Short private trip · Kerala
Munnar, Thekkady & Kerala Backwaters
A recommended 5-night private journey from Cochin airport: two nights in the Munnar tea hills, a night at Thekkady in the spice country, a night on the backwaters and a last night in Fort Kochi. 3-night, 4-night and 6-night variations can be planned.
Duration
Recommended 5 nights (3, 4 or 6 possible)
Route
Kochi airport → Kochi airport
Pace
Three drives of about 3.5–4 hours; the rest short
Best months
Year-round; driest December–February
Journey overview
Hills, spice country and backwaters in five nights
This is the short Kerala circuit for travellers with roughly five to seven days: the tea hills, the spice country, the backwaters and the old port of Kochi, in the order the roads run. It covers the same landscapes as Kerala Classic in half the time, keeping two nights at Munnar, where the hills need a full day, and one night at each of the other stops.
Three days include a drive of about four hours on hill roads, broken by stops; the rest of the driving is short. If that feels like too much, the variations below either leave a stop out or add a night, rather than squeezing more into the same days.
Route summary
- Munnar — 2 nights in the tea hills
- Thekkady — 1 night in the spice hills
- Kumarakom or Alleppey — 1 night on the backwaters
- Fort Kochi — 1 night, then Kochi airport
The route is a loop from Cochin International Airport: up into the hills first, then down to the water and the coast at the end.
Who it suits
Who this journey suits
A full first look at Kerala when time is short. It suits:
- First-time visitors with five to seven days for Kerala
- Travellers adding Kerala to a longer India trip
- Couples and families who want hills and backwaters in one trip
- NRIs showing Kerala to visiting family or friends
- Active seniors comfortable with three drives of about four hours
Highlights
Munnar, Thekkady & Kerala Backwaters highlights
Munnar tea country
Two nights at around 1,500 metres: tea estate walks, viewpoints and, outside its seasonal closure, Eravikulam National Park.
Thekkady and Periyar
The spice hills around Periyar: a plantation walk and, if you wish, a boat ride or guided nature walk in the reserve, subject to availability, reserve rules, operating conditions and seasonal factors.
Backwaters and Fort Kochi
A lakeside night at Kumarakom or Alleppey, then Fort Kochi’s fishing nets, churches and spice warehouses before the flight home.
Day by day
Day by day: recommended 5-night plan
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic and stops. Every day can be adjusted to your flights and pace.
Day 1 · Arrive Kochi, drive to Munnar
Your chauffeur meets you at Cochin International Airport for the climb to Munnar (approximately 3.5–4 hours with stops), through rubber, spice and then tea. Arrive by mid-afternoon if your flight allows, with the rest of the day free. See Munnar.
Overnight: Munnar
Day 2 · Munnar
A full day in the hills: a tea estate walk, the tea museum and viewpoints such as Top Station or Mattupetty, at your own pace. Eravikulam National Park typically closes during the Nilgiri tahr calving season; exact closure dates are announced by the Kerala Forest Department.
Overnight: Munnar
Day 3 · Munnar to Thekkady
Approximately 3.5–4 hours through cardamom and tea country. Lunch on arrival, then a spice plantation walk in the afternoon. See Thekkady.
Overnight: Thekkady
Day 4 · Thekkady to the backwaters
An early boat ride or guided nature walk in the Periyar reserve if you wish (where available), then down to Vembanad lake (approximately 4 hours) for a night at a lakeside resort in Kumarakom or Alleppey. See Alleppey and Kumarakom.
Overnight: Kumarakom or Alleppey
Day 5 · Backwaters to Fort Kochi
A country-boat ride through the canals in the morning if you wish, then the drive to Fort Kochi (approximately 1.5–2 hours). A late-afternoon walk past the Chinese fishing nets and through the old quarter. See Kochi.
Overnight: Fort Kochi
Day 6 · Depart Kochi
Mattancherry in the morning if your flight allows, then the transfer to Cochin International Airport (approximately 1–1.5 hours).
End of journey
Duration options
Shorter or longer versions
The recommended plan is 5 nights. 3-night, 4-night and 6-night variations can be planned without crowding the days.
