7 Days Kerala Honeymoon Package – Hill Station, Wildlife, Backwater, Beaches

Day 1: Kochi Airport / Ernakulam Railway Station

Your arrival is at Kochi airport or Ernakulam railway station. Our executive will meet, greet and receive at arrival destination. Upon arrival, you have an option to go for a free non ac fresh up room either near to the airport or nearby with a drive in time of 10mins. On arrival, you will be travelling to Munnar, which is approx 125kms and it may take 3.5hrs drive. On the way to Munnar, you can have your lunch at Onnukal, where veg and non veg restaurants which have rest rooms available. Post lunch move to Munnar, on the way you can see Valera waterfalls. You can spend some time there and proceed to Munnar and check in resort. Leisure and relax in resort.

• Cheeyappara Waterfalls: This is located on the Kochi – Munnar highway on the left side of the road. This is a good place to have photos, but no bathing is allowed as rocks used to be slippery. There is no entry fee or parking fee needs to be given. There are couple of small shops selling local food items. 15-20 mins halt is recommended.
• Valera Waterfalls: After Cheeyappara you can see another waterfall on the right side. You cannot see this nearby. We do not recommend even a photo stop as this is not so important waterfall. Note – Waterfalls are not available during summer from Feb to May – in case of not raining.

Day 2: Munnar:

Since there is only one day to cover all the sightseeing in Munnar, best time to start is at 0800hrs. Below are the possible sights available for the day.

• Eravikulam National Park – It is located 10 km away from Munnar town. Basically it’s a mountain where one can spot rare species of mountain goat called – Nilgiri Tahr. Entry permits can be obtained through online booking. For more details about how can book, charges, etc – please visit our link.

Note: The main attraction of Eravikulam is Nilgiri Tahr and once you reach the top of the hill, you can have a good view of the Anamudi Peak and valley. Since this involves approx 2kms lite hiking, those who have breathing problems should avoid this. Also, those who are not interested in this Nilgiri Tahr, Anamudi and valley view, this trip can be avoided.

• Tea Museum – Once Eravikulam is over, TATA Tea Museum located near to the city, which gives an idea of how tea is processing from raw tea leaves, is an attraction.

Now its lunch time and Munnar city provide restaurants which caters veg and non-veg food, jain, etc.

Post lunch, you will be visiting below places.

• Echo Point: This is a place near Mattupetty dam where if you make a sound, it bounces back with eco.
• Mattupetty Dam: Mattupetty dam and its park gives you some time to relax. If you are interested, here speed boat trip with full security is available. There is a small playground for children is also available. Most interesting activities are speed boating, kayaking and its a nice place for selfi.
• Kundala Dam: This is another dam en route, a good place for photography.
• Rose Garden – Experience many flowers- nice place for individual photo.

Your second day in Munnar is fully packed with sightseeing. This is the time for shopping. Main shopping items are Ayurvedic products, coffee/ tea etc.   You can also buy this from Thekkady (Periyar). Return back and overnight stay in the resort.

Day 3 : Munnar to Thekkady (Periyar). 135kms / 3hrs.

Today your trip is to Thekkedy (Periyar).  Thekkedy is located approximately 135kms and it may take minimum 3.5hrs to reach.  You can go Thekkedy by choosing two different directions. 

1. Munnar city – Chinnakanal – Thekkedy. Best route due to some sightseeing on the way.  During Jun and July this road is most of the days are closed due to land slide. 

• Lockhart gap view point – one of the best view points after Top Station.
• Periya kanal water falls – this is available during Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep.
• Anayirangal Dam – 1.5km from the main road, this is one of the best scenic spot in Munnar. Sometime you can see wild elephant also there.
• Lockhart tea plantations – around 30mins drive through this tea plantations – one of the best experience and best place for photography.

2. The other route to Thekkedy is via Kunjithanni, Rajakkad, Udumbanchola.

Note : Guest whose hotels located in Anachal, Kunjithanni, Chithirapuram etc cannot go this route as one need to first go to Munnar city which 17kms more and it takes another 40mins.  

Periyar National Park.  Periyar national park is famous for elephants and tigers. The sanctuary surrounds Periyar Lake which was formed when the Mullaperiyar Dam was constructed. One should note that like other wild life sanctuaries in India like  Ranathambore, Gir etc, you cannot go inside the forest in a jeep or any other transport to see wild life animals.  Since Periyar National Park is surrounds by Periyar Lake, the forest department conduct boat safari in this Periyar Lake to see wild life animals. The boat trip starts at 0730hrs which is for 2hrs and all other trips are for 1.5hrs only.  There are 4 boats available for trip in the lake. One needs to book online ticket for the safari.  When the boat moves through the Periyar lake, if you are lucky, you can see wild animals.  Apart from the boat safari in the Periyar Lake, the forest department conduct many activities like overnight stay in forest with armed guards, night trekking, bamboo rafting etc.  If you are interested for these activities, it’s always recommended to stay minimum two nights in Thekkady.

