Private journeys across India · Replies within 24 hours
Reviewed by Mirza Shadab Beg, Founder, Travelage India, Agra · Last updated 24 October 2026
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Short answer: five days is enough for the Kerala backwaters. Spend a night in Fort Kochi, a night at a lakeside resort in Kumarakom, and a night on a private houseboat in Alleppey, with a last night in Kochi. The longest drive is about two hours, and you have your own luxury car and driver throughout.
The backwaters are the reason many people come to Kerala: a network of lagoons, canals and lakes lined with coconut palms, rice fields and villages. This journey keeps to them. You start in Kochi, spend a night at a lakeside resort in Kumarakom, a night on a private houseboat, and a last night in Kochi.
Everything is short and easy. The longest drive is about two hours, and the days are planned around the water: a morning boat on Vembanad Lake, a canoe through village canals and a houseboat cruise through the afternoon.
If you want hills as well, our 7 Days Kerala Tour adds Munnar and Thekkady.
Met at the airport and taken to your hotel in Fort Kochi. In the afternoon, walk the old quarter with a local guide: the Chinese fishing nets, Jew Town and St. Francis Church. In the evening, an optional Kathakali performance, subject to schedule.
Drive about 65 km (40 miles) to Kumarakom (about two hours). Settle in at a lakeside resort. In the afternoon, take a boat on Vembanad Lake and, if you wish, visit the bird sanctuary. The evening is quiet.
Drive about 30 km (19 miles) to Alleppey (about an hour) and board your private houseboat at about midday. Cruise through the canals, with lunch and dinner on board, and stop for a village canoe ride where the main channel narrows.
Disembark after breakfast, around 9 am, and drive about 60 km (35 miles) to Kochi (one and a half to two hours). Free afternoon for a spice market, shopping or a rest.
Transfer to Kochi airport for your onward journey.
The backwaters are about slowing down. Here is what we arrange so you can.
Every drive is short, so most of each day is spent on or beside the water.
We choose well-kept houseboats with their own crew and meals, and time the boarding so you cruise in the best light.
A government-approved guide joins you in each city, matched to the language and pace you prefer.
Your guide is chosen for the language you prefer and the things you love. Ask for Japanese or Russian and we will arrange it where we can.
Here is every leg with its distance and likely drive time. Times vary with traffic and stops.
| Leg | Distance | Drive time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kochi to Kumarakom | about 65 km (40 miles) | 2 hours | Lakeside resort |
| Kumarakom to Alleppey | about 30 km (19 miles) | 1 hour | Board the houseboat around midday |
| Alleppey to Kochi | about 60 km (35 miles) | 1.5 to 2 hours | After houseboat check-out |
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“Very awesome experience.. extremely professional and courteous, the chauffeur and the guides were very knowledgeable and knew the way to maneuver the system. They were highly flexible in adapting to any changes in my schedule.”
“I went to India alone and had an amazing experience with my tour guide, shiraz. He showed me all the beautiful places that india has to offer and even brought to places that was not initially planned after requesting it to make sure that I was completely satisfied with my tour.”
“Ali is a wonderful person and a fantastic & experienced driver! He keeps an immaculate car and is always very accommodating with any need, responsive and smiling. We felt comfortable and safe with him. Also a big shout out to Prahlad for his very interesting guided tour of Jodhpur!”
“I had an amazing time with Kishan (driver) and Bobby (guide). They both are very polite, nice and easy going. Bobby taught me so many facts and interesting things about Taj Mahal and India Culture in general.”
“A dream come true! Bobby’s expertise and warm hospitality made my Agra trip seamless and perfect. The Taj Mahal was beyond words especially with his talented photography skills.”
“We actually did 14 days which included a trip to Varanasi, then the Golden Triangle & out to Jaisalmer. Every step of the way we were accompanied by Bobby. Our Driver & coach was super, but focus on detail and ensuring that the safety & wellbeing of individual travellers was met, really put the trip at an all time high!”
The right route depends on your time and how much you want to see. The highlighted row is the journey on this page.
| Journey | Time needed | How you travel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Days Kerala Backwater Tour | 5 days / 4 nights | Private luxury car, houseboat | Backwaters and a houseboat night |
| 7 Days Kerala Tour | 7 days / 6 nights | Private luxury car, houseboat | Hills, tea, wildlife and backwaters |
| Golden Triangle with Kerala | 12 days / 11 nights | Car, plus one flight | North and South India in one journey |
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Four to five days is enough: a night in Kochi, a night at Kumarakom and a night on a houseboat. Add Munnar and Thekkady if you want the hills.
Alleppey has the most famous canals and the most houseboats, so it can be busy. Kumarakom is quieter, with a large lake and a bird sanctuary. This journey uses both.
A private houseboat with a crew, meals and a cabin, cruising the backwaters in daylight. It is simple but comfortable, and one night is plenty for most travellers.
October to March is the most comfortable. June to September is monsoon, green and quiet, with heavy rain at times. April and May are hot and humid.
Most travellers choose one night, as the backwaters are slow and quiet. We can arrange two if you prefer, or a night on a houseboat and a night in a lakeside resort.
Yes. You have your own luxury car and driver, and a houseboat to yourselves. Nothing is shared with other travellers.
Yes. Our 7 Days Kerala Tour adds Munnar and Thekkady, and we can add Kovalam or Varkala for a beach. Tell us your dates.
Yes. The drives are short and the pace is slow. Tell us about mobility needs, because boarding the houseboat involves a gangway.
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Share when you plan to travel and what matters to you. A Travelage specialist will reply with a tailored proposal.
Your driver meets you at Kochi airport arrivals with a name board. Share your flight details and we confirm everything the day before.
5 days / 4 nights. Starts and ends in Kochi, with a private luxury car and a local guide in Kochi.
A private houseboat has its own crew and meals. Check-in is usually around midday and check-out about 9 am, and cruising is limited to daylight hours. Cabins are simple but comfortable, and air-conditioning usually runs only part of the night. Houseboat rules and timings follow local regulations and can change.
October to March is the most comfortable, with cooler, drier weather. April and May are hot and humid. June to September is monsoon: Kerala is lush and green, rain can be heavy, there are fewer visitors, and it is the traditional season for Ayurveda. Hill roads can be slow in heavy rain.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is best from November to February when migratory birds are present, and early morning is the best hour. Sightings vary with the season.
