9 Nights 10 Days Kerala Tour Package with Kanyakumari & Rameshwaram
Overview
Kerala's hills and backwaters, then the temple coast of Tamil Nadu – this is a ten-day route linking two very different sides of South India. The 9-night 10-day Kerala tour package with Kanyakumari & Rameshwaram starts in Fort Kochi (church and palace), heads up to Munnar via waterfalls and viewpoints, takes in the spice gardens of Thekkady and finishes with a houseboat night in Alleppey and a beach stop in Kovalam.
From Kovalam you head down to Kanyakumari (the southernmost tip of India) to see the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the Thiruvalluvar statue and the Kanyakumari Temple. The following day you follow the coast of Tamil Nadu past the salt pans and lagoons to Rameswaram, where you have a full day to see the Ramanathaswamy Temple (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas), Agni Theertham, the Pamban Sea Bridge, the ghost town of Dhanushkodi and the APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial. You finish the tour in Madurai with a visit to the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
It's ideal for pilgrims, families and travellers who want both the scenery and the spiritual sites in one go. You're accommodated in 3-star hotels and a deluxe houseboat (with daily breakfast). A private vehicle takes care of all transfers, and the tour concludes with a drop-off at Madurai airport or railway station.
Package Features
St. Francis Church, Portuguese-built Mattancherry Palace.
Tea hills, Periyar, spice gardens and a houseboat night.
Lighthouse, Hawa and Kovalam beaches after the backwaters.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue and Kanyakumari Temple.
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Pamban Bridge, Dhanushkodi and the Kalam Memorial.
Madurai's landmark Dravidian temple before your drop-off.
Included
- 9 nights' stay on double occupancy (1 night Cochin, 2 nights Munnar, 1 night Thekkady, 1 night Kovalam, 1 night Kanyakumari and 2 nights Rameswaram 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 Madurai airport or railway station
- All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Sightseeing and activities as listed in the itinerary (items marked optional are extra)
- GST
Excluded
- Flights or train tickets to Cochin and from Madurai
- Lunch and dinner, including meals on the houseboat
- Entry tickets, camera fees and special darshan tickets at Mattancherry Palace, the Tea Museum, Periyar, temples and other sights, unless specifically included
- Ferry tickets to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial
- Optional experiences: boating at Mattupetty Dam, 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 Cochin Arrival – Fort Kochi Sightseeing
- Arrive at Kochi International Airport or railway station and transfer to your hotel.
- After check-in and a rest, visit St. Francis Church, one of the oldest European-built churches in India.
- Explore the historic Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese and later known as the Dutch Palace.
- 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 Transfer
- After breakfast, check out and begin the drive to Munnar (about 130 km, 4 to 5 hours).
- Enjoy the views on the way at 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 breakfast, visit Mattupetty Dam and take an optional boat ride at your own expense.
- Explore a tea factory and the Tea Museum (closed on Mondays), then continue to the scenic Echo Point.
- Spend the evening at leisure in the tea hills. Overnight stay in Munnar.
- Highlights of the Day: Mattupetty Dam (optional boating), Tea Factory and Tea Museum, Echo Point
Day 4 Munnar to Thekkady Transfer
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before driving to Thekkady (about 3 to 4 hours).
- Visit Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, with an optional boat safari or bamboo rafting at your own cost.
- Check in to your hotel, then explore the nearby spice plantations and 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 (optional), spice plantations, spice market
Day 5 Thekkady to Alleppey – Houseboat Stay
- After breakfast, drive to Alleppey (about 4 to 5 hours) and check in to your deluxe sharing houseboat.
- Cruise the backwaters past lush paddy fields, birdlife and glimpses of traditional village life.
- Relax on deck as the houseboat moors for the evening.
- 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 Kovalam
- Wake early to watch the sunrise over the backwaters from your houseboat, then have breakfast on board.
- Disembark and drive south to Kovalam (about 4 to 5 hours).
- After check-in, the rest of the day is free for the beaches – Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam Beach and Hawa Beach.
- Watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
- Highlights of the Day: Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam Beach, Hawa Beach
Day 7 Kovalam to Kanyakumari
- 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-foot Thiruvalluvar Statue and visit the revered Kanyakumari Temple.
- Watch the sunset at the meeting point of three seas. Overnight stay in Kanyakumari.
- Highlights of the Day: Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari Temple
Day 8 Kanyakumari to Rameswaram
- After breakfast, set off on a 6 to 7-hour drive along the quiet southern Tamil Nadu coastline.
- Pass salt pans, lagoons and small rural villages along the way.
