Cultural Kerala
Fourteen nights the length of Kerala, from the sacred town of Guruvayur to the tea hills of Munnar, the backwaters, the beaches of Kovalam and the southernmost tip of India.
The fullest of our Kerala journeys, travelling privately with your own chauffeur, with entrances to all monuments included.
Private
Tailor-Made Journey
14
Nights in India
Daily
Breakfast Included
Private
Chauffeur Throughout
Expert
Local Guides
ATOL
Protected Holidays
Temples, Tea Hills and Two Coasts
Serenity, Cultural Richness and Refined Luxury
This exclusive journey through Kerala is crafted for travellers seeking serenity, cultural richness and refined luxury.
Begin in Cochin, where colonial heritage and vibrant local life set the tone, before visiting the sacred town of Guruvayur and the cultural heart of Thrissur. The journey ascends into the misty hills of Munnar, followed by the wildlife-rich landscapes of Thekkady, then flows into the backwaters at Kumarakom and Alleppey, the shores of Kovalam with excursions to Trivandrum and Kanyakumari, and the quieter waterways of Ashtamudi.
Journey Highlights
Experiences You Will Never Forget
Fourteen nights covering ground the shorter Kerala itineraries cannot reach.
Guruvayur and its Elephants
Guruvayur Temple- one of Kerala’s most famous shrines, and the Guruvayur Devaswom Elephant Sanctuary among the largest in the world.
Munnar's Tea Gardens
Rolling hills carpeted in tea plantations, plus the Tata Tea Museum to see the process and taste the results.
Boating on Lake Periyar
A boat ride at Lake Periyar for elephants, bison and water birds observed from close quarters.
A Night on a Houseboat
A private kettuvallam through the Alleppey backwaters, with lunch, snacks and dinner served on board.
The Southernmost Tip of India
Sangam, where three oceans meet, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Padmanabhapuram Palace.
Ashtamudi's Quiet Backwaters
Ashtamudi Lake, Munroe Island’s narrow waterways, Thangassery Lighthouse and Palaruvi Waterfalls.
Your Journey
The Full Length of Kerala
North to south along the Malabar Coast, up into the Western Ghats and back down to the backwaters, the beaches and the tip of the subcontinent.
Cochin
Stop 1
Thrissur
Stop 2
Munnar
Stop 3
Thekkady
Stop 4
Kumarakom
Stop 5
Alleppey
Stop 6
Kovalam
Stop 6
Ashtamudi
Stop 6
Sample Itinerary
Your Cultural Kerala Journey
The itinerary can be extended, shortened or upgraded to suit your preferred travel style.
Days 01 - 02 : Arrive Cochin
Days 1–2
Colonial Kochi
A warm welcome with fresh flower garlands at Cochin airport. Next day, Fort Kochi: the Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis CSI Church, then a tuk-tuk to the Dhobi Khana, through Mattanchery to the spice market. In the evening, Kathakali.
Days 03 - 04 : Cochin - Guruvayur - Thrissur - Munnar
Day 3-4
Sacred Guruvayur and the Cultural Capital
En route to Thrissur, visit Guruvayur and the compound of Guruvayur Temple, then the Guruvayur Devaswom Elephant Sanctuary. In Thrissur, see Vadakkunnathan Temple, Athirappilly Waterfalls, the Thrissur Zoo and State Museum and Sakthan Thampuran Palace before driving to Munnar.
Day 05 : Munnar
Day 5
Into the Tea Hills
Visit the tea plantations and the Tata Tea Museum to learn the history of tea production, watch the process and taste freshly brewed varieties. The rest of the day is at leisure in South India’s largest tea-growing region.
Day 06 : Munnar - Thekkady
Days 6
Spices, Periyar and Kalaripayattu
Drive to Thekkady for a spice plantation tour, discovering the wealth of spices of India, then a boat ride at Lake Periyar inside Periyar Tiger Reserve. In the evening, Kerala’s martial art form, Kalaripayattu.
Days 07 - 08 : Thekkady - Kumarakom - Alleppey
Days 7–8
The Backwaters
Drive to Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake and spend 90 minutes experiencing **village life** on the canal banks. Next day, on to Alleppey to embark your houseboat, with lunch, evening snacks and dinner served on board.
Days 09 - 11 : Alleppey - Kovalam
Days 9–11
Kovalam, Trivandrum and Kanyakumari
Disembark and drive to Kovalam’s crescent beaches. Excursions to Thiruvananthapuram for the Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Puthenmalike Palace museum, and to Kanyakumari for Sangam, Gandhi Smriti, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Padmanabhapuram Palace.
