Travelonama logoTravelonamaTravelonama Expeditions
Traditional houseboat gliding through palm-lined Kerala backwaters at sunrise

Backwaters, hills and coast

Kerala

Slow houseboat nights, tea-covered hills and a coastline built for long, easy days — Kerala is India's most relaxed multi-landscape trip.

Why visit Kerala

  • Backwater cruising between Alleppey and Kumarakom.
  • Munnar's tea estates and Western Ghats viewpoints.
  • Wildlife at Periyar and Wayanad.
  • Fort Kochi's layered colonial and trading history.

Best places to visit

Fort Kochi
Heritage streets, cafés and Kathakali evenings.
Munnar
Tea estates, cloud forests and cool mornings.
Alleppey
Houseboat and canoe country.
Thekkady
Periyar reserve and spice plantations.
Varkala
Cliff-edge beach town for slow days.

Top experiences

  • Overnight houseboat on the backwaters
  • Tea estate walks in Munnar
  • Ayurveda and wellness stays
  • Canoe rides through village canals
  • Coastal seafood trails

Best time to visit

October – March
Dry, comfortable and ideal for backwaters and hills.
June – September
Monsoon travel and traditional Ayurveda season.

How many days

6–8 days across hills, backwaters and coast.

How to reach

  • Fly to Kochi (COK), Trivandrum (TRV) or Kozhikode (CCJ).
  • Comfortable road and rail connections between all major stops.

Travel tips

  • · Book houseboats that anchor overnight rather than cruising after dark.
  • · Munnar mornings are cold — carry a light jacket.
  • · Allow travel time; hill roads are slower than distances suggest.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Kerala Highlights

  1. Day 1Arrive Kochi
  2. Day 2Drive to Munnar
  3. Day 3Munnar tea country
  4. Day 4Thekkady wildlife
  5. Day 5Alleppey houseboat
  6. Day 6Coast day at Marari or Varkala
  7. Day 7Departure

Available journeys

Kerala tours

All journeys

Read before you go

Kerala travel guides

All guides

Related travel

You may also like

Kerala travel FAQs

Is a Kerala houseboat worth it for one night?

One night is usually enough. Boats anchor by evening, so a second night adds rest rather than new scenery.

Is Kerala good for honeymoons?

Yes. The hills-plus-backwaters combination gives private stays, short drives and a slow pace that suits honeymoon travel.

Custom trip

Plan your Kerala journey

Tell us your dates, pace and interests. We'll build the itinerary around you.