Package overview
The thinking behind this journey.
A closer look at this 5-night journey through Kerala— who it's built for, what you'll experience, and why the pace works.
Journey notes
Why this route works
What Does This Kerala Family Holiday Include?
Five nights and six days across four bases, all connected by private car, with no single drive exceeding four hours except the final return to Kochi. You start in Kochi, climb to Munnar for two nights, spend one night in Thekkady for the Periyar boat ride, then finish with a night on the Alappuzha backwaters before heading home on Day 6.
Rooms are arranged as family or connecting rooms wherever available. Breakfast and dinner are included at all hotels, and the houseboat night covers all three meals. Sightseeing entries, the Periyar boat ticket and Eravikulam National Park entry are part of the package. Flights, lunches on road days, personal expenses and anything not listed stay outside it.
Why This Route Works for Children and Grandparents
No single transfer on this route crosses four hours, and Munnar gets two nights so nobody repacks daily. The Periyar boat ride at Thekkady is seated and shaded, which suits elders who cannot walk long distances, while the Eravikulam safari gives children a two-to-three-hour walk on a marked path inside Kerala's first national park.
Alappuzha is the softest day of the trip. The houseboat moves slowly through the backwaters, meals are cooked on board, and there is nothing to rush for. According to travel sources, Kochi, Alappuzha and Kumarakom are among the Kerala destinations most recommended when mobility is a concern, and two of those three appear on this route.
Highlights by Age Group
Different members of the family will get the most out of different parts of this trip. Here is a quick breakdown by age group.
Younger children (under 10)
- Eravikulam National Park safari — a 2-to-3-hour walk on a marked trail with a good chance of spotting Nilgiri tahr
- Houseboat night on the Alappuzha backwaters — meals on board, open deck, slow pace
- Fort Kochi heritage walk — flat ground, short distances, interesting to look at
Teenagers
- Periyar boat ride at Thekkady — wildlife spotting on the lake, optional guided walk after
- Tea estate visit near Munnar — short walk, good for photos
- Spice plantation stop near Thekkady — guided tour explains what grows where
Grandparents
- Houseboat cruise — seated throughout, no walking required
- Fort Kochi — flat, walkable, no entry fee
- Periyar boat ride — seated and shaded, KTDC-operated, easy to board
When Is the Best Time to Visit Kerala?
October to March is the dry season, with temperatures between 22°C and 33°C and the lowest rainfall of the year. December, January and February draw the biggest crowds and peak room rates, so book early if school holidays decide your dates.
April and May turn hot and humid. The southwest monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain, rougher seas and some suspended boat services. September and October sit in a moderate middle ground on both rain and price, which works well if your family has flexible dates.
Pace, Rest and Daily Rhythm
This itinerary is built for a relaxed pace, not a packed one. Most mornings start at 7:30 am, with a rest window after lunch on the longer drive days. Two nights in Munnar means no repacking on Day 3, which matters when travelling with young children or elders.
The Munnar mountain roads have tight hairpin bends and sudden mist. Hired drivers who know the route are significantly safer than self-driving here. The Alappuzha houseboat anchors by around 6 pm, so children can sleep at a normal hour. Build in a 30-minute rest stop on any drive over two hours.
Rooms, Meals and Comfort
Family rooms or connecting rooms are requested at all properties on this route. Most 4-star hill and backwater resorts in Munnar and Alappuzha have these configurations, though availability depends on the travel dates. Confirm the room type at booking.
Breakfast and dinner are included throughout. South Indian vegetarian options are available at every stop. Jain food without onion or garlic can be arranged at most hotels if you inform us before travel. The houseboat cook prepares meals on board and can accommodate dietary preferences with advance notice.
