📞 +91 9536405008 ✉️ info@pioneerholidays.org
Traditional houseboat on the scenic Kerala backwaters surrounded by coconut trees
Historic white church with twin towers in Kerala under a clear blue sky
Family exploring lush green tea plantations in Kerala
Lush green tea plantation across the rolling hills of Kerala
Traditional Kerala houseboat cruising through peaceful backwaters surrounded by greenery
Traditional houseboat on the scenic Kerala backwaters surrounded by coconut trees Historic white church with twin towers in Kerala under a clear blue sky Family exploring lush green tea plantations in Kerala Lush green tea plantation across the rolling hills of Kerala Traditional Kerala houseboat cruising through peaceful backwaters surrounded by greenery
1 / 5

9 Days Kerala Tour: Best of Kerala Tour with Backwater

★★★★★ 5/5 (523 reviews)

Overview

Kerala is often called God's Own Country, and once you visit, you will understand why. This 9 Days Kerala Tour takes you through tea hills, wildlife forests, calm backwaters and golden beaches. It is one smooth trip built for travellers from the US, UK, Canada, UAE and Mexico.

You get a real taste of South India without rushing. Over 8 nights, you move through Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey and Kovalam. Each stop feels different from the last, yet the whole journey flows together naturally.

Quick Trip Snapshot

  • Duration: 9 days, 8 nights
  • Route: Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Kovalam
  • Style: Private car, English-speaking guide, houseboat stay included
  • Best suited for: Couples, families, honeymooners and first-time visitors to Kerala

This package works well as a standalone holiday or as an extension after a North India trip. Many travellers pair it with a short stay in Mumbai or Goa before flying home.

About this activity

Reserve now & pay later

Keep your travel plans flexible — reserve your spot with pay on arrival.

Live tour guide

English, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Japanese

Skip the ticket line

Get quick access to monuments without waiting.

Duration

9 Days

Private tour

Only your group will participate

Pickup included

Hotel / Airport pickup in Delhi, Noida & Gurgaon

  • Explore the enchanting beauty of multi ethnic Cochin.
  • Visit the tourist attractions of Munnar.
  • Wildlife sightseeing at Thekkady.
  • Enjoy a cruise on the scenic backwaters at Alleppey.
  • Relish your time aboard a private houseboat.
  • Watch a martial art show in Periyar.
  • Watch a Kathakali dance show in Cochin.
  • Soak up the sun, sand and sea at Kovalam.
  • Explore the historical and cultural sites of Trivandrum.

Day 1 – Cochin

Our representative will greet you on arrival and take you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your trip, head out for a sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin. Visit Mattancherry Palace and the old Synagogue. Stay overnight in Cochin.

Day 2 – Cochin to Munnar (125 Kms, 4 hours approx)

After breakfast, drive up into the hills toward Munnar. Watch the scenery change as the road climbs higher. Tea gardens begin to appear along the hillsides. Stay overnight in Munnar.

Day 3 – Munnar

Unwind today in the morning hours and later take a tour of the tea plantations and the Tea Museum. A visit to the Eravikulam National Park is in store, too, as it is home to the rare Nilgiri Tahr. Before heading back, check out the Mattupetty Dam.

Day 4 – Munnar to Thekkady (90 Kms, 3 hours approx)

On the next day, after breakfast, proceed to Thekkady. Enjoy a visit to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and a walk through an active spice plantation. To end your day, enjoy a boat ride on the serene Lake Periyar as the day turns.

Day 5 – Thekkady to Kumarakom (122 Kms, 3.5 hours approx)

Drive to Kumarakom after breakfast and check into your hotel. Visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and take in the calm of the Vembanad River. Spend the rest of the day simply admiring the quiet beauty around you. Stay overnight in Kumarakom.

Day 6 – Kumarakom to Alleppey (32 Kms, 1 hour approx)

After an early breakfast, drive to Alleppey, the heart of the Kerala backwater network. This is where your Kerala houseboat tour begins. Board your private houseboat and drift through narrow water channels lined with coconut palms. Enjoy fresh local meals cooked onboard. Stay overnight on the houseboat.

Day 7 – Alleppey to Kovalam (160 Kms, 5.5 hours approx)

After breakfast, drive to the famous Kovalam Beach on the Arabian Sea coast. Check into your beach hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Walk along the shore or simply relax by the water. Stay overnight in Kovalam.

Day 8 – Kovalam

This day is kept free for independent activities. Many travellers choose an Ayurveda massage session at this point in the trip. Others prefer to relax at the resort or explore the local market nearby. Stay overnight in Kovalam.

Day 9 – Kovalam to Trivandrum (15 Kms, 30 minutes approx)

After breakfast, transfer to Trivandrum Airport for your onward flight. Your 9 days Kerala trip comes to a close here, with memories of hills, water and coastline to carry home.

