Kerala Backwaters + Kovalam Extension

11 days

•

From Kochi (Cochin) to Kovalam

4.5

6 traveler reviews

View all
His extensive cultural knowledge and passion for sharing the rich heritage of the region was truly enlightening.
J
Josephine, traveled in January
4.5
View all

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Operator: Explore!
Explorer: Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Guided in English
Group Size 7 - 16
Ages 16+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Kochi
Start point
KPK Menon Rd, Willingdon Island, Kochi, Kerala 682003, India (Hotel Casino, Hotel reception, 17:00)
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Kochi
Landmarks
Fort Kochi
Day 2
Kochi
Included Activities
- Visit Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
- Visit Jew Town Synagogue
- See Chinese Fishing Nets
- Kathakali performance
Landmarks
Mattancherry Palace
Jew Town Synagogue
Chinese Fishing Nets
Day 3
Kochi to Munnar
Landmarks
Munnar
Day 4
Munnar to Thekkady
Included Activities
- Tea museum visit
- Nature walk
- Spice garden visit
Optional Activities
- Kalaripayattu martial art performance (200 INR)
Landmarks
Thekkady
Day 5
Thekkady to Homestay Village
Included Activities
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary nature walk
Landmarks
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 6
Homestay Village
Optional Activities
- Cooking lesson with host family
- Gentle walks through surrounding villages
Day 7
Kerala Backwaters
Included Activities
- Kerala backwaters houseboat journey
Landmarks
Kerala Backwaters
Day 8
Backwaters to Kochi
Day 9
Kochi to Kovalam
Landmarks
Kovalam Beach
Day 10
Kovalam
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Kanyakumari (£25 per person based on 2 people)
- Half day sightseeing tour in Trivandrum (£13 per person based on 2 people)
- Cooking lesson (£7 per person)
Landmarks
Kovalam Beach
Kanyakumari Temple
Day 11
Depart Kovalam
End point
Chowara, PO, Kovalam, Kerala 695501, India (Abad Harmonia Beach Resort, Hotel reception, 09:00)

Landmarks
Fort Kochi

Landmarks
Mattancherry Palace
Jew Town Synagogue
Chinese Fishing Nets

Landmarks
Munnar

Landmarks
Thekkady

Landmarks
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Landmarks
Kerala Backwaters

Landmarks
Kovalam Beach

Landmarks
Kovalam Beach
Kanyakumari Temple

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport
Optional Extras

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Additional Services

Operated by

Explore!

4.5

(8,637 reviews)

Number of tours

599

Age Range

16 to 85 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

92%

Explore Worldwide has over 40 years’ experience in creating expert-led small...

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Other

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Reviews

4.5

Overall rating based on 6 Reviews

Itinerary
4.2
Transport
4.0
Guide
5.0
Accommodation
4.0
Food
5.0
Tour Operator
4.5

A
Lynn
March 11th, 2023
4.7
There are too many to list but our guide Sreeraj was brilliant, a lovely warm person whose knowledge and passion for...
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Traveled in January 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Josephine
January 27th, 2024
4.5
India was an extraordinary experience, made truly exceptional by our remarkable tour guide, Jojan Mathew. His...
India was an extraordinary experience, made truly exceptional by our remarkable tour guide, Jojan Mathew. His extensive cultural knowledge and passion for sharing the rich heritage of the region was truly enlightening. His warm, generous, and kind personality immediately made us feel like dear friends, creating an atmosphere of authentic hospitality that made our journey unforgettable. Whether navigating historical sites or introducing us to local customs and traditions, our guide's expertise and genuine enthusiasm added immeasurable depth to our adventure. Jojan’s ability to seamlessly weave history, culture, and personal anecdotes left us with a profound understanding and appreciation of the region. We can't speak highly enough of him and happily recommend a tour with him to anyone seeking an appreciation for this beautiful Kerala, India destination.Show more
Traveled in December 2023
Review collected by Explore!
R
Roberta
February 22nd, 2020
5.0
Highly recommended. There is the good balance between activity and relax. The tour leader was extremely knowledgable.
Traveled in February 2020
Reply from: Explore!
Thanks for your review Roberta, we are very glad you felt the balance of the trip was good and the tour leader was knowledgeable. We hope to see you travelling with us again in the future!
Show more
A
Ian
May 17th, 2019
4.7
Throughly enjoyable, would travel with Explore again.
Traveled in March 2018
Reply from: Explore!
Thanks for your review and feedback. Glad you had a good trip.
Show more
A
Carole
May 17th, 2019
4.3
Highlights were bicycle ride along canal side, seeing rice harvest, duck farm and stopping for tea: homestay with...
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Traveled in March 2018
Reply from: Explore!
Thanks for your review and feedback.
Show more
A
Dale
May 17th, 2019
4.0
Overall, it was great! This was my 5th trip to India. I did miss having more cultural experiences but really enjoyed...
Overall, it was great! This was my 5th trip to India. I did miss having more cultural experiences but really enjoyed everything but the first full day in Couchin. The beach extension was amazing, but we had you extend it for us for an extra 5 days. For the other couple on our trip, it may have been disappointing since the train was so late that we did not get into our hotel just before midnight and since their flight was so early the following day after they really had no time their. I think that the beach extension should be longer. It worked for us since we added days. The tea plantation was disappointing. I have been to many other tea plantations and found that this part of the trip was not nearly as good as others that I have been to.Show more
Traveled in December 2017
Reply from: Explore!
Thanks for your review and feedback. Glad you had a nice trip.
Show more

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 124683

Currency
₹
Indian Rupee
India
Plugs & Adapters
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Cholera - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for India. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for India. Ideally 10 days before travel.
- Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for India. Ideally 1 month before travel.
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- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before July 5th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after July 5th, 2026, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Explore!. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 75 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
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Accessibility
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Kerala Backwaters + Kovalam Extension

No departure dates available

Itinerary

Kochi

Optional Activities

Kochi

Included Activities

Kochi to Munnar

Munnar to Thekkady

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Thekkady to Homestay Village

Included Activities

Homestay Village

Optional Activities