11 Nights / 12 Days
On Request
Kochi - Munnar - Vagamon - Thekkady - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Marari Beach
A thoughtfully paced journey through Kerala allows travelers to absorb the landscape, culture, and lifestyle without feeling rushed, making this itinerary ideal for those seeking meaningful travel rather than checklist tourism. This Kerala slow travel itinerary focuses on spending quality time in each destination while staying in carefully selected boutique properties that enhance comfort and privacy.
The journey begins in Kochi, gradually moving into the serene hills of Munnar, followed by the untouched valleys of Vagamon and the forested region of Thekkady. Each location has been chosen to create a balance between scenic beauty, cultural immersion, and relaxation.
The experience transitions into Kerala’s iconic backwaters in Kumarakom and Alleppey, where slow-moving waterways define daily life. The journey concludes at Marari Beach, offering a peaceful coastal escape that completes this luxury Kerala travel experience.
Upon arrival in Kochi, you will be received at the airport and transferred to your boutique hotel. The day is intentionally kept light to help you relax after your journey and adjust to the tropical coastal climate of Kerala. Kochi serves as a cultural gateway, offering a blend of colonial history and local traditions.
In the afternoon, you can take a gentle walk through Fort Kochi, where narrow streets, heritage buildings, and coastal views create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. The Chinese fishing nets along the shoreline provide a unique visual experience, especially during sunset when the light reflects beautifully over the water.
The evening is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, with dinner at a curated restaurant offering Kerala cuisine or international options. This first day sets the tone for the slow travel concept, ensuring you ease into the journey without any rush.
The day begins with a relaxed breakfast followed by a guided exploration of Kochi’s cultural landmarks. Visiting historic churches, colonial-era buildings, and local markets gives insight into the layered history of the city influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, and British presence.
You may visit art galleries and heritage zones where local craftsmanship and contemporary expressions coexist. The pace remains unhurried, allowing you to absorb the surroundings rather than rushing between attractions. Kochi’s charm lies in its details, and slow exploration brings out its true character.
In the evening, an optional cultural performance such as Kathakali or traditional dance can be arranged. This adds depth to your understanding of Kerala’s artistic heritage while maintaining the relaxed rhythm of the itinerary.
After breakfast, you begin your scenic drive towards Munnar, a journey that gradually transitions from coastal plains to lush green hills. The drive itself is an experience, with winding roads, waterfalls, and changing landscapes offering multiple photo stops.
As you ascend into the hills, tea plantations begin to dominate the landscape, creating a refreshing and serene environment. The cooler climate of Munnar provides a pleasant contrast to Kochi, making it a perfect destination for relaxation and nature immersion.
Upon arrival, you check into your boutique stay surrounded by greenery. The rest of the day is free for leisure, where you can simply unwind, enjoy the views, and experience the calm atmosphere that defines Munnar.
The morning in Munnar begins with a calm atmosphere where mist slowly lifts over endless tea plantations, creating a refreshing start to the day. After breakfast, you head out for a guided exploration of the surrounding hills, focusing on scenic viewpoints and plantation landscapes that define this region.
Walking through tea estates offers a closer understanding of how Kerala’s famous tea is cultivated and processed. The experience is not rushed, allowing time to pause, observe, and absorb the environment. The fresh mountain air, combined with the rhythmic patterns of plantations, creates a peaceful setting ideal for slow travel.
In the afternoon, you can visit local attractions such as viewpoints or lakes, but the itinerary keeps flexibility so you can choose between sightseeing or simply relaxing at your boutique property. The evening is best spent enjoying the cool climate, quiet surroundings, and uninterrupted views of the hills.
After breakfast, you begin your drive towards Vagamon, a lesser-explored destination known for its untouched beauty and open landscapes. The journey itself is scenic, passing through forests, valleys, and quiet rural stretches that highlight Kerala’s natural diversity.
As you approach Vagamon, the environment becomes more open and peaceful, with rolling meadows, pine forests, and wide valleys replacing dense plantations. This shift in landscape creates a completely different experience compared to Munnar, offering a sense of isolation and calmness.
Upon arrival, you check into your boutique retreat, usually located amidst nature with minimal disturbance. The rest of the day is kept free for relaxation, allowing you to disconnect and enjoy the silence, fresh air, and scenic surroundings.