Arrival at Thekkedy, Check in Hotel.  After lunch below are the activities we recommend for you.

• Boating in Periyar National Park. You need to book a boat safari ticket online in advance.  Otherwise during  peak time, getting a ticket is difficult.  Since you are staying just one night, we recommend to book a ticket in 1530hrs trip.  The boat trip start at 1530hrs and ends at 1700hrs.

Apart from the above, below are the other intersting activities available in  Periyar. 

1. Elephant Safari. If you are interested in elephants ride, elephant washing etc, there are many private parties organize this for the tourists.  They have their own area where the ride is organizing and the elephant safari or ride is not in the national park or forest.  If you are thinking of seeing some wild animals during the elephant ride, its not possible.  Average price is Rs 600 for half an hour and some you can also negotiate the prices.  Approximately an hour is required for this.
2. Plantation Tour. Since Thekkedy is a semi hill station and forest, many private persons have plantation where they grow ayurvedic herbs, cardamom, cinnamon, tea and coffee plantations.  They organize a trip to these plantation for familirisation of the tourist.  You need to pay an entry fee of minimum Rs 100 per person.  After the plantation tour, they used to take the tourist to their office where different ayurvedic medicines are displayed.  We never recommend purchasing any type of medicine from these shops.  Approximately an hour required for this.
3. Kathakali and Kalaripayattu (Kerala Art Form and Martial Arts). Thekkady have two art centres where they organize Kathakali and Kalaripayttu for the tourist. Each shows of an hr and it cost approximately minimum Rs 250 per person.  They usually have two shows starting from 1800hrs onwards but some time due to fewer crowds, they may not conduct the second show.  Therefore it recommended to visit this centres at 1800hrs for the first show.

If you are not interested in the above common program, you can look at below activities and programmes conducted by Periyar Foundation, a Govt of Kerala Undertaking.  They organize below programmes in the national park.  Its advisable to stay 2 nights in Periyar in case you are interested in below activities.

1. Bamboo rafting and Hiking – Half day. Bamboo rafting and hiking start at 0730hrs to 1230hrs and 0930hrs to 1430hrs. Full day start at 8am and ends at 5pm which have approximately covering 10kms walking and 3-4kms by bamboo rafting. This programme inclusive of food and 1ltr of water per person. Accommpanied by two guides and an armed guard. Minimum 2 persons and maximum 15 persons can accommodate this programme.
2. Guided Nature trails for 2.5hrs covering 4-5kms with local tribe as guide. During this trip one can experience birds, marshy green lands, forests, butterflies etc. Minimum 4 persons required for one group.  Best time is either morning 0700hrs or 0730hrs  or afternoon at 1430hrs.
3. Green Walk – Guided day trek. This programme is for 3hrs covering 5kms walk through tribal community which covers green lands and forest. Best suitable time morning slot start at either 7am or 730am. Minimum 4 persons in a slot.
4. Border Hiking – hard trek from 8am to 5pm. Trek through off road terrains with an altitude of 900 to 1300 meters.  Often can spot wild gaur, sloth bear, elephants, birds etc.  Maximum 6 persons and minimum 4 persons required in a group excluding 2 guides and 1 armed guard. The progrmme inclusive of meals and 1ltr of water per person.
5. Jungle Scout. Basically it’s a night trekking. A 3hr night trek programme which gives tourists a feeling of wilderness. Tourists are accompanied by two guides and one armed guard.  There are three scheduling available starting from 7pm, 10pm and 1am.  To conduct this programme, they need minimum 2 adults or maximum 6 adults.

Important Travel Advise

• If you are staying only one night and next day if you are moving for Houseboat, the best suitable boat ride to book is at 1530hrs on the same day of arrival. In case you have not booked a houseboat or you are staying here or any other destination, it is always recommended to book an early morning boating tickets  next day which start at 0730hrs.
• In case of not interested to go for any activities mentioned above, you can skip staying Thekkedy and can proceed to go to another destination.
• All the activities required advance booking.
• Thekkedy market is very close where you are staying. This is the best cheapest shopping place for all tupes spices, tea and coffee.
• Instead of Hotel, you can also choose a tree house in Thekkedy for unique experience.

Overnight stay in Hotel.

Day 4 : Thekkedy to Houseboat. 140kms / 3.5hrs

Today you are going to experience overnight stay in a Houseboat.  Best time to start from Thekkady is earliest by 9am as it may take approx 3.5hrs.   We always recommend starting early so that you can comfortably reach houseboat by 1200hrs. On the way from Thekkedy to Houseboat no sightseeing is planned. Arrival at houseboat boarding point