Private journeys across India · Replies within 24 hours
Reviewed by Mirza Shadab Beg, Founder, Travelage India, Agra · Last updated 24 October 2026
Tell us your dates and we will tailor the details to you. No payment is taken now.
Short answer: seven days is a comfortable Kerala loop. Spend a night in Kochi, two in the tea hills of Munnar, one in Thekkady for the Periyar boat ride, and one on a private houseboat in the Alleppey backwaters. Every drive is under about five hours, and you have your own luxury car and driver throughout.
Kerala is a narrow green strip of southwest India, and one week is enough to see its three faces: the old port of Kochi, the cool tea hills of Munnar and Thekkady, and the backwaters of Alleppey. The route here runs in a loop that keeps every drive between about two and four and a half hours.
We plan each stop around its own rhythm. You see Fort Kochi in the evening light, spend two nights in the tea hills so Munnar does not become a rush, take a boat on the lake at Periyar for a chance to see wildlife, and finish with a night on a private houseboat among the canals and coconut palms.
If you want beaches or Ayurveda, tell us. We can swap a night for Kovalam, Varkala or a retreat.
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 130 km (80 miles) to Munnar (four to five hours), climbing into the Western Ghats through rubber, spice and tea country. Stop at a waterfall viewpoint on the way. Arrive in the afternoon for a rest and a first look at the tea hills.
Visit a tea estate and factory, the Tea Museum and, if open, Eravikulam National Park, home of the Nilgiri tahr (usually closed for a few weeks in the early part of the year during calving). The rest of the day is yours for a walk or a spa.
Drive about 110 km (70 miles) to Thekkady (three and a half to four hours) through cardamom and pepper plantations. In the afternoon, take a guided walk through a spice plantation. An optional Kalaripayattu martial arts show in the evening.
Morning boat ride on Periyar Lake, where elephants, deer and birds are often seen, though sightings cannot be guaranteed. Then drive about 140 km (85 miles) to Alleppey (four hours) and board your private houseboat at about midday. Cruise through the canals, with lunch and dinner on board.
Disembark after breakfast, around 9 am, and drive about 60 km (35 miles) to Kochi (one and a half to two hours). Free afternoon in Kochi for shopping, a spice market visit or a rest.
Transfer to Kochi airport for your onward journey.
Kerala is compact but its roads are winding. Here is what we arrange so the drives feel easy.
Munnar and Thekkady roads are winding, so drives are planned for daylight and kept to about four to five hours at most.
We choose well-kept houseboats with their own crew and meals, and arrange the timing 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 Munnar | about 130 km (80 miles) | 4 to 5 hours | Waterfall stop on the way |
| Munnar to Thekkady | about 110 km (70 miles) | 3.5 to 4 hours | Cardamom and pepper plantations |
| Thekkady to Alleppey | about 140 km (85 miles) | 4 hours | Board the houseboat around midday |
| Alleppey to Kochi | about 60 km (35 miles) | 1.5 to 2 hours | After houseboat check-out |
A clear overview of what is included, how you are met, and what to expect. Tap a card to open it.
What is included in your journey
What is not included
Where and how your journey begins
Season, timing and what to pack
“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!”
“Shadab is a tireless worker. He has arranged our trip according to our wishes. He has also managed to promptly overcome any inconvenience or mistake during the trip.”
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 |
Cannot find your answer? Write to us and a specialist will reply personally.
Seven days covers Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and a houseboat night at a comfortable pace. Five days suits a backwaters-only trip, and ten days lets you add the beaches or a wildlife stop.
October to March is the most comfortable. June to September is monsoon, lush and green, with heavy rain at times, and the season for Ayurveda treatments.
A private houseboat with a crew, meals and a cabin, cruising the backwaters of Alleppey in daylight. It is simple but comfortable, and one night is plenty for most travellers.
The longest drive on this route is about four to five hours, from Kochi to Munnar. The others are three and a half to four hours, and the last is under two.
Munnar is cool all year and often cold on winter nights, with temperatures dropping at night from December to February. Pack a warm layer.
Elephants, deer and birds are often seen from the boat on Periyar Lake, but wildlife is not guaranteed and the best sightings depend on the season and the water level.
Yes. We can replace a night with Kovalam, Varkala or an Ayurveda retreat. Tell us what you would like.
Yes. You have your own luxury car and driver, and a houseboat to yourselves. Nothing is shared with other travellers.
Yes, with the right pace. The drives are winding, so tell us about motion sickness or mobility needs and we will adjust the stops and the vehicle.
Send your dates through the form on this page. A Travelage specialist will reply with a tailored proposal within 24 hours.
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.
7 days / 6 nights. Starts and ends in Kochi, with a private luxury car and a local guide where it matters.
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.
Munnar is cool all year and often cold at night from December to February, so bring a layer. Mist and rain can hide the views, especially in the monsoon.
