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: six days is the standard Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey route. Spend two nights in the tea hills of Munnar, one in Thekkady for Periyar Lake and spices, one on a private houseboat in Alleppey, and a last night in Kochi. Each drive is under about five hours.
This is the classic Kerala triangle: the tea hills of Munnar, the wildlife and spice country of Thekkady, and the backwaters of Alleppey. It starts directly in the hills, so you spend less time in Kochi and more time where Kerala is greenest.
The route runs south and west, and each drive stays under about five hours. You climb to Munnar on the first day, go down to Thekkady on the third, and reach the backwaters on the fourth, finishing with a night on a private houseboat and a last night in Kochi.
If you want a night in Fort Kochi at the start, see our 7 Days Kerala Tour, which adds it.
Met at Kochi airport and drive about 130 km (80 miles) to Munnar (four to five hours), climbing through rubber, spice and tea country. Stop at a waterfall viewpoint. Arrive in the afternoon.
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.
Drive about 110 km (70 miles) to Thekkady (three and a half to four hours) through cardamom and pepper plantations. In the afternoon, a guided spice plantation walk. Optional Kalaripayattu 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 around midday.
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 Fort Kochi.
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 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 airport 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 |
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“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.”
“…He was very responsive and was always available when we had any questions. He also recommended hotels and places to stay. He was very flexible with providing guides only for the requested days.”
“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.”
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 |
| 6 Days Munnar Thekkady Alleppey | 6 days / 5 nights | Private luxury car, houseboat | Hills first, then the water |
| 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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Yes. Six days covers the three places comfortably, with two nights in Munnar, one in Thekkady, one on a houseboat and a last night in Kochi.
Munnar, then Thekkady, then Alleppey, which keeps the drives downhill and ends on the water. We can reverse it if your flights suit it better.
Kochi to Munnar is about 130 km (80 miles), Munnar to Thekkady about 110 km (70 miles), Thekkady to Alleppey about 140 km (85 miles), and Alleppey to Kochi about 60 km (35 miles).
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, lush and green with heavy rain at times.
Yes. You have your own luxury car, driver and licensed guides. Nothing is shared with other travellers.
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Your driver meets you at Kochi airport arrivals with a name board. Share your flight details and we confirm everything the day before.
6 days / 5 nights. Starts and ends in Kochi, with a private luxury car and driver.
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.
