Kerala, India Private Tour - 10 Days/9 Nights
Page updated – 12 January 2024
Kerala Private Tour – Introduction
This is an extremely scenic private tour of Kerala state in southern India. Kerala is known for its cleanliness and high degree of education. This tour operates all year round, however the best times are during the winter period from late September to April, avoiding the wet monsoon months of June-August.
Tour Features:
- Visit Kochi (Cochin city); Munnar; Periyar National Park; Alleppey & Kumarakom.
- Daily departures subject to hotel availability.
- Choice of 4-star or 5-star accommodation.
- Explore the cultures of vibrant Kochi city.
- Visit the tea-plantations in hill-country Munnar.
- Discover wildlife & serenity at Periyar N.P.
- Meander the canals of Lake Vembanad on your own private houseboat.
- Wander the bird-sanctuary and cycle the lanes of Kumarakom.
Kerala Private Tour - Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrival in Kochi (Cochin). Overnight Kochi hotel.
Day 2: Morning at leisure; PM exploring Kochi. Overnight Kochi.
Day 3: Scenic drive Kochi to Munnar in western Ghats hill country. Afternoon exploring Mattupetty Dam & Echo Point regions. Overnight Munnar.
Day 4: Full day exploring Munnar region, incl Eravikulam National Park, tea-plantation visit, hiking & spice market. Overnight Munnar.
Day 5: Drive Munnar to Periyar NP & afternoon jungle nature hike. Evening cooking demo with local family. Overnight Periyar.
Day 6: Full day guided jungle safari to Gavi NP. Overnight Periyar.
Day 7: Drive Periyar to Alleppey & board houseboat for cruising canals of Lake Vembanad. Overnight Houseboat.
Day 8: Drive Alleppey to Kumarakom. Bird Sanctuary walk. Overnight Kumarakom.
Day 9: Morning cycling about Kumarakom & afternoon drive Kumarakom to Kochi. Overnight Kochi.
Day 10: Morning village walk & afternoon at leisure. Evening Kathakali Dance Show before airport transfer.
Kerala Private Tour Costs: – quoted in US dollars:
PEAK Season: 01OCT23 – 31MAR24
4-Star Hotels Option @ USD1898.00 per person twin/double share.
Single room supplement @ USD 787.00
5-Star Hotels Option @ USD2548.00 per person twin/double share.
Single room supplement @ USD1427.00
Land Tour Costs – From 01 APR 2024 – PRICE ON APPLICATION
Kerala Private Tour Cost Inclusions:
- Accommodation for 9 nts, in one double/twin room at quality 4-star or 5-star hotels.
- Late check-out of Kochi hotel on last day.
(Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking) - All transfers & touring by private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Breakfasts included at hotels daily.
- Dinner with local family incl on Day 5 in Periyar.
- Lunch and dinner also included on the houseboat on Day 7 in Alleppey.
- Services of a professional English-speaking guide AND a driver throughout.
- All sightseeing, exploring & excursions as per itinerary.
- Meet & Assist services at Kochi airport.
- Bhutan & Beyond bank transfers for payments to India suppliers.
- Current applicable India taxes as on 01APR23.
Tour Costs Exclude:
- Any meals other than mentioned in your itinerary.
- International & Domestic Airfares.
- Personal bank charges incurred making payments to Bhutan & Beyond.
- Items of personal nature ie. laundry, drinks, phone calls, camera fee, tips, COVID tests etc.
- Travel Insurance charges, visa charges etc.
Kerala Private Tour - Detailed Daily Itinerary
DAY 01: ARRIVAL KOCHI (COCHIN) BY FLIGHT
On arrival at Cochin Airport you will be met by our local representative who will assist you with the private car transfer to your hotel.
Check-in and overnight at your Kochi hotel.
DAY 02: IN KOCHI
Breakfast included at the hotel.
This morning is at leisure.
This afternoon take an exploratory tour of Kochi including a visit to the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Friday & Saturday); Dutch Palace (closed on Friday); Fort Cochin & St. Frances Church.
Overnight at your Kochi hotel.
