Kerala Chill Escape – Hills to Cliff Beaches (8 days & 7 nights)

Distance: Local sightseeing

Travel Time: Approx. 5–6 hours (including sightseeing)

Upon your arrival at Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam Railway Station, our representative will warmly welcome you and assist with your hotel transfer.

After freshening up, begin exploring Kochi, a city where colonial history, vibrant culture, and modern lifestyle beautifully coexist. Once known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea," Kochi has been an important trading port for centuries, attracting merchants from Europe, Arabia, and China.

Your first stop is the charming Fort Kochi, famous for its colonial architecture, art cafés, heritage streets, and vibrant atmosphere. Walk through the narrow lanes lined with Portuguese and Dutch-era buildings while soaking in the old-world charm.

Continue to the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets, one of Kochi's most photographed landmarks. These centuries-old fishing structures standing gracefully along the Arabian Sea provide a glimpse into Kerala's maritime heritage.

Later, visit Marine Drive, a picturesque waterfront promenade overlooking the serene backwaters. It is one of the best places to enjoy a leisurely evening walk while witnessing a spectacular sunset over the Arabian Sea.

Spend the evening exploring local markets where you can shop for spices, handicrafts, antiques, and traditional Kerala souvenirs.

Highlights

• Fort Kochi Heritage Walk

• Chinese Fishing Nets

• Marine Drive

• Colonial architecture

• Local shopping & cafés

Overnight Stay: Kochi

Distance: Approx. 130 km

Travel Time: 4–5 Hours

After breakfast, check out and begin one of Kerala's most scenic road journeys towards Munnar.

As the road ascends into the Western Ghats, the landscape gradually transforms into rolling hills, dense forests, spice plantations, and endless tea gardens.

En route, stop at the magnificent Cheeyappara Waterfalls and Valara Waterfalls, where crystal-clear streams cascade through lush tropical forests, creating picture-perfect scenery.

Continue your drive through aromatic cardamom and pepper plantations before reaching Munnar, Kerala's most celebrated hill station.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel and spend the evening relaxing amidst cool mountain weather and panoramic tea plantations.

Guests may enjoy a leisurely walk through the tea gardens or simply admire the breathtaking valley views from their resort.

Highlights

• Scenic Western Ghats drive

• Cheeyappara Waterfalls

• Valara Waterfalls

• Spice plantations

• Tea garden landscapes

Overnight Stay: Munnar

After breakfast, embark on a full-day sightseeing tour of Munnar, renowned for its emerald-green tea estates, mist-covered mountains, and pleasant climate.

Begin your day with a visit to Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and one of the most scenic protected areas in South India. The park offers breathtaking views of rolling grasslands, shola forests, and the majestic Anamudi Peak, the highest mountain in South India.

Next, proceed to the beautiful Mattupetty Dam, surrounded by lush hills and tea plantations. Visitors can enjoy boating while taking in the tranquil surroundings.

Continue to Echo Point, a popular viewpoint where visitors can experience the fascinating natural echo phenomenon amidst spectacular mountain scenery.

If time permits, visit the Tea Museum, where you'll learn about Munnar's rich tea heritage and witness the fascinating tea manufacturing process.

The remainder of the day is perfect for exploring local markets offering homemade chocolates, aromatic spices, and premium tea varieties.

Highlights

• Eravikulam National Park

• Mattupetty Dam

• Echo Point

• Tea Museum

• Munnar Tea Gardens

Overnight Stay: Munnar

Munnar → Alleppey | Approx. 150–170 km | 4–5 hours

After breakfast, check out from your Munnar hotel and begin the journey towards Alleppey (Alappuzha), Kerala's celebrated backwater destination.

The landscape gradually changes as you descend from the Western Ghats. The cool mountain environment gives way to tropical greenery, coconut palms, villages, waterways and low-lying agricultural landscapes.

Published Kerala itineraries commonly place the Munnar–Alleppey road journey at approximately 3.5 hours, but a realistic package estimate of around 4–5 hours is preferable when allowing for traffic, road conditions and comfort stops.

On reaching Alleppey, board your traditional Kerala houseboat, an experience that forms one of the defining highlights of a Kerala holiday.

Once the houseboat begins cruising, settle into the peaceful rhythm of the backwaters. The waterways pass through coconut-lined canals, paddy fields, small villages and stretches of open water. You may see local residents going about their daily lives, traditional canoes moving through narrow channels and fishermen working along the waterways.

As the afternoon progresses, enjoy the changing colours of the landscape and a beautiful Kerala sunset from the deck of your houseboat. Meals are served onboard according to the selected houseboat package.

