass into Tamil Nadu. The Meenakshi temple by day and for the evening ceremony. Optional day trip to Thanjavur.
2 nights in Madurai
Days 7–8
Thekkady
Periyar Tiger Reserve: a guided forest walk at dawn and a boat on the lake. Spice gardens in the afternoon.
2 nights near Periyar
Day 9
Alleppey
Board a private houseboat with its own cook and drift through the backwaters until the next morning.
1 night on a houseboat
Days 10–12
Kovalam
Three days by the sea. Ayurvedic treatments, the lighthouse beach and the fishing villages.
3 nights on the coast
Day 13
Departure
Transfer to Thiruvananthapuram airport, about 30 minutes.
Included
- All hotels in the room category you choose, with breakfast
- A private air-conditioned car and driver for the whole trip
- English-speaking local guides for the sightseeing in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for guided visits
- Airport meet and greet, and all transfers
- A contact who knows your trip, reachable day and night
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (essential)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers
Make it yours
- Add a week at an Ayurvedic retreat
- Add Chettinad mansions and Thanjavur (3 nights)
- Combine with Sri Lanka: Kochi to Colombo is a one-hour flight
The destination
Before you go to India
Best time to visit, visas, money and local customs.
Plan my journey
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