On the backwaters of Kerala in a traditional riceboat
FROM: USD $1,095 pp

Uncover the delights of tropical Kerala in India's deep south. Visit historic Fort Kochi, the picturesque hill station of Munnar with its verdant tea plantations and spend a night aboard a houseboat, gliding along the tranquil, palm fringed backwaters.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
Hotels
COVID SAFE GUIDE
Reviews

Trip Highlights

Kerala Backwaters – Cruise along the famous backwaters on a deluxe rice boat, past lush forests and local villages
Kochi – Tour the winding streets of the Fort Kochi neighbourhood and watch a Kathakali dance show
Kumarakom – Enjoy two days relaxing at leisure and visit the biodiverse Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Munnar – Stroll through a tea plantation on a guided walk and explore the beautiful surroundings independently

Included

Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 2 dinners
Guided sightseeing - Kochi, Fort Kochi and Munnar tea plantation
Houseboat cruise along the Keralan backwaters
Services of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites
All relevant transfers and transportation in private A/C vehicles
5 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels and 1 night deluxe houseboat
Traditional Kathakali Dance Show in Kochi (entrance fee excluded)
Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 6 or more)
Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 7

Not Included

International flights and visa
Entrance Fees: USD$15-25pp, paid in local currency
Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$4-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture
Tipping Kitty: USD$25-35pp, paid in local currency

Itinerary

Day 1

Kochi

Saturday. Welcome to India! You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for a Welcome meeting at 14:00 - where you'll meet your guide and fellow group members. This evening be mesmerised by a traditional Kathakali dance performance. Be prepared for vibrant costumes, make-up, facemasks, lively dancing and a show of a lifetime.
Overnight: Kochi

Days 2-3

Kochi sightseeing & Munnar

Kochi - Munnar. On the morning of day 2 we enjoy a guided tour of the Fort Kochi neighbourhood. Examine intricate Chinese fishing nets and wander the winding streets of the old town. We immerse ourselves in local culture with a visit to the European-influenced St Francis Church, the Parsi Synagogue and a Dutch palace. After the tour we continue to Munnar - a town and hill station nestled in beautiful scenery and surrounded by tea plantations.

On day 3 we take a guided walk through one of these tea plantations and visit a local market, before the rest of the day is free to explore. Perhaps pay a visit to the stunning Eravikulam National Park (closed Jan - Mar). The park is home to endangered species including tigers, sambar deer and the Nilgiri Ibex - found only in this part of the world.
Overnight: Munnar  |  Breakfast x 2, Dinner x 2

Day 4

Kerala backwaters

Munnar - Alleppey - Kerala Backwaters. We begin today with 4-5 hour drive to Alleppey packed with scenic views, before boarding our private rice boat for a cruise along the Kerala Backwaters, a chain of lakes and lagoons running parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. Witness a sensational sunset over the local villages and palm trees kissing the shore as we set sail. Relax as the onboard chef cooks you a delicious dinner from outrageously fresh local produce. Tuck in!
Overnight: Deluxe rice boat  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 5-6

Kumarakom

Kerala Backwaters - Kumarakom. On the morning of day 5 we disembark the rice boat at Kumarakom, built on a cluster of islands in Lake Vembanad - one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes. Enjoy two days at leisure in this vibrant region and watch as local fishermen go to work in their small vallams (fishing boats). The nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is also worth a visit - it’s home to many species and is an important stopover for migratory birds, including the critically endangered Siberian Crane.
Overnight: Kumarakom  |  Breakfast x 2

Day 7

Kochi

Kumarakom - Kochi. Friday. This morning we return to Kochi, where our tour ends with a departure transfer to the airport.

Please note: Flights from Kochi should depart after 2pm. We are also able to book post tour accommodation upon request, please contact us for further details.
Breakfast

PREFER A PRIVATE TOUR OR TO EXTEND YOUR STAY?

• This tour can be arranged exclusively for you and your family or friends on a private basis, by paying the private tour supplement. Details are noted at the bottom of the prices & dates tab.

• Extend your stay in this vibrant country, view our selection of add-ons and short stays.

• For more information about visas, top travel tips, best time to travel and much much more, browse our dedicated travel guide.

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to those who don’t have anyone to share a room with or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room.

Read More
Available
Contact us to book
Not Available
2022
Twin Share
Single Room
USD $1,135
USD $1,795
USD $1,095
USD $1,755
USD $1,135
USD $1,795
USD $1,135
USD $1,795
USD $1,135
USD $1,795
USD $1,135
USD $1,795
USD $1,135
USD $1,795

Extra Prices

Twin Share
Single Room
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Kochi
USD $55
USD $105
Post-Tour Accommodation - Kochi
USD $55
USD $105
Private Tour Supplement
USD $395
N/A

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.

Casino Hotel, Kochi

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

Casino Hotel is a modern hotel located on Willingdon island, set in tropical gardens it is a beautiful blend of art deco and colonial Indian architectural styles. With a large pool and and spacious comfortable rooms this hotel offers a fantastic experience when in Kochi. Casino Hotel boasts 2 restaurants, a 24-hour health club as well as free wifi in public areas.

