Kerala
Kerala — Backwaters to the Beach
Skip the long hill drives — Fort Kochi, a private houseboat and the birdlife of Kumarakom, then down the coast to the Varkala cliffs and a Kovalam beach resort.
Highlights
- Fort Kochi — the fishing nets, Jew Town and a Kathakali show
- Private houseboat night on the Alleppey backwaters
- Kumarakom bird sanctuary and a village canoe ride
- Varkala cliff walk and a Kovalam beach resort
Day by day
- 1
Arrive Kochi
Transfer to Fort Kochi. Heritage walk to the Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church and Jew Town, ending with an evening Kathakali performance.
- 2
Kochi → Alleppey houseboat
Short drive to Alleppey and board a private houseboat for a night on the backwaters, with all meals cooked on board.
- 3
Alleppey → Kumarakom
Disembark and transfer to a lakeside resort at Kumarakom. Afternoon canoe ride through the village canals; sunset over Vembanad Lake.
- 4
Kumarakom → Varkala
Drive south to Varkala (approx. 3.5 hrs). Check in near the cliff; evening walk along the cliff-top path above the beach.
- 5
Varkala
Free morning on the beach, an optional visit to the Janardanaswamy temple and the Sivagiri Mutt, and time in the cliff-side cafés and shops.
- 6
Varkala → Kovalam
Short transfer to a Kovalam beach resort. Afternoon by the lighthouse beach; optional Ayurvedic massage.
- 7
Kovalam
A full free day — the pool, the beach, a catamaran ride, or a half-day trip to the Padmanabhaswamy temple and Napier Museum in Trivandrum.
- 8
Depart
Transfer to Trivandrum airport (approx. 45 min).
What's included
- 6 nights hotels / resorts + 1 night private houseboat, with breakfast
- All meals on the houseboat; Kumarakom village canoe ride
- Private air-conditioned car with driver throughout
- Fort Kochi heritage walk and Kathakali show
Not included
- Flights
- Temple, museum and sanctuary entry
- Ayurvedic treatments
- Lunches and hotel-night dinners
Prices are indicative “from” rates per person on twin sharing, land only, and vary with season, hotel category and group size. Send an enquiry for a firm quote on your dates.
Make it yours
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