The night on the backwaters offers a completely different experience from the mountain stay in Munnar and adds a memorable element to this Kerala holiday package.

Approx. Distance: 150–170 km

Approx. Travel Time: 4–5 hours by road, excluding stops

Overnight: Kerala Houseboat, Alleppey

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner as per houseboat plan

Alleppey → Varkala | Approx. 110–125 km | 2.5–3.5 hours

Enjoy breakfast onboard your houseboat before completing the disembarkation formalities.

After leaving the backwaters, begin your journey towards Varkala, one of Kerala's most distinctive coastal destinations. The landscape changes once again, moving from the waterways and paddy fields of Alappuzha towards the tropical coastline of southern Kerala.

The Alleppey–Varkala transfer is generally around 2.5 hours in comparable Kerala itineraries, although the actual duration depends on the exact starting point, traffic and road conditions.

On arrival in Varkala, check in to your beachside or cliff-area hotel and take some time to relax.

Later, head towards Varkala Beach and the famous Varkala Cliff. The red laterite cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea create one of the most recognizable coastal landscapes in Kerala. The cliff area is lined with cafés, restaurants, small shops, wellness centres and places offering views of the sea.

Spend the evening enjoying the coastal atmosphere. A sunset walk along the cliff is particularly appealing as the changing light creates beautiful views over the Arabian Sea.

Varkala is intentionally kept relaxed in this itinerary, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the destination rather than rushing between multiple attractions.

Approx. Distance: 110–125 km

Approx. Travel Time: 2.5–3.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions

Overnight: Varkala

Meals: Breakfast

A Relaxed Coastal Day in Kerala

After breakfast, enjoy a completely relaxed day in Varkala.

Unlike a conventional sightseeing day, today allows you to experience the destination at your own pace. Spend time at Varkala Beach, walk along the cliff promenade or relax at one of the many cafés overlooking the Arabian Sea.

Varkala is particularly well suited to slow travel. You can enjoy a long breakfast, browse local shops, sample Kerala cuisine, read by the sea or simply spend a few peaceful hours away from the busy pace of city sightseeing.

For wellness-oriented travellers, Varkala also offers opportunities for yoga, Ayurveda and spa experiences. These can be arranged independently or added to the package depending on availability.

You can also consider an optional visit to Kappil Beach, where the meeting of the backwaters and Arabian Sea creates a scenic coastal setting. Kayaking and other water-based activities may be available depending on weather and local operating conditions.

Return to the cliff area in the evening and enjoy another spectacular sunset before heading back to your hotel.

Approx. Local Travel: 10–25 km if optional sightseeing is included

Approx. Travel Time: 30 minutes–2 hours depending on activities

Overnight: Varkala
Meals: Breakfast

Varkala → Trivandrum | Approx. 45–50 km | 1–1.5 hours each way

After breakfast, enjoy a day excursion towards Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the capital city of Kerala.

The drive from Varkala towards Trivandrum takes approximately one to one-and-a-half hours depending on traffic. Varkala is located around 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram and is well connected by road.

One of the major attractions you may consider visiting is the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of Kerala's most significant religious landmarks. Temple entry is subject to the temple's dress code and entry regulations, so visitors should check the latest requirements before planning the visit.

You may then explore selected local shopping areas or markets in Trivandrum for Kerala souvenirs, handicrafts, spices, textiles and local products.

Depending on the day's schedule, additional sightseeing can be added according to your interests and available time.

Later, drive back to Varkala and enjoy a relaxed final evening by the coast. You may return to the cliff for a final sunset, enjoy dinner at a sea-facing restaurant or simply unwind at your hotel.

Approx. Distance: 90–100 km round trip

Approx. Travel Time: 2–3 hours of driving, excluding sightseeing

Overnight: Varkala
Meals: Breakfast

Varkala → Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Enjoy your final breakfast in Kerala before checking out from your hotel.

Depending on your flight schedule, depart Varkala for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The airport is approximately 50 km from Varkala and the road journey generally takes around 1–1.5 hours, subject to traffic.

We recommend leaving Varkala with sufficient time for airport check-in and security procedures, particularly for international flights.

Your memorable Kerala holiday concludes with the experience of four very different sides of the state — the heritage and coastal culture of Kochi, the tea-covered mountains of Munnar, the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey and the relaxed Arabian Sea coastline of Varkala.

Approx. Distance: 45–50 km

Approx. Travel Time: 1–1.5 hours

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Ends at: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport