Kerala Nature & Pilgrimage
New
Starting in Trivandrum or Cochin and ending in Cochin, this 12 day South India journey blends beaches, temples and tranquil backwaters. You’ll unwind in Kovalam, explore Trivandrum’s grand Padmanabhaswamy Temple and museums, then head to Kanyakumari for ocean views and a memorable sunset. Expect sacred Rameshwaram and vibrant Madurai with evening aarti. In Periyar you’ll discover spice plantations and cruise the wildlife rich lake, before cool Munnar with rolling tea estates and Eravikulam National Park. Drift through Kumarakom’s bird filled lagoons and stay on an Alleppey houseboat. Round off in Fort Kochi – Chinese fishing nets, colonial lanes and a Kathakali performance.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Overview
Duration
12 daysHotel Rating
3, 4 or 5 star hotelsStarts
ThiruvananthapuramEnds
KochiMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in India that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Country
IndiaPassengers
$4,550.00
$2,526.00
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private Tour
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private TourRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Private ToursPlaces You'll See
Thiruvananthapuram
Trivandrum
Cochin
Kovalam
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Kanyakumari
Rameshwaram
Rameswaram
Madurai
Periyar
Thekkady
Munnar
Pothamedu
Kumarakom
Alleppey
Alappuzha
Kochi (Cochin)
Fort Kochi
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Itinerary
Day 1 - Thiruvananthapuram - Trivandrum - Kochi - Kovalam
On arrival at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) or Cochin (Kochi) airport, we’ll meet you for assistance and transfer to your hotel in Kovalam. From Thiruvananthapuram the drive is about 20 km – roughly 30 minutes. Hotel check in is from 12:00 – early check in is subject to availability. Overnight at a beach hotel in Kovalam.
Day 2 - Kovalam - Trivandrum
Kovalam – after breakfast at the hotel, we set out on a city tour of Thiruvananthapuram. We visit Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple – the city’s guardian deity – where the Maharaja of Travancore still pays homage, and which enshrines Lord Vishnu reclining beneath the hood of Anantha, the great serpent. We also visit Attukal Temple. We then explore the city’s cultural highlights at Napier Museum, Kuthira Malika and the Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Later, we drive along the coast to see Shankumugham Beach, Kovalam Beach, Vizhinjam Lighthouse and Light House Beach Road. Overnight at the beach hotel.
Day 3 - Kovalam - Kanyakumari
Kovalam – Kanyakumari (85 km – about 2 hours). After breakfast we drive to Kanyakumari and check in to the hotel. Later we set out on a city tour, visiting Kanyakumari Temple, recognised as one of the 108 Shakti Peethas. We continue to Gandhi Mandapam and the Vivekananda Memorial – staying to watch the sunset, a highlight for many visitors. We also visit Padmanabhapuram Palace, and explore a nearby temple town about 11 km from Kanyakumari, noted for its Dravidian architecture with towering gopurams. In your free time you can browse local shops for seashell items. Overnight at a beach hotel.
Day 4 - Kanyakumari - Rameshwaram
Kanyakumari to Rameshwaram – 325 km – about 8 hours. After breakfast we drive to Rameshwaram and check in to the hotel. Rameshwaram is an island separated from the mainland by a narrow strait. Its principal temple is closely associated with the Ramayana – where Rama is believed to have reached the shore before crossing the Palk Strait to Lanka – and is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga sites of Shiva, making it sacred to both Shaivites and Vaishnavites. The complex is noted for a 1,219 metre pillared corridor with 3.6 metre granite pillars dating to the 12th century – the longest temple corridor in India. Overnight at the beach hotel.
Day 5 - Rameshwaram - Madurai
Early this morning, we visit Adam’s Bridge – the chain of reefs, sandbanks and islets that almost links India with Sri Lanka and is associated in legend with Hanuman’s army. After breakfast, we drive 175 kilometres – around four hours – to Madurai and check in to our hotel. Later, we explore the city, visiting the Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple, one of India’s largest temple complexes, built between the 16th and 18th centuries and renowned for its vast number of sculptures. We then visit Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple and Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple before continuing to Tirumal Nayak’s Palace, noted for its highly decorative design and an enormous roofed arcade supported by stone pillars around 48 feet high. In the evening, we return to Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple to attend the aarti and observe the rituals. Overnight in Madurai.
