
Kerala Family Holiday: Munnar, Periyar Wildlife and Kumarakom Lake




Duration
6 Days 5 Nights
Pickup
Cochin International Airport (Kochi) or Ernakulam railhead
Drop
Cochin International Airport (Kochi) or Ernakulam railhead
Type
Short-haul
Overview & Highlights
This five-night private holiday keeps the driving manageable and the days varied, which suits families with children and grandparents. You see tea hills and a viewpoint-and-dam day in Munnar, watch for wildlife from a boat on Periyar Lake and end with two nights at a lakeside resort in Kumarakom. The Kumarakom stay replaces the overnight houseboat with a daytime backwater cruise, so everyone sleeps on land and children can run about. Tell us your children's ages and we will suit the pace.
- Tea plantations, Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point around Munnar
- Eravikulam National Park with its Nilgiri tahr, if open
- Periyar Lake boat ride and a spice plantation visit
- Two nights at a lakeside stay in Kumarakom
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and a daytime backwater cruise
- Private AC vehicle, with short driving days where possible
Itinerary
1Day 1: Arrival in Kochi | Drive to Munnar
- Arrive at Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam railhead, where your driver meets you.
- Drive to Munnar, about four hours, with a break at a roadside waterfall.
- Check in and rest, with the evening free.
- Overnight stay in Munnar.
2Day 2: Munnar Tea Hills | Mattupetty Dam | Echo Point
- After breakfast, visit Eravikulam National Park, subject to it being open.
- Walk through a tea plantation and see how tea is made at a tea museum.
- Stop at Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point, with optional boating paid locally.
- Free evening.
- Overnight stay in Munnar.
3Day 3: Munnar to Thekkady | Spice Plantation
- After breakfast, drive to Thekkady, about four hours.
- Visit a spice plantation and learn how pepper, cardamom and vanilla grow.
- Spend the evening at leisure, or attend an optional cultural show paid locally.
- Overnight stay in Thekkady.
4Day 4: Periyar Lake Boat Ride | Drive to Kumarakom
- Take a boat ride on Periyar Lake in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, subject to the reserve's schedule.
- Drive to Kumarakom, about four hours, and check in to your lakeside stay.
- Relax by the water for the rest of the day.
- Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
5Day 5: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary | Backwater Cruise
- After breakfast, visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary for a gentle walk among the birds and trees.
- Enjoy a daytime cruise on Vembanad Lake and the nearby canals.
- Spend the evening at leisure at the resort.
- Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
6Day 6: Departure from Kochi
- After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
- Drive to Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam railhead, about two and a half hours, for your journey home.
Weather, road conditions and safety may require changes to the itinerary.
Inclusions
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Munnar on twin sharing
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Thekkady on twin sharing
- 2 nights lakeside stay in Kumarakom on twin sharing
- Daily breakfast at the hotels
- AC vehicle with driver for transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Periyar Lake boat ride and entry tickets listed in the itinerary
- Spice plantation visit in Thekkady
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary visit and a daytime backwater cruise
- Assistance from our travel experts
Exclusions
- Flights or trains to and from Kerala
- Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses, laundry, tips and porterage
- Camera fees, optional activities and cultural shows not listed in the itinerary
- Ayurvedic treatments and spa sessions unless listed
- GST as applicable
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Other Info
Must carry
- Valid photo ID such as an Aadhaar card, passport or driving licence
- Flight or train tickets to and from Kerala
- Light cotton clothing for the coast
- A light jacket or sweater for Munnar and Thekkady
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Umbrella or raincoat
- Power bank and your regular medicines
Notes
- Carry a valid photo ID, such as an Aadhaar card, passport or driving licence, for hotel check-in.
- Standard hotel check-in is around 2 pm and check-out around 12 noon.
- The order of the itinerary may change due to weather, road or operational conditions, without reducing the sights covered.
- Rates and availability are confirmed at the time of booking.
- Cancellation and refund are as per our Terms & Conditions.
- Munnar and Thekkady can be cool in the early morning and evening, especially from December to February.
- Many temples in Kerala have strict dress codes, and some admit only Hindus.
- From June to September heavy rain can cause landslides and slow hill roads, rough seas and closure of some treks and viewpoints; the itinerary may be adjusted for safety.
- Family rooms, extra beds and child rates are confirmed at booking; please share children's ages when you enquire.
See our Terms & Conditions for payment and cancellation rules.