8 Nights 9 Days Kerala Family Tour Package with Kanyakumari
Overview
Kerala at an easy family pace, with India's southern tip at the end. The 8 nights 9 days Kerala family tour package with Kanyakumari begins with a night in Kochi – time for St. Francis Church, the Portuguese-built Mattancherry Palace and the town's markets – before you drive up to Munnar past the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls and the Karadippara viewpoint.
Munnar gets a full sightseeing day: tea gardens, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, the Tea Museum and Eravikulam National Park, home of the Nilgiri tahr. From there the route runs through Thekkady's spice country and Periyar Tiger Reserve to a houseboat night in Alleppey, then south via Jatayu Earth's Center to Varkala Cliff and two nights in Kovalam. From Kovalam you take a day trip to Kanyakumari for the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the Thiruvalluvar Statue and the Kanyakumari Temple.
It suits families with children or older parents who want to see the whole of Kerala without long days back to back. You stay in 3-star hotels and a deluxe houseboat with daily breakfast, a private vehicle covers every transfer, and the tour ends with a drop at Trivandrum Airport.
Package Features
St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace and Cochin's local markets.
Cheeyappara and Valara falls plus the Karadippara viewpoint.
Eravikulam, Mattupetty, Echo Point, Kundala Lake and the Tea Museum.
Tiger reserve, spice gardens and a night on a houseboat.
Giant bird sculpture, cliff-top sunset and two beach nights.
Vivekananda Rock, Thiruvalluvar Statue and the Kanyakumari Temple.
Included
- 8 nights' stay on double occupancy (1 night Cochin, 2 nights Munnar, 1 night Thekkady, 1 night Varkala and 2 nights Kovalam in 3-star hotels; 1 night on a deluxe sharing houseboat in Alleppey)
- Daily breakfast at the hotels and on the houseboat
- Pick-up at Kochi International Airport or railway station and drop at Trivandrum Airport
- All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle as per the itinerary, including the Kanyakumari day trip
- Sightseeing and activities as listed in the itinerary (items marked optional are extra)
- GST
Excluded
- Flights or train tickets to Cochin and from Trivandrum
- Lunch and dinner, including meals on the houseboat
- Entry tickets and camera fees at Mattancherry Palace, Eravikulam National Park, the Tea Museum, Periyar, Jatayu Earth's Center and other sights, unless specifically included
- Ferry tickets to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial
- Optional experiences: boating at Mattupetty Dam and Kundala Lake, the Periyar boat safari and bamboo rafting
- Houseboat air-conditioning outside 9 PM–6 AM (extra charges apply for extended use)
- Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, phone calls and tips
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed under Included
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Cochin – Fort Kochi Sightseeing
- Arrive at Kochi International Airport or railway station and transfer to your hotel.
- After check-in and some rest, visit St. Francis Church in Fort Kochi, one of the oldest European-built churches in India and the first burial place of Vasco da Gama.
- Explore the historic Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese and known for its Kerala murals.
- In the evening, stroll through Cochin's local markets. Overnight stay in Cochin.
- Highlights of the Day: St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace, Cochin local markets
Day 2 Cochin to Munnar
- After breakfast, check out and begin the drive to Munnar (about 130 km, 4 to 5 hours).
- Stop on the way for views of the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls and the Karadippara viewpoint.
- Arrive in Munnar by evening and relax at your hotel. Overnight stay in Munnar.
- Highlights of the Day: Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Valara Waterfalls, Karadippara Viewpoint
Day 3 Munnar Sightseeing
- After a hearty breakfast, set out on a full-day tour of Munnar, driving through tea gardens with wide views over the rolling hills.
- Visit Mattupetty Dam, known for its calm setting and boating, then stop at Echo Point and Kundala Lake, where boating is optional.
- Explore Eravikulam National Park, home of the endangered Nilgiri tahr (the park is closed to visitors every year from 1 February to 31 March).
- Walk through the Tata tea plantations and learn how tea is grown and processed at the Tea Museum.
- Browse the local tea, coffee and spice market for souvenirs. Overnight stay in Munnar.
- Highlights of the Day: Tea gardens, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Eravikulam National Park, Tata Tea Plantation, Kundala Lake (optional boating), Tea, Coffee & Spice Market, Tea Museum
Day 4 Munnar to Thekkady
- After breakfast, drive to Thekkady (about 3 to 4 hours) and check in to your hotel.
- Visit Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, where you can add a boat safari or bamboo rafting at your own cost.
- Explore the nearby spice plantations and browse the local spice market.
- Spend the evening at leisure or shopping. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
- Highlights of the Day: Periyar National Park, boat safari or bamboo rafting (at your own cost), spice plantations, spice market
Day 5 Thekkady to Alleppey – Houseboat Stay
- After breakfast, drive to Alleppey (about 4 to 5 hours).
- On arrival, check in to your deluxe sharing houseboat.
- Cruise the backwaters past lush paddy fields, spotting birdlife and glimpses of traditional village life along the way.
- Air-conditioning on the houseboat runs from 9 PM to 6 AM; extra charges apply for extended use. Overnight stay on the houseboat in Alleppey.
