Field notes
Kerala Tour Package: 5N 6D Itinerary with Price
A Kerala tour package 5N6D covers the state's four main leisure zones — hill stations, wildlife, backwaters, and beaches — in a structured six-day circuit. This article breaks down the standard itinerary, destination-by-destination inclusions, and the kerala tour package 5n6d price across budget, standard, and deluxe categories so you can plan and book with clear numbers in hand.
What places does a standard Kerala 5N6D package cover?
A standard Kerala 5N6D package covers four destinations: Kochi on Day 1 for arrival and sightseeing, Munnar on Days 2 and 3 for hill station stays, Thekkady on Day 3 or 4 for wildlife, Alleppey for the houseboat night, and Kovalam or Thiruvananthapuram on Day 6 for the beach leg.
Kochi is Kerala's primary international airport city. Fort Kochi, the heritage quarter, holds the Chinese fishing nets and the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry. Most packages begin here because Kochi International Airport (IATA: COK) connects to all major Indian metros and several Gulf cities.
Munnar is a hill station in Idukki district, sitting at roughly 1,600 metres elevation. The area holds large tea estates managed by Tata Tea and smaller cooperative farms. Eravikulam National Park, home to the Nilgiri tahr, sits 15 km from Munnar town.
Thekkady is the buffer zone entry point for Periyar Tiger Reserve, which covers 925 sq km. The KTDC boat safari on Periyar Lake runs twice daily and costs INR 150–300 per person depending on the deck category.
Alleppey, officially Alappuzha, is the houseboat hub of Kerala. The town connects to over 1,500 km of canals and the Vembanad Lake system. An overnight houseboat cruise is the centrepiece of most 5N6D itineraries.
Kovalam is a crescent-shaped beach town 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The lighthouse at Kovalam Beach gives a clear view of the coastline and is the standard last-day activity before the return flight from Thiruvananthapuram Airport (IATA: TRV).
Related: For a focused hill station extension, see our Andaman tour packages cluster for comparison on island-format itineraries.
What does the day-by-day itinerary look like for a Kerala 5N6D trip?
A Kerala 5N6D itinerary runs from Kochi arrival on Day 1 through a Munnar hill stay on Days 2–3, a Thekkady wildlife morning on Day 4, an Alleppey houseboat night on Day 4–5, and a Kovalam beach day before departure on Day 6. Drive times between stops range from 2 to 4 hours.
Day 1 — Kochi arrival and Fort Kochi sightseeing
Kochi is the arrival city for most north-to-south Kerala itineraries. After airport pickup, the afternoon covers Fort Kochi — Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, and Mattancherry Palace. Night stay in Kochi; drive time from airport to Fort Kochi is approximately 40 minutes.
Day 2 — Kochi to Munnar
Munnar is a 4-hour drive from Kochi through the Ghats. The route passes Cheeyappara Waterfalls, which is a common stop. Afternoon at leisure in Munnar town; evening walk through the tea estate adjacent to most mid-range hotels.
Day 3 — Munnar sightseeing
Eravikulam National Park is open from February to April for Nilgiri tahr viewing; entry costs INR 125 per adult. Other stops include Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and the Tea Museum run by Tata Tea. Full day in Munnar; no transfer on this day.
Day 4 — Munnar to Thekkady, then drive to Alleppey
Thekkady is 3 hours from Munnar. Morning covers the Periyar Lake boat safari and a spice garden visit near Kumily town. After lunch, the vehicle drives 4 hours to Alleppey for houseboat check-in, which is typically at 12:00 noon.
Day 5 — Alleppey houseboat checkout and drive to Kovalam
Houseboat checkout is at 09:00 on Day 5. The drive from Alleppey to Kovalam takes approximately 3.5 hours via NH 66. Afternoon at Kovalam Beach; evening free for the lighthouse walk or Ayurvedic massage at a beach-side centre.
Day 6 — Kovalam to Thiruvananthapuram airport, departure
Thiruvananthapuram Airport is 16 km from Kovalam Beach. Morning is free for a final beach walk before the transfer. Packages typically include drop to TRV airport; flight booking is separate unless the deluxe package specifies otherwise.
Kerala Tourism data point: As per the Ministry of Tourism India's India Tourism Statistics 2023, Kerala received approximately 1.56 crore domestic tourists in 2022, with backwater tourism accounting for a significant share of repeat visits from metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
| Package Category | Accommodation Type | Inclusions | Approx. Price Per Person INR (Twin-Sharing, Excluding Flights) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (3-star) | 3-star hotels + standard houseboat (non-AC lower deck) | Daily breakfast, houseboat all meals, AC vehicle, driver | INR 18,000 – 22,000 |
| Standard (4-star) | 4-star hotels + premium houseboat (AC upper deck) | Daily breakfast, houseboat all meals, AC vehicle, driver, 1 guided tour | INR 25,000 – 32,000 |
| Deluxe (5-star or resort) | 5-star resorts + deluxe houseboat (private deck, butler) | Daily breakfast + dinner, houseboat all meals, AC vehicle, driver, guided tours, Ayurvedic session | INR 38,000 – 45,000 |
| Honeymoon Add-on | 4-star or 5-star with couple room upgrades | All standard inclusions + floral decoration, candle dinner on houseboat, welcome fruit basket | INR 30,000 – 48,000 |
What is the price of a Kerala tour package for 5 nights 6 days?
The kerala tour package 5n6d price ranges from INR 18,000 per person (budget, twin-sharing, no flights) to INR 45,000 per person (deluxe with resort stays). Flight inclusion from metros like Mumbai or Delhi adds INR 8,000–15,000 per person on top of the land package cost.
