Holiday · South India
God's own country unfolds in layers — tea-carpeted hills rising above spice forests, a tiger-watched lakeside at Periyar and, come evening, a private kettuvallam gliding through the silent backwaters of Alleppey while the sun drops behind the palms. This six-day circuit distils Kerala's finest moods into one seamless journey, with every transfer, stay and experience hand-arranged so you never have to think of anything but the view.
A private kettuvallam with en-suite cabins, full board and a slow sunset cruise on the backwaters.
Miles of sculpted green terraces at altitude — a photographer's landscape, best at dawn.
Boat safaris on Periyar Lake and a guided spice-plantation walk through cardamom and pepper groves.
Colonial architecture, art galleries and the iconic cantilevered nets at the harbour at golden hour.
Home of the endangered Nilgiri tahr — rolling grasslands and Himalayan-like panoramas above the cloud line.
Watch the sky turn amber over the Kerala backwaters from the upper deck of your private houseboat.
Your driver meets you at Cochin airport and the journey north begins. En route you pass Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls tumbling through the forest before you climb into the cool tea country of Munnar for an evening check-in.
A full day in Munnar's highlands — morning at Eravikulam National Park for a Nilgiri tahr sighting, afternoon at Mattupetty Dam and the windswept Echo Point, then a guided walk through the tea estate at dusk.
Descend from the hills to Thekkady, gateway to Periyar Tiger Reserve. An afternoon boat safari on Periyar Lake offers sightings of elephants, bison and rare birds, followed by a guided walk through a working spice plantation.
Drive to the backwater capital of Alleppey and board your private kettuvallam for an overnight cruise. Full board is included on the houseboat — fresh Kerala meals, a slow sunset drifting through the canals and complete silence after dark.
Disembark after a backwater breakfast and drive to Kochi. Spend the afternoon at Fort Kochi — Chinese fishing nets at the harbour, the Mattancherry Palace murals and the winding lanes of Jew Town spice market.
A leisurely morning at your Kochi hotel before your driver transfers you to Cochin airport or the railway station, carrying memories of misty hills, spice-scented forests and still, golden backwaters.
Good to know
September to March is the ideal window — skies are clear, temperatures are pleasant and the backwaters are full after the monsoon. The landscape is at its most lush and green in the post-monsoon months of September and October, while December through February brings the coolest, most comfortable conditions across Munnar and Thekkady.
Your private kettuvallam is a traditional rice barge fitted with en-suite cabins, a living deck and a kitchen where the onboard cook prepares fresh Kerala meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The boat is exclusively yours — no shared cabins or strangers on deck. The evening is spent on a slow sunset cruise through the canals before mooring for a quiet night on the water.
Yes, absolutely. The itinerary works beautifully for both. Families enjoy the wildlife, waterfalls and plantation walks, while the private houseboat and scenic hill stations make it a favourite for honeymoon couples. We can adjust the hotel category and pace to suit your group's preferences.
Yes — every itinerary we offer is a starting point. Common additions include Kovalam or Varkala for beach days at the end of the circuit, a detour into Wayanad for tribal culture and wildlife, extra nights in Munnar for trekking or plantation stays, and Ayurvedic wellness programmes at any point along the route. Tell us what you have in mind and we will build it around you.