Travel guide · Kerala
Kerala Travel Guide
Kerala tour packages combine the tea hills of Munnar, the Periyar forests at Thekkady and a houseboat night on the Alleppey backwaters, with Kovalam and Kanyakumari on the longer trips. Our Kerala itineraries run 4 to 7 days from Cochin or Trivandrum, by private cab.
By Holiday Guru Travel · Updated 30 Sep 2026
In short: Backwater houseboats, tea hills, wildlife and spices and beaches. Most of our Kerala packages include a night on a houseboat in Alleppey, with meals on board. September to March is the best time for a Kerala tour; the monsoon (June–August) is green and quieter.
Kerala quick facts
- Trip length
- 3–10 days (29 itineraries)
- Best time
- September to March is the best time for a Kerala tour; the monsoon (June–August) is green and quieter.
- Key places
- Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, Kovalam, Cochin
- Tours start in
- Cochin, Trivandrum, Kozhikode
- Travel style
- Private cab on 7 of 29
- Hotels
- Standard / 3-star equivalent on 22 of 29; Deluxe on 7 of 29
- Meal plans
- Breakfast on all 29 itineraries
- Suits
- Families, Couples, Wellness
Best places to visit in Kerala
Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, Kovalam and Cochin are the places our Kerala itineraries are built around.
Munnar
Tea estates, Mattupetty Dam and Eravikulam National Park; about 135 km (3–4 hours) from Cochin.
Thekkady
Periyar lake and forest, spice plantations and cultural shows.
Alleppey
Backwater houseboat cruises; about 190 km from Munnar and 155 km from Thekkady.
Kovalam
Lighthouse, Hawah and Ashoka beaches; about 165 km from Alleppey.
Cochin
Fort Kochi, the Chinese fishing nets and the start or end of most tours.
Things to do
- Spend a night on a houseboat in the Alleppey backwaters
- Walk through Munnar’s tea estates
- Take a boat ride on Periyar lake at Thekkady
- Watch the Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi
- Relax on Kovalam’s beaches
- See sunrise at Kanyakumari on the longer itineraries
How many days do you need?
Four days covers Munnar and an Alleppey houseboat; 5–6 days adds Thekkady; allow 7 days to include Kovalam and Trivandrum or Kanyakumari.
| Trip length | What it covers | Our itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| 4 days | Munnar and Alleppey houseboat | Munnar Alleppey Tour Package |
| 4 days | Munnar and Thekkady | Munnar Thekkady Tour Package |
| 5 days | Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey houseboat | Munnar Thekkady Alleppey |
| 6 days | Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey | Cochin Munnar Thekkady Alleppey |
| 7 days | Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, Kovalam and Trivandrum | Munnar Thekkady Alleppey Kovalam Trivandrum |
Best time to visit Kerala
September to March is the best time for a Kerala tour; the monsoon (June–August) is green and quieter.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| September – March | Cool season | The most pleasant weather and the main holiday season; December–January is peak. |
| April – May | Summer | Hot and humid on the coast; Munnar stays pleasant. |
| June – August | Monsoon | Heavy rain and lush green scenery; quieter and good value. |
Suggested Kerala routes
Routes from our own Kerala itineraries, by trip length.
- 2 Nights / 3 Days: Cochin → Alleppey — Cochin and Alleppey Backwaters Break
- 3 Nights / 4 Days: Thekkady → Alleppey — Thekkady and Alleppey Tour
- 4 Nights / 5 Days: Athirappilly → Munnar — Athirappilly Falls and Munnar Tour
- 5 Nights / 6 Days: Cochin → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey — Munnar Alleppey Kovalam for 5 Nights / 6 Days
- 6 Nights / 7 Days: Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Kovalam — Munnar Thekkady Alleppey Kovalam Kanyakumari
- 9 Nights / 10 Days: Cochin → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Kovalam → Varkala — Grand Kerala Tour
Things to consider
Getting there and around: Packages start at Cochin (or Trivandrum for Kovalam), with pick-up from the railway station, bus stand or airport and a private cab for all transfers and sightseeing.
Where you stay: Deluxe category hotels on twin sharing in most packages, plus one night on a houseboat with all meals on board where the package includes it.
- Houseboat cruises follow set timings — check-in around midday and check-out the next morning.
- Carry light cotton clothes and a rain layer; Munnar evenings are cool.
- Book houseboats early for December–January.
- Periyar boat rides depend on availability; the driver follows what is open that day.
Kerala travel questions
What is Kerala known for?
Backwater houseboats, tea hills, wildlife and spices and beaches. Most of our Kerala packages include a night on a houseboat in Alleppey, with meals on board.
