5N 6D Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey – Kochi
Overview
Embark on a enchanting journey through the heart of "God's Own Country" with this perfectly curated 6-day Kerala itinerary. Your adventure begins in the historic port city of Cochin, where colonial influences and ancient trade routes come alive. From there, you'll ascend to the cool, misty tea plantations of Munnar, a haven of rolling green hills and cascading waterfalls. The journey continues to the wild heart of Thekkady, where you can spot wildlife on the tranquil Periyar Lake. Finally, you'll drift through the serene backwaters of Alleppey, witnessing the unique riverside life before concluding your trip back in Cochin. This tour offers a seamless blend of culture, nature, wildlife, and relaxation.
Itinerary
Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, you are welcomed by the team and then you will be transferred to your hotel. This trail goes through Ghorepani Poon Hill. Normally, the trek starts like Pokhara to Nayapul and ends like Phedi to Pokhara. While early travel tended to be slower, more dangerous, and more dominated by trade and migration, cultural and technological advances over many years have tended to mean that travel has become easier and more accessible. The evolution of technology in such diverse fields as horse tack and bullet trains has contributed to this trend.
After breakfast, you will begin your scenic drive to the beautiful hill station of Munnar. The journey itself is a highlight, with winding roads and stunning vistas. En route, you will stop to visit aromatic Spice Plantations and witness the beautiful Valara and Cheeyappara Waterfalls. Upon arrival in Munnar, check into your hotel. The evening is free for optional activities like visiting the Wonder Valley Amusement Park or an exciting off-road Jeep safari. Overnight stay in Munnar.
Today is dedicated to exploring the breathtaking beauty of Munnar. After breakfast, your tour will cover the major attractions, including the panoramic Pothamedu View Point, the serene Kundala Lake, and the famous Echo Point. You will also visit the Mattupetty Dam, the Elephant Arrival Spot, and the popular Photo Point and Cinema Shooting Point. A visit to the Tea Museum is a must to understand the region's history (Note: Closed on Mondays), followed by a trip to the Eravikulam National Park (Rajamalai) to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Overnight stay in Munnar.
Following breakfast, you will depart for Thekkady, home to the renowned Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. On the way, you can visit another Spice Plantation. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is reserved for a thrilling Motor Boat Cruise on the Periyar Lake, where you can spot wildlife along the forest edge. Later, enjoy a guided tour of a Spice Plantation. The evening is free for optional activities such as an Ayurvedic massage, a Kathakali dance performance, or an Elephant safari. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
After breakfast, you will travel to Alleppey, the heart of Kerala's backwaters. Upon arrival, you will embark on a charming Shikara (small houseboat) cruise through the vast Vembanad Lake. Drift through narrow, palm-fringed canals and witness the unique village life of the Kuttanad region, famous for its paddy fields below sea level. Later, visit the scenic Alleppey Beach before checking into your hotel. Overnight stay in Alleppey.
Enjoy a final breakfast in Kerala. After checking out from the hotel, you will be transferred back to Cochin Airport or Railway Station for your onward journey, carrying with you wonderful memories of your South Indian adventure.
Highlights
- Explore Fort Kochi's Heritage: Wander through streets lined with colonial architecture, see the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets, and visit the ancient Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace.
- Witness the Sunrise in Munnar: Stand atop a misty viewpoint like Pothamedu and watch the sunrise paint the endless carpets of tea plantations in golden light.
- Encounter Wildlife in Thekkady: Enjoy a peaceful motorboat cruise on Periyar Lake, offering a unique chance to spot elephants, bison, and deer along the shores of the tiger reserve.
- Glide Through the Backwaters: Experience the tranquility of Kerala's backwaters with a Shikara cruise through the lush, green landscape of Kuttanad, the "Rice Bowl of Kerala."
- Walk Through Aromatic Spice Plantations: Inhale the fresh scents of cardamom, pepper, and vanilla as you take a guided tour through a fragrant spice garden.
Inclusions
- Transportation by a Private Air-Conditioned Cab for the entire tour.
- Pickup from Cochin Airport / Railway Station upon arrival.
- Drop at Cochin Airport / Railway Station at the end of the trip.
- All sightseeing tours and inter-hotel transfers as per the itinerary.
- Services of a professional, multilingual driver who also provides sightseeing assistance.
- All Driver expenses, including Bata, tolls, parking fees, road tax, and fuel charges.
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- All entrance fees at monuments, viewpoints, and national parks (e.g., Tea Museum, Eravikulam National Park, Periyar Boat Cruise).
- Any optional activities mentioned in the itinerary (e.g., Jeep safari, Kathakali show, Ayurvedic massage, Wonder Valley entry).
- Accommodation and meals (The itinerary provided is for sightseeing and transport only).
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, tips, and souvenirs.
- Anything not explicitly mentioned in the 'Cost Includes' section above.
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
