Tour Overview
Six days through Kerala's hills, waterfalls and beaches — Kochi to Kochi.
Kerala packs an entire subcontinent of landscapes into one narrow strip — thundering waterfalls, mist-wrapped tea mountains, spice forests roamed by wild elephants, and golden beaches beneath red laterite cliffs. This 5 nights / 6 days tour connects the best of it: Kochi, Athirappilly, Munnar, Kolukkumalai, Vattavada, Thekkady, Jatayu Earth's Center and Varkala — with pickup and drop at Kochi.
You travel in a private vehicle with an experienced driver-cum-guide and a Trip Captain accompanying the batch. Deluxe accommodation, breakfast from Day 2 to Day 6, all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary, tolls, parking and fuel are taken care of. Just bring your bag and your camera.
Tour Highlights
Eight reasons this trip ends up in everyone's top three.
Athirappilly Waterfalls
Kerala's largest waterfall — an 80 ft curtain of white water crashing through rainforest, often called the "Niagara of India".
Kolukkumalai Sunrise
A 4 AM jeep climb to India's highest tea estate — watch the sun rise above a sea of clouds at 7,900 ft.
Munnar Tea Country
Endless carpets of emerald tea gardens, misty viewpoints and winding mountain roads on the drive up.
Vattavada Farm Trail
Kerala's "vegetable village" — strawberry and vegetable farms (seasonal), Pampadum Shola viewpoints and untouched mountain scenery.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Thekkady's famous reserve — spice-scented forests, optional boating on Periyar Lake and a chance to spot wild elephants.
Spice Plantation Walk
Walk through cardamom, pepper, clove and cinnamon plantations — the spices that once made Kerala the centre of world trade.
Jatayu Earth's Center
The world's largest bird sculpture — a 200 ft Jatayu from the Ramayana, perched on a hilltop with a scenic cable car (optional).
Varkala Cliff & Beaches
Golden sand beneath dramatic red cliffs — sunset walks, beachside cafés and the sacred Papanasam Beach.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Six days from Kochi's coast to Munnar's clouds and back down to the cliffs of Varkala.
Download Full Itinerary (PDF)Your Kerala journey begins the moment you land. On arrival at Kochi Airport / Railway Station, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free — relax after your journey, or step out at leisure to explore nearby areas such as Fort Kochi's colonial lanes, the Chinese fishing nets or Marine Drive.
Today's Plan
Our representative meets you at Kochi Airport or Railway Station with a name placard.
Transfer to your hotel in Kochi. Freshen up and settle in.
Rest, or explore nearby places on your own — Fort Kochi, Marine Drive, Lulu Mall.
Try a Kerala sadya or fresh seafood at one of Kochi's many restaurants.
Route Breakdown
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and set off towards Munnar via the most famous waterfalls in Kerala. First stop: the mighty Athirappilly Waterfalls, thundering out of the Sholayar rainforest. From there the road climbs through a scenic forest drive, and as you approach Munnar the landscape turns into rolling tea gardens and beautiful mountain viewpoints. Arrive in Munnar by evening and check in to your hotel.
Today's Plan
Breakfast at the hotel, then load up and roll out of Kochi.
Walk to the falls viewpoints. Entry tickets on direct payment. Keep 1.5–2 hours here.
Stop at a highway restaurant for a Kerala meals lunch.
The road winds through forest sections and small waterfalls along the ghats.
Photo stops at tea-garden viewpoints on the final climb into Munnar.
Arrive in Munnar and check in. Dinner on your own. Early night — tomorrow starts before dawn.
Route Breakdown
Good to Know
Sightseeing at Eravikulam National Park and Mattupetty Dam will be covered today only if time permits, based on your arrival in Munnar.
Carry a rain jacket or umbrella and wear comfortable walking shoes — the falls viewpoints get wet with spray.
The earliest and most rewarding start of the trip. Around 3:30–4:00 AM, proceed by 4x4 Jeep (included in your package) to Kolukkumalai Tea Estate — India's highest tea plantation, renowned for its breathtaking sunrise above a sea of clouds. Return to the hotel for breakfast and rest, then continue your afternoon excursion to Vattavada — Kerala's vegetable village — with seasonal strawberry and vegetable farms, Pampadum Shola viewpoints and scenic mountain landscapes at every turn.
