Colonial Kochi, Golden Beaches & Backwater Islands
Kerala's coastline is one of the finest in India — a 580-kilometre sweep of Arabian Sea beaches backed by coconut groves, with historic port towns, fishing villages, and remote backwater islands between them. This 7-day tour traces the coast from Fort Kochi to Poovar, at the very tip of the subcontinent.
Fort Kochi opens the journey with its extraordinary layering of history — Portuguese churches, Dutch palaces, Chinese fishing nets, and a Jewish quarter all within walking distance of each other on a small harbour peninsula. The evening Kathakali performance is a vivid introduction to Kerala's cultural life.
Marari Beach is the tour's hidden gem — a quiet fishing village beach of unspoiled golden sand with no commercial development, where traditional outrigger canoes are drawn up between the palms and the only sounds are the sea and the birds. Two nights here allow genuine relaxation.
Kovalam adds Kerala's most famous beach — Lighthouse Beach and Hawah Beach on their rocky headland above the Arabian Sea — plus a half-day in Trivandrum. The tour concludes at Poovar Island: a backwater island resort accessible only by boat, where the Neyyar River meets the sea in a landscape of extraordinary tropical beauty.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to Kerala! Transfer to your Fort Kochi hotel. Afternoon: walk through the extraordinary colonial heritage of Fort Kochi — St Francis Church (oldest European church in India), the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry with its remarkable Hindu murals, and the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town. Sunset: the iconic Chinese fishing nets on the harbour promenade — one of the most photographed views in Kerala. Evening: Kathakali classical dance performance with the pre-show makeup ceremony.
Drive south to Marari Beach — about 1.5 hours. Marari is a traditional Kerala fishing village beach: 3 kilometres of golden sand backed by coconut groves, with outrigger canoes on the shore and almost no commercial development. Check in to your beachside resort. Afternoon: guided walk through the fishing village — traditional Kerala homes, toddy tappers, the ancient Mararikulam Sree Mahadeva Temple, and fishermen mending their nets. Evening: dinner at your resort watching the sunset.
A full day at Marari — entirely at your pace. Join the fishermen before dawn as they bring in the night's catch, or simply sleep in and walk to the beach for breakfast. The Marari shoreline is ideal for swimming (Oct–Feb) — calm seas, warm water, and almost no one else on the sand. Optional: a traditional Ayurvedic treatment at your resort — Kerala is the birthplace of Ayurveda and Marari is one of the finest places to experience it. Evening: fresh seafood dinner at a beach shack.
Morning: a 3-hour public boat cruise from Alleppey (30 min from Marari) through the backwater canals — an affordable and atmospheric way to experience the waterways before continuing south. Arrive Kovalam and check in to your clifftop or beachfront resort. Afternoon on Lighthouse Beach — the most famous beach in Kerala, watched over by a working lighthouse. Sunset from the headland.
Half-day Trivandrum city tour: Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple (one of the world's wealthiest, with its dramatic Dravidian gopuram tower), Napier Museum (extraordinary Indo-Saracenic architecture; Kerala bronze collection), and Chitra Art Gallery (Raja Ravi Varma masterworks). Return to Kovalam by noon. Afternoon: the beach, optional water sports, or a Ayurvedic massage at one of Kovalam's many reputable centres.
Drive south along the coast (30 km) to Poovar, at the very tip of Kerala where the Neyyar River meets the Arabian Sea. Transfer by boat to your island resort — only accessible by water, surrounded by backwater channels, mangroves, and a pristine beach. The island sits at the confluence of river, backwater, and sea — a setting of extraordinary tropical beauty. Afternoon: explore by country boat, swim at the golden beach, or simply do nothing on a hammock over the water.
A final sunrise cruise on the Neyyar River and backwaters before checkout — the island at dawn is extraordinary. Transfer by boat to the mainland and drive to Trivandrum Airport (30 km) for your departure. The tour concludes here. Direct international flights to the Middle East, or connect via Mumbai/Kochi for further destinations.
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)
- ✓ Evening Kathakali performance in Kochi (with pre-show makeup session)
- ✓ Fort Kochi guided heritage walk
- ✓ Marari fishing village guided walk
- ✓ Poovar Island sunset cruise
- ✓ Boat transfers to/from Poovar Island
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 at resorts
- ✗ Alleppey backwater public boat ticket (nominal fee)
- ✗ Water sports in Kovalam (payable locally)
Your questions, answered
Poovar is a small island at the very southern tip of Kerala where the Neyyar River meets the Arabian Sea, accessible only by boat. The island has a handful of luxury resorts, a golden beach, and is surrounded by mangrove backwaters on three sides. It's one of the most serene and exclusive overnight destinations in Kerala — completely away from road traffic and commercialism. The boat ride across at sunset and the sunrise cruise back are both genuinely magical.
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.
