7 Days Kerala Tour Package with Varkala and Kovalam (6N/7D)
Overview
Most Kerala tours finish on the backwaters. This one carries on to the coast. The 7-day Kerala tour package with Varkala and Kovalam follows the classic hill-and-houseboat route – two nights in Munnar, one in Thekkady and one on an Alleppey houseboat – then heads south for a cliff-top evening in Varkala and a free beach day in Kovalam before your drop in Trivandrum.
In Munnar you see Mattupetty Dam, a tea factory, the Tea Museum and Echo Point. Thekkady brings Periyar Tiger Reserve, with an optional boat safari or bamboo rafting, plus spice plantations and the local spice market. After a night on the backwaters, the road south stops at Jatayu Earth's Center, home of the world's largest bird sculpture, before you reach the red laterite cliffs of Varkala and Papanasam Beach below them. Kovalam's Lighthouse, Hawa and Kovalam beaches fill the sixth day.
The route suits couples and friends who want hills, wildlife, backwaters and beaches in one week without backtracking: you arrive in Cochin and leave from Trivandrum. You stay in 3-star hotels and a deluxe houseboat with breakfast every day, and a private vehicle handles every transfer.
Package Features
Pick-up in Cochin and drop in Trivandrum, with no backtracking.
Mattupetty Dam, a tea factory, the Tea Museum and Echo Point.
Tiger reserve visit plus Thekkady's spice plantations and market.
Backwater cruise past paddy fields, birdlife and village life.
The world's largest bird sculpture, on the way to Varkala.
Cliff-top sunset in Varkala and a free beach day in Kovalam.
Included
- 6 nights' stay on double occupancy (2 nights Munnar, 1 night Thekkady, 1 night Varkala and 1 night 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 Cochin airport or railway station and drop at Trivandrum 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 Trivandrum
- Lunch and dinner, including meals on the houseboat
- Entry tickets and camera fees at the Tea Museum, Periyar, Jatayu Earth's Center and other sights, unless specifically included
- Optional experiences: boating at Mattupetty Dam, the Periyar boat safari and bamboo rafting
- Houseboat air-conditioning outside 9 PMu{2013}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 – Transfer to Munnar
- Arrive in Cochin, where our representative meets you at the airport or railway station.
- Drive to Munnar (about 130 km, 4 to 5 hours) as the road climbs from the coast into tea country.
- Check in to your hotel and spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Munnar.
- Highlights of the Day: Arrival in Cochin, drive to Munnar through the Western Ghats
Day 2 Munnar Sightseeing
- After breakfast, drive to Mattupetty Dam and take an optional boat ride on the lake at your own expense.
- Visit a tea factory and the Tea Museum (closed on Mondays) to see how Munnar's tea is grown and processed.
- Continue to Echo Point, a lakeside spot known for its natural echo and hill views.
- Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Munnar.
- Highlights of the Day: Mattupetty Dam (optional boating), Tea Factory and Tea Museum, Echo Point
Day 3 Munnar to Thekkady
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then drive 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, where cardamom and pepper grow under the trees.
- Browse the local spice market or spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
- Highlights of the Day: Periyar National Park, boat safari or bamboo rafting (optional), spice plantations, spice market
Day 4 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, busy birdlife and glimpses of traditional village life.
- Relax on deck as the boat moors for the evening.
- The houseboat's air-conditioning 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 5 Alleppey to Varkala via Jatayu Earth's Center
- After breakfast on the houseboat, disembark and drive to Jatayu Earth's Center at Chadayamangalam.
- See the world's largest bird sculpture, a giant figure of Jatayu from the Ramayana set on a rocky hilltop.
- Continue to Varkala and check in to your hotel or resort.
- Walk along Varkala Cliff, relax at Papanasam Beach and stop at the cliff-top cafés.
- Watch the sunset from the cliffs. Overnight stay in Varkala.
- Highlights of the Day: Jatayu Earth's Center, Varkala Cliff, Papanasam Beach
Day 6 Varkala to Kovalam
- After breakfast, drive south to Kovalam (about 2 hours).
