Kerala Honeymoon Itinerary 6 Nights: Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey

The Kerala honeymoon itinerary 6 nights long that works best uses three bases with two nights in each: Munnar for the tea hills, Thekkady for the forest, and Alleppey for the backwaters. You land in Kochi, drive up into the hills, cross to the forest edge, then slow right down on the water. Every leg is under five hours.

This plan differs from our 7-day Kerala honeymoon, which adds Fort Kochi and Varkala beach. Here the beach is dropped in favour of Thekkady's spice gardens and Periyar lake. If you want a beach, use that route. If you want forest and hills, use this one.

Kerala honeymoon itinerary 6 nights: the route at a glance

Drive times are approximate and rise during festivals, weekends and the monsoon. Confirm them when you book.

Drive times on this route

Our Kerala distances guide lists every leg. Plan the longest drives for the morning and leave afternoons free.

A road through the tea hills at Munnar.

Days 1 and 2: Munnar

Day 1: Kochi to Munnar

Take a late-morning flight or an early arrival and drive straight up. The road climbs through plantations and the air cools as you go. Our Kochi to Munnar guide lists stops that are worth a break. Check in, rest and keep the evening unplanned. Dinner is early because the hills are dark and cool by 6:30 pm.

Day 2: tea hills and a slow afternoon

Start with a plantation walk after breakfast, when the mist has lifted. Spend late morning at a tea estate or a viewpoint. Leave the afternoon empty. If you want sunrise, Top Station is the classic early start, and our Top Station guide has timings. Eravikulam National Park is an option for a morning, and our Eravikulam guide covers tickets and the seasonal closure. For more ideas, read romantic things to do in Munnar.

Days 3 and 4: Thekkady

Day 3: Munnar to Thekkady

Drive after a late breakfast. The road drops from the hills into spice country, past cardamom and pepper gardens. Arrive by mid-afternoon. Spice Village is a resort of 52 thatched cottages set among working spice gardens, on the edge of Periyar Tiger Reserve. The page lists a spa tub, Ayurveda rooms and private gardens at the Deluxe Cottage. Stay in, walk the gardens and have a quiet dinner.

Day 4: Periyar lake and the forest

Take a boat ride on Periyar lake. A KTDC portal lists a ride at ₹450 per person including GST, lasting about 1.5 hours, with five departures a day from 7:30 am. Another page showed a different tariff, so confirm on the portal you use. Early boats are quietest and best for wildlife. Animals are never guaranteed. The afternoon is for a spice garden visit or a massage.

Days 5 and 6: Alleppey

Day 5: Thekkady to Alleppey, a resort evening

This is the longest drive of the trip, so set off early. Check in at a lakeside resort. Punnamada Resort sits on Punnamada Lake with a jetty in front, lake-facing rooms, a pool and an Ayurveda centre. Ask for a lake-facing room. Spend the evening by the water.

Day 6: your houseboat night

Board around midday. You get lunch, a cruise, a mooring in the late afternoon, dinner and a quiet night. The boat moves slowly, with a crew of three or four. Bedrooms are usually cooled after dark. Read our guide to what a night on a Kerala houseboat is really like, and ask where the boat will moor overnight. For prices and what to ask, see Alleppey houseboat price.

Day 7: departure

Return to the jetty after breakfast. Drive to Kochi airport, about 1.5 to 2 hours, and allow a generous buffer for traffic.

What to book ahead for a Kerala honeymoon

Ask hotels to note that it is a honeymoon. They may arrange small touches such as flowers or a cake, but do not count on it unless it is confirmed.

How a honeymoon version differs from a standard trip

A standard 6-night Kerala trip often moves every night. This one does not. Two nights in each base mean one proper rest day per place. It also trims the sightseeing. You will not see every viewpoint, and that is the point. We leave out Fort Kochi, which is better as a separate stay. See our 5-night, 6-day Kerala itinerary for a general version of the same route.

What is not romantic

Say this plainly. The drives are long. Munnar is cold and misty and not beach weather. Thekkady is humid and quiet in the evenings. Alleppey is crowded in December and January, with many boats on the canals. Mosquitoes appear at dusk, so bring repellent.

What to pack

• Warm layers for Munnar evenings

• Light cotton clothes for Thekkady and Alleppey

• Repellent for dusk

• A rain jacket, since showers come quickly

• Comfortable shoes for plantation walks

When to go

September to March suits this route, with December to February coolest in the hills and busiest on the water. The monsoon, roughly June to August, brings heavy rain and fewer boat services. Eravikulam closes for a period in February and March, so check if it is on your list. Our honeymoon stay guide goes deeper on where to stay.

Our advice

Keep this itinerary, and resist adding stops. Ask for a lake-facing room in Alleppey and a private mooring for the houseboat. Book the early Periyar boat. Do the long drive from Thekkady to Alleppey in the morning, so you arrive for a lakeside lunch. We plan Kerala honeymoons around the drives, not the other way round.

Frequently asked questions

How many days are enough for a Kerala honeymoon?

Six nights covers Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey comfortably. Seven or eight nights lets you add Varkala or Fort Kochi.

Is Thekkady worth including on a Kerala honeymoon?

Yes, if you like forest, spice gardens and quiet. It adds a long drive on each side, so it suits a six or seven night trip.

How much time do we need on a houseboat?

One night is enough for most couples. Two nights suit a slow honeymoon. Read the houseboat guide before you choose.

What is the best month for a Kerala honeymoon?

December to February is cool and dry in the hills but busy. September to November and March are quieter. Avoid the heaviest monsoon.

Is this route good for a first Kerala trip?

Yes. It covers hills, forest and backwaters. If you want a beach, use our 7-day route with Varkala.

How long are the drives?

The longest are Thekkady to Alleppey at 4 to 4.5 hours and Kochi to Munnar at 4 to 4.5 hours. Both are easier in the morning.

Plan your Kerala honeymoon with us

We shape each night around the drive and the quiet hour, and arrange the houseboat and the early boat ride. Explore our Kerala destination guide, the Kerala and Tamil Nadu Honeymoon itinerary, or talk to a trip designer.