Lagoons of Kerala

Arrive at Kochi (formerly known as Cochin), where you will be warmly welcomed by our tour representative. After a short meet and assist, proceed on a scenic drive to Munnar, one of Kerala’s most charming hill stations and a former summer retreat of the British. The journey itself is a visual delight, offering breathtaking views of the Cardamom Hills, lush green valleys, cascading waterfalls, and endless stretches of tea plantations.

En route and near Munnar town, enjoy photo stops at Attukad Waterfalls and Pothamedu View Point, where you can capture stunning landscapes and panoramic hill views. On arrival in Munnar, visit the renowned Tata Tea Museum, a must-see attraction for tea lovers. The museum showcases the rich heritage of tea cultivation in the region and features fascinating exhibits such as the traditional tea roller known as ‘Rotorvane’, once used for processing CTC tea. Guests can also enjoy the unique experience of plucking fresh tea leaves and tasting a variety of freshly brewed teas.

Tata Tea Museum Timings: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Open all days except Monday)
Entry Fee: INR 75 per adult | INR 35 per child

Later, check in to your hotel in Munnar. Spend the evening at leisure, relaxing and enjoying the serene surroundings of the resort.

overnight stay at Munnar.

After a refreshing breakfast, proceed for a full-day sightseeing tour of Munnar, covering the region’s most scenic and popular attractions, surrounded by misty hills, tea gardens, waterfalls, and wildlife-rich landscapes.

Your first stop is Eravikulam National Park (Rajamalai), located in the Kannan Devan Hills and famous for being the natural habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The Rajamalai tourism zone is open to visitors, offering breathtaking views of rolling grasslands and the chance to spot these rare mountain goats. Spread across 97 sq. km, the park is divided into core, buffer, and tourism zones, with only the tourism zone accessible to the public.

Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Open all days)
Entry Fee: INR 125 per adult | INR 95 per child | INR 420 for foreign nationals
Advance Online Booking Recommended: https://eravikulamnationalpark.in/landing
Note: The park remains closed from February to March every year due to the calving season of Nilgiri Tahr.

Next, visit Kundala Lake and Dam, Asia’s first arch dam, known for its serene surroundings and scenic beauty. The lake offers a peaceful setting and boating experiences, including pedal boating, row boating, and the popular shikara rides. During certain years, visitors may also witness the rare Neelakurinji flowers, which bloom once every 12 years in the surrounding hills.

Timings: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 10 per person
Boating Charges: INR 350 for 15 minutes

Continue to Mattupetty Dam, a picturesque reservoir located near Anamudi Peak and surrounded by tea plantations, spice gardens, and rolling hills. This scenic location is ideal for photography, picnics, and leisurely walks. Boating facilities are available, including speedboats and motorboats, operated by the District Tourism Promotion Council.

Timings: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 10 per person
Speed Boat Charges: INR 500 for 15 minutes (shared by 1–5 persons)

Later, visit Carmelagiri Elephant Park, located on Mattupetty Road, where you can enjoy a memorable elephant safari across rocky terrain. This experience is especially enjoyable for families and children, offering short elephant rides lasting 10–15 minutes.

Timings: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Elephant Ride Charges: INR 1,150 per adult

The day concludes with a visit to Blossom Park, a beautifully landscaped park featuring vibrant flower gardens, the Muthirappuzha River, artificial waterfalls, manicured lawns, and lush greenery. The park offers a variety of leisure and adventure activities such as nature walks, boating, bird watching, adventure trails, roller skating, badminton, and more, making it a perfect place to relax and unwind.

Timings: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 10 per adult | INR 2 per child (Activity charges extra)

In the evening, return to the hotel for relaxation.

Overnight stay at Munnar.

Note: Sightseeing order may change depending on time availability, traffic conditions, and hotel location. Entry fees and activity charges are payable directly at the respective attractions wherever applicable.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed on a scenic drive to Thekkady, a beautiful hill destination known for its dense forests, spice plantations, and rich wildlife. As you wind along the mountain roads, the landscape gradually transforms into vast stretches of plantations, offering refreshing mountain air and the delightful aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Situated at an altitude of 2,800 feet above sea level, Thekkady promises a refreshing change in climate and surroundings.