The day in Vagamon is intentionally designed with minimal structure, allowing you to experience the destination at your own pace. After breakfast, you can explore nearby valleys, pine forests, and open grasslands that make Vagamon unique among Kerala hill stations.
Walking through these landscapes provides a sense of calm rarely found in more commercial destinations. The absence of crowds enhances the experience, making it ideal for travelers looking for solitude and connection with nature. The wide open views and clean air create a refreshing environment throughout the day.
In the afternoon, you can return to your property for relaxation or enjoy light activities depending on your stay. The evening offers beautiful sunset views across the valleys, followed by a quiet night surrounded by nature.
After breakfast, you proceed towards Thekkady, a region known for its wildlife reserves and spice plantations. The drive continues through scenic terrain, gradually introducing more forested landscapes as you approach Thekkady.
Upon arrival, you check into your hotel and take some time to relax. Thekkady offers a different environment compared to the hill stations, with dense greenery, wildlife presence, and a more tropical forest setting. This adds diversity to the overall journey.
Later in the day, you may explore local spice plantations where various spices like cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon are grown. The experience provides insight into Kerala’s spice heritage while maintaining the relaxed pace of the itinerary.
The journey continues after breakfast towards Kumarakom, where the landscape gradually transforms from forested hills to flat backwater regions filled with canals, lagoons, and coconut groves.
Upon arrival, you check into a boutique backwater property offering views of the serene waterways. The environment here is calm and slow-paced, perfectly aligned with the overall theme of the itinerary. The stillness of the water and surrounding greenery create a unique atmosphere.
The rest of the day is free for relaxation, where you can enjoy the property, take a short boat ride, or simply observe local life along the backwaters. The evening is peaceful, often accompanied by soft sounds of nature and water movement.
After breakfast, you proceed towards Alleppey, known for its iconic houseboat experiences. Upon arrival, you board your private houseboat, which becomes your accommodation for the day.
The houseboat cruise takes you through narrow canals, open lakes, and village areas where daily life unfolds along the water. This slow movement through the backwaters offers a completely different perspective of Kerala, far removed from busy city life.
Meals are served onboard, and the experience is designed to be relaxed and immersive. By evening, the houseboat anchors in a quiet location, allowing you to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and a unique overnight stay on the water.
After breakfast on the houseboat, you disembark and proceed towards Marari Beach, a serene coastal destination known for its simplicity and quiet environment.
Upon arrival, you check into your beachside boutique resort surrounded by coconut groves and open coastline. Unlike commercial beach destinations, Marari offers a calm and less crowded atmosphere, making it ideal for relaxation.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy the beach, take slow walks along the shore, or simply unwind at your property. The sound of the waves and the open horizon create a soothing end to the journey.
The day is dedicated to complete relaxation at Marari Beach, allowing you to fully unwind after days of travel. The morning can begin with a peaceful walk along the shoreline or simply enjoying the calm surroundings.
You may choose to engage in light activities, spa sessions, or cultural interactions depending on your property. The focus remains on rest and comfort, ensuring a balanced travel experience.
The evening offers another opportunity to enjoy the beach atmosphere, with soft sunsets and a relaxed coastal vibe. This day acts as a perfect conclusion to the slow travel journey.
After breakfast, you check out from your hotel and proceed towards Kochi for your departure. The journey back allows time to reflect on the diverse experiences covered throughout Kerala, from hills and forests to backwaters and beaches.
The itinerary ensures a smooth and comfortable end to the trip, with timely transfers arranged based on your flight schedule. The relaxed pace maintained throughout the journey continues until the final day.
You leave Kerala with a deeper connection to its landscapes, culture, and slow lifestyle, making this journey memorable and meaningful.
We at India World Wide Travel provide our valuable a premium quality SUV / MUV Safe and Comfortable Cars, Van and Luxury Buses with Private Driver for your journey on your India Holiday. If you wish to have more luxury vehicle for your holiday. Please check our vehicle collection page
After choosing your preferred itinerary, all you have to do to reserve your spot is send a deposit of 20% plus the cost of each booking for the train and airfare.
Your final payment won't be due until 45 days before the start of your tour. The entire cost must be paid at the time of booking if your reservation is made less than 60 days before the tour begins.
Note: All airline booking and cancellation restrictions apply, and full payment must be made at the time of booking for both domestic and international tickets.
We know that planning the perfect getaway comes with a few questions, and we're here to help! Whether you're curious about our accommodations, experiences, sustainability initiatives, or bookings, our FAQs have got you covered. If you don't find what you're looking for, feel free to reach out—we're always happy to assist!
