7 days/6 nights to explore Kerala, spot Elephants in Periyar National Park and Cruise on the famous Kerala Backwaters

from 391 USD / 335 EUR per person (incl. hotel)

Tour highlights: Fort Kochi, Munnar, Periyar National Park, Thekaddy, Backwaters

Day 1: Arrival in Kochi
Your driver will greet you upon arrival at Kochi Airport and accompany you to your private car. Then we will take you to your hotel. After your check-in, your driver will give you additional information about your itinerary, and answer any questions you may have. Then, depending on your arrival time, your driver will start to show you the city of Kochi. Your driver will make you discover the peninsula of Fort Kochi where you can attend the Kathakali, dance theater performance or kalarippayat, a martial and therapeutic art, related to Ayurvedic medicine. Overnight in Kochi.

Day 2:Fort Kochi to Munnar (5 h driving)
Today your Indian driver will take you by road you to Munnar, which will take you through exceptional landscapes. Along the way, you will make a stop at the Cheeyappara waterfalls and at a spice plantation. Then, you will arrive at Munnar, nestled in the mountains of Kerala. The city is best known for its tea plantations. After lunch, your Indian driver will be at your disposal to make you discover the Munnar Tea Museum, which allows visitors to discover the stages of tea processing and to learn about the production of different types of black tea from Kerala. Tasting on the spot. Overnight in Munnar.


Day 3: Munnar sightseeing
Today you will have a relaxing day in the relaxing atmosphere of Munnar. Your driver will be happy to help you discover the city according to your preferences. Guests can explore the tea plantations, Lockhart Tea Factory, Eravikulam National Park, Kundale Lake or Echo Point. Your driver will be happy to take you to Top Station, the highest point (1700m) of Munnar, located about 32 km from the city, between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Here you can admire the panoramic view of the Western Ghats and Theni District Valley of Tamil Nadu. The destination is famous for the flowers of Neelakurinji (Strobilanthus), which bloom once every twelve years. Overnight in Munnar.


Day 4:Munnar to Thekkady (3.5 h driving)
Today your Indian driver will drive you by private car to Thekkady which houses the famous Periyar National Park, with the lake of the same name. Once on site (or early in the morning the next day), we will organize a walk in the park to discover the local fauna and flora, especially elephants that are very numerous (the duration of the hike is 2-3 hours, accompanied by a local guide). According to your preference, the visit can be organized also aboard a jeep. Another option to visit by a boat ride. Then you can visit a spice plantation, a tribal village or attend a performance of Kathakali. Overnight at Thekkady.


Day 5: Thekkady sightseeing
After breakfast at your hotel, you will discover the Periyar National Park. The park can be explored on foot (the duration of the hike is 2-3 hours, accompanied by a local guide), by boat on the lake, elephant back or aboard a jeep. Free time for relaxation in the afternoon or, depending on your preferences: visit the spice plantations, a tribal village or participation in a performance of Kathakali. In the evening, you can enjoy the world famous Indian Ayurvedic massage.Overnight at Thekkady.




Day 6: Thekkady to the Backwaters (6 h driving)
This morning, your driver will drive you to Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha), a world in its own right with the daily life of its inhabitants, and depending on your arrival time, you can embark on a traditional houseboat to start your journey. Cruise on the famous Kerala backwaters with overnight stay on board (all meals included) or just take a half-day boat trip to explore Lake Vembanad, its surrounding villages with amazing landscapes. Boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a floating dwelling. The Kerala houseboats are used mainly for trips to discover the Alleppey backwaters. They are a reworked model of Kettuvallams (Kettu means "tied with ropes", and vallam means "boat"), which formerly were used to transport rice and spices. If you choose to spend the night on a houseboat, you can choose between a private boat or shared with other travelers (you will always have a private room). Night in Alleppey.


Day 7: Alleppey to Kochi airport (2 h driving)
In the morning, enjoy the amazing sunrise over the Kerala Backwaters onboard your private houseboat. Then you will disembark from your houseboat around 09:00 AM, and your driver will take you to Kochi to prepare for your departure flight. Depending on the time of your return flight, your private driver will be glad to help you explore the Fort Kochi Peninsula. You may want to attend a performance of Kathakali and enjoy some shopping. Then your driver will take you to the airport for your flight.

Prices per person:

Pricing for 3 persons based on a triple room.
Pricing for more than 3 persons upon request based on your requirements (number of rooms/cars).

Your tour includes:
- All arrival, departure, tours as per above itinerary by air conditioned car with English speaking Indian driver including his living expenses
- All applicable hotel & transport taxes (tolls, road taxes, state taxes, fuel)
- 5 nights accommodation in hotels in a double/triple room
- 1 night accommodation on a private houseboat in the Kerala Backwaters
- Daily buffet breakfast (in case of Comfort or Luxury accommodation)
- Your driver's accommodation and meals
- Indian Government services tax

Your tour does not include:
- Any meals or drinks (except breakfast). Your driver can recommend safe food restaurants on the way or in the cities
- Expenses of personal nature such as tips, telephone calls, laundry, liquor ...
- Entrance fees during sightseeing
- Any International airfare to India
- Any other item not specified