3 nights
Hills and backwaters
Two nights at Munnar, then down to the backwaters (approximately 4–5 hours, depending on traffic, stops and the exact hotel or houseboat boarding point) for one night and the airport the next morning. Thekkady and Fort Kochi are left out rather than rushed.
4 nights
Without the Fort Kochi night
The recommended route as far as the backwaters, then Cochin airport (approximately 1.5–2 hours). With a late flight, a few hours in Fort Kochi can be added first.
6 nights
One more night where you want it
An optional houseboat night after the lakeside resort, a second night at Thekkady, or a second night in Fort Kochi. Houseboat category, cruise length and meals are as stated in your quotation.
Vehicle options
Choose a vehicle for your group
Every journey is private, with your own chauffeur-driven vehicle throughout. We suggest a category based on the size of your party and how much you are carrying.
Sedan
A comfortable choice for couples and small families travelling light.
SUV / Innova-type
More space and a higher seat for families and small groups.
Urbania / Tempo Traveller
For larger families and small groups who want to travel together.
Minibus / coach
For bigger groups, celebrations and multi-family trips.
Vehicles are booked by category; the exact model or similar is confirmed subject to availability. Compare categories on our fleet page, or see car and coach rentals with driver if you only need transport.
Hotel options
Hotels are optional
Choose the arrangement that suits you. Both follow the same route and pace.
Vehicle and driver only
You book your own accommodation, and we plan the route, timings and daily driving around where you are staying.
Vehicle, driver and hotels
We suggest places to stay based on comfort level, location, budget and availability, and include them in one quotation.
Make it yours
Flexibility and customisation
Use this plan as a starting point. Common changes include:
- Replacing the lakeside resort with an optional houseboat night (category, cruise length and meals as stated in your quotation)
- Running the route in reverse to suit your flights
- Adding or removing nights at any stop
- Swapping a stop for one that better suits your interests
- Adding airport transfers at either end of your trip
- Continuing to other parts of India, with ground services arranged through vetted partners
Private guides can be arranged for selected heritage, cultural and city visits.
Senior & family pacing
Travelling with seniors or young children
We can plan slower mornings, shorter driving days, fewer stops and an extra night where it helps. Tell us about any mobility needs when you enquire so we can suggest suitable stays and visits.
Three days include a drive of about four hours on hill roads. For seniors and young children we break each drive with stops, plan later starts where practical, reduce sightseeing on travel days, and can add a night at Munnar or Thekkady so the longer drives do not fall on consecutive days.
Inclusions & exclusions
What your quotation covers
Inclusions and exclusions are confirmed in your quotation based on the selected route, vehicle, hotel option and travel plan.
Your quotation sets out:
- The vehicle category and driver arrangements
- Whether hotels are included and, if so, their comfort level and locations
- Your day-by-day route and timings
- Any guides, entry tickets or activities you ask us to arrange
Pricing & payment
Pricing depends on route, vehicle category, dates and travel requirements, so every booking starts with a tailored quote. A booking is confirmed once the required advance payment is received and South Zone Holidays issues confirmation in accordance with the agreed quotation and service availability. The advance amount and balance terms are stated on your quotation. We accept international credit and debit cards, bank transfer and UPI.
5% GST applicable. GST invoice available.
FAQ
Questions about Munnar, Thekkady & Kerala Backwaters
24/7 Guest Support
English-Speaking Drivers
Airport Meet & Greet
Private Guides on Request
Senior-Friendly Planning
Plan this journey
Plan your Munnar, Thekkady & Kerala Backwaters journey
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and anything you would like to change. We will reply with a suggested plan and a tailored quote.
Kerala Classic
10 nights from Kochi: Fort Kochi, Munnar tea country, Thekkady, the backwaters by resort and houseboat, and Marari beach.
Kerala Backwaters & Beach
4 nights from Kochi: a lakeside night at Kumarakom, a houseboat or second backwater night, and two nights at Marari beach.
Temples & Backwaters
14 nights from Chennai to Kochi: the Pallava coast, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Madurai, Thekkady, Munnar and the backwaters.
Planning a South India Trip or Need a Vehicle?
Tell us your dates, group size and where you want to go. We reply with a clear plan and quotation — no obligation.