Compare Kerala: Beaches & Backwaters by G Adventures vs Kerala Backwater Tour by GeTS Holidays

Day 1 Kochi

Arrive at any time and welcome to the port city of Kochi, known for its unique fishing nets, artsy cafes, and tasty seafood. Get to know your fellow travellers in the seaside neighbourhood of Fort Kochi. Stroll along the tropical backwaters and capture a group photo in the stunning scenery. Pick the best looking spot and cheers to new adventures and friends!

Day 2 Kochi/Alleppey

Travel to Alleppey, a golden streak of land woven with rivers, lakes, lagoons, and canals. Enjoy an empowering lunch before checking out the island along the lagoon with a local guide and learn about the way of life here. Settle into a homestay and get to know your hosts.

Day 3 Alleppey/Kollam

Explore the unique ecosystem of Alleppey backwaters on a morning ferry cruise. Afterward, travel down the coast by bus to the port city of Kollam. On arrival, choose to relax on the beach, climb Thangassery Light House, or peruse the nightlife.

Day 4 Kollam/Varkala

Visit the Kollam Harbour and experience the importance of fishing for the community. Afterward, settle into a private vehicle and see who can count the most palm trees as you cruise down the coast to tropical Varkala. Enjoy lots of free time to explore the town, get treated by local healers, or visit the Varkala Temple.

Note that Kollam Harbour is closed to visitors May through June.

Day 5 Varkala

Choose your own adventure today, exploring Varkala solo or with your new friends. Spend time wandering the peaceful gardens of an ashram devoted to Kerala's most eminent spiritual and social reformer at the mystical Janardhana Swamy Temple. Or head to the beach and relax while watching the Arabian Sea with a drink in hand.

Day 6 Varkala/Kochi

Return to Kochi by train and take an orientation walk visiting Fort Kochi, St Francis Church, the Dutch cemetery, and the Jewish Quarter with curio shops and a synagogue more than 400-years-old. In the late afternoon, continue to wander the streets or opt to catch a traditional Kathakali dance performance. For your big night out as a group, immerse yourself in the exciting Kochi nightlife. Enjoy a drink on us and reminisce about the life-changing adventures you've shared.

Day 7 Kochi

Today is departure day, but do not fear, there is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Hug your new friends, exchange contacts, and depart at any time.

Day 1: Arrive Kochi

Hello and welcome to Kochi. Our representative will welcome you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. Overnight in Kochi.

Day 2: Kochi-Munnar (124kms; 3-4hrs drive approx.)

After breakfast , enjoy a half-day tour of Cochin. Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city, also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. The ruler of Kochi allowed the Portuguese to construct a fort next to the waterfront here. Thus, emerged Fort Kochi. Also called Fort Emmanuel, Portuguese planned their livelihood around the church with settlements and churches. St. Francis church, is the first church of the colonial era where Vasco-Da-Gama's body was buried before being taken to Portugal. You'll also come across Dutch cemetery, Santa Cruz Basilica, Indo Portuguese museum and Cochin Thirumala Devaswom Temple, Willingdon Island here.

Later in the afternoon you will drive to Munnar. Upon arrival you will check-in at a hotel and relax. Evening is at leisure for your individual activities or unwind yourself in the beautiful landscape of Munnar. Overnight in Munnar.

Day 3: Munnar

Enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Munnar. Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea here has a famous tea museum inside its complex. The museum has photographs and curios which relate to the evolution of tea plantations in Munnar. Also visit Mattupetty, located about 13 kms from Munnar. Mattupetty is known for its dam and the beautiful lake, which offers enjoyable boat rides. Later visit the Kundala tea plantations and Kundala Lake. The shimmering blue lake is the most photographed part of Kundala. Take a stroll in the tea estate, and enjoy the refreshing mountain breeze. Here you can view the entire process of making tea, right from plucking of teal eaves to their processing. Overnight in Munnar.

Day 4: Munnar-Periyar (130kms; 3-4hrs drive approx.)

After breakfast in the morning you will check out of the hotel and drive to Periyar. Post arrival at Periyar, enjoy a boat ride in Lake Periyar. We then check-in at the hotel, and have the evening at leisure. Overnight in Periyar.

Day 5: Periyar-Alleppey (140kms; 4hrs drive approx.)

After breakfast, enjoy a walk near the backwater village. Where you get an opportunity for cycling, fishing, and canoeing. Take a houseboat cruise of Alleppey, ""Venice of the East"", which has a large network of canals that meander through the town and surrounding village. The Snake Boat Race held every year in August in the backwaters is a major attraction. The Kerala backwaters are a vital waterway for the transport of goods, people and their produce, and are often the only link between isolated villages and crowded towns. 

You’ll come across flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky. Share the backwaters with country boats of various types carrying passengers from all walks of Kerala's rural life ranging from the milkman and newspaper boy to local politicians, priests and wedding parties.

Later in the evening you will disembark the houseboat and check in at the hotel. 

Overnight in Alleppey.

Day 6: Alleppey-Kochi (60kms; 1hr drive approx.)

After breakfast you will have the morning at leisure. Later at noon you will check out of the hotel and drive to Kochi. Upon arrival in Kochi you will check in at the hotel and relax.

In the evening, witness a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is the most recognized dance drama form in Kerala. It dates back to the seventeenth century and is themed from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. A traditional Kathakali dance performance began at dusk and continued through the night, culminating at the auspicious hour of dawn, when Good finally conquers Evil. Now, of course, shorter performances are more the norm! Costumes and makeup are dramatic characteristics of the dance, and the technique involves highly intricate gestures and expressions.

Overnight in Kochi.

Day 7: Kochi departure

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Kochi airport for your departure flight. We hope you had a wonderful time exploring Kerala with us. Your trip ends here and we wish you a safe, happy, memorable journey back to your home."