DAY 03: COCHIN / MUNNAR BY ROAD (130 KMS/4+ HRS)
Breakfast included at the hotel.
This morning drive to Munnar, en-route enjoying scenic treats such as beautiful waterfalls.
On arrival in Munnar, check into the hotel.
This afternoon take an excursion to Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point. Mattupetty Dam is a concrete gravity dam built across the Mattupetty River. It is nestled amidst picturesque surroundings with rolling hills, tea plantations, and a serene lake formed by the dam.
Echo Point offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding tea plantations, mist-covered hills, and the Shola forests. Take some time to enjoy the scenic beauty and capture memorable photographs.
Overnight at your Munnar hotel.
DAY 04: MUNNAR
Breakfast included at the hotel
A full day excursion to Eravikulam National Park, Tea Museum & Plantation, including a hiking option– Travellers can hike on rough trails over small hills, and/or walk through tea plantations & the spice market with a guide.
This evening, visit the local markets.
Overnight at your Munnar hotel.
DAY 05: MUNNAR / PERIYAR BY ROAD (110 KMS/3+ HRS)
Breakfast included at the hotel
This morning drive to Periyar, en-route enjoying the beautiful hills and valleys of western Ghat (range of hills).
On arrival, check-in to the hotel.
This afternoon, take a nature walk with a guide, inside the Periyar jungle – the guide will help you identify various plant species, including medicinal plants, trees, and unique vegetation found in the region. Keep an eye out for different bird species, butterflies, and small mammals that may cross your path. If you have a keen eye, and luck is with you, the reserve is also home to animals like elephants, langurs & sambar deer.
This evening, meet with a local family for a cooking demo of local cuisine followed by dinner with the family. The lady explains about the ingredients used in cooking and demonstrates how she usually cooks at home.
Overnight at the your Periyar hotel.
DAY 06: IN PERIYAR
Breakfast included at the hotel.
Today, take a private guided Jungle Jeep Safari excursion into Gavi National Park. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea will be taken in the park, and activities, in addition to the jeep safari, include hiking trails to explore the natural beauty on foot, along with a pedal-boat ride on the serene waterways where opportunities to encounter local wildlife are always possible. Experienced guides will ensure a safe & informative journey.
Overnight at your Periyar hotel.
DAY 07: PERIYAR / ALLEPPEY BY ROAD (130 KMS/3 HRS+)
Breakfast included at the hotel
This morning drive to Alleppey, where you will board your private houseboat.
In the afternoon cruise the canals of the massive Lake Vembanad, where you can witness the local people going about their daily routines. You will explore the riverside villages while enjoying the panoramic scenery.
Lunch and dinner are included on the houseboat today.
Overnight on the houseboat.
DAY 08: ALLEPPY / KUMARAKOM BY ROAD (30 KMS/01 HR+)
Breakfast included on your houseboat.
This morning disembark the houseboat at Alleppey and drive to Kumarakom.
On arrival, check in to the hotel
This afternoon, enjoy a walk through the local Bird Sanctuary and also the shores of Vembanad lake
Overnight at your Kumrakom hotel.
DAY 09: KUMARAKOM / KOCHI BY ROAD (65 KMS/02 HRS+)
Breakfast included at the hotel.
This morning take a cycling tour around Kumarakom. You will be provided with maps &guides to undertake your own cycling adventure.
This afternoon drive to Kochi. On arrival check in to the hotel.
The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Overnight at your Kochi hotel.
DAY 10: KOCHI BEFORE DEPARTURE BY FLIGHT
Breakfast included at the hotel.
This morning, take a guided walk through a local village.
This afternoon is at leisure and your hotel room is held for late check-out at 5.00pm.
This evening, enjoy the local traditional Kathakali Dance Show between 5.30 and 7.30pm. It is known for its vibrant costumes, elaborate makeup, and intricate movements. Kathakali performances are a visual spectacle that combines dance, music, and storytelling.
After the Kathakali show transfer to the airport for your onwards flight. (Your itin today can be amended to suit your departure flight time).
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