Tea Hills, Backwaters & Colonial Kochi
Experience the very best of Kerala in just four days — a perfectly crafted short escape that takes you from the emerald tea hills of Munnar to the timeless waterways of Alleppey and the colonial streets of Fort Kochi.
Munnar, at 1,600 metres in the Western Ghats, is Kerala's most famous hill station. Rolling tea estates, the Eravikulam National Park (home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr), the photogenic Mattupetty Dam, and the 'Top Station' viewpoint — all within a compact, beautiful landscape of mist and green.
From the hills, descend to the backwaters of Alleppey — the 'Venice of the East'. A private houseboat becomes your home for one night: your crew of two prepares fresh Kerala meals as you drift through lotus-covered canals, paddy fields, and fishing villages, mooring in silence under a star-filled sky.
The tour concludes in Fort Kochi — one of India's most atmospheric port towns, layered with Portuguese, Dutch, and British history. Chinese fishing nets at sunset, the Jewish Synagogue, St Francis Church, and the Dutch Palace make for a richly satisfying final day before your departure.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to Kerala! Your driver meets you at Cochin International Airport and sets off on the scenic drive into the Western Ghats (approximately 4–5 hours). En route, stop at the stunning Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls — the Western Ghats at their most dramatic — and at a roadside spice garden where pepper, cardamom, and ginger grow side by side. Arrive Munnar by afternoon and check in. Evening stroll through the town's small market.
A full day in Munnar's spectacular landscape. Begin at Eravikulam National Park — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where herds of Nilgiri Tahr graze on open grasslands with Anamudi (South India's highest peak at 2,695m) as backdrop. Visit the KDHP Tea Museum to understand the full journey from leaf to cup — tea tasting included. Drive up to Top Station (1,700m) for the finest panoramic views in the region. Afternoon at Mattupetty Dam and the Indo-Swiss dairy farm, with views of the reservoir framed by tea-covered hills.
After breakfast, check out and drive west from Munnar — the road descending through rubber and coconut plantations as the landscape flattens and the air grows warm and salt-scented. Arrive at Alleppey (Alappuzha) and board your private houseboat by noon. The crew of two — captain and cook — will be your hosts for the next 24 hours. Cruise through an otherworldly network of emerald canals: paddy fields, fishing villages, lotus ponds, and coconut-fringed waterways. Lunch and dinner are prepared fresh on board — the classic Kerala spread of fish curry, prawn masala, coconut rice, avial, and banana flower thoran. Moor in a quiet canal for the night.
Wake to the sounds of the canal — birds, fishermen, and the gentle lapping of water. A final morning cruise before disembarking after breakfast. Drive to Fort Kochi (1.5 hours) for a walking tour of this extraordinary colonial port: the iconic Chinese fishing nets silhouetted at the water's edge, St Francis Church (where Vasco da Gama was briefly buried), the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace) with its extraordinary 16th-century murals, and the Paradesi Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter. Marine Drive promenade walk before transfer to Cochin Airport for your departure flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ Accommodation in handpicked hotels throughout
- ✓ Daily breakfast throughout the tour
- ✓ Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers
- ✓ English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- ✓ All applicable taxes
- ✓ Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- ✓ 1 night aboard a private houseboat in Alleppey (lunch + dinner on board)
- ✓ Eravikulam National Park entry
- ✓ Tea Museum visit and tasting
- ✓ Fort Kochi guided walking tour
Not Included ✗
- ✗ Flights to / from Kerala
- ✗ Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ✗ Lunches & dinners (except where specified)
- ✗ Personal expenses & shopping
- ✗ Gratuities for guides & drivers
- ✗ Entry fees to monuments & parks
- ✗ Cheeyappara Waterfalls entry (nominal fee)
- ✗ National Park fees (payable at gate)
Your questions, answered
This itinerary is designed as a highlights escape — covering Munnar, Alleppey's backwaters, and Fort Kochi, it gives you the essence of three of Kerala's most distinctive experiences in a compact timeframe. It works beautifully as a standalone short break or as a Kerala extension added to a larger India tour. If you have more time, we'd recommend our 5-day or 6-day Kerala itineraries that add Thekkady's wildlife or Kovalam's beaches.
October to March is ideal — the post-monsoon season, lush and green, comfortable temperatures (25–30°C on the coast, cooler in the hills), and the backwaters are navigable. December and January are peak season — book well in advance. Avoid June–August when the southwest monsoon is heaviest.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and tailored to your preferences. We can adjust the duration, swap destinations, change hotel categories, or add extensions such as Wayanad, Varkala, or a longer Kovalam beach stay. Submit an enquiry and our Kerala specialists will redesign it for you at no obligation.
We include carefully selected hotels — plantation retreats in the hills, heritage homestays in the backwaters, and well-appointed resort properties on the coast. All are personally vetted by our team. Upgrades to luxury tree-houses, lake-view villas, and boutique resorts are available on request.
A traditional Kerala houseboat (kettuvallam) is a converted rice barge — typically 60–80 feet long — fitted with bedrooms, a living area, a kitchen, and an open-air sun deck. Your crew (captain and cook) prepare all meals fresh on board: fish curry, coconut rice, prawn dishes, appam, and Kerala thali. You moor in a quiet canal for the night, away from traffic. It is one of the most uniquely peaceful experiences in India.
Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Processing takes 3–5 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure: full refund minus admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