Today's Plan
Board the 4x4 Jeep from Munnar — included in your package. Regular vehicles cannot access this route. Carry warm clothing.
Watch the sun rise above the clouds from India's highest tea estate at 7,900 ft.
Stroll through the century-old orthodox tea plantation before heading back down.
Return to the hotel for breakfast and a short rest.
Afternoon excursion towards Vattavada through Top Station road.
Walk through terraced farms — pick strawberries in season.
Stops at viewpoints along one of Kerala's most beautiful shola forest stretches.
Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own.
Route Breakdown
Good to Know
As per the plan, no regular Munnar sightseeing is included on this day due to time constraints.
The Kolukkumalai 4x4 Jeep to the sunrise point is included in your package price.
After breakfast, drive down from the tea mountains into the spice country of Thekkady. The afternoon belongs to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and a guided spice plantation visit — cardamom, pepper, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon growing exactly where the world's spice trade began. In the evening, choose from optional experiences: boating on Periyar Lake, a Kathakali cultural show or a Kalaripayattu martial arts show.
Today's Plan
Breakfast at the hotel, then depart Munnar for Thekkady.
Check in to the hotel and freshen up. Lunch on your own.
Explore the sanctuary area — forest trails, lake views and a chance to spot elephants and bison.
Guided walk through a working spice plantation. Pick up fresh spices to take home.
Cruise the lake past semi-submerged tree trunks and grazing wildlife. Tickets on direct payment.
Catch a classical Kathakali performance or a Kalaripayattu martial arts show in town.
Route Breakdown
Good to Know
Boating, Kathakali and Kalaripayattu shows are optional and charged on direct payment.
Thekkady is the best place on this route to buy fresh cardamom, pepper and homemade chocolates.
After breakfast, check out and begin the long descent from the hills to the coast. En route, stop at Jatayu Earth's Center — home to the world's largest bird sculpture (cable car and entry tickets are optional and extra). Continue the drive to Varkala and spend the evening on the coast: Varkala Beach, Papanasam Beach, the famous cliff walk and sunset at a beachside café.
Today's Plan
Early breakfast and departure — it's the longest drive day of the trip.
Visit the 200 ft Jatayu sculpture. Cable car & entry tickets are optional and on direct payment.
Stop for lunch on the drive towards the coast.
Arrive at Varkala and check in to the hotel.
Evening on the sands — take a dip or simply watch the waves against the red cliffs.
Sunset walk along the Varkala Cliff, then dinner (own expense) at a cliff-top café.
Route Breakdown
After breakfast, check out from the hotel. If time permits, enjoy a relaxing morning at the beach before beginning the drive back to Kochi. Later, transfer to Kochi Airport / Railway Station for your onward journey. The tour ends with wonderful memories of Athirappilly Waterfalls, the spectacular Kolukkumalai sunrise, the scenic beauty of Vattavada, Thekkady's nature, Jatayu Earth's Center and the stunning cliffs of Varkala.
Today's Plan
Final breakfast of the trip at the hotel.
A last unhurried stroll on Varkala Beach before check-out.
Begin the ~175 km drive back to Kochi (typically 6–8 hours with stops and traffic). Lunch stop en route (own expense).
Transfer to Kochi Airport / Railway Station. Arrival before 5:00 PM cannot be assured — book flights for 7:00 PM or later. Tour ends.
Route Breakdown
You Take Home
Every photo and video shot during the trip, uploaded to a private cloud folder.
Cardamom, pepper and homemade chocolate from Thekkady's plantations.
A detailed Kerala circuit map with every waterfall, viewpoint and beach marked.
Private WhatsApp group with all the travellers. Most goodbyes become next trips.
The Jatayu sculpture is 200 ft long, 150 ft wide and 70 ft tall — the largest bird sculpture in the world.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Everything you get — and what you'll need to handle on your own.