How many days should I spend in Kerala?
Four days covers Munnar and an Alleppey houseboat; 5–6 days adds Thekkady; allow 7 days to include Kovalam and Trivandrum or Kanyakumari. Our Kerala itineraries run 3–10 days.
What is the best time to visit Kerala?
September to March is the best time for a Kerala tour; the monsoon (June–August) is green and quieter.
Which places should I include in a Kerala trip?
Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, Kovalam and Cochin. Munnar: Tea estates, Mattupetty Dam and Eravikulam National Park; about 135 km (3–4 hours) from Cochin.
Which Holiday Guru Travel packages cover Kerala?
29 itineraries: Cochin and Alleppey Backwaters Break (2 Nights / 3 Days); Munnar Weekend from Cochin (2 Nights / 3 Days); Thekkady and Alleppey Tour (3 Nights / 4 Days); Kovalam Kanyakumari Tour (3 Nights / 4 Days); Kovalam Kanyakumari Tour for 3 Nights / 4 Days (3 Nights / 4 Days); Munnar Alleppey Tour Package (3 Nights / 4 Days); and 23 more listed below.
Can a Kerala itinerary be customised?
Yes. Any of our Kerala itineraries can be changed — add or remove nights, change the hotel category or add sightseeing. Tell us what you need and we send a quote for your dates.
Kerala holiday packages
All 29 Holiday Guru Travel itineraries for Kerala, shortest first. Each can be customised.
| Package ID | Package | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0182 | Cochin and Alleppey Backwaters Break | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Cochin → Alleppey |
| 0172 | Munnar Weekend from Cochin | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Cochin → Munnar |
| 0181 | Thekkady and Alleppey Tour | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Thekkady → Alleppey |
| 0077 | Kovalam Kanyakumari Tour | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Kovalam → Kanyakumari → Trivandrum |
| Kovalam Kanyakumari Tour for 3 Nights / 4 Days | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Kovalam → Munnar → Thekkady | |
| 0078 | Munnar Alleppey Tour Package | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Munnar → Alleppey |
| Munnar Alleppey Tour Package for 3 Nights / 4 Days | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Munnar → Alleppey | |
| 0079 | Munnar Thekkady Tour Package | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Munnar → Thekkady |
| Munnar Thekkady Tour Package for 3 Nights / 4 Days | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Munnar → Thekkady | |
| 0177 | Athirappilly Falls and Munnar Tour | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Athirappilly → Munnar |
| 0180 | Munnar and Kumarakom Tour | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Munnar → Kumarakom |
| 0175 | Varkala and Kovalam Beach Holiday | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Varkala → Kovalam |
| 0176 | Wayanad and Kozhikode Tour | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Wayanad → Kozhikode |
| 0080 | Munnar, Alleppey & Kovalam: Cochin to Trivandrum | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Munnar → Alleppey → Kovalam |
| Munnar Alleppey Kovalam for 4 Nights / 5 Days | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Munnar → Kovalam | |
| 0081 | Munnar Thekkady Alleppey | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey |
| Munnar Thekkady Alleppey for 4 Nights / 5 Days | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey | |
| Munnar Alleppey Kovalam for 5 Nights / 6 Days | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Cochin → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey | |
| 0179 | Cochin, Alleppey and Kovalam Tour | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Cochin → Alleppey → Kovalam |
| 0082 | Cochin Munnar Thekkady Alleppey | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Cochin → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey |
| 0173 | Munnar, Thekkady and Kumarakom Tour | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Munnar → Thekkady → Kumarakom |
| 0083 | Munnar, Alleppey & Kovalam with Houseboat Stay | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Munnar → Alleppey → Kovalam |
| Munnar Alleppey Tour Package for 5 Nights / 6 Days | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Munnar → Alleppey → Kovalam | |
| 0085 | Munnar Thekkady Alleppey Kovalam Kanyakumari | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Kovalam |
| 0084 | Munnar Thekkady Alleppey Kovalam Trivandrum | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Kovalam |
| 0174 | Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Kumarakom | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Kumarakom |
| Munnar Thekkady Alleppey Kovalam Kanyakumari for 6 Nights / 7 Days | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Kovalam | |
| Munnar Alleppey Tour Package for 6 Nights / 7 Days | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Kovalam | |
| 0178 | Grand Kerala Tour | 9 Nights / 10 Days | Cochin → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Kovalam → Varkala |
Related reading
Kerala articles
- Kerala for first-timers: Munnar, Thekkady and a houseboat
- An Alleppey houseboat night: what to expect