Hills and Backwater Tours of Kerala

Destinations Covered: Cochin (2N) - Alleppey (1N) - Periyar (1N) - Munnar (2Nts) - Athirappilly (1Nt) - Guruvayoor (2Nt)

Day 1: Arrival in Cochin

Upon your arrival at Kochi Airport, Shakti India Tours Representative will receive you with a warm welcome and transfer you to the pre-booked hotel. Freshen up and relax. Later, proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour of Kochi/Cochin covering prime attractions like Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Portuguese Buildings, Jewish Synagogue, and Chinese Fishing Nets. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 2: Cochin - Alleppey (53 km / 1 hr. approx.)

Have a relishing South Indian breakfast at the hotel. In the afternoon, check-in at the houseboat. The rest of the day you will relax in the House Boat. Cruise through the narrow canals of serene backwaters of Kumarakom & Alleppey. Lunch, Tea or Coffee, and dinner in the center of the lake will be arranged for you. Overnight stay on Alleppey Houseboat.

Day 3: Alleppey - Periyar (137 km / 3 hrs. approx.)

This morning disembark from the houseboat. Later proceed to Periyar (Thekkady). On arrival check-in at the pre-booked hotel. Later proceed for wildlife viewing of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park via a boat cruise on Periyar Lake that runs within the sanctuary. In the evening, take a visit to nearby spice plantations. On-time return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: Periyar - Munnar (91 km / 3 hrs. approx.)

Have a very hearty breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Munnar, a popular hill station and tourist destination in the state of Kerala. On arrival in Munnar, check-in at your pre-booked hotel. Freshen up and relax. Spend the rest of the day at your own individual activities or you may go to explore the city set amidst the bountiful nature. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 5: Munnar Sightseeing

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a full-day sightseeing tour in and around Munnar. Munnar is a popular hill station in the state and best known for bountiful nature, eye-catching greenery, pleasant weather & climate, beautiful tea estates, wildlife, and spice plantations. Explore famous attractions like Mattupetty Dam, Photo Point, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, Top Station, Tea Plantations, Tea Museum, KFDC Flower Garden, and Eravikulam National Park. On-time return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: Munnar - Athirappilly (129 km / 2-3 hrs. approx.)

Take breakfast at the hotel and then drive to Athirappilly, a town in the Thrissur district of Kerala. On arrival in Athirappilly, you would be transferred to your pre-booked hotel. Freshen up and relax at the hotel. Later proceed for Athirapally sightseeing. Visit the famous Athirappilly Waterfalls. Enjoy the exceptional nature beauty and relaxed environment. Spend some time sitting at a place amidst nature. You will completely feel rejuvenated. On-time return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Athirappilly - Guruvayoor (81 km / 2 hrs.)

Have a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Guruvayur, a holy town located in the Thrissur district of Kerala. It is the suburban town of Thrissur city. On arrival check-in at the hotel in Guruvayur. Freshen up and relax. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or enjoy your own individual activities. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 8: Guruvayoor Sightseeing

Early morning, make a visit to Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple – the fourth largest temple in India in terms of the number of devotees visiting per day. Then visit nearby Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to ritual, every devotee who goes to Guruvayur Temple must-visit Mammiyur temple.

Later take a visit to nearby Punnathurkotta, also called Punathur Palace or Anakotta (meaning Elephant Fort). Sometimes it is also described as the Punnathurkotta Elephant Sanctuary. It is located in Kottapadi, about 2 km from the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple in Guruvayur. Punnathurkotta Palace is used to house the elephants belonging to the Guruvayoor temple. On-time return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Guruvayoor - Cochin (90 km / 2 hrs.)

Take very hearty breakfast at the hotel. Drive back to Cochin. Check-in at your pre-booked hotel on arrival. Freshen up and relax. Spend the rest of the day enjoying your own individual activities. Enjoy shopping at local markets. Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 10: Departure from Cochin

Have a very hearty breakfast at the hotel. On-time, a representative from Shakti India Tours will transfer you to the Kochi Airport. Board flight for your home destination with sweet memories of Hills and Backwater Tours of Kerala, India.

What are your booking policies?

We require the initial deposit between 20% to 50% of the total tour cost at the time of booking to secure hotel reservations and transport. The remaining balance is typically due from 15 to 30 days before the tour start date. If you are booking 10-15 days in advance, you need to make 100% payment.

What are the Kerala backwaters?

The Kerala backwaters are a vast, 900 km network of interconnected lagoons, lakes, canals, and rivers that run parallel to the Arabian Sea. This labyrinthine system is fed by 38 rivers and is a unique ecosystem where freshwater from the mountains meets the saltwater of the sea.

Can you arrange specific meals as per our preferences?

Yes, we can arrange specific meals based on your preferences, like vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and Jain meals. You must inform us at the time of booking so that hotels can stock the necessary ingredients. Most of our hotels offer a buffet, and you can easily choose your preferred dish.

Is transportation included in the package?

Yes, our tour packages include transportation, accommodation, daily breakfast, and sightseeing. However, flight and train tickets are not included in the package. In addition, tickets to the monuments are also not included in the package. You can purchase from the official website of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to avoid long queues at the ticket counter.

What is special about a houseboat stay in Kerala?

Houseboats are luxury hotel suite that floats through a hidden water world. A houseboat stay in Kerala allows you to explore the scenic views of coconut trees and villages and enjoy the traditional Kerala meals prepared onboard. It offers a slow travel experience, which is the only one in the world.