En route, visit a Spice Plantation in Kumily, where you gain insight into Kerala’s world-famous spice cultivation. The cool climate and elevation make this region ideal for growing premium spices, especially cardamom (Elettaria Cardamom), which thrives at altitudes between 600 and 1,200 metres. Kerala contributes nearly 70% of India’s total cardamom production, with a significant share coming from the plantations of Kumily. The tour also introduces you to flourishing pepper plantations, where sunlight filtering through the lush green leaves creates a truly enchanting sight.

Entry Fee: INR 200 – 300 per person

On arrival in Thekkady, check in to your hotel and relax.

In the evening, you may choose to enjoy an optional visit to the Mudra Cultural Centre (at an additional cost), renowned for its vibrant Kathakali dance performances and Kalaripayattu martial art shows. These traditional art forms provide a fascinating glimpse into Kerala’s cultural heritage. The elaborate makeup and costume preparation begins 30 minutes before each show, making it an interesting pre-performance experience. Still photography is permitted, and guests are advised to arrive early for good seating.

Show Timings: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: From INR 300 per person onwards

Return to the hotel after the performance.

Overnight stay at Thekkady.

Note: Sightseeing order may vary depending on time availability, travel conditions, and hotel location. Entry fees and activity charges are payable directly wherever applicable.

After breakfast, proceed to explore the natural wonders of Periyar Lake and Periyar Tiger Reserve, one of South India’s most renowned wildlife sanctuaries. This unique reserve offers the rare opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural habitat from the safety and comfort of a boat cruise on the lake. As you glide through the calm waters, keep an eye out for elephants, deer, bison, wild boars, and a variety of bird species, making it an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Periyar Lake – Boat Safari
Timings: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 40 per person

Boating Timings:
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM | 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM | 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM | 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Boat Charges: INR 500 onwards per person

Advance Booking Recommended: http://www.ktdc-boating.com/#booking

OR

For adventure enthusiasts, opt for the Bamboo Rafting Experience, a thrilling dawn-to-afternoon trekking and rafting program through some of the richest forest tracts of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. This guided eco-adventure takes you through dense forests, followed by a peaceful bamboo rafting session across the lake, offering panoramic views of forest-clad hills and excellent chances of spotting wildlife such as elephants, gaur, and sambar deer along the shoreline.

Timings: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Price: INR 2,000 onwards per person (minimum two persons required)

After the experience, return to the hotel in the evening for relaxation.

Overnight stay at Thekkady.

Note: Sightseeing order may change depending on time, weather, and hotel location. Entry fees and activity charges are payable directly wherever applicable.

After early breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed on a scenic drive to Alleppey, aiming to reach by 12:00 PM for an unforgettable houseboat experience. On arrival, check in to a traditional Kerala houseboat, locally known as a “Kettuvallam” — a beautifully crafted wooden boat tied together with coir ropes and topped with a thatched roof, offering a perfect blend of heritage charm and modern comfort.

Cruising through the enchanting backwaters of Alleppey is one of the most memorable experiences in Kerala. As the houseboat gently glides through serene canals, coconut-fringed banks, lush paddy fields, and peaceful village settings, guests can soak in the timeless beauty of rural Kerala. The journey also offers stunning views of Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in Kerala, formed by the confluence of ten Malabar rivers. The tranquil atmosphere, scenic landscapes, and slow-paced cruising create a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

The houseboat is well-equipped with comfortable bedrooms, attached bathrooms, dining areas, and modern amenities, and is operated by trained staff to ensure a safe and pleasant stay. The overnight stay typically begins with lunch on board and concludes with breakfast the next morning.

Houseboat Check-in Time: 12:00 PM
Houseboat Check-out Time: 9:00 AM

overnight stay on the houseboat

After breakfast, check out from the houseboat and proceed on a scenic drive towards Kovalam / Poovar, two of Kerala’s most picturesque coastal destinations.

