Book 6 Nights 7 Days Kerala Monsoon Tour Package With Taj Hotels

Itinerary

Day 1 – Kochi Arrival → Kochi Hotel

Our driver will be at the airport, railway station, or bus stand to receive you and take you to the hotel. Kochi is a beautiful city with a mix of old history and modern life.

If you arrive in the afternoon or evening, you can take a short walk around Fort Kochi area. The old streets, Chinese fishing nets, and the waterfront are quite nice to explore even during monsoon.

Overnight stay in Kochi – Taj Malabar.

Day 2 – Kochi → Kumarakom (approx. 50 Kms / 2 Hrs)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and head to Kumarakom. The drive takes around 2 hours through the backwater villages of Kerala. You will start seeing small canals, paddy fields, and coconut trees all along the way – beautiful during monsoon when everything is green and fresh.

On arrival, check in to the resort and relax. Kumarakom is right on the banks of Vembanad Lake – one of the largest lakes in Kerala. Just sitting by the lake in the evening is a very peaceful experience.

Sightseeing & Activity Options in Kumarakom:

• Sunset Cruise – Most Taj resorts in Kumarakom offer a complimentary or paid sunset cruise on the lake. This is something you should not miss. The view of the lake during sunset is very calming.
• Bird Sanctuary – Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a short distance from the resort. Best time to visit is between 6 AM and 8 AM. Migratory birds usually come from February onwards, but the sanctuary is worth a visit any time of year. There is a watchtower inside the forest that gives a nice view.
• Kayaking – If you enjoy outdoor activities, kayaking on the lake is a great option.
• Ayurvedic Massage & Treatment – Kerala is famous for Ayurveda and monsoon is actually considered the best season for Ayurvedic treatments. Ask the resort about their in-house Ayurvedic center or we can recommend nearby centers.
• Houseboat Day Cruise with Lunch – A private houseboat day cruise on Vembanad Lake with local Kerala food is a wonderful experience. We can arrange this for an additional cost.

Overnight stay in Kumarakom – Vivanta by Taj / Taj Kumarakom.

Day 3 – Kumarakom (Full Day – Leisure & Relax)

No rushing today. This is a full free day to enjoy the lakeside resort at your own pace. You can go for a morning walk, try the Ayurvedic spa, or just sit by the water with a cup of tea. Kumarakom is one of those places where you do not need to plan too much – the environment itself is the experience.

If interested, today is also a good day to do the houseboat day cruise if you missed it yesterday.

Overnight stay in Kumarakom – Vivanta by Taj / Taj Kumarakom.

Day 4 – Kumarakom → Varkala (approx. 131 Kms / 4 Hrs)

After breakfast, check out and drive to Varkala. Varkala is a coastal town in Kerala known for its cliffs overlooking the sea, which makes it very different from other Kerala beaches. The view from the top of the cliff is very impressive.

During monsoon, the sea is usually rough so swimming may not be recommended, but the atmosphere and the scenery are really very good.

Things to See & Do in Varkala:

• Cliff Area – Just walking along the cliff path in the evening is a lovely experience. There are small restaurants and shops along the path.
• Janardhana Swamy Temple – One of the oldest temples in Kerala, located right on the cliff. A very peaceful and spiritually important place.
• Papanasam Beach – This beach at the base of the cliff is considered sacred. Nice place to sit and watch the waves, even if swimming is not advised during monsoon.
• Ayurvedic Spa – Varkala has several good Ayurvedic centers. Perfect for a relaxing session after all the travel.

Overnight stay in Varkala – Taj Varkala.

Day 5 – Varkala → Kovalam (approx. 55 Kms / 1.5 Hrs)

A short and comfortable drive from Varkala to Kovalam. On the way, you can visit Jatayu Earth Centre if you are interested.

Jatayu Earth Centre – This is a very unique attraction in Kerala. Jatayu is a giant sculpture built on top of a hill, based on the mythological bird from Ramayana who tried to save Sita from Ravana. The statue is 200 feet long, 150 feet wide, and 70 feet tall – and it has been listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest functional bird sculpture in the world. You can go up by cable car and there is an adventure park inside as well. Worth a stop if you have the energy.

Arrive at Kovalam by around 4 PM. Check in to the hotel and relax by the beach in the evening.

Overnight stay in Kovalam – Taj Green Cove.

Day 6 – Kovalam & Trivandrum Sightseeing

After breakfast, visit a few places in Trivandrum city, which is only about 20 minutes from Kovalam.

Trivandrum Sightseeing:

• Padmanabhaswamy Temple – This is one of the most famous temples in Kerala, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Please note that the dress code here is strict. Gents need to wear a dhoti (not pants, jeans, or bermuda). Ladies can wear a saree or churidar, but if wearing churidar, a dhoti must be worn over it. Dhotis are available outside the temple for around Rs. 50. Cameras and mobile phones are not allowed inside.
• Kuthiramalika Palace – Also called the Puthenmalika Palace, this is a beautiful old palace near the temple with a good collection of royal items and art. The architecture is classic Kerala style.
• Sree Chitra Art Gallery – A nice gallery with paintings from different parts of India and also from countries like China, Japan, and Bali. Good place to spend an hour if you enjoy art.

After Trivandrum, return to Kovalam and visit the beaches in the afternoon.

Kovalam Beaches:

• Lighthouse Beach – The most popular beach in Kovalam. Named after the lighthouse that stands at one end. You can swim here, and the view from near the lighthouse is very nice.
• Hawa Beach – A quieter beach next to Lighthouse Beach, popular with foreign tourists.
• Vizhinjam Lighthouse – A short drive from Kovalam, this lighthouse is open to visitors and gives a good view of the coastline.

Beach Activities in Kovalam: Things like swimming, speed boat rides, surfing, and scuba diving are available at Lighthouse Beach. Some activities like scuba diving and windsurfing require training, so they may not be possible on short trips or weekends. But basic water activities are usually available. These can be arranged on arrival directly with the beach operators.

Overnight stay in Kovalam – Taj Green Cove.

Day 7 – Kovalam → Trivandrum Departure (20 Minutes Drive)

This is the last morning. After checking out from the hotel at 12 PM, we will head to Trivandrum. If time allows, you can do a little shopping in the city – Trivandrum has good options for handicrafts, spices, and Kashmiri products.

Drop at Trivandrum Airport or Railway Station. Tour ends here. Safe journey!

How To Reach:

Arriving by Flight: Kochi (Cochin) International Airport is the best option if you are flying in. Our driver will receive you there.

Departing by Flight: Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) International Airport is the departure point for this package. Kochi airport is roughly 7 hours away from Kovalam, so it is not practical for departure.

Arriving by Train: You can also arrive at Ernakulam Junction or Ernakulam Town station in Kochi. We will arrange pickup from there.

Best Arrival Time: Try to arrive before 10 AM so you have a full day to settle in at your Kochi hotel comfortably.

Best Departure Time: Any time after 12 PM works well, as hotel checkout is at 12 PM.

Note: If you prefer, this tour can also be done in reverse – starting from Trivandrum and ending at Kochi.