The single largest cost variable in a Kerala 5N6D package is the houseboat category. A non-AC standard houseboat costs INR 6,000–8,000 per couple per night. A DTPC-certified premium houseboat with AC and upper deck costs INR 10,000–14,000 per couple per night.
Hotel star rating is the second major driver. Upgrading from 3-star to 5-star across five nights adds roughly INR 8,000–12,000 per person to the total package cost. Meal plans also shift the price — full board adds INR 1,500–2,500 per person per day versus breakfast-only.
Season affects price significantly. Peak season packages (October–March) cost 20–35% more than the same itinerary in the April–September period. Booking 6–8 weeks in advance during peak season secures better hotel inventory at published rates.
| Cost Factor | Low-Impact Scenario (Lower Price) | High-Impact Scenario (Higher Price) |
|---|---|---|
| Season | April–September off-peak, 30–40% lower base rate | October–March peak, 20–35% premium on hotels and houseboats |
| Houseboat category | Non-AC standard deck, INR 6,000–8,000 per couple per night | AC premium deck with butler, INR 10,000–14,000 per couple per night |
| Hotel star rating | 3-star across all nights, INR 1,800–2,500 per room per night | 5-star resort stays, INR 6,000–12,000 per room per night |
| Meals plan | Breakfast only at hotels, self-pay for lunch and dinner | Full board (breakfast + dinner) included across all nights |
| Flight inclusion | Land-only package, traveller books own flights | Package includes round-trip economy flights, adds INR 8,000–15,000 per person |
When is the best time to book a Kerala 5N6D package?
October to March is peak season for Kerala travel — weather is dry, temperatures stay between 23°C and 33°C, and all routes including hill roads are fully open. Prices during this window are 20–35% higher than the shoulder period. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for peak season to secure preferred houseboat dates.
June to August is the southwest monsoon period. Rainfall is heavy across the state, and some Munnar hill roads face restrictions after landslides. Package prices drop 30–40% during this window. The backwaters look greener and less crowded, but houseboat operators sometimes limit routes.
April and May are pre-monsoon months. Temperatures in Kochi and Kovalam reach 35°C–38°C. Munnar stays cooler at around 20°C–25°C. Prices are moderate — roughly 10–15% below peak rates. This window suits travelers who want lower prices without monsoon disruption.
September is a shoulder month. Post-monsoon greenery is at its best in Munnar and Thekkady. Prices are still 15–20% below peak. Most routes are open by mid-September. Booking lead time of 1–2 weeks is usually sufficient for September travel.
Related: Best Time to Visit Goa: Month-by-Month Season Guide
What is typically included and excluded in a Kerala tour package?
A standard Kerala 5N6D package includes five nights of accommodation, daily breakfast at hotels, all meals on the houseboat night, an AC vehicle with driver for all transfers, and sightseeing as listed in the itinerary. Flights, entry fees, personal expenses, and travel insurance are excluded from most packages.
Standard inclusions
- Accommodation: 5 nights — typically 1 night Kochi, 2 nights Munnar, 1 night houseboat (Alleppey), 1 night Kovalam
- Daily breakfast at all hotels
- Houseboat stay with all meals — breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner, and morning tea
- AC vehicle with driver for all airport transfers and sightseeing
- All road tolls and driver allowances
Standard exclusions
- Domestic or international flights to Kochi and from Thiruvananthapuram
- Entry fees — Periyar boat safari INR 150–300, Eravikulam National Park INR 125 per adult
- Personal expenses — laundry, phone calls, room service, alcohol
- Travel insurance
- Tips for driver and houseboat crew (customary: INR 300–500 per day for driver)
- Ayurvedic treatments unless specified in deluxe packages
For a detailed look at houseboat categories, meal plans, and DTPC certification tiers, see our Andaman Honeymoon packages page for a comparable island-stay inclusions reference.
What are the most common questions travelers ask before booking a Kerala 5N6D package?
Travelers most often ask about senior suitability, itinerary flexibility, destination coverage beyond the standard four stops, and houseboat capacity. The answers below address each query based on standard package terms offered by most Kerala tour operators.
Is a Kerala 5N6D package suitable for senior travelers?
Yes, with some adjustments. The Periyar boat safari and Munnar sightseeing involve minimal walking. Houseboat boarding requires stepping across a small gangway, which most seniors manage without difficulty. Request ground-floor rooms in Munnar hotels if mobility is a concern.
Can the itinerary be customized to skip Kovalam and add more time in Munnar?
Yes. Most operators allow destination swaps without a price change if the hotel nights remain the same. Replacing Kovalam with an extra Munnar night suits travelers who prefer cooler weather and nature walks over beach time. Confirm the change at the time of booking, not after.
Do Kerala packages include Wayanad or Varkala?
Standard 5N6D packages do not include Wayanad or Varkala. Adding Wayanad requires extending the trip to 7 or 8 nights. Varkala can replace Kovalam in the south-leg day without adding cost, as both are near Thiruvananthapuram.
How many people does a standard houseboat accommodate?
A standard one-bedroom houseboat accommodates 2 adults. Two-bedroom houseboats take 4 adults. Larger group houseboats with 3–4 bedrooms are available for families of 6–8 and cost INR 18,000–28,000 per night depending on the season and classification.
For a broader India itinerary that includes Kerala as one leg, see our Andaman tour packages hub. Couples planning a Kerala trip may also find our Andaman Honeymoon packages useful for comparing island versus backwater honeymoon formats.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Tripstor's Kerala 5N6D packages are available across budget, standard, and deluxe categories with fixed departures and custom dates. Our consultants can adjust the itinerary to match your travel dates, group size, and budget. Call us to confirm availability and get a written quote within 24 hours.
For package booking assistance, call us at +91 98253 43323