Green Earth Trails · Kerala & South India
Munnar · Thekkady · Alleppey · Kochi
Program Overview
Six days opens up what five cannot - room for the Western Ghats to breathe, space for an early morning on the water before the houseboat even boards. Beginning in the misty tea heights of Munnar, this program moves through the cardamom-scented forests of Thekkady with a genuine deep-forest greenwalk led by trained tribal guides, then descends to the backwaters of Alleppey for two unhurried nights, the first afloat on an exclusive houseboat, the second earned by rising before sunrise to kayak the still canals of Vembanad Lake as the first light catches the water. The journey closes with a colonial heritage walk through the layered streets of Fort Kochi. Throughout, a dedicated vehicle and driver from Green Earth Trails, a Ministry of Tourism-accredited operator, manages every transfer and activity. No crowds, no shared coaches, just Kerala, at the pace it deserves.
Day by Day
Transfer · 4 hours · Cheeyappara & Valara Waterfalls
On arrival at Kochi International Airport, your driver will be waiting to receive you and begin the four-hour transfer to Munnar, the tea county of central Kerala and one of the highest inhabited plateaus in southern India. The British planted tea here nearly two centuries ago and today the entire landscape rolls in waves of green. En route through the steep Western Ghats, stop at the Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls where water cascades in white ribbons down the granite escarpment. On arrival at Munnar, check in at your resort and spend the evening at your own pace, the hills are best appreciated slowly.
Eravikulam National Park · Shrishti · Tea Factory
After breakfast, drive to Eravikulam National Park, a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve that shelters the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a stocky mountain goat found only in the shola grasslands of the Western Ghats. The park also cradles Anamudi, the highest peak in South India at 2,695 metres. Visit Shrishti, a community based artisan complex of differently able members making handcrafted paper and disigner farbric from natural materials. In the afternoon, visit the Lockhart Tea Factory at Devikulam, one of the oldest working tea factories in the region, where the entire seven-stage orthodox production process from leaf to packet unfolds before you. Return to your resort for dinner and overnight.
Transfer · 3 hours · Spice Garden · Kalaripayattu
Leave the tea hills and descend into the cardamom forests of Thekkady, one of the most aromatic drives in South India, through Western Ghats terrain thick with pepper vines, cinnamon trees and the unmistakable green pods of cardamom. En route, stop for a guided walk through a working spice garden where you learn to identify the plants behind the spices in your kitchen. In the afternoon, take a shared boat cruise on the Periyar reservoir inside the national park — elephants, sambar deer, Indian gaur and river otters are regularly sighted from the water, though wildlife sightings are always a matter of timing and luck. In the evening, attend a Kalaripayattu martial arts performance, Kerala's ancient combat tradition of extraordinary athleticism. Overnight in Thekkady.
Transfer · 4 hours · Tribal-guided Forest Walk · Backwaters
Rise early for the highlight of Thekkady - a 2.5-hour Greenwalk inside Periyar National Park, led by trained tribal guides from the forest communities whose knowledge of these ecosystems stretches back generations. Groups are limited to six, which means genuine quiet, genuine wildlife possibility, and a pace dictated by the forest rather than a schedule. The 4 to 5 kilometre trail passes through shola woodland and grassland edges, rich in birdlife, butterflies, and the occasional larger mammal. By midday, check out and begin the four-hour drive down from the hills to the coastal lowlands. Arrive at Alleppey, Kerala's backwater capital, in the late afternoon. Check in at your hotel, and if the light holds, walk to Alleppey beach for a quiet evening by the sea.
Vembanad Lake · Kayak · Houseboat · Backwater Canals
This is the day Alleppey is built around. Before breakfast, transfer to the lakeside launch point for a two-hour sunrise kayaking program on Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake and one of the most serene stretches of water in South India at dawn. Paddle through narrow canals between coconut palms as the light shifts from grey to gold, passing fisher folk setting nets and egrets working the shallows. Return to the hotel for breakfast. By midday, board your exclusive houseboat, a traditional kettuvallam rice barge converted into a floating home with a comfortable bedroom, private bathroom and open deck for watching the backwater world go by. Spend the afternoon cruising narrow canals lined with village life, toddy palms and waterbirds. 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.
Transfer · 2.5 hours · Jew Town · Chinese Fishing Nets · Airport
After breakfast, check out from the houseboat and drive to Kochi for a guided heritage walk through Fort Kochi, one of the finest surviving ensembles of colonial-era architecture in Asia. Visit the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town, built in 1568 and the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth. Walk through the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry with its remarkable 17th-century Kerala murals. See St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, where Vasco da Gama was originally interred. End at the iconic Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront — a 600-year-old cantilever system introduced by Chinese traders, and one of the most photographed images in all of India. After lunch at a local restaurant in Fort Kochi, 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 | Time Square Hotel | Classic Regency | Classic Regency | Uday Backwaters |
| Alleppey - 1 night | Houseboat Stay | Houseboat Stay | Houseboat Stay | Houseboat Stay |
| Rates upto 30th Sept | ₹ 27,000 | ₹ 28,500 | ₹ 36,000 | ₹ 43,000 |
| Rates from Oct to May 2027 | ₹ 28,500 | ₹ 30,000 | ₹ 38,500 | ₹ 45,500 |
| 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
What is the best time to do this 6-day Kerala tour?
October to March is ideal - the monsoon has cleared, the hills are lush and green, temperatures in Munnar are pleasantly cool (12–22°C), and the backwaters are calm and navigable. November to February is peak season; booking 3–4 months in advance is advisable for houseboat and resort availability during this period. April and May are summer month, tropical summers are sultry, however still you can travel in Kerala.
How physically demanding is the Greenwalk in Periyar National Park?
The Greenwalk is a moderate 4 to 5 kilometre trail over 2.5 hours on forested paths that are generally flat to gently undulating. Reasonable walking fitness is sufficient. Guests with limited mobility may find it challenging; please let us know in advance and we can arrange alternative activities at Periyar.
Is the kayaking suitable for beginners?
Yes, completely. The kayaking is on calm backwater canals and the lake edge, not open sea. Our guides give a short briefing and accompany the group throughout. No prior experience is required, and life vests are always provided.
Can the houseboat accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. Our houseboat cooks prepare traditional Kerala cuisine - rice, fish curry, vegetable dishes and coconut preparations. Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary preferences can be arranged if you inform us at the time of booking.
What is the accommodation pricing structure for this tour?
Rates are quoted per person based on two adults travelling together, across four accommodation categories - Budget (3-star), Midrange (4-star with pool), Premium (4-star deluxe with activities) and Luxury. Prices start from ₹25,500 per person. Please contact us for black out dates, current rates, peak season supplements (20 December–10 January and Diwali) or group pricing.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. This program is a well-tested framework, not a fixed departure. We can extend or shorten it, add cycling, birdwatching or additional treks, substitute destinations, or integrate it into a longer South India journey. Green Earth Trails specialises in bespoke programs built around how you actually want to travel.
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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