Customised holidayTRKL7S
Kerala, slowlyKerala in 7 nights
- 8 Days · 7 Nights
- India · 4 Cities
- Signature pace
- Any date you choose
Fort Kochi (1N)Munnar (2N)Kumarakom (2N)Marari Beach (2N)
View day-wise itinerary →Holiday includes
- Hotel
- Meals
- Sightseeing
- Transport
- FlightsOptional
Private car and driver throughout. Prafull plans and answers every message himself.
Holiday highlights
- A heritage night in Fort Kochi and an evening Kathakali performance
- Two nights in a tea-estate bungalow above Munnar
- A guided estate walk, tea-factory visit and tasting
- Two nights on Vembanad Lake at Kumarakom
- A private houseboat day cruise with lunch on board
- Two slow days on Marari's fishing-village beach
Itinerary (day wise)
Kerala at the pace it deserves: seven nights with no more than one drive a day. We begin in a heritage hotel in Fort Kochi, go up to a planter's bungalow among the tea above Munnar, come down to a lakeside resort on Vembanad Lake at Kumarakom, and end on the quiet sands of Marari, an easy drive from the airport. It suits couples, anniversaries and parents who want comfort and quiet more than sightseeing.
Day 1Arrive in Fort Kochi (1 Night)
About 40 km · 1–1.5 hours from the airport
Welcome to Kerala. Your driver meets you at Kochi airport and takes you to Fort Kochi, where you settle into a restored colonial-era house by the harbour. In the late afternoon, walk along the seafront to the Chinese fishing nets, still worked by hand, past St Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was first buried, and through the quiet streets of old Dutch and Portuguese houses. In the evening we take you to a Kathakali performance, arriving early so you can watch the dancers apply their elaborate make-up. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Fort Kochi.
- Chinese fishing nets
- St Francis Church
- Santa Cruz Basilica
- Kathakali performance
- Note: If your flight lands early, we add Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town today. Mattancherry Palace is closed on Fridays; the Paradesi Synagogue is closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Prafull’s tipSee the fishing nets in the late afternoon, when the boats come in and the small fish auction begins on the beach.
Dinner
Day 2Fort Kochi – Munnar (2 Nights)
About 130 km · 4 hours by road
After a slow breakfast, a short stop at Mattancherry and the spice warehouses of Jew Town if you missed them yesterday, then we drive east into the Western Ghats. The road climbs past the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls, through cardamom and up into tea. By mid-afternoon you reach your planter's bungalow, set among the estates above Munnar, with a veranda looking over the valley and a small staff to look after you. Tea on the lawn, a walk through the bushes before dark, and a fire in the evening. Overnight in Munnar.
- Mattancherry
- Jew Town
- Cheeyappara waterfalls
- Valara waterfalls
- Munnar tea estates
Prafull’s tipAsk the bungalow's cook for a Kerala breakfast of appam and vegetable stew; it's often better than anything on the menu.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3Munnar
A slow day on foot. After breakfast, a guide from the estate takes you on a walk through the tea, explaining how the bushes are pruned and the leaf is plucked, and who does the work. Then a visit to a working tea factory to watch the leaf withered, rolled and dried, followed by a tasting of different grades. The afternoon is free: read on the veranda, sleep, or, if you'd like a drive, visit Eravikulam National Park for the Nilgiri tahr. Dinner at the bungalow. Overnight in Munnar.
- Guided tea-estate walk
- Tea factory and tasting
- Eravikulam National Park
- Note: Eravikulam National Park usually closes for a few weeks around February–March for the tahr calving season.
- Note: Park entry and the forest-department bus are paid locally if you choose to go.
Prafull’s tipWalk the estate early, before 9 am, when the pluckers are out and the mist is still in the valleys.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4Munnar – Kumarakom (2 Nights)
About 150 km · 4.5 hours by road
After breakfast we drive down from the hills through rubber country and Kottayam to Kumarakom, on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest. Check in at a lakeside resort set among coconut palms and canals, where many rooms open onto their own lawn or the water. The afternoon is yours for the pool or a swim. In the evening, sit by the lake as the sun goes down behind the water and the egrets fly home. Dinner at the resort. Overnight in Kumarakom.
- Vembanad Lake
- Kumarakom backwaters
- Note: Ayurvedic treatments at the resort spa are optional and paid directly.
Prafull’s tipAsk the resort for a lake-facing room; it costs a little more but it's the reason to be here.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5Kumarakom
If you're early risers, a naturalist can walk you through the Kumarakom bird sanctuary at dawn, when herons, cormorants, kingfishers and darters are most active. After breakfast you board a private houseboat for a day cruise on Vembanad Lake and the canals beyond, past paddy fields, village churches and toddy-tappers climbing the palms. Lunch is cooked on board and served as you drift, usually rice, sambar, thoran and a fish or vegetable curry, and you're back at the resort by late afternoon with time for a swim. Dinner at the resort. Overnight in Kumarakom.
