Kochi · Munnar · Backwaters · Periyar · Varkala
Kerala Tours — Backwaters, Ayurveda & Wildlife | Private
India's most verdant state — a private houseboat on the backwaters, tea estates in the mist-covered Western Ghats, wild elephant at dawn in Periyar and Ayurveda treatments that take you completely offline. No group buses, no fixed schedules.
Why Kerala
God's Own Country — and the most peaceful India itinerary
Kerala is consistently rated as the best state in India for tourism — highest literacy, best infrastructure, most welcoming to international visitors, and home to landscapes unlike anything else in the country. The 900 km of backwater canals, lagoons and lakes that run parallel to the Arabian Sea coast are a world unto themselves: villages where nothing moves except by boat, kingfishers on overhanging coconut palms, and rice barges that have been fishing these waters for four centuries.
The Western Ghats — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — rise sharply from the coastal plains to over 2,000m, creating the cool hill stations and tea-covered slopes of Munnar. This biodiversity hotspot is home to wild elephants, tigers, leopards, Nilgiri tahr, giant squirrels and over 500 bird species. A private naturalist guide makes the difference between an impressive walk and a transformative one.
Kerala is also the birthplace of Ayurveda as a living medical practice, not a spa marketing concept. The physicians (vaidyas) here train for years and formulate treatments from plants grown on their own land. A genuine Ayurveda consultation followed by Panchakarma or a targeted oil treatment is an experience that travellers return to Kerala specifically to repeat.
Six Kerala experiences not to miss
Alleppey Backwaters
A private rice-barge houseboat on the Kerala backwaters — sleeping on the water, gliding past paddy fields, village temples and coconut groves. No other travellers on board, just you and a crew of two.
Munnar Tea Estates
Western Ghats hill station surrounded by 30,000 acres of tea. Guided estate walk, rolling green hills at 1,600m, wildlife at Eravikulam National Park (Nilgiri tahr, leopard, elephant).
Ayurveda Retreats
Kerala is the home of authentic Ayurvedic medicine. We arrange consultations and treatment sessions at certified Keralan Ayurveda centres — from a single spa day to a full Panchakarma programme.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Bamboo-raft safari on Periyar Lake surrounded by thick jungle. Wild elephant herds come to the water's edge at dawn. Gaur (Indian bison), leopard, sloth bear and spectacular birdlife.
Kochi Fort & Spice Quarter
The old Dutch, Portuguese and Jewish quarter of Fort Kochi — Chinese fishing nets at sunrise, Mattancherry spice warehouses, Paradesi Synagogue, Kathakali dance performance at dusk.
Varkala & Kovalam Beaches
Kerala's most dramatic clifftop beach at Varkala, or the calmer Kovalam crescent bay. Ideal final 2 nights before flying from Thiruvananthapuram. Ayurveda beach massage available.
Sample itinerary
8-night Kerala classic — outline
Day 1
Kochi (Cochin)
Arrive Kochi International Airport. Fort Kochi walk: Chinese fishing nets, Dutch Palace, Paradesi Synagogue, Jew Town spice market. Kathakali dance performance evening.
Day 2–3
Munnar
Drive into the Western Ghats. Tea estate tour and tasting. Eravikulam National Park for Nilgiri tahr. Sunset from Top Station viewpoint. Morning fog walk before departure.
Day 4
Thekkady / Periyar
Drive to Periyar Tiger Reserve. Bamboo-raft jungle safari on Periyar Lake — elephant, gaur, otter sightings. Spice plantation walk and cooking demonstration.
Day 5–6
Alleppey Backwaters
Board private rice-barge houseboat at Alleppey. Full day gliding through canals — lunch, dinner and breakfast on board, crew of two, no other passengers.
Day 7–8
Varkala or Kovalam
Drive south. Beach time, Ayurveda treatment, sunset cliffs at Varkala or a final Keralan seafood dinner overlooking the Arabian Sea. Transfer to Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
Fully customisable — pace, hotels and activities adjusted to your preferences. We do not run fixed-departure tours.
Indicative pricing
What does a Kerala tour cost?
Land only (private vehicle, guide, houseboat, hotels, entrance fees). International flights separate. 4-star and boutique hotel baseline, high season (Oct–Feb).
6 nights / 7 days
Kochi–Munnar–Alleppey–Kovalam · per person, 2 pax, land only
From (GBP)
£875
From (USD)
$1,100
From (INR)
₹95,000
8 nights / 9 days
Kochi–Munnar–Periyar–Alleppey–Varkala · per person, 2 pax, land only
From (GBP)
£1,150
From (USD)
$1,450
From (INR)
₹1,25,000
10 nights / 11 days
Full circuit + 2-night Ayurveda retreat · per person, 2 pax, land only
From (GBP)
£1,550
From (USD)
$1,950
From (INR)
₹1,68,000
Featured Kerala packages
Fully detailed itineraries with day-by-day programmes and hotel options.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kerala?
October to February is peak season — clear skies, cool temperatures (24–32°C), and the backwaters at their most serene. December and January are ideal for combining beaches with wildlife. The monsoon (June–August) turns Kerala impossibly green and dramatically beautiful — and Ayurveda practitioners consider it the best time for treatments. Avoid March–May (hot and humid) unless you're specifically targeting a monsoon Ayurveda retreat.
What is the houseboat experience like?
A traditional Kerala kettuvallam (rice barge) has been converted into a luxury floating home — typically 1–3 bedrooms, a sundeck, a living area and a kitchen where a private chef cooks fresh Keralan fish curry for every meal. The boat is moored at a quiet spot on the lake at night (engines off, generators cut — just frogs and stars). It's one of the most peaceful nights' sleep in India.
Is Kerala safe for solo women travellers?
Kerala consistently ranks as one of India's safest states for solo travellers, including women. The literacy rate is the highest in India, tourist infrastructure is well-developed, and our private guide accompanies you throughout. We also have female guides available on request.
Can I combine Kerala with the Golden Triangle?
Yes — a classic 14-night India itinerary combines Delhi, Agra, Jaipur (7 nights) with a flight south to Kochi for Kerala (7 nights). Our Grand India First Journey does exactly this. It's a logical combination: north India for history and architecture, south India for nature and coast.
Plan your Kerala tour
Tell us your dates, travel style and whether you want Ayurveda, wildlife, beaches or all three. We'll return a custom Kerala itinerary within 24 hours.