Kerala Stay Options by Budget
The default package runs on 4-star properties throughout, priced at Rs.65,000 per person on twin sharing for 2026 departures (land only, flights excluded). Two other tiers are available on request.
| Stay Tier | Property Style | Indicative Price per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (3-star) | Clean, comfortable hotels and a standard houseboat; fewer amenities but good locations | Approx. Rs.49,000 |
| Standard (4-star) | Hill resorts in Munnar, a riverside property in Thekkady and a private houseboat in Alappuzha | Rs.65,000 (default) |
| Premium (5-star) | Larger rooms, pool access, premium houseboat with extra deck space and butler service | Approx. Rs.1,04,000 |
All prices are indicative and subject to travel dates and availability. Confirm final pricing at booking.
Kid and Elder Logistics
Seat arrangements in the car should be confirmed when you share the group size. A family of five or six will need a seven-seater vehicle, which should be requested at booking. Child seats are not standard in Kerala rental cars; bring a portable one if your child needs it.
Stroller access is practical in Kochi and on the houseboat deck but limited on the Eravikulam trail, which is a walking path. Elders with limited mobility can skip the park and rest at the hotel while others go. Wheelchair access at Fort Kochi is partial — the lanes are flat but uneven in places. Keep a bag with snacks, water and any regular medicines in the car on every drive day.
Travelling with Kids and Elders — Five Practical Tips
- Carry light woollens for Munnar evenings; temperatures drop noticeably after sunset even in the dry season.
- Keep rain jackets in the car through October and November for short afternoon showers on the mountain roads.
- Book Eravikulam National Park entry in advance through the park information centre in Munnar; walk-in slots fill up quickly in peak season.
- Arrange the Periyar wildlife guide at the KTDC booking counter in Thekkady on arrival; no advance booking is needed for the boat ride itself, but confirm at booking.
- Carry government-issued photo ID for all adults and school ID or birth certificates for children; some houseboat operators and park counters ask for them.
Getting to Kerala and Around
Kochi (Cochin International Airport) is the arrival and departure point for this package. Direct flights connect Kochi with Delhi (approximately 3.25 hours), Mumbai (approximately 2 hours), Bengaluru (approximately 1 hour), Chennai (approximately 1 hour) and Hyderabad (approximately 1.5 hours), as of October 2026. Flight schedules from Kolkata and Ahmedabad require checking at the time of booking.
Kerala is also connected by rail to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata; Ernakulam Junction is the main Kochi station. Road access from Bengaluru to Kochi takes approximately 9–10 hours via NH 544. Within the package, all transfers between Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and Alappuzha are by private air-conditioned car. No special permits are required for this route. Mobile connectivity is generally good in Kochi and Alappuzha; Munnar and Thekkady have patchier coverage in some areas, so download offline maps before you travel.
Share how many adults and children are travelling and their ages, and we will adjust rooms, pace and activities.
Day by day
Follow the journey, one considered day at a time.
6 days of stays, experiences, and unhurried moments designed for 6D/5N Kerala Family Holiday Package.
- Day01
Journey stage 01
Arrival in Kochi and Fort Kochi Walk
Arrive at Kochi airport, check in, and spend the late afternoon on foot in the Fort Kochi heritage area before an early dinner.
Morning
Arrive at Kochi airport and meet the driver. Transfer to the hotel and complete check-in. Rest after the journey.
Afternoon
Light lunch near the hotel. Walk through the Fort Kochi heritage district — flat ground, free to enter, and short enough for young children. See the Chinese fishing nets along the waterfront.
Evening
Watch the fishing nets at sunset. Early dinner at the hotel. Aim to have the children in bed by 9 pm ahead of the Munnar drive tomorrow.
- Day02
Journey stage 02
Kochi to Munnar via Spice Garden
A roughly four-hour climb from Kochi to Munnar with a spice garden stop and lunch on the way.
Morning
Breakfast at 7:30 am and leave Kochi by 8:30 am. Stop at a spice garden near Neriamangalam for a short guided walk — children enjoy seeing pepper, cardamom and nutmeg growing.
Afternoon
Lunch at a restaurant on the Munnar road. Continue through tea estates and check in to the Munnar resort by 3 pm. Rest or walk in the hotel garden.
Evening
Dinner at the hotel. Munnar evenings are cool, so keep a light layer handy for the children.