- Kumarakom bird sanctuary
- Vembanad Lake
- Private houseboat day cruise
- Kuttanad paddy fields
- Note: Birdlife is at its best from November to February, when migrants arrive.
- Note: Bird sanctuary entry and the naturalist's fee are paid locally.
Prafull’s tipTake binoculars for the sanctuary, and a hat for the houseboat deck. The sun on the water is stronger than you expect.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6Kumarakom – Marari Beach (2 Nights)
About 50 km · 1.5 hours by road
A short drive this morning, around the southern end of the lake and up the coast to Marari, a fishing village beach north of Alleppey with almost no crowds. Check in at your beach resort, set among coconut groves behind the dunes. In the afternoon, walk the beach as the fishing boats come in and the catch is sorted on the sand, or simply lie in a hammock. The sunset is straight out over the Arabian Sea. Dinner at the resort. Overnight at Marari Beach.
- Marari Beach
- Mararikulam fishing village
- Note: The sea at Marari can be rough from June to September; swim only where the resort advises.
Prafull’s tipWalk north along the beach at sunrise. The fishermen launch their boats then, and you'll have the sand almost to yourself.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7Marari Beach
A day with nothing you have to do. Book an Ayurvedic treatment at the resort's centre, take a cycle ride through the village lanes past coir-making homes and tiny temples, or join a cooking session to learn a Kerala fish curry or avial. If you'd like a short outing, your driver can take you to the old church at Arthunkal or into Alleppey town. Otherwise, the hammock is waiting. Dinner at the resort, perhaps on the beach. Overnight at Marari Beach.
- Marari village cycle ride
- Coir-making homes
- Arthunkal church
- Note: Ayurvedic treatments, cycle hire and cooking sessions are optional and paid directly to the resort.
Prafull’s tipIf you're booking Ayurveda, start on your first afternoon here. Two short sessions do more than one long one.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 8Marari – Kochi – Departure
About 80 km · 1.5–2 hours to the airport
A last walk on the beach and a slow breakfast. Your driver collects you at the agreed time and takes you north along the coast to Kochi airport, allowing for traffic around the city. If your flight is late, we can stop for lunch or some last shopping for tea, spices and handloom in Kochi on the way, or a last plate of appam and vegetable stew before the flight. Your holiday ends here. Thank you for travelling with TripRoutes; we hope Kerala slowed you down in the best way.
- Kerala coast road
Prafull’s tipAllow a full two hours for the airport drive on weekdays; the highway around Kochi slows at rush hour.
Breakfast
Tour details
Accommodation
Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.
| City | Standard hotels |
|---|---|
| Fort Kochi1 night | Forte Kochi / Eighth Bastion (CGH Earth) / or similarHeritage room |
| Munnar2 nights | The Tall Trees / Ambady Estate / or similarBungalow room |
| Kumarakom2 nights | Abad Whispering Palms / Lake Song Resort / or similarLake-view cottage |
| Marari Beach2 nights | Abad Turtle Beach / Treeleaf Marari Sands Beach Resort / or similarGarden or sea-view villa |
| City | Deluxe hotels |
|---|---|
| Fort Kochi1 night | Old Harbour Hotel / Malabar House / or similar |
| Munnar2 nights | Windermere Estate / Briar Tea Bungalows / or similar |
| Kumarakom2 nights | The Zuri Kumarakom / Gokulam Grand Resort & Spa / or similar |
| Marari Beach2 nights | Xandari Pearl Beach Resort / Marari Villas / or similar |
| City | Premium hotels |
|---|---|
| Fort Kochi1 night | Brunton Boatyard (CGH Earth) / Taj Malabar Resort & Spa / or similar |
| Munnar2 nights | amã Stays & Trails Tea Estate Bungalows, Munnar / Chandys Windy Woods / or similar |
| Kumarakom2 nights | Kumarakom Lake Resort / Coconut Lagoon (CGH Earth) / Taj Kumarakom Resort & Spa / or similar |
| Marari Beach2 nights | Marari Beach Resort (CGH Earth) / Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort / or similar |
Hotels are confirmed when you book. If a hotel is full, we give you one of the same category in the same area, and tell you before you pay.
Optional add-ons
Not in the price. Prafull can book them for you or you can pay locally.
| Experience | Approx. price |
|---|---|
| Ayurvedic treatment package at MarariTwo or three sessions over your stay, after a short consultation with the resort doctor. | On request |
| Kumarakom bird sanctuary walk with a naturalistAt dawn on Day 5; best from November to February. | On request |
| Kerala cooking sessionWith the resort chef at Marari or Kumarakom; vegetarian menus available. | On request |
| Overnight houseboat instead of the day cruiseSwap one Kumarakom night for a private houseboat night; price on request. | On request |
Tour information
Read this to prepare for your holiday.
