First, 2 nights in Kochi
Eighth Bastion
Stay at Eighth Bastion, Fort Kochi — a CGH Earth boutique hotel on the old fort line, walkable to the Chinese fishing nets, on our Kerala tours.
Kochi · Boutique · Premium★★★★
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About This Journey
Kerala Backwaters & Beaches — Grand — Premium
Seven nights pairing Alleppey's backwaters with an extended stay on the coast at Kovalam. The route follows the same shape as the six-day version, Kochi, Alleppey, Kovalam, but gives the coast real room, with a full extra day and a choice of Ayurveda or a trip to Varkala.
Fort Kochi's Chinese fishing nets and Mattancherry's trading quarter open the journey, before Alleppey's canals and a longer, unhurried stretch on Kovalam's coast to close it.
- 01
An extra full day at Kovalam
Where the shorter route moves straight through, this itinerary keeps a full free day at Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa, with Lighthouse Beach and the headland to explore.
- 02
A choice on day seven: Ayurveda or Varkala
The second Kovalam day can be spent on Ayurveda at the resort, or as a day trip up the coast to Varkala's cliff and temple, whichever suits you.
- 03
Boarding the houseboat at Alleppey
As with the shorter route, a full day is given to Alleppey's narrow canals by country boat, staying at Punnamada Resort.
Chapter Two — Where You'll Stay
3 Real Stays, In Order
Handpicked along your own route — not a hotel chain repeated city to city.
Next, 2 nights in Alleppey
Punnamada Resort
Stay at Punnamada Resort, Alleppey — a lakefront resort on Punnamada Lake with its own houseboat jetty and ayurveda centre, on our Kerala tours.
Alleppey · Resort · Premium★★★★
Finally, 3 nights in Kovalam
Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa, Kovalam
Balinese-style luxury on Kovalam's Samudra Beach, with an infinity pool, Ayurveda spa, and sea-facing gardens near the lighthouse.
Kovalam · Resort · Luxury★★★★★
Chapter Three — Day by Day
Real Kerala Attractions in This Itinerary
6 of your 8days — the full itinerary follows below. Scroll to travel the route.
Day 2 · 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.
Day 3 · 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.
Day 4 · 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.
Day 5 · 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.
Day 6 · 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.
Day 7 · 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.
Chapter Four — The Full Itinerary
8 Days, In Full
Every day, start to finish — including the transfers the day-by-day chapter above skipped.
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.
Guest Stories
What Our Travelers Say
Real words from real journeys — rated 5.0 across 310 Google reviews.
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Chapter Five — Terms & Conditions
Straightforward, In Writing
Cancellation windows, refund timing, and rescheduling terms for this journey follow our one sitewide policy — nothing package-specific to dig through.
Read the Return & Refund PolicyFrequently Asked
Before You Book
What's the difference between the standard and signature versions of this route?
The stops and days are identical. The signature version is written and positioned as this route's flagship pairing of backwaters and coast.
Can we choose the Varkala day trip instead of Ayurveda?
Yes — tell your trip designer your preference when booking, or decide once you're there.
Chapter Six — Similar Journeys
More of Kerala, Privately
Before you go
Planning Kerala
Kerala Travel Guide
Places to Visit in Kerala: Backwaters, Hills, Coast and the Food Between
Destination GuideFood & CultureKerala
Kerala Travel Guide
Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Dress Code, Timings and Entry Rules
Destination GuideFood & CultureKerala
Kerala Travel Guide
Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town: Timings, Murals and a Walking Route
Destination GuideFood & CultureKerala
Why Choose Us
The Same Trust, Sized to This Trip
01
Planning, Built Around You
This route was shaped around Kerala's real places, not lifted from a fixed template.
13 years — Brijesh Sharma, Bespoke Itinerary Specialist
02
Handpicked Hotels
Every stay on this trip was chosen in person, not off a ratings page.
3 real stays, 4–5★
03
A Private Fleet, Always Yours
One driver, air-conditioned, for the whole route — no shared shuttle.
Premium sedans & SUVs · One driver, the whole trip
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