Days 12 - 13 : Kovalam - Ashtamudi
Days 12–13
The Quieter Backwaters
Drive to Ashtamudi Lake, the palm-shaped gateway to Kollam’s backwaters. A houseboat cruise across the lake, a trip to Munroe Island, panoramic views from Thangassery Lighthouse, Kollam Beach and the Palaruvi Waterfalls.
Days 14 - 15 : Ashtamudi - Kollam - Cochin
Days 14–15
Return to Cochin and Departure
Drive back to Cochin, 150 kilometres and four to five hours, with the rest of the day free. The following morning, a departure transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Your Holiday
Thoughtfully Arranged From Beginning to End
Your Journey Includes
- 13-night accommodation on sharing double/twin room basis with breakfast
- 01-night accommodation onboard houseboat on full-board basis
- Complete transport in AC vehicle with driver
- English-speaking tour guide for sightseeing as per program
- Tuk-Tuk ride and Kathakali Dance Show in Cochin
- Boat ride at Lake Periyar, Thekkady, and Kalaripayattu Martial Art Show
- Entrances to all monuments as per program
- Warm welcome with fresh flower garlands and two water bottles per person per day
Tailor Your Holiday
- Choose from four hotel collections, from comfortable to CGH Earth heritage
- Upgrade from a Deluxe to a Premium houseboat
- Add extra nights at Kovalam or Ashtamudi
- Add Ayurvedic treatments at the beach resorts
- Swap Kovalam for Marari for a quieter beach stay
- Add a second night on the houseboat
- Adjust the pace and number of nights in each place
Make It Your Own
Add Extraordinary Private Experiences
Personalise your holiday with special experiences designed around your interests.
Premium Houseboat
Upgrade from a Deluxe to a Premium houseboat for your night on the backwaters.
The Leela Ashtamudi
Stay at The Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel, on the quieter southern backwaters.
Ayurveda at Kovalam
Add treatments at Uday Samudra or Travancore Heritage during your beach days.
A Second Houseboat Night
Extend the backwater cruise to two nights aboard your private kettuvallam.
Choose Your Kerala Experience
Travel Kerala Your Way
Choose the style of holiday that suits you. Every journey is privately arranged and can be personalised around your travel dates, preferred hotels, pace and experiences.
Cultural Kerala Classic
Based on two adults sharing
- Abad Plaza Hotel or Holiday Inn Kochi
- Park Inn & Suites by Radisson Thrissur East Fort
- Abad Copper Castle, Sterling Munnar or Grand Plaza
- Abad Green Forest or Peppervine in Thekkady
- Abad Whispering Palms and a Deluxe houseboat
- Abad Harmonia Beach Resort at Kovalam, Hotel Allseason at Ashtamudi
- Entrances to all monuments included
Cultural Kerala Luxury
Based on two adults sharing
- Crowne Plaza, CGH Eighth Bastion or Radisson Blu in Cochin
- Park Inn & Suites by Radisson Thrissur East Fort
- WGH The Tall Trees in Munnar
- Premium houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters
- Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel or Travancore Heritage at Kovalam
- The Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel
- Private chauffeur, premium vehicle and private local guides
Cultural Kerala Exceptional
For an extraordinary private journey
- Brunton Boatyard or Taj Malabar Resort & Spa in Cochin
- Hyatt Regency Thrissur and Windermere in Munnar
- Spice Village, a CGH Earth property, in Thekkady
- Coconut Lagoon, a CGH Earth resort, in Kumarakom
- Premium houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters
- The Leela or Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa at Kovalam
- Bespoke private touring and a completely personalised itinerary
Prices are per person based on two adults sharing and vary according to travel dates, availability and final hotel selection. Rates for 4-6 and 7-9 travelling together are lower and available on request. International flights are not included in the guide prices above but can be added to create a complete ATOL-protected holiday where applicable.
Looking for something even more exceptional?
We can create a fully bespoke Rajasthan journey featuring palace suites, private villas and luxury hotels including Oberoi, Taj, RAAS, Raffles, Aman and Six Senses.
Travel With Confidence
Why Book With India Vacations?
Your holiday is created by specialists who understand India and know how to make a complex journey feel effortless.
India Specialists
Knowledgeable consultants with first-hand understanding of the destination.
ATOL Protection
Financial protection when your holiday is booked with qualifying flights.
Tailor-Made Travel
Every itinerary can be adapted around your interests, dates and preferred level of comfort.
Personal Assistance
Support before departure and dependable local assistance while you travel.
Your Kerala Story Starts Here
Let Us Create Your Perfect Journey Through India
Speak to an India specialist and receive a personalised itinerary based on your preferred dates, hotels, experiences and budget.
All itineraries are subject to availability and can be tailored to your requirements.