What's Included
- Deluxe category accommodations
- Vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing as per itinerary
- Airport Pickup & Drop (Cochin Airport only)
- Experienced Driver cum Guide
- Driver allowance, fuel, toll taxes & parking charges
- 4x4 Jeep — Kolukkumalai Sunrise Point
- CPAI Meal Plan — Breakfast: Day 2 to Day 6
- 1 Trip Captain
- Room sharing as per booking
What's Not Included
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions
- Airfare
- Lunch and meals other than mentioned
- Entry tickets to monuments, attractions, and sightseeing
- Adventure activities & optional activities
- Personal expenses
- Laundry charges
- Camera charges (if applicable)
- Expenses due to natural calamities, roadblocks, weather conditions, strikes, or unforeseen circumstances
- Missed sightseeing due to any reason (no compensation / refund)
- If airport pickup is missed, alternate transfer charges will be borne by the guest
- No refund for unused services
- 5% GST
Hotel Details
Handpicked deluxe-category stays at every stop — listed hotels or similar.
Batch Dates 2026
Five fixed departures from August to November. Each is a 5N/6D tour, Kochi to Kochi — reserve a seat on the date that fits you.
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
Things To Carry
Kerala mixes cool hills, monsoon showers and tropical beaches — pack light, pack smart.
Pricing — Choose Your Room Sharing
Two simple options. Same itinerary, same vehicle, same inclusions — different room layout.
Triple Sharing
Share a triple-occupancy room with two co-travellers. Best price, same comfort.
- Deluxe triple-occupancy room at every property
- Breakfast from Day 2 to Day 6 (CPAI plan)
- Kochi Airport pickup & drop
- Private vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- Experienced driver cum guide, fuel, tolls & parking
- 1 Trip Captain with the batch
Double Sharing
More privacy. Ideal for couples or two friends who'd rather share with just one.
- Deluxe double-occupancy room at every property
- Breakfast from Day 2 to Day 6 (CPAI plan)
- Kochi Airport pickup & drop
- Private vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- Experienced driver cum guide, fuel, tolls & parking
- 1 Trip Captain with the batch
Important Notes & Policies
- The Kolukkumalai Sunrise Excursion starts at 4:00 AM and is conducted via 4x4 Jeep (included in the package), as regular vehicles cannot access the route.
- Sightseeing at Eravikulam National Park and Mattupetty Dam on Day 2 will be covered only if time permits, based on arrival in Munnar.
- Carry warm clothing for the early morning Kolukkumalai trip.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and carry a rain jacket / umbrella during the monsoon season.
- The journey from Varkala to Kochi typically takes approximately 6–8 hours. Even with an early morning departure, arrival in Kochi before 5:00 PM cannot be assured. Therefore, we strongly recommend booking a flight scheduled for 7:00 PM or later to avoid the risk of missing your departure. Should you wish to extend your stay in Kochi, please feel free to get in touch with our team for assistance with accommodation and any additional arrangements required.
- The itinerary may be adjusted depending on weather, traffic, road conditions, or operational requirements to ensure the best travel experience.
Safety and Itinerary Changes
At Xplorewide, your safety is paramount. We reserve the right to modify the itinerary and mode of transport for the entire or part of the trip. Such changes may be made due to factors including, but not limited to, union concerns, government advisories, and restrictions.
In the event of an itinerary or transport change, travellers agree to cooperate with our team members and refrain from causing any disturbances that may adversely affect the experience for fellow travellers. Xplorewide reserves the right to terminate the trip for any traveller and their group in cases of non-cooperation or disruptive behaviour. In such instances, the full amount paid will be forfeited.
Circumstances Beyond Our Control
In our commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience, we want you to be informed about situations beyond our control. We regret that, in situations beyond our control, we are unable to offer compensation, expense reimbursement, or assume responsibility for any losses incurred. These uncontrollable circumstances may necessitate changes to your booked tour or result in our inability to provide the tour as originally agreed upon.
When we mention "circumstances beyond our control", we are referring to events that were unforeseeable and unavoidable, despite our best efforts to exercise reasonable care. These circumstances typically encompass, but are not limited to, events such as war, the threat of war, airport closures, epidemics, natural or nuclear disasters, terrorist activities, civil unrest, industrial disputes, and adverse weather conditions.
We understand the importance of delivering an exceptional travel experience and will do our best to minimize disruptions and ensure your journey remains enjoyable, even when faced with such challenges.