Day 6 - Madurai - Periyar
After breakfast, we drive from Madurai to Periyar – about 140 km and roughly 4 hours – and check in at our jungle resort. Later, we join a spice plantation tour to see cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee and tea being cultivated. You can stop at the local market to pick up fragrant spices. Overnight at the jungle resort.
Day 7 - Munnar
Periyar to Munnar – 110 km – around 3 hours. At sunrise, after breakfast at the hotel, we explore Periyar by boat on the lake, with chances to see wildlife such as elephant, gaur, wild boar and birdlife including ibis and grey heron – tiger sightings are rare. If you prefer, you can trek through the forest instead. Later we drive to Munnar and check in. During British rule, Munnar served as a summer retreat for government officials and is known today for its tea estates, hills and cool climate. We visit a tea estate for a tea tasting tour. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 8 - Munnar
After breakfast, we set out to explore Munnar, beginning at Pothamedu for sweeping views of tea, coffee and cardamom plantations – an ideal spot if you wish to take a short trek or leisurely mountain walk. We continue to Mattupetty Dam and its reservoir – a concrete gravity dam set between the hills, used mainly for hydroelectric water storage. Next, we visit Eravikulam National Park, established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, which you may be able to see at close quarters. We round off at Echo Point – try a shout and listen for it return across the water. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 - Munnar - Kumarakom
After breakfast, we drive 150 km – around 3 hours – from Munnar to Kumarakom and check in at the hotel. Kumarakom is a cluster of small islands on Vembanad Lake, part of the Kuttanad backwater region. The bird sanctuary here is renowned for resident and migratory species including egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoos, wild duck and the Siberian stork. You can visit the sanctuary or take a boat trip around the islands for excellent birdwatching on the lake. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 - Kumarakom - Alleppey
After breakfast in Kumarakom, we board the houseboat and cruise through the backwaters towards Alleppey, spending the day on board. We drift along palm‑lined canals, vast paddy fields and neat waterside hamlets – classic scenes of the Alleppey region. We pass traditional Chinese fishing nets and watch flocks of duck and small birds along the banks. You can try your hand at fishing from the boat if you wish. As evening falls, we enjoy sunset from the sun deck. The houseboat is equipped with electricity and has a sitting and dining area, a separate bedroom with attached English toilets, a sun deck and a kitchen with a chef and a driver. Dinner is served on board and we stay overnight on the houseboat.
Day 11 - Alleppey - Kochi - Fort Cochin - Mattancherry
Alleppey – Cochin (60 km – about 1.5 hours). After breakfast, we disembark the houseboat and drive to Cochin for hotel check-in. Later, we explore Fort Cochin, known for its Chinese fishing nets, beaches and historic architecture. We visit St Francis Church, associated with Vasco da Gama; the Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry, built in 1568 and among the oldest active synagogues; and Mattancherry Dutch Palace, noted for its Kerala temple murals, exhibits and royal portraits. If time allows, you may also visit Hill Palace Museum, the largest archaeological and heritage museum in Kerala. We also see Bolgatty Palace, regarded as the oldest surviving Dutch palace outside the Netherlands and now a heritage hotel. In the evening, we enjoy a Kathakali dance performance with elaborate costumes, striking make-up and expressive movement. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 - Kochi
After breakfast, we transfer you to Cochin airport as per your flight schedule for your onward journey. Overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Reviews
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Prices & Dates
The prices you see below are a guide, with final prices per person being determined by the number of travellers in your booking party, desired hotel standard and the rooming arrangements required. To see an accurate price, please click "Book Dates" and enter the details for your booking party.
Can't find a date that works for you?
Looking for a date not yet released?
Similar Tours
Explore more exciting tours in India to discover even more unforgettable adventures!
On The Go Tours
Our agents are waiting to chat to you...
Are you a Travel Agent or Customer?
Do you have an booking reference?