- Day03
Journey stage 03
Eravikulam National Park and Munnar Sightseeing
The main Munnar day, built around the Eravikulam safari in the morning and a relaxed afternoon with no repacking.
Morning
Leave at 7:30 am for Eravikulam National Park. Entry opens at 8:00 am and closes at 2:00 pm; the safari is a 2-to-3-hour walk on a marked trail. Private vehicles are not allowed inside — the park runs its own transport. Book entry through the park information centre in Munnar in advance.
Afternoon
Lunch in Munnar town. Visit the tea museum or the Mattupetty dam area if the group has energy. Otherwise, free time at the hotel.
Evening
Early dinner at the hotel. Second night in Munnar means no packing tonight.
- Day04
Journey stage 04
Munnar to Thekkady and Periyar Boat Ride
A roughly three-hour drive to Thekkady, followed by the Periyar boat ride on the lake in the afternoon.
Morning
Breakfast and check out by 8:30 am. Drive to Thekkady with a short tea stop on the way. The road passes through cardamom plantations.
Afternoon
Check in and have lunch. Take the Periyar boat ride — seated and shaded, suitable for grandparents. If the older children want a guided walk after, arrange a wildlife guide at the KTDC booking counter in Thekkady.
Evening
Visit a spice plantation near the hotel for a short guided tour. Dinner in Thekkady town or at the hotel.
- Day05
Journey stage 05
Thekkady to Alappuzha Houseboat
Drive down from the hills to the backwaters and board the houseboat for the night.
Morning
Check out after breakfast. Drive approximately four hours to Alappuzha with a lunch stop en route. The road descends from the hills to the coastal plains.
Afternoon
Board the houseboat by 1 pm. Cruise the backwaters at a slow pace. The cook prepares tea and snacks on board. Children can sit on the open deck and watch the waterway.
Evening
Dinner cooked on board. The houseboat anchors for the night around 6 pm, so children can sleep at a normal hour.
- Day06
Journey stage 06
Alappuzha to Kochi and Departure
Disembark after breakfast and drive back to Kochi for the flight home.
Morning
Breakfast on the houseboat and disembark by 9 am. Drive to Kochi, roughly two hours.
Afternoon
If your flight is late afternoon or evening, stop for lunch and a short visit to a Kochi market. Otherwise head directly to the airport. Allow at least three hours before departure.
Evening
Airport drop and departure from Kochi.
What's covered
Clear on what travels with you.
Know exactly what's part of your package price before you book.
Part of your journey
Included
- Five nights accommodation on twin sharing, including one night on a private Alappuzha houseboat with air-conditioned bedrooms
- Daily breakfast and dinner at all hotels; all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on the houseboat night
- Private air-conditioned car for all transfers and sightseeing throughout the itinerary
- Driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel for the full route
- Eravikulam National Park entry fees and the park safari for the group (Indian adult rate ₹200 per person as of 2026; confirm child rates at booking)
- Periyar boat ride tickets at Thekkady
- Fort Kochi heritage walk with a local guide
- Airport pickup and drop at Kochi
- Assistance from a local coordinator throughout the trip
- All applicable state taxes on the land package
Plan separately
Not included
- Airfare to and from Kochi and any train or bus tickets
- Lunches on all days except the houseboat night
- Entry fees at monuments, parks or attractions not named in the inclusions
- Ayurveda treatments, spa sessions and optional activities
- Personal expenses such as laundry, tips, telephone charges and camera fees at parks
- Travel insurance and medical costs
- Child seats in vehicles — bring your own portable seat if required
- Any costs arising from weather delays, road closures or events outside our control
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Everything to know before you choose this journey.
Common questions about 6D/5N Kerala Family Holiday Package — pricing, changes, and what happens after you enquire.
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CoupleNorway is expensive but the experience is worth planning for. We did the Flam Railway and the Sognefjord on Day 5. Tripstor gave us a realistic budget breakdown before we booked, which I appreciated. No surprises on the ground.
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