Kerala is one of the easiest holidays in India to plan well: cool tea hills in Munnar, spice country in Thekkady, a night on a houseboat in Alleppey and calm beaches in Kovalam and Varkala, all within a few hours' drive of each other. This guide gives a day-by-day plan for 5 and 6 nights, the best time to go and a clear idea of cost.
Best Time to Visit Kerala
September to March is the best time, with pleasant days and calm backwaters. December and January are the busiest months, so book houseboats early. The monsoon (June to August) is green and quiet, with lower hotel rates, but expect heavy rain in the hills. April and May are hot on the coast, though Munnar stays cool.
How to Reach Kerala
Fly to Kochi (Cochin) for Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey; it has direct flights from most Indian cities. For Kovalam and Varkala, Trivandrum airport is closer. Ernakulam and Trivandrum are also well connected by train. Our private cab picks you up at the airport or station and stays with you for the whole trip.
Kerala 5-Night Itinerary
- Day 1: Kochi to Munnar, waterfalls on the way
- Day 2: Munnar sightseeing, Eravikulam National Park and tea gardens
- Day 3: Munnar to Thekkady, spice plantation and Kumily market
- Day 4: Thekkady to Alleppey, board your houseboat for the night
- Day 5: Alleppey to Kumarakom or Marari Beach
- Day 6: Drop at Kochi airport or station
Kerala 6-Night Itinerary with Beach
- Day 1: Kochi to Munnar
- Day 2: Munnar sightseeing
- Day 3: Munnar to Thekkady
- Day 4: Thekkady to Alleppey houseboat
- Day 5: Alleppey to Kovalam, evening at Lighthouse Beach
- Day 6: Trivandrum temple and museum, free afternoon at the beach
- Day 7: Drop at Trivandrum airport or station
Kerala Trip Cost
| Package | Nights | Price from (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Munnar Hills Weekend | 2N/3D | ₹8,499 |
| Munnar and Alleppey Houseboat | 3N/4D | ₹13,499 |
| Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey | 4N/5D | ₹16,999 |
| Kerala Family Holiday | 5N/6D | ₹19,499 |
| Kerala Hills, Backwaters and Beach | 6N/7D | ₹24,499 |
| Kerala Honeymoon with Houseboat | 5N/6D | ₹26,499 |
These prices are per person on double sharing, based on our packages at the time of writing (October 2026). They include hotels, breakfast and dinner, all meals on the houseboat, a private AC cab for the trip and airport or station pickup and drop. Flights or trains to Kerala are extra.
Local Costs to Plan For
- Entry tickets at Eravikulam and other sights
- Periyar Lake boat ride in Thekkady
- Kathakali or Kalaripayattu shows
- Jeep safaris and elephant rides
- Lunch on days you are not on the houseboat
Houseboat in Alleppey or Kumarakom
Alleppey has the widest choice of houseboats and the classic canal views past paddy fields and villages. Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake is quieter and suits couples. Most houseboat stays start around noon and end after breakfast the next morning, with lunch, evening tea, dinner and breakfast cooked on board.
Tips for a Smooth Kerala Trip
Eravikulam National Park closes for a few weeks each year for the Nilgiri tahr calving season, usually around February and March, so check before you plan Munnar. Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum has a strict dress code. Carry light cotton clothes for the coast and a light jacket for Munnar evenings. Book houseboats early for Christmas and New Year.
Final Word
Five or six nights is the right length for a first Kerala trip: two nights in the hills, one in spice country, one on a houseboat and a beach or lake stay to finish. Tell us your dates, city and group size, and we will send two or three plans with hotel and houseboat names and the exact price on WhatsApp.