Fort Kochi to Kovalam — All of Kerala in Eight Days
The Kerala Grand Circuit is the most comprehensive way to experience Kerala in a single week — opening with Fort Kochi's extraordinary colonial port, ascending to Munnar's misty tea highlands, descending through Thekkady's wildlife forests and spice gardens, drifting through Alleppey's backwaters, and arriving finally at Kovalam's Arabian Sea beaches.
Eight days allows you to take each destination at a proper pace — not rushing, not skipping, spending enough time to actually feel the place. Fort Kochi one evening, the Dutch Palace and synagogue in the morning. Two full days in Munnar — the National Park one day, the viewpoints and plantation trails the next. A dedicated wildlife day at Periyar. The full houseboat experience. Two beach nights.
This is the itinerary for travellers who want to say, at the end of their Kerala journey, that they truly saw the state — not a highlights reel, but the real thing.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to Kerala! Transfer to Fort Kochi. Afternoon: the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry), Paradesi Synagogue, St Francis Church, and Chinese fishing nets at sunset. Evening: Kathakali performance with pre-show makeup ceremony.
Drive into the Western Ghats with stops at Cheeyappara Waterfalls and a spice garden. Arrive Munnar by afternoon. Evening walk through town.
Full day in Munnar: Eravikulam National Park (Nilgiri Tahr, Anamudi backdrop), KDHP Tea Museum with tasting, Top Station panorama at 1,700m, and Mattupetty Dam. Sunset over the tea estate from your resort balcony.
Drive south (3 hrs). Spice plantation tour. Afternoon wildlife boat safari on Periyar Lake. Evening Kalaripayattu martial arts performance.
Drive to Alleppey and board your private houseboat by noon. Cruise through the backwater network — emerald canals, lotus ponds, paddy fields. All meals on board: fish curry, prawn moilee, coconut rice, avial, appam. Moor in a quiet canal for the night.
Gentle final morning on the backwaters. Disembark after breakfast and drive south to Kovalam (3.5 hrs). Arrive and check in. Evening: Lighthouse Beach walk and sunset over the Arabian Sea.
Half-day Trivandrum: Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Museum, Chitra Art Gallery. Return to Kovalam by noon. Afternoon: beach, optional Ayurveda, seafood dinner.
Final morning in Kovalam. Transfer to Trivandrum Airport (16 km) for your departure flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ Accommodation in handpicked hotels throughout
- ✓ Daily breakfast throughout
- ✓ Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers
- ✓ English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- ✓ All applicable taxes
- ✓ Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- ✓ 1 night private houseboat in Alleppey (lunch + dinner on board)
- ✓ Evening Kathakali performance in Kochi
- ✓ Periyar wildlife boat safari
- ✓ Kalaripayattu performance
- ✓ Spice plantation guided tour
- ✓ Fort Kochi guided heritage walk
Not Included ✗
- ✗ Flights to / from Kerala
- ✗ Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ✗ Lunches & dinners (except where specified)
- ✗ Personal expenses & shopping
- ✗ Gratuities for guides & drivers
- ✗ Monument & park entry fees (unless stated)
- ✗ Optional Ayurvedic massage in Kovalam
- ✗ Park and monument entry fees
Your questions, answered
The 8-day Grand Circuit adds a dedicated Fort Kochi heritage night at the start and one extra night in Kovalam at the end. The Kochi night means you experience the fishing nets at sunset, the Kathakali performance, and the Dutch Palace properly — rather than rushing through in a morning. The extra Kovalam night allows the full Trivandrum city tour without cutting the beach short. For most travellers, if the time is available, this is the right version.
October to March is ideal — post-monsoon, lush and green, comfortable temperatures (25–30°C on coast, cooler in hills). December–January is peak season; book well ahead. Avoid June–August (heavy monsoon).
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and tailored to you. We can adjust duration, swap destinations, change hotel categories, or add extensions. Submit an enquiry — no obligation.
We include carefully vetted 4-star and 5-star hotels, plantation retreats, heritage homestays, and boutique resorts. Upgrades to luxury tree-houses, lake-view villas, and exclusive resorts are available on request.
A kettuvallam is a converted rice barge with bedrooms, living area, kitchen, and sun deck. Your crew (captain and cook) prepare all meals fresh on board — fish curry, coconut rice, prawn dishes, appam. Moored in a quiet canal overnight. One of India's most unique experiences.
Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Takes 3–5 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
60+ days: full refund minus admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50%. Under 15 days: no refund. Travel insurance strongly recommended.