- Check in to your hotel; the rest of the day is free for the beach.
- Spend time at Lighthouse Beach, with its red-and-white striped lighthouse, and at Hawa Beach and Kovalam Beach.
- Stay out for sunset over the Arabian Sea. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
- Highlights of the Day: Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam Beach, Hawa Beach
Day 7 Kovalam to Trivandrum – Departure
- Enjoy breakfast and check out from your hotel.
- Drive to Trivandrum, less than an hour away.
- Get dropped at Trivandrum airport or railway station for your onward journey.
- Highlights of the Day: Drive to Trivandrum, departure
Payment Policy
- Bookings are accepted on a first come first served basis with an advance payment for the booking, the rest of the payment will be made on the dates set out in the booking confirmation.
- Itinerary only confirmed once agreed, advance received and a written confirmation sent by Luxe Trail Holidays.
- In cases of high demand or special hotel rates or selected activities, a full payment may be required at the time of booking.
- When the booking is not paid on time, the booking is subject to the cancellation conditions which apply.
- Price is excluding GST and per person (double sharing).
Refund Policy
- Cancellation fee depends on the date of cancellation, policy of hotel and transport suppliers, and peak season restrictions. The appropriate charges will be provided with your quote.
- Refunds are scheduled to be processed after the suppliers have approved the refunds, which may vary depending on the suppliers.
- Refunds are provided in the original payment method or another method agreed to with you.
- Non-refundable payments, supplier fees and bank or payment processing charges can be deducted.
- When the service is not available due to the weather, closures of roads or other reasons beyond our control, a refund or alternative service will be offered as required by the supplier.
Policy & Important Terms
- All travellers are required to have a valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence). Foreign nationals must have passport with valid Indian visa.
- Air conditioners are only turned on from 9pm to 6am in the houseboat and there are extra charges for longer periods.
- Periyar boat safari and bamboo rafting are optional and extra charges apply, depending upon availability on the day. Munnar Tea Museum is closed on Mondays.
- Be careful in swimming in the sea at Varkala and Kovalam, particularly during the monsoon season, as the water can be rough. Swim only in areas with lifeguards and flagged.
- Sightseeing can be subject to change due to traffic, weather, local events or the hours that monuments are open.
- The car is available for the trips mentioned in the tour and any additional trips or detours will be paid by the car owner.
- Standard hotel/ houseboat check-in and check-out times apply, check-in and check-out may be earlier or later based on availability.
Most Booked
Frequently Asked Questions
When's the best time to visit Kerala, Varkala and Kovalam?
The best time to do this route is from October to March as Munnar is cool and clear, the backwaters are calm and the sea generally at Varkala and Kovalam is gentle. The weather is warm in April and May on the coast and rough in the hills, with heavy rains in the monsoon season (June to September).
What is the starting and ending place of this Kerala tour?
On day one, you are picked up from Cochin airport or railway station and dropped at Trivandrum airport or railway station on day seven. It is the northern route running south to north; there is no long journey back from Cochin – just book an onward flight or train from Trivandrum.
What is the Central place of Jatayu Earth?
It is a hilltop nature park, around a giant sculpture of Jatayu (a bird from the Ramayana), the world's largest bird sculpture at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district. It is visited on the way to Varkala from Alleppey. All cable cars and adventure activities will be charged separately.
Does the Periyar boat safari and bamboo rafting come in?
Both are voluntary and will be charged separately (as will boating at Mattupetty Dam and park entry tickets). They are limited run, so don't expect to get one on the day. Tell us in advance if you are keen and we will plan the Thekkady day around them.
Does the houseboat have a built-in air-conditioning unit that operates 24 hours?
The houseboat air-conditioning runs from 9 PM to 6 AM (overnight). If the time is outside those hours, additional fees will be charged for extended use. During the day, most guests spend their time on the open deck as the boat cruises the backwaters.
May I Have Some More Beach Time in Kanyakumari?
Yes. You can book an overnight stay in Kovalam for an additional day in Kanyakumari, which is about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Kovalam, or extend your stay in Varkala or Kovalam. Please submit your travel dates and a quote will be sent back.