We know that planning the perfect getaway comes with a few questions, and we're here to help! Whether you're curious about our accommodations, experiences, sustainability initiatives, or bookings, our FAQs have got you covered. If you don't find what you're looking for, feel free to reach out—we're always happy to assist!
We know that planning the perfect getaway comes with a few questions, and we're here to help! Whether you're curious about our accommodations, experiences, sustainability initiatives, or bookings, our FAQs have got you covered. If you don't find what you're looking for, feel free to reach out—we're always happy to assist! We know that planning the perfect getaway comes with a few questions, and we're here to help! Whether you're curious about our accommodations, experiences, sustainability initiatives, or bookings, our FAQs have got you covered. If you don't find what you're looking for, feel free to reach out—we're always happy to assist!
Note: We strongly advise getting travel insurance that includes coverage for disruptions caused by COVID-19.
You have up to 45 days before the tour begins to cancel, in which case your entire land deposit and any advance payments you paid will be refunded within 21 business days.
Note: Only the land portion of the journey is subject to cancellation and rebooking policies; domestic and international train and airline tickets are not.
Note: When purchasing tickets for domestic or international travel, you must pay in full at the time of booking. You must also abide by the cancellation, rebooking and booking regulations of the individual airline and rail operators.
45 days before the tour's commencement date:
Should government travel restrictions force the cancellation of your journey, your deposit and any progress payments will be fully credited towards a future tour with us at no additional cost.
We are not required to provide any reimbursement for services that you do not use if you cancel a trip after it has started for any reason. On your behalf, Royal India Tours will make every effort to retrieve as much of your money as we can or work out a credit for later usage.
Any costs resulting from a cancellation or adjustment made between thirty days before the tour start date and the tour end date will be your responsibility and must be paid by you within twenty-four hours of the modification.
We are not required to provide any reimbursement for services that are not used if the tour must be changed or cancelled for any reason other than illness or COVID-19. On your behalf, Royal India Tours will make every effort to retrieve as much of your money as we can or work out a credit for later usage. Any associated costs are your responsibility and must be paid for within a day.
Refunds or cancellations won't take effect until we get official documentation of the cancellation.
Visit for the complete cancellation and refund policy.
There is a required single surcharge for travellers travelling alone.
Please provide valid passport details Either at the time of purchase or no later than 45 days before the travel date, customers must provide valid passport details. The reservation may be cancelled if this isn't done. Customers will be in charge of any associated costs and fees in this case.
Most visitors need a visa to enter India, except for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan. Tourist visas last for six months but cannot be extended. Nationals of some countries can get a visa on arrival, while others need to apply in advance online. Leaving on a tourist visa means no re-entry within two months, with some exceptions. Businessmen and students can get five-year visas. Certain areas require special permits, and some are off-limits to foreigners.
To get a visa apply online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
The purpose of international travel insurance is to go with you and help you make better-informed travel decisions. Travel insurance is mandatory for all travellers and should be taken out before travel and must be purchase from your home country with Sum Insured $50,000 USD to $200,000 USD. Your insurance must cover personal accidents, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with coverage. We also strongly recommend coverage for cancellation, curtailment, personal liability, loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide your policy number and the insurer's emergency contact 15 days before the tour starts. Without these details, you will not be able to join the trip.
During the tour, you are in charge of all your possessions. The standard weight limit for checked baggage on Indian domestic airlines is 15 kg, while carry-on luggage is 7 kg.
Unfortunately, wheelchair users and anyone with limited mobility cannot now participate in our tours because our cars are not wheelchair accessible.
Note that this will require a general degree of fitness. Before making a purchase or booking a trip, please speak with your healthcare physician if you have any concerns.
Please be aware that your schedule may be changed, subject to availability, or an equivalent activity may be provided in its place if entry to a site is impacted by modifications to working hours or public holiday closures.
This covers any modifications to your reservation that you request, including but not restricted to those that call for reissuing the Purchase Confirmation or an airline ticket.
Changes: $100.00 per reservation plus any extra fees levied by the airline, cruise line, lodging or any travel agencies.
In the event that Royal India Tours receives notification of an inaccurate name, there will be a $100.00 booking fee in addition to any additional fees levied by the airline, cruise line, lodging provider or other travel suppliers.