Kovalam is celebrated for its breathtaking beauty, serene ambience, and palm-fringed shores, making it a true haven of peace and tranquility in God’s Own Country. Backed by steep headlands and lined with fertile coconut groves, its golden beaches — especially the iconic Lighthouse Beach — offer spectacular views of the Arabian Sea. Located just 19 km from Trivandrum city, Kovalam is one of Kerala’s most popular beach destinations.

Poovar, a serene coastal village, holds a fascinating historical legacy. The name “Poovar” is linked to Marthanda Varma, the King of Travancore, who reached this place while escaping internal conflicts. During spring, flowers from trees along the banks of the Neyyar River floated into the water, creating a magical sight. Impressed by this scenic beauty, the king named it “Poo-var”, meaning “flower river” in Malayalam. Today, Poovar is known for its spectacular estuary, where the river meets the sea, forming a tranquil and picturesque landscape.

On arrival at Kovalam, visit Lighthouse Beach, where you can relax on the golden sands or indulge in exciting water sports activities offered by local adventure clubs. Popular options include snorkelling, parasailing, windsurfing, and backwater cruising, making it a perfect blend of thrill and leisure.

Activities Offered: Snorkelling, Parasailing, Wind Surfing, Backwater Cruise
Activity Charges:

• Jet Skiing – INR 450 onwards
• Parasailing – INR 1,000 onwards
• Snorkelling – Approx. INR 2,500 per dive

Time Required:

• Jet Skiing – 10 to 15 minutes
• Parasailing – 5 to 10 minutes
• Snorkelling – Approx. 30 minutes

Later, check in to your hotel at Kovalam / Poovar. Relax and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight stay at Kovalam / Poovar.

Note: Sightseeing order may vary depending on time availability, travel conditions, and hotel location. Entry fees and activity charges are payable directly wherever applicable.

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), the cultural and spiritual heart of Kerala.

Begin the day with a visit to the revered Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the richest and most sacred temples in India. Renowned for its magnificent blend of authentic Kerala and Tamil architectural styles, the temple is admired for its exquisitely carved walls and serene spiritual atmosphere.

Dress Code: Women are required to wear a saree, and men must be dressed in a dhoti inside the temple.

Darshan Timings:
Morning: 3:30 AM – 4:45 AM (Nirmalya Darshanam), 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM, 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM, 6:45 PM – 7:20 PM

Next, visit the historic Napier Museum (Halcyon Castle), built in 1932 by Sri Rama Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran as a royal summer retreat and later sold to the Kerala Government in 1964. The palace is admired for its architectural charm and colonial-era design, offering visitors a glimpse into Kerala’s royal heritage.

Later, you may opt for an optional excursion to Kanyakumari (at additional cost), the southernmost tip of peninsular India, where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean converge. Famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunset views, Kanyakumari is also an important spiritual and cultural destination.

Places to visit in Kanyakumari include:

• Vivekananda Rock Memorial – A sacred monument reached by an exciting ferry ride, built in honor of Swami Vivekananda.
• Thiruvalluvar Statue – A towering statue of the legendary Tamil poet and philosopher, standing majestically on a 38-foot pedestal.
• Gandhi Mandapam – A memorial where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were kept before immersion, designed so that sunlight falls on the exact spot every 2nd October.
• Kanyakumari Temple (Bhagavathy Amman Temple) – One of the 108 Shakti Peethas, dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy.
• Kanyakumari Beach – Known for breathtaking views of sunrise, sunset, the Vivekananda Memorial, lighthouse, and the ocean confluence.

In the evening, return to your hotel at Kovalam / Poovar for relaxation.

Overnight stay at Kovalam / Poovar.

Note: Sightseeing order may vary depending on time availability, travel conditions, and hotel location. Entry fees, ferry charges, and activity costs are payable directly wherever applicable.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to Trivandrum Airport for your onward journey to your hometown. As the tour comes to an end, carry back unforgettable memories of Kerala’s serene backwaters, misty hills, golden beaches, rich wildlife, and vibrant culture a truly enriching experience of God’s Own Country.