Verified
Guest
Guest
“
An absolutely flawless experience. We felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Delhi until our departure.
Sarah & James
United Kingdom
Kerala · 8 Days
Kerala Backwaters & Beaches — Grand
Eight days on the coast, with three nights in Kovalam for Ayurveda or a Varkala cliff day.
Day by Day
8 Days, In Full
The full coastal route. Kochi and Alleppey run as they do on the six-day trip, then Kovalam becomes a real stay rather than a stop. Three nights there gives you room for a licensed Ayurvedic course, a lighthouse morning, and an hour's drive north to the red cliffs at Varkala. Kerala rewards this pace. Most of what people remember here happens when nothing is scheduled — a long lunch, an empty beach at seven in the morning, a boat that goes nowhere in particular.
Kochi
Arrival in Kochi — Fort Kochi & the Spice Quarter
Your driver meets you at Cochin airport. The road runs out to Fort Kochi, where four centuries of trade left their mark on one small peninsula. Walk the lanes on foot. St Francis Church, the Dutch Cemetery, the godowns of Jew Town still stacked with ginger and pepper. Evening is free for a Kathakali performance if you want one.
Kochi
Kochi — Chinese Fishing Nets & Mattancherry
Start early at the Chinese fishing nets on Vasco da Gama Square. The frames are cantilevered. Four men work each one by hand. Chinese traders brought the design here centuries ago. The method has not changed since. Later, Mattancherry Palace and its Ramayana murals. The afternoon is yours — Fort Kochi rewards aimless walking.
Kochi → Alleppey
Kochi to Alleppey — Boarding the Houseboat
A short drive south brings you to Alleppey. Your houseboat is waiting at the jetty. Lunch is cooked on board as you push out into Vembanad Lake. The rest of the day belongs to the water. Paddy fields sit below the waterline. Village life happens on the bank, an arm's length away.
Alleppey
Alleppey — The Narrow Canals by Country Boat
Houseboats cannot reach the small canals. A punted country boat can. You slip into channels barely wider than the hull, past coir workshops, toddy shops and school children rowing themselves home. This is the half-day that most travellers remember longest. Back on board for a late lunch.
Alleppey → Kovalam
Alleppey to Kovalam — Down the Coast
You leave the backwaters after breakfast and drive south along the coast road. It is a long stretch, close to five hours, broken where you want it broken. Kovalam appears as three crescent beaches stacked under a headland. Check in, then take the rest of the day slowly.
Kovalam
Kovalam — Lighthouse Beach & the Headland
Climb the Vizhinjam lighthouse first, before the heat. The red and white tower gives you the whole coastline at once. Below it, Lighthouse Beach curves away to Hawa Beach. Swim in the morning when the sea is calmest. Afternoons here are for shade and long lunches.
Kovalam
Kovalam — Ayurveda, or a Day Trip to Varkala
Two ways to spend this day. Stay in Kovalam for a proper Ayurvedic treatment — most resorts here run licensed centres with resident physicians. Or drive an hour north to Varkala, where red laterite cliffs drop straight into the sea and a mineral spring runs out onto the sand.
Kovalam
Kovalam — Last Morning, then Departure
A slow final morning on the beach. Trivandrum airport is only sixteen kilometres away, so there is no rush. If your flight is late, your driver can take you through the city — the Padmanabhaswamy temple and the Napier Museum are both worth the detour.
Book This Itinerary
Priced Packages On This Route
This route is already built into these packages — real inclusions and pricing on each one's own page.
luxury · 7 Nights
Kerala Backwaters & Beaches — Grand — Luxury
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
premium · 7 Nights
Kerala Backwaters & Beaches — Grand — Premium
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
luxury · 7 Nights
Kerala Beaches & Backwaters Signature — Luxury
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
premium · 7 Nights
Kerala Beaches & Backwaters Signature — Premium
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
Before you go
Planning Kerala
Kerala Travel Guide
Kerala Honeymoon Itinerary 6 Nights: Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey
HoneymoonItinerary InspirationKerala
Kerala Travel Guide
Alleppey Houseboat vs Backwater Resort: Which Fits Your Trip
Backwater HouseboatsKeralaPlanning Guide
Kerala Travel Guide
Kerala Tour Cost Per Person 2026-27: What a 6-Night Trip Really Costs
Backwater HouseboatsKeralaPlanning Guide
Guest Stories
What Our Travelers Say
Real words from real journeys — rated 5.0 across 310 Google reviews.
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Truly exceptional — Brijesh, our tour planner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and meticulous in organizing a flawless itinerary.
Milly Witcomb
United Kingdom
Mentions guide Brijesh
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Nothing short of magical. Brijesh crafted a seamless itinerary that balanced sightseeing, culture, and relaxation, making our journey truly special.
Shakira Tabizi
United States
Mentions guide Brijesh
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Everything went beyond our expectations. Our driver Rajesh kept us comfortable in every city, and Vicky was endlessly knowledgeable.
Melissa
Australia
Mentions guide Rajesh & Vicky
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
From the moment we landed until we left, our driver Manish made us feel so taken care of — he made the trip even more memorable.
Rossen Milanov
United States
Mentions guide Manish
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Brijesh is a super good man! A comfortable journey through six cities, exactly to our desires and limits.
Michelle de Matheu
United States
Mentions guide Brijesh & Manish
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Excellent hotels and tour guides. Our driver Manish was superb in every way — reliable, and full of local knowledge.
James Boochame
Australia
Mentions guide Manish
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
Get In Touch
Start Planning Your Trip
Full itinerary, real pricing, one honest conversation — no sales pressure, just answers.