- Highlights of the Day: Houseboat stay in Alleppey, backwater cruise
Day 6 Alleppey to Varkala via Jatayu Earth's Center
- After breakfast on the houseboat, disembark and head towards Varkala.
- On the way, visit Jatayu Earth's Center at Chadayamangalam, home to the world's largest bird sculpture.
- On arrival in Varkala, check in to your hotel and explore Varkala Cliff, its cafés and Papanasam Beach.
- Watch the sunset from the cliffs. Overnight stay in Varkala.
- Highlights of the Day: Jatayu Earth's Center, Varkala Cliff, local cafés, Papanasam Beach
Day 7 Varkala to Kovalam
- After breakfast, drive to Kovalam (about 2 hours).
- Complete check-in formalities; the rest of the day is free.
- Enjoy the beaches of Kovalam – Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam Beach and Hawa Beach.
- Stay out for sunset over the Arabian Sea. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
- Highlights of the Day: Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam Beach, Hawa Beach
Day 8 Kovalam – Kanyakumari – Kovalam
- Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Kovalam and drive to Kanyakumari, around 2.5 to 3 hours away.
- Begin sightseeing with a ferry ride to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
- See the 133-feet Thiruvalluvar Statue and visit the revered Kanyakumari Temple at the meeting point of three seas.
- After sightseeing, return to Kovalam. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
- Highlights of the Day: Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari Temple
Day 9 Kovalam to Trivandrum – Departure
- After breakfast, check out from your hotel.
- Drive to Trivandrum, less than an hour away.
- Get dropped at Trivandrum Airport for your onward journey.
- Highlights of the Day: Drive to Trivandrum, departure
Payment Policy
- An advance payment is required to secure your booking; the balance is paid as per the schedule in your booking confirmation.
- Your booking is confirmed only after the itinerary is agreed, the advance is received and Luxe Trail Holidays sends you a written confirmation.
- Full payment may be needed at the time of booking for peak-season dates, special hotel rates and selected activities.
- If a payment is not received by its due date, the booking becomes subject to the applicable cancellation conditions.
- The package price is per person on double sharing and includes GST.
Refund Policy
- Cancellation charges depend on the date we receive your request, the hotel and transport suppliers' policies and any peak-season restrictions. The applicable charges are shared with your quotation.
- Refunds are processed once the relevant suppliers approve them, so timelines can vary.
- Refunds are made to the original payment method or another method agreed with you.
- Non-refundable amounts, supplier fees and bank or payment-processing charges may be deducted.
- If a service cannot be provided because of weather, road closures, government orders or other events beyond our control, a refund or an alternative arrangement is offered as per the supplier's terms.
Policy & Important Terms
- Every traveller, including children, must carry a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence). Foreign nationals need a passport with a valid Indian visa.
- Eravikulam National Park is closed to visitors every year from 1 February to 31 March; the Munnar Tea Museum is closed on Mondays.
- Houseboat air-conditioning runs only from 9 PM to 6 AM; extra charges apply for extended use.
- The Vivekananda Rock ferry runs in daylight and may be suspended in rough seas. At Varkala and Kovalam, swim only in flagged areas where lifeguards are on duty.
- The order of sightseeing may change because of traffic, weather, local events or monument timings.
- The vehicle is provided for the routes in the itinerary; extra trips or detours are charged separately.
- Standard hotel and houseboat check-in and check-out times apply; early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this Kerala tour start with a night in Cochin?
It gives you a gentle first day after your flight or train. Instead of driving straight to the hills, you see St. Francis Church and Mattancherry Palace and browse the local markets, then leave for Munnar fresh the next morning, with waterfall and viewpoint stops on the way.
Is Eravikulam National Park open all year?
No. Eravikulam closes to visitors every year from 1 February to 31 March for the Nilgiri tahr calving season. If your Munnar day falls in that window, you spend more time at Mattupetty Dam, Kundala Lake, the tea plantations and the Tea Museum instead. Entry tickets are paid separately.
Is this package good for families with older parents?
Yes. Long drives are spread across the trip, Munnar and Kovalam get two nights each, and most sightseeing is close to the vehicle. The Vivekananda Rock ferry, Jatayu Earth's Center and Varkala Cliff involve some steps, so tell us about any mobility needs and we will adjust the plan.
How long is the drive to Kanyakumari?
Kanyakumari is around 2.5 to 3 hours from Kovalam by road. You leave after breakfast on day eight, take the ferry to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, see the Thiruvalluvar Statue and the Kanyakumari Temple, and return to the same hotel in Kovalam for the night.
When is the best time for this Kerala and Kanyakumari tour?
October to January is the most comfortable period for the full route, with cool hills, calm backwaters and pleasant beach weather. February and March are still good on the coast, but Eravikulam is closed then. The monsoon from June to August brings heavy rain and rough seas.
Can we add a room for the children or upgrade hotels?
Yes. The listed price is per person for 2 travellers sharing a double room; for families we quote for an extra bed or a second room based on the children's ages and hotel rules. You can also upgrade hotels or add a night anywhere on the route. Share your details for a revised quotation.
