Green Earth Trails · Kerala & South India
Munnar · Thekkady · Alleppey · Kochi
Program Overview
Five days is the ideal introduction to Kerala — long enough to experience four of its most rewarding destinations, short enough to keep the pace comfortable. Beginning in the misty tea hills of Munnar, travelling through the spice-scented forests of Thekkady, drifting along the legendary backwaters of Alleppey on an exclusive houseboat, and ending with a guided heritage walk through colonial Fort Kochi. Throughout the journey, your own dedicated vehicle and trained driver, managed entirely by Green Earth Trails from arrival to departure.
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Day by Day
Transfer · 4 hours · Cheeyappara & Valara Waterfalls
On arrival at Kochi International Airport, you will be received by your driver and transferred to Munnar — the tea county of central Kerala and one of the highest points in southern India. The British planted tea in Munnar around 200 years ago and today the entire landscape is carpeted in rolling tea estates. En route, stop at the Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls cascading down the mountain slopes. On arrival at Munnar, check in at your resort and settle in for the evening.
Eravikulam National Park · Srishti · Lockhart Tea Factory
After breakfast, drive to Eravikulam National Park — a protected reserve famous for its rolling grasslands and the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, the mountain goat found only in the Western Ghats. The park is also home to Anamudi, the highest peak in South India at 2,695 metres. Later, visit Srishti — a heartwarming social enterprise supported by the Tata Trusts where differently-abled young adults craft handmade paper, textiles and eco-friendly products. In the afternoon, visit the Lockhart Tea Factory at Devikulam, one of the oldest functioning tea factories in the region, where you witness the traditional orthodox method of tea production. Return to your resort by evening.
Transfer · 3 hours · Spice Garden · Green Walk
Depart from the misty hills of Munnar and drive through the scenic Western Ghats toward Thekkady, one of India's premier spice-producing regions renowned for the world's finest cardamom and black pepper. The drive itself passes through tea gardens, dense shola forests and spice plantations. En route, stop for a guided tour of a working spice garden where you learn about the cultivation of cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. IN the afternoon, boat a boat that cruises through the reservoir which gives a changes to sight popular widlife within the park. Overnight in Thekkady.
Transfer · 4.5 hours · Houseboat · Canals & Lagoons
After breakfast, check out and drive to the backwaters of Alleppey, Kerala's legendary network of canals, lagoons and lakes that stretch along the Arabian Sea coast. On arrival, board your exclusive Keralan houseboat, a traditional rice barge known as a kettuvallam, converted into a comfortable floating home with bedroom, bathroom and open deck. Spend the afternoon cruising through narrow canals lined with coconut palms, passing village life, local fishermen and waterbirds at close quarters. All meals are served on board by your onboard cook from lunch through to next morning's breakfast. Air conditioning during sleeping hours. The houseboat is exclusively yours for the duration.
Fort Kochi · Jew Town · Chinese Fishing Nets · Airport Transfer
After breakfast, check out from the houseboat and drive to Kochi for a guided heritage walking tour of Fort Kochi, one of the finest surviving examples of colonial-era architecture in India. Visit the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth, built in 1568. Walk through the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry with its remarkable Kerala murals. See St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried. End at the iconic Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront, an image synonymous with Kerala. After lunch at a local restaurant, proceed for your departure transfer to Kochi International Airport.
Accommodation & Pricing
| Destination | Budget | Midrange | Premium | Classic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munnar - 2 nights | Aranyaka | Silvertips | Amberdale | Windermere Estate |
| Thekkady - 1 night | Merryweather | Citadel Boutique | Greenwoods | HIlls & Hues |
| Alleppey - 1 night | Houseboat Stay | Houseboat Stay | Houseboat Stay | Houseboat Stay |
| Rates upto 30th Sept | ₹ 21,500 | ₹ 22,000 | ₹ 31,000 | ₹ 39,000 |
| Rates from Oct to May 2027 | ₹ 22,500 | ₹ 24,000 | ₹ 33,000 | ₹ 45,000 |
| Supplement for a guide in Kochi | INR 3000 / Couple | |||
| Supplement for a guide in Munnar | INR 3000 / Couple | |||
| The above rates are per person prices based on two adults traveling together | ||||
| Kindly get in touch if you are traveling with more than 2 adults or require any further customisations for the program. | ||||
What's covered
Included
Not included
Frequently Asked Questions
Anything not specifically mentioned in inclusions
September to March is the ideal season, cool, dry and comfortable across all four destinations. November to February is peak season with the best weather. December and January are particularly beautiful in Munnar. April and May are warm but manageable. June to September is the monsoon — lush and dramatic but with heavy rainfall and some road closures in the hills.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to India?
Yes - this is one of our most popular programs for first-time India visitors. Kerala is considered one of India's most accessible and traveller-friendly states. The roads are good, the food is excellent, English is widely spoken, and the pace of this itinerary is comfortable without being rushed. Green Earth Trails handles all logistics and maintains contact throughout your journey.
Is this tour suitable for solo female travellers?
Yes. Green Earth Trails has a strong track record with solo female travellers from the UK, France, USA, Germany, Ireland and Australia. Our drivers are trained, vetted and professional. We maintain direct communication throughout. Many of our solo female guests have returned for subsequent trips.
What is the difference between Budget, Midrange, Premium and Classic?
Budget refers to comfortable 3-star properties in good locations. Midrange refers to 4-star properties with swimming pools and better amenities. Premium refers to 4-star deluxe properties with in-house activities, superior service and a higher overall experience level. Classic refers to the finest boutique, heritage and nature lodges Kerala has to offer - properties like Windermere Estate in Munnar and Blanket Days in Thekkady.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. This is a suggested framework that works well for most guests. We can extend it with additional nights in any destination, add specific activities like cycling, kayaking or birding, replace destinations, or build something entirely different based on your interests. Contact us with your travel dates and we will design a program specifically for you.
What vehicle will I travel in?
We use our own fleet — Kia Carens and Suzuki Ertiga station wagons. Both are spacious estate models that comfortably accommodate up to four guests with luggage. The Kia Carens is diesel, the Ertiga is petrol or CNG. The same vehicle and driver will be with you from arrival to departure, ensuring continuity and a consistent standard throughout.
How do I book and what is the payment process?
Send us an enquiry with your travel dates and group size. We will confirm availability and send a detailed proposal within 24 hours. A 50% deposit confirms the booking with the balance due on arrival. We accept credit cards, debit cards, internet banking and UPI. International wire transfer is available for guests paying from overseas. Our cancellation policy is available on the website.
Also available · Small group tour
If you are travelling solo or as a couple and want the convenience of a ready-made program with fixed dates and transparent pricing, our small group fixed departure is designed for you.
From ₹24,000 per person · Single supplement available
Get in touch
Tell us your travel dates, group size and any specific requirements. We will come back to you within 24 hours with a detailed proposal.
We respond within 24 hours · hello@greenearthtrails.com · +91 94009 46800 (WhatsApp)
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