Clouds Valley Leisure Hotel, Munnar

Our Category: Standard   |   Regional Category: 3 Star Hotel

Set in the valley of the Kennan Devan Hills, the Clouds Valley Leisure Hotel is a contemporary accommodation. Guest rooms are bright and spacious with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Rooms are also all en suite, have modern amenities and comfortable beds. The hotel benefits from an onsite restaurant that serves up a tasty selection of both Indian and South Indian food as well as Chinese and European dishes.

Deluxe Houseboat, Alleppey

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: Deluxe House Boat

There are few things as serene and tranquil as floating along the Keralan backwaters in the comfort of a luxurious houseboat. Deluxe houseboats are elegantly furnished, with up to four bedrooms, equipped with modern en suites, an open lounge, dining area and a deck to relax and admire the beautiful views of the lush green palms and rice paddies. Air conditioning operates in the bedrooms between 9pm to 6am only. The cruises are full board, with tasty meals freshly prepared by the onboard chef.

Eastend Lakesong, Kumarakom

Our Category: Standard   |   Regional Category: 3 Star Hotel

Nestled among the serene backwaters of Kumarakom, Eastend Lakesong comprises of 8 acres of facility packed leisure land. Guests sleep in villas and cottages, which are all well furnished with colourful interiors and comfortable beds. The onsite restaurants offer an excellent selection of local and international cuisine. Why not treat yourself to a relaxing massage at the Ayurveda on site Spa? It is the perfect way to unwind after a long day of exploring in the fierce Indian heat.

Reviews

Travellers have rated this tour as 5 out of 5 based on 3 recent reviews

Very good , in all aspects, suitable for experienced travellers. Good that we could get on well together as a group of 4. Very enjoyable - especiallly the relaxing houseboat trip after long car journeys.

• Submitted 17 Apr 2018
Tour
Guide
Country

Alex is a professional guide, with good language skills, knowledge of the area, and always on time. His suggestions on other activities were welcomed, well received and appreciated.

All listed activities were done. Alex is a valuable member of the On The Go team

• Submitted 28 Oct 2016
Tour
Guide
Country

I really enjoyed the tour! It exceeded all my expectations. The hotels were clean, modern and very nice. The houseboat was also much more comfortable than I had expected. The tour was just the right mix of activities and relaxation. The things were visited were interesting, and our guide was very knowledgeable. The On The Go staff really went the extra mile, arranging a separate car to take me to the airport because i had a late flight, and then having someone meet me at the airport to help me with mu luggage and to navigate the check in. My arrival flight was eight hours late, but they still had a driver waiting for me when i arrived. I would definitely use the company again!

• Submitted 18 Mar 2015
Tour
Guide
Country

Sarah, we are back home and had a wonderful time.

I'd like to give you some feedback, if that's okay with you.

Arrival at cochin airport was seamless, with your representative eagerly looking for us with his sign. he put us right into a cab and we got to the hotel easily.

Travancore Court Hotel is in a good part of town, has a nice lobby, gift shop, and restaurant. The staff was lovely, however, upgrading to another hotel is Cochin would be my suggestion. The bus that took us around (and the drivers) were top-notch.The Kathakali performance was fun, especially since we got to watch them put on their makeup.

Munnar was great and the Eastend Hotel was perfectly fine. Probably one of the best to be found in Munnar. Nice garden, rooms comfortable and cheerful, good restaurant. Tea plantations were interesting,and our guide Alex took us to see a spice garden, and the local market, all of which were interesting.

Next day, on the way to Karakom, he pointed out lots of things of interest all the way. The houseboat overnight was great fun. The boat was comfortable and the food was good. The bathroom was a bit yucky, but it is, after all, a houseboat. We were comfortable and the scenery was fabulous. We slept well.

Lakesong was fabulous. Very beautiful. we arranged yoga classes and a cooking class with the chef and sous chef while we were there. also took advantage of the ayurvedic spa services. Rooms, landscape, food, etc. was all wonderful.

The best part of the whole trip, and the thing that really made it a great success was our guide, Alex. It would not have been the same without him. He was very knowledgeable, kept things moving along, was very protective of us, and made sure EVERYTHING was taken care of for us. I can't compliment him enough.

I thank you enormously for all your help with putting this trip together.

Mrs Barbara Stultz • Submitted 15 Apr 2013

In Brief

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Kochi
Ends
Kochi
Departs
Saturdays
Group Size
Min 4 / Max 24
Hotel Rating
3 - 4 star and heritage properties
Tour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour guide
Meals
Breakfast: 6, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 3
Visiting
Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey, Kumarakom
Countries
Rolling hills and tea gardens of Munnar
Boat sailing along the river, fringed with thick jungle, in Alleppey
Wooden boat drifting along the river in Kumarakom

Very good , in all aspects, suitable for experienced travellers. Good that we could get on well together as a group of 4. Very enjoyable - especiallly the relaxing houseboat trip after long car journeys.

Lacramioara Sorina Millson
OTG000693Captivating Kerala - 7 daysIndian SubcontinentSignatureIndian Subcontinentfalse0Indiahttps://www.onthegotours.com/India/Captivating-Kerala-7-dayshttps://www.onthegotours.com/repository/Kerala-Rice-Boat--India-Tours--On-The-Go-Tours-275601449151662_crop_flip_300_300_f2f2f2_center-center.jpgGroup_Tours