Itinerary
- Day 1
Kochi
You'll arrive in Kochi and get greeted with a traditional welcome. An airport representative meets you and takes you to your hotel for check-in. After that, the evening is yours to relax and get settled in after your travel.
- Day 2
Kochi
You'll start at 9:00 with a guided tour through Kochi's historic center. First up is St. Francis Church, which is the oldest European church in India and worth seeing for its architecture alone. After that you'll walk through the Portuguese-built Dutch Palace and check out the Jewish Synagogue dating back to 1568. The spice market is next where you can wander around and take in all those aromatic smells. Before evening comes, you'll see the famous Chinese fishing nets along the waterfront, then spend some time strolling through local markets as the day winds down.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Kochi
- Visit to St. Francis Church
- Visit to Dutch Palace
- Visit to Jewish Synagogue
- Spice market visit
- Chinese fishing nets viewing
- Evening walking tour through local markets
Landmarks St. Francis Church Dutch Palace Jewish Synagogue Spice Market Chinese Fishing Nets 
- Day 3
Kochi to Munnar
You'll leave Kochi around 10:00 for about a four-hour drive to Munnar. The route takes you through some nice scenery with waterfalls, mist-covered mountains, and clouds drifting across the landscape. Once you arrive you'll check into your hotel and have the evening to yourself. Munnar sits in tea plantation country and has colonial-era buildings scattered around since it used to be where the British came in summer, so there's plenty to explore on your own if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Munnar
Landmarks Munnar 
- Day 4
Munnar - Eravikulam National Park
After breakfast you'll take a half-day guided tour of Munnar's tea estates, some of which rank among the highest in the world with plantations stretching out in all directions. The tour continues to Eravikulam National Park where you might see Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered species found here. By afternoon you're free to do your own thing. You could visit local tea museums or markets, or just relax and enjoy the cool mountain air at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided half-day sightseeing tour of Munnar
- Visit to world's highest tea estates
- Visit to Eravikulam National Park
Optional Activities
- Local tea museum visit
- Market exploration
Landmarks Eravikulam National Park - Day 5
Munnar to Periyar National Park
It's a four-hour drive to Periyar National Park, one of South India's top wildlife sanctuaries built around a lake. The park is home to elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild boar, and monkeys, plus there's a chance of seeing tigers or leopards if you're lucky. Bird watchers will find plenty to keep them occupied here. An optional boat ride on the lake gives you chances to spot herds of elephants or deer from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Four-hour drive to Periyar National Park
Optional Activities
- Boat ride on Periyar Lake
Landmarks Periyar National Park Periyar Lake - Day 6
Periyar National Park to Kumarakom
You'll start by visiting a local spice plantation to see how cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon grow and are processed. An included boat ride on Periyar Lake follows, giving you time to look for wildlife. Then it's a 3.5-hour drive to Kumarakom, a quiet backwater village on Vembanad Lake surrounded by coconut palms and lots of birds. Traditional houseboats and canoes are the best way to explore this area once you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to local spice plantation
- Boat ride on Periyar Lake
- Transfer to Kumarakom
Landmarks Periyar Lake Kumarakom Vembanad Lake - Day 7
Kumarakom to Alleppey
Head to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary early to spot seasonal bird species. Later you'll board a traditional kettuvallam houseboat for a leisurely cruise across Vembanad Lake toward Alleppey. From the boat you'll see village life unfold along the backwaters: fishermen casting nets, women washing clothes by the banks, children waving from shore. Both lunch and dinner come with you on the houseboat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch onboard houseboat), Dinner (Dinner onboard houseboat)
Included Activities
- Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
- Overnight kettuvallam houseboat cruise on Vembanad Lake
Landmarks Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Vembanad Lake 
- Day 8
Alleppey to Kovalam
You'll leave the houseboat in Alleppey and drive to Kovalam at India's southernmost tip. Two main beaches here are divided by a steep cliff and lined with coconut palms. Kovalam is also known as a center for Ayurveda with many wellness resorts offering treatments. The rest of your day is free to do what you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Ayurvedic therapy session at local wellness centre
Landmarks Kovalam Beach 
- Day 9
Kovalam
This entire day is yours to do what you want. Kovalam's white-sand beaches are right there if you want to relax and swim. Alternatively you could book an Ayurvedic therapy session at one of the local wellness centers if you'd prefer something more rejuvenating. It's completely up to you how you spend the time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Relaxation on white-sand beaches
- Ayurvedic therapy session at local wellness centres
Landmarks Kovalam Beach - Day 10
Kovalam to Trivandrum
A half-day sightseeing tour of Trivandrum starts with the revered Padmanabhaswamy Temple. You'll then visit the Sri Chitra Art Gallery to see Indian art including works by Raja Ravi Varma and Mughal and Rajput miniatures. The tour ends at Kuthiramalika Palace with its intricate wood carvings and traditional Kerala architecture. After that, you'll head to Trivandrum Airport where your tour concludes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day Trivandrum sightseeing tour
- Visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Visit Sri Chitra Art Gallery
- Visit Kuthiramalika Palace
Landmarks Padmanabhaswamy Temple Sri Chitra Art Gallery Kuthiramalika Palace
