Tea Hills, Periyar & Backwater Bliss
Embark on a captivating 5-day journey through Kerala's most iconic landscapes — from the mist-wrapped tea hills of Munnar to the wildlife-rich forests of Thekkady and the emerald backwaters of Alleppey.
Munnar, Kerala's premier hill station at 1,600 metres, opens the tour with its vast tea estates, the endangered Nilgiri Tahr in Eravikulam National Park, and panoramic views from Top Station. En route from Kochi, the Cheeyappara Waterfalls and a spice garden provide a dramatic Western Ghats introduction.
Thekkady's Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of India's finest — a boat safari on Periyar Lake offers sightings of Asian elephants wading into the water, Indian bison on the forest margins, and the possibility of a leopard in the canopy above. A spice plantation tour demonstrates why Kerala was once the most coveted trading destination on earth — the original Spice Coast.
The tour concludes with a night aboard a private houseboat in Alleppey, followed by a morning in Fort Kochi's extraordinary colonial quarter. Five days, four very different Kerala experiences.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to Kerala! Your driver meets you at Cochin Airport and drives into the Western Ghats. Stop at the spectacular Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls — dramatic cascades where the mountain road crosses Kerala's wild interior. Visit a roadside spice garden. Arrive Munnar by late afternoon.
A full day in Munnar. Eravikulam National Park for Nilgiri Tahr sightings on the open grasslands (Anamudi peak backdrop, 2,695m). KDHP Tea Museum — the story of Munnar's tea, from the first British planters to today. Top Station viewpoint (1,700m) for the finest views in the region. Mattupetty Dam and the Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Sunset walk through Munnar town's spice-scented market lanes.
Drive south from Munnar to Thekkady (about 3 hours) through cardamom and coffee estates. En route, a spice plantation tour — pepper vines climbing teak trees, cardamom pods hanging in clusters, nutmeg fruit split open to reveal mace. Arrive Thekkady and check in. Afternoon: wildlife boat safari on Periyar Lake, at the heart of the sanctuary — Asian elephants wading into the shallows, Indian gaur grazing the clearings, river otters in the channel, and the ever-present possibility of a leopard watching from above. Optional evening: traditional Kalaripayattu martial arts performance.
Drive west to Alleppey and board your private houseboat by noon. Cruise through the backwater network — emerald canals, lotus ponds, and paddy fields as far as the eye can see. Your cook prepares all meals fresh: Kerala fish curry, prawn moilee, coconut rice, avial, and freshly made appam. Watch the sunset over the paddy fields from the sun deck. Moor in a quiet canal for the night.
A gentle final morning on the backwaters as the canal world wakes. Disembark after breakfast and drive to Fort Kochi (1.5 hours). Walking tour: the Chinese fishing nets at the harbour mouth, St Francis Church (where Vasco da Gama was first buried), the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry) with its extraordinary Keralite murals, and the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town. 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 (lunch + dinner on board)
- ✓ Periyar wildlife boat safari
- ✓ Spice plantation guided tour
- ✓ Fort Kochi 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
- ✗ Kalaripayattu show (optional, payable locally)
- ✗ National Park fees (payable at gate)
Your questions, answered
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is best known for its Asian elephant population — herds regularly come to the lake's edge to drink and bathe. Indian bison (gaur), sambar deer, wild boar, sloth bear, and river otter are also commonly sighted. Leopard sightings are rarer but possible. The birdlife is exceptional — over 265 species recorded, including the great hornbill, Malabar trogon, and rare Nilgiri wood pigeon. The morning boat safari (6–8 AM) typically offers the best wildlife viewing.
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.
