Magical Kerala trip
Travel ExpertStarting from:
880 USD
per Adult
Bring your Kerala journey to life in Alappuzha, where emerald backwaters and swaying coconut palms shape one of the most memorable India trips you can experience. This tailor-made stay is designed around quiet moments on private houseboats, time with local hosts, and unhurried exploration of village waterways.
Set your own pace and choose the experiences that matter most to you. We design each journey with care, creating an intimate escape that feels personal rather than planned. Ready to shape your Alappuzha story? Contact us to begin designing a trip that reflects your style and curiosity.
Magical Kerala trip highlights
- Sunrise backwater cruise: Drift through Alappuzha's serene backwaters on a private houseboat, perfect for authentic, photography-rich mornings.
- Village canoe excursion: Paddle narrow canals with a local guide, discovering hidden fishing hamlets and genuine daily life.
- Homestay and local cuisine: Stay with a family, savor homemade Kerala dishes, and learn spice secrets.
- Traditional art and culture: Witness Kathakali, coir craft demonstrations, and interact with artisans on visits that reveal Alappuzha's living traditions.
- Sunset fishing and stilt walk: Join local fishermen at dusk for sustainable catch techniques or observe stilt fishermen.
| Day | Location | Activity | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kochi | • Half-day guided Kochi city tour • Spice trade history and local life • Dutch Palace and Jewish Synagogue • Chinese fishing nets and St. Francis Church • Santa Cruz Church and local snacks | Kochi |
| 2 | Munnar region | • Walk through cardamom plantations • Learn spice cultivation and harvesting • Tastings and photo stops • Stories of ancient spice routes | Munnar area |
| 3 | Madurai | • Half-day guided Madurai tour • Visit Tirumala Nayak Palace • Indo-Saracenic architecture and history | Madurai |
| 4 | Kumily | • Explore spice gardens and local markets • Walk through tea estates • Meet local traders and artisans • Evening at leisure | Kumily |
| 5 | Periyar | • Boat ride on Periyar Lake • Wildlife viewing in the reserve • Elephant and deer sightings • Birdwatching along the shores | Periyar |
| 6 | Periyar → Alappuzha | • Private transfer to Alappuzha • Backwater cruise by private houseboat • Village visits and canoe rides • Meet coir weavers • Kerala cuisine experience | Alappuzha |
| 7 | Alappuzha → Kochi | • Morning at leisure on the backwaters • Private transfer from the pier • Assisted departure at Kochi Airport | — |
Kochi heritage tour
Begin your India travel experience with a half-day city tour of Kochi. Accompanied by a private guide, explore island-studded Cochin while learning about its spice trade heritage and everyday local life.
Visit the Dutch Palace with its murals, the Jewish Synagogue in Jew Town, the iconic Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was first buried, and the pastel-coloured Santa Cruz Church.
Unhurried pacing, photo stops, and chances to sample local snacks make this a relaxed and personal introduction to Kerala.
Cardamom plantation
Walk through fragrant cardamom plantations in the hills near Munnar, guided by local growers who explain spice cultivation, harvesting, and processing.
Enjoy hands-on moments, tastings, and photo stops, while hearing stories of the ancient spice routes that once passed through this region.
Madurai city tour
Enjoy a half-day guided tour of Madurai, one of the best places to visit in India for living temple culture.
Visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace, a graceful 17th-century Indo-Saracenic landmark celebrated for its intricate stuccowork across domes and arches.
Kumily visit
Explore Kumily through tailored experiences that introduce you to spice gardens, local markets, and welcoming traders. Walk through nearby tea estates, learn the stories behind the spices with a local guide, and select fresh flavours to take home.
The evening is at leisure for a gentle walk around your hotel, offering a glimpse of village life and bustling shops.
Periyar Lake boat ride
Glide across Periyar Lake in the heart of Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats. A calm boat ride reveals elephants and deer at the water’s edge, with chances to spot gaur, sambar, and wild boar along the grassy shores.
Focused on wildlife viewing and birdwatching, this experience offers sightings of darters, egrets, and kingfishers perched above the lake. It provides a quiet moment of nature immersion and a memorable highlight of your India itinerary.
Transfer to Alappuzha
Enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel before your private transfer to Alappuzha. Take time over breakfast, sampling local flavors and easing into the coastal pace.
On arrival, settle in and begin exploring the backwaters by private houseboat, with opportunities for village visits, canoe rides through narrow canals, and meetings with coir weavers.
The day is rounded out with a taste of authentic Kerala cuisine, shared in a calm, waterside setting.
Departure
Your private transfer collects you from the Alappuzha pier, offering a final chance to take in the calm backwater scenery and everyday local life that have shaped your India trip. Our representative assists with luggage and onward arrangements before your transfer to Kochi Airport, ensuring a smooth and well-timed departure.
If you wish to continue exploring, we can arrange seamless extensions to other regions of Kerala or onward destinations in India, tailored to your interests and travel pace.
