Explore charming villages, architectural masterpieces, tea estates, and more in Kerala
Encounter charm, natural beauty, and lush, rolling scenery on the Scenic Kerala Village Tour. Expect to totally immerse yourself in a postcard-painted land of greenery. Admire the mountain slopes dotted with tea estates and spice gardens, the calm backwaters, and visits to a collection of villages, including Cochin, Munnar, Kumarakom, and Kovalam.
Amid the vibrant scenery, you’ll embark on a houseboat journey along the backwaters of Kerala, catching glimpses of the village life on the banks from up close. This tour takes you to beaches, tea and spice estates, and architectural delights. Don’t miss out on the Scenic Kerala Village Tour!
Highlights of the Scenic Kerala Village Tour
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Scenic Kerala Village Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Cochin
Meet a tour representative upon arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day meandering this picturesque town, which has one of the world’s most attractive ports.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cochin
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Explore Cochin
Enjoy a relaxing breakfast before embarking on a guided sightseeing tour around this lovely city. Check out the Portugese-built Dutch Palace, admire the Jewish Palace, which was built in the 15th century, and explore St Francis Church—the oldest European church in the country. Visit the Cochin Harbour and Fort Kochi Beach as well. In the evening, head to a local theatre for a Kathakali Dance Performance. Marvel at the vibrant costumes!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cochin
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Travel to Munnar
Enjoy breakfast before travelling to Munnar, one of Kerala’s most stunning hill stations. This hill station town sits at a higher altitude, granting locals a cool refuge from the summer heat. Admire the tea estates along the hills. People settled here during the British Raj era, and you can see the very old mansions and churches around Munnar. Upon arrival, spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Munnar
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Sightseeing around Munnar
Enjoy a tasty breakfast before going on a full-day sightseeing tour. Expect to revel in the magic of nature today! Check out tea plantations, a tea factory, and Eravikulam National Park, where the rare neelakurinji flowers bloom once every 12 years. Continue on to KFDC Flower Garden, Kundala Lake, Top Station, and much more. One activity has you opting to hop in a Jeep, or you can get out at a certain point and hike to Kolukkumalai, the highest tea estate in the world. Enjoy the sprawling views from the summit.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Munnar
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Head to Periyar National Park
Have breakfast before heading to Periyar National Park, and stop at a tea plantation en route. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and opt to go on a lovely boat ride in the evening, where you can witness an array of bird species, elephants, tigers, and deer thriving in their natural habitat.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Periyar National Park
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Drive to Kumarakom
Enjoy an early morning boat ride, from which you can see local wildlife coming for a drink as the sun rises. After this relaxing ride, hop in your mode of transportation and travel to Kumarakom, where backwaters create a calm, picturesque setting. The backwaters also offerexceptional bird watching opportunities!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kumarakom
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Relax in Kumarakom
Spend today at your leisure! Opt to relax by the backwaters or go for an Ayurvedic massage. Then, check out the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kumarakom
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Overnight houseboat
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before hopping on a houseboat for a once-in-a-lifetime excursion along the backwaters. Admire how the houseboat looks like a traditional boat but offers modern amenities for a relaxing cruise. Witness the locals going about their days from a different perspective and bask in the bliss of the outdoors.
Overnight Location: Overnight houseboat
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Transfer from Alleppey to Kovalam
Get off the houseboat at Alleppey and transfer to Kovalam, where golden beaches await. Upon arrival, spend the rest of the day lazing around the beach and enjoying the bliss of refreshing water and a palm tree-lined coast. Take part in beach sports or opt for an Ayurvedic massage.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kovalam
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Enjoy Kovalam
Enjoy the tropical oasis of this town at your leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kovalam
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 Departure
Head to Trivandrum International Airport. This is where the tour ends.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Scenic Kerala Village Tour Price and Dates
This guided sightseeing tour in Kerala is always run as a private tour for your group only. Please note that the prices might increase during public holidays.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 2-10: from $1,236 USD per person
Accommodation on Scenic Kerala Village Tour
This tour will have you staying in 3-4 star hotels that offer modern necessities to keep you comfortable. Do note that rooms are double occupancy, but you can always upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee. Single travellers are also required to pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. It’s often also possible to match single travellers up.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Fort House in Cochin ★★★
This simple hotel is romantic and charming. Enjoy the WiFi and on-site restaurant here.
Silver Tips in Munnar
This hotel earned TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice 2020 award, and for good reason! It’s super comfy and offers a restaurant, spa, WiFi, and sauna.
Greenwoods Resort in Periyar National Park ★★★★
Bask in total relaxation at the Greenwoods Resort. Take advantage of the pool, nearby hiking, evening entertainment, WiFi, and restaurant.
Backwater Ripples in Kumarakom ★★★★
Revel in upscale luxury at Backwater Ripples, where a pool overlooks the backwaters and an on-site restaurant, WiFi, and bar await.
Aircon Houseboat
Enjoy a relaxing evening aboard a traditional-looking houseboat that offers the necessary modern amenities to induce comfort.
Uday Samudra in Kovalam ★★★★
Located 15 meters from the sea, this hotel propels guests to revel in a total tropical oasis. Enjoy the pool, sauna, poolside bar, and restaurant.
What’s included in the Scenic Kerala Village Tour?
Meals
10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner are included on this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 10 nights are included on this tour.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation is included for transfers to pick-up and drop-off spots throughout the tour.
Also Included
- English-speaking guide services during the excursions
- Entrance fees
Not included
- Flights to get to Cochin and from Trivandrum
- Accommodations before and after the tour
- Tour guide gratuity
- Personal necessities such as drinks during mealtimes and laundry
Optional Extras
- Upgrade to superior or deluxe accommodation
- Add extra nights before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Scenic Kerala Village Tour
Trans India Holidays was founded nearly 30 years ago in New Dehli, India. They grew their team from four dedicated travellers to 100 energetic guides and trip planners.
Trans India strives to provide the best possible value for client’s money, continually searching for ways they can upgrade their service and experiences.
Offering a range of tour styles, Trans India operates cultural, religious, adventure, wildlife, culinary, family-friendly, and sporting tours.
Looking after each little detail from the perfect hotel room to booking your tee time for you, Trans India knows how to make a holiday in India as unforgettable as possible.
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Local Guide
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Rajiv has been working as a guide since 1996, and fell in love with sharing the ancient cultural and social roots of India with travellers. Rajiv believes that the diversity of India’s different regions in terms of food, language, and culture makes travelling the country an experience like no other. Rajiv runs all kinds of tours, but especially enjoys trekking tours. He’s climbed mountains up to 8,000 feet in -10 degrees with groups and considers those to be his greatest achievements as a guide.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to lead?
- A: I enjoy giving people walking tours of the city, because that’s the best way to give a vivid introduction to the country and also because there is an element of surprise on the streets. It cannot be controlled or planned, and I immensely enjoy presenting that world to them.
- Q: What is one experience anybody visiting your country should have?
- A: Learning to cook traditional Indian food.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that visitors absolutely have to try?
- A: Masala Dosa, it’s very tasty.
- Q: What is the best part about guiding?
- A: Providing them with more than they expected and noticing and taking care of any discomforts the guests might experience. Sometimes the guests don’t say it, so as a guide you have to be very attentive to that.