- Arrive in Rameswaram by afternoon and check in to your hotel for a rest.
- In the evening, take an optional stroll along Agni Theertham beach. Overnight stay in Rameswaram.
- Highlights of the Day: Coastal drive through southern Tamil Nadu, Agni Theertham beach (optional)
Day 9 Rameswaram Exploration – Divine & Historic Landmarks
- Start the day at the Ramanathaswamy Temple (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas) with its magnificent pillared corridors.
- Visit Agni Theertham, the sacred shore where pilgrims take a ritual dip in the sea.
- Drive across the Pamban Sea Bridge for wide views of the ocean.
- Explore Dhanushkodi, the ghost town left by the 1964 cyclone, where the land runs out into the sea.
- Pay tribute to India's 'Missile Man' at the APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial.
- If time permits, visit the Five-faced Hanuman Temple or climb Gandhamadhana Parvatham for views across the island. Overnight stay in Rameswaram.
- Highlights of the Day: Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agni Theertham, Pamban Sea Bridge, Dhanushkodi, APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial, Five-faced Hanuman Temple, Gandhamadhana Parvatham
Day 10 Rameswaram to Madurai – Cultural Farewell
- After breakfast, drive to Madurai, about 3 to 4 hours through rural Tamil Nadu.
- Visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple (famous for its massive sculpted gopurams and Dravidian architecture).
- Get dropped at Madurai airport or railway station for your onward journey.
- Highlights of the Day: Drive to Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple, 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 only confirmed once the itinerary has been agreed, the advance has been received and Luxe Trail Holidays have sent you a written confirmation.
- Full payment may be required at the time of booking for peak season dates, special hotel rates and certain activities.
- If payment is not received by the due date, the booking is subject to the relevant cancellation terms.
- Package price is per person sharing and includes GST.
Refund Policy
- Cancellation charges will vary depending on when we receive your request, the hotel and transport supplier 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 must carry a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence). Foreign nationals need a passport with a valid Indian visa.
- Houseboat air-conditioning runs only from 9 PM to 6 AM; extra charges apply for extended use.
- Temples on this route follow traditional dress codes: cover shoulders and knees, and men are asked to remove their shirts at the Kanyakumari Temple. Mobile phones are not allowed inside the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
- Dhanushkodi can only be visited during the day, and the Vivekananda Rock ferry can be cancelled in bad weather.
- The order of the sightseeing can of course change due to traffic, the weather, temple timings or local events.
- The vehicle is provided for the routes in the itinerary. Any additional trips or detours will be charged separately.
- Standard hotel and houseboat check-in and check-out times apply. Early check-in and late check-out are possible on a case-by-case basis, subject to availability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kerala and Tamil Nadu tour end?
The tour concludes with a drop-off at Madurai airport or railway station on day 10 following a visit to the Meenakshi Amman Temple. Book your onward flight or train from Madurai rather than Cochin or Trivandrum. If you'd rather finish elsewhere, then please let us know, and we'll put together a revised route and quotation.
How long are the drives after Kerala?
Kovalam to Kanyakumari is about 2.5 to 3 hours, Kanyakumari to Rameswaram about 6 to 7 hours along the coast, and Rameswaram to Madurai about 3 to 4 hours. The longest drive of the trip (day 8) still gets you to Rameswaram by the afternoon, and there's plenty of time for a relaxed evening at Agni Theertham beach.
Why is Rameswaram an important pilgrimage?
Rameswaram is one of the holiest towns in India. The Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and one of the four Char Dham sites. Hindu tradition connects the island with Lord Rama's journey to Lanka. Many pilgrims will bathe at Agni Theertham prior to visiting the temple.
What is the dress code at the temples?
Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees at all the temples on this route. At the Kanyakumari Temple, men are required to take off their shirts prior to entry, and mobile phones are not permitted inside the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai (they can be left in the car or at the deposit counter).
What is the best time for this South India tour?
Late Nov to March is the most comfortable period for the whole route, with very pleasant weather in Kerala and on the Tamil Nadu coast. April to June is very hot around Rameswaram and Madurai, and the northeast monsoon brings heavy rain to the Tamil Nadu coast from Oct to early Dec.
Are the Periyar activities and the Kanyakumari ferry included?
No. The Periyar boat safari and bamboo rafting, the Mattupetty Dam boating, the Vivekananda Rock ferry and entry tickets are all paid separately, as are lunch and dinner. The price includes accommodation, daily breakfast, private transfers and the listed sightseeing (including GST).