Select participants, date, and language

English

Frequently Asked Questions

This package covers Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey and Kovalam across 8 nights. It includes hotel stays, a private car with driver and an English-speaking guide. One night on a private houseboat in Alleppey is also included.
Yes, this route is ideal for first-time visitors. It moves at a relaxed pace and covers hills, wildlife, backwaters and beaches. A private car and guide mean you never have to plan transport or directions on your own.
Your houseboat stay includes one night onboard in Alleppey, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served fresh on the boat. You drift through narrow canals lined with coconut palms and paddy fields as the crew handles all the navigation.
Yes, this itinerary can be adjusted to fit your travel dates and interests. You can add extra nights in Munnar or Kovalam, or swap hotel categories. A spice plantation tour with more time built in is also possible.
A free day is kept in Kovalam where you can book an Ayurveda massage session at your resort. This is usually arranged directly with the hotel spa and is not automatically included in the base package cost.
Yes, most travellers from the US, UK, Canada, UAE and Mexico need a visa to enter India. You can apply through the official government portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in before your travel dates.
Thekkady is your main wildlife stop, where Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary offers boat rides on Lake Periyar. Early morning visits give you the best chance to spot elephants, birds and other forest wildlife near the water.
Breakfast is included at all hotels throughout the trip. Full meals are included only during your houseboat stay in Alleppey. Lunch and dinner elsewhere can be arranged at local restaurants based on your preference.
Walking is light to moderate. Tea garden visits, palace tours and backwater villages involve short, easy walks. There are no long treks, which makes this trip comfortable for most fitness levels and age groups.
Weather conditions at this time of the year, from October to March, are at their best as they are warm but not humid.

Kerala Backwaters and Hill Stations Tour: What Makes This Route Different

Kerala rarely feels like just one destination. Within a single trip, you move between cool tea hills, dense forest reserves, still backwaters and open coastline. Few Indian states pack this much variety into a route this short.

The hill stretch through Munnar sets the tone early. Tea gardens roll across the hills in every direction, and the air feels noticeably cooler than the coast. Eravikulam National Park adds a wildlife element to this stretch. It is one of the few places where you can spot the Nilgiri Tahr in its natural habitat.

Thekkady shifts the mood again. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest reserve. Its lake boat ride is one of the simplest ways to see wildlife. There is no long trek needed here.

Spice plantations nearby explain why this region has drawn traders for centuries. By the time you reach Alleppey, the landscape flattens into water. This Kerala backwater holiday moment is often the highlight for most travellers. Drifting past village life on a houseboat gives a view of Kerala that a bus or car simply cannot offer.

  • Munnar: Tea gardens, cool climate, Eravikulam National Park
  • Thekkady: Wildlife sanctuary, spice plantations, lake boating
  • Alleppey: Houseboat cruise, backwater villages, calm canals
  • Kovalam: Beach town, Arabian Sea coastline, Ayurveda resorts

Kovalam closes the loop with open sea and sand. After days of hills and water, a beach stretch gives your trip a relaxed final chapter before departure.

Few routes in India let you shift moods this quickly. In under two weeks, you go from misty tea gardens to a working forest reserve. From there, you move to still water and finally open the coastline. This is what draws repeat travellers back to a best of Kerala tour again and again.

How Much Does a 9-Days Kerala Tour Package Cost?

Pricing for this route depends mainly on hotel category and group size. Standard hotels keep costs lower. Heritage properties and resort-style stays in Munnar and Kovalam raise the price noticeably.

Group size also affects your per-person rate. A private car, driver and guide cost the same whether two people travel or four. Larger groups often see better value per traveller because of this.

The houseboat night in Alleppey is priced by boat category. Standard houseboats are budget-friendly, while premium boats offer larger cabins and better furnishings. This single choice can shift your total cost more than any other day.

Season also plays a role in pricing. Peak months between December and February often carry slightly higher hotel rates due to demand. Booking a few months ahead usually secures better rates across your entire Kerala 9 days holiday package.

For accurate numbers, it helps to request a quote based on your exact travel dates. This way, US, UK, Canadian, UAE and Mexican travellers get pricing in their own currency. Every cost is explained before booking.

Best Time to Plan Your Kerala 9 Day Itinerary

Kerala has a tropical climate, with a clear wet season and a clear dry season. Understanding this pattern helps you choose the right window for your 9 Days Kerala Tour Package.

Winter months bring the most stable weather for a houseboat cruise. Calmer waters make for a smoother ride through the backwaters during this time. Munnar can get cool in the evenings, so a light jacket is worth packing.

Monsoon season has its own charm for travellers who enjoy lush, green landscapes. Occasional rain showers do not bother everyone. Ayurveda treatments in Kovalam are also considered more effective during the monsoon months, according to local tradition. For current weather updates before you travel, the India Meteorological Department at mausam.imd.gov.in is a reliable government source.

Why Book This Best of Kerala Tour with Pioneer Holidays?

Pioneer Holidays is recognized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The company also holds membership with the Indian Association of Tour Operators. This backing matters when booking a trip from overseas.

For official information on Kerala tourism, permits and seasonal updates, visit keralatourism.org. It is a useful government resource covering festival calendars and safety advisories.

Wildlife areas on this route, including Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, are managed under Kerala's forest protection rules. Respecting boat timings and sanctuary guidelines helps preserve these spaces for future travellers as well.

This trip is planned around a simple idea. You should spend your time enjoying Kerala, not managing logistics. Hotels are pre-booked, transport is arranged, and a local guide handles the details along the way.

Travelers booking from abroad also value clear communication. Our team responds to queries by email or WhatsApp, and confirms every hotel and vehicle before your arrival date. Nothing is left for you to sort out once you land in Cochin.

Ready to trade your daily routine for tea hills, calm backwaters and warm coastline? Reach out with your travel dates today. Our team will build a custom quote for your Kerala trip within hours.

From
$0 per person