Tour inclusions
- 1 night in Fort Kochi, 2 in a Munnar tea-estate bungalow, 2 in Kumarakom and 2 at Marari Beach in the hotels listed (or similar), twin sharing
- Daily breakfast and dinner (buffet or set menu), from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8
- Private houseboat day cruise on Vembanad Lake with lunch on board
- Private Dzire/Etios for 2 guests, Innova Crysta for 3–6: airport transfers and all sightseeing as per the itinerary (AC switched off on steep hill climbs)
- Kathakali performance tickets in Fort Kochi
- Guided tea-estate walk, tea-factory visit and tasting in Munnar
- Fort Kochi and Mattancherry sightseeing with your driver
- Driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel
- Lake-view or garden rooms requested at every stay
- Pure-veg and Jain meals arranged on request
- A small celebration for anniversaries, on request
- Prafull's day-by-day trip notes on WhatsApp
- 24/7 helpline while you travel
Tour exclusions
- Flights or trains to and from Kochi
- GST (5%) on the package
- Entry tickets: Mattancherry Palace, Eravikulam National Park, Kumarakom bird sanctuary and other monuments
- Naturalist fee at the bird sanctuary
- Ayurvedic treatments, cycle hire and cooking sessions
- Lunches except on the houseboat day, snacks and drinks
- Camera fees and guide fees unless listed
- Tips for drivers, guides, bungalow and houseboat staff; porterage
- Laundry, phone calls and room-service extras
- Travel insurance, and extra costs from weather, landslides or flight changes
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Good to know
- The hill roads to and from Munnar are winding. Anyone prone to motion sickness should sit in front and take something before setting off.
- Tea-estate bungalows are remote and quiet, with a small staff and set meals. Phone signal can be weak, and there may be a short walk or a rough track to the door.
- Munnar is cool in the evenings from November to February; pack a light jacket and comfortable walking shoes for the estate walk.
- Dress modestly at churches and temples in Fort Kochi and remove shoes where asked.
- Kerala food is excellent for vegetarians. Jain meals are possible at all stays with advance notice.
- Good for parents: one drive a day at most, two nights in every place after the first, and rooms with level access on request.
When to go
October to March. Dry and pleasant, cooler in the hills and calm on the backwaters. June to September is monsoon: green and quiet, but some drives and boat trips are affected.
Our favourite months
Cancellation policy & payment terms
Payment terms
| To confirm your holiday | 25% of the package cost, or ₹25,000 per person, whichever is higher |
|---|---|
| 30 days before travel | Balance payment |
| Booking within 30 days of travel | Full payment at booking |
| Flights, trains and visa fees | Paid in full at booking, as the airline or authority requires |
Cancellation charges
| 45 days or more before travel | 10% of the package cost |
|---|---|
| 30–44 days before travel | 25% of the package cost |
| 15–29 days before travel | 50% of the package cost |
| 7–14 days before travel | 75% of the package cost |
| Less than 7 days, or no-show | 100% of the package cost |
- Cancellations must be sent in writing, on email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
- Flights, trains, visa fees and non-refundable hotel or activity bookings are refunded only as their own rules allow.
- Date changes are free when made 30 days or more before travel, subject to hotel availability and any difference in price.
- Refunds are paid within 14 working days of us receiving them from the hotels and suppliers.
- No refund is possible for services not used during the holiday.
- Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.
Questions about this holiday
How much does the Kerala, slowly trip cost?
The 7-night Kerala, slowly journey starts at ₹45,000 per person on twin sharing in Standard hotels (about ₹61,000 in Deluxe and ₹85,500 in Premium hotels), land only. Flights are extra and quoted for your dates.
What is the best time for this Kerala trip?
October to March. Dry and pleasant, cooler in the hills and calm on the backwaters. June to September is monsoon: green and quiet, but some drives and boat trips are affected.
Can this itinerary be changed?
Yes. Every TripRoutes trip is private, so we can add or remove nights, swap Fort Kochi or any other stop, change hotels, or adjust the pace.
How many days do you need for Kerala?
Six or seven nights covers the hills, the backwaters and the beach without rushing. With four nights, do Munnar and Alleppey only — our Kerala Easy journey.
What is the best time to visit Kerala?
October to March: dry, cooler in the hills and calm on the backwaters. June to September is the monsoon — green and quiet, but some drives and boat trips are affected.
Kerala
Other ways to see Kerala
4 nightsEasyKerala Easy
- Two nights in the tea hills of Munnar
- A private houseboat night with your own cook
- Fort Kochi's old quarter before you fly
6 nightsClassicKerala Classic
- Munnar, Thekkady, the backwaters and Kovalam
- Spice gardens and Periyar lake in Thekkady
- A private houseboat night in Alleppey
Plan with Prafull
Make this holiday yours
Tell Prafull your dates and who is coming. He will send a revised plan and an exact price, usually within a few hours.
- WhatsApp +91 74800 66666
- Call +91 74800 66666
- prafull.pitale@triproutes.in
- 304, Kailash Plaza Business Park, Ghatkopar East