A tropical landscape of sweeping beaches, shimmering backwaters and silhouettes of Chinese fishing nets have contributed to the gradual increase in the popularity of Kerala tourism. Stretching for 550 km along the Malabar coast, Kerala state is a holiday haven. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala.
Kerala in India is well known as God’s own country as the state is home to many cultural, social and natural resources. Though the tourism in India is more directed towards the North of India, in recent times Kerala tourism has shown a sudden increase as there are several tourist spots in Kerala. Visit Kerala to explore the state, its cleanliness and the peaceful atmosphere that it offers.
Want information about Kerala’s history and Kerala’s culture? Look below to find out the best tourist destinations in Kerala. Travel to the state to explore Kerala tourism including palm-fringed shores, spice plantations and backwaters dotted with houseboats. There’s an assortment of places to visit and things to do on this coastal land for both tourists and backpackers.
Day 01 Arrive Cochin (By Flight)
Arrive in Cochin, meet assist and transfer to your hotel. Later proceed for a sightseeing tour of Cochin covering – The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese trade. By evening witness the world famous Kathakali dance at a local theatre, a traditional art form of Kerala and one among the national dances of India. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Cochin – Mararikulam (By Road) (43 Kms / 01 hrs 02 min appx.)
After Breakfast Proceed to Marari, the calm and serene beach of central Kerala located in Alleppey district. A unique beach in Kerala with coconut palm fringed shore line with fisher men village nearby. Kerala beaches are an ideal choice for tourists seeking calm and serene settings. Check in to your resort at Mararikulam and explore the wonders of nature. Optional – try out a traditional ayurveda massage which will take away all the fatigue of travel and keeps you rejuvenated. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Mararikulam
After Breakfast Proceed Full day free to relax at the resort or venture into the nearby fishermen village and interact with the locals. Tickle your taste buds with the local sea food specialities which comes fresh from the fishermens nets around. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Mararikulam – Kumarakom (By Road) (26 Kms / 44 min appx.)
After Breakfast Proceed to Kumarakom the land of lakes and lagoons. Check in to the lake side resort at kumarakom and relax. Optional – ayurveda massages / sunset cruise / bird sanctuary visit. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 Kumarakom
After Breakfast Proceed Full day free to relax at Kumarakom and enjoy the magical world of lakes and lagoons. Optional – Visit to nearby town of Kottayam 18 km to see the 2 famous churches Valiya Palli & cheriya palli. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 Kumarakom – Alleppey (By Cruise)
After Breakfast Proceed to By noon time aboard a Kettuvallam houseboat to proceed for an unforgettable overnight cruise to Alleppey through the mesmerizing backwaters of kerala, something unique to kerala. You will have a private, one room houseboat that travels until sunset when it then anchors for the night, at Alleppey. Your houseboat has a private balcony with comfortable chairs. The rooms are well furnished with attached bathrooms and air conditioning which functions during sleeping hours. The boat has a fully equipped kitchen and an experienced cook to prepare authentic Kerala cuisine with seafood specialties and fresh vegetables.
This is your chance to pick up some fabulous cooking tips! The waterways of Kerala play a major role in the economy of the state as they link remote villages and islands with the mainland. It is an incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in country houseboats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala’s villages. Houseboats, also known as Kettuvallam or rice boats, are today one of the major tourist attractions in Kerala, but these boats were used to carry rice bags in their earlier days. These houseboats are uniquely designed using local materials like bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. and are a fabulous way to enjoy exploring the fascinating beauties of backwaters. With their languid grace and quaint design adding another dimension to your cruise in the shimmering blue waters. Lunch, evening tea with snacks and dinner served on board. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Alleppey – Kovalam (By Road) (165 Kms / 04 hrs appx.)
After Breakfast Proceed to the chatter of the water birds. A traditional Kerala breakfast prepared by the houseboat crew awaits you. Disembark the boat after an unforgettable life time experience and drive south towards Kovalam, the world famous beach destination of Kerala. Enroute stop at the snake temple at mannarasala for a short visit Optional With three adjacent crescent beaches, Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse – sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes, Catamaran cruising etc.
The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. Life on the Kerala beaches begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. Upon arrival check in to your resort at Kovalam. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Kovalam
After Breakfast Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is just a stones throw away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle. Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple from outside only, Puthenmalike Palace museum. Optional – After Lunch, shopping of antiques and souveniers before return drive to Kovalam resort. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 Kovalam
After Breakfast Proceed to Day at leisure . Relax at the beach or swimming pool. Optional : Full day excursion to Lands End – Kanyakumari 90 Kms also known as Cape Comorin. The place known for the confluence of the 3 Oceans, viz Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Enroute visit the wooden palace at Padmanabhapuram which belongs to the Travancore dynasty, and a quick visit to the famous Suchindram temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and which houses an 18 ft monolithic statue of the monkey God, Hanuman.
Take a ferry to the Vivekananda rock memorial, where Swami Vivekananda, the world famous scholar and philosopher meditated. By evening return drive to Kovalam. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 Kovalam – Trivandrum (By Road) (18 Kms / 44 min) /Dep. Trivandrum
In time departure transfer to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport. Departure transfer to onwards destination.
| City | Night (s) | 5* Hotels |
| Cochin | 01 | Mariott Cochin |
| Mararikulam | 02 | Marari Beach Resort |
| Kumarakom | 02 | The Zuri Kumarakom |
| Alleppey | 01 | Lake Palace Resort |
| Kovalam | 03 | Uday Samudra |
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at the airport and hotels.
– 09 nights hotel accommodation as per the program.
– Daily breakfast and dinners.
– Entrance fees to the monuments.
– Cruise for Kumarakom – Alleppey.
– Famous Kathakali dance and Kerala beaches.
– Ayurveda Massages, Sunset Cruise And Bird Sanctuary.
– Famous Churches Valiya Palli & Cheriya Palli.
– Padmanabhapuram and Suchindram temple.
– Local English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Chinese / Russian speaking guide.
– All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
– All taxes.
– Tips
– International Air Fare
– Visa Fees
– Travel Insurance
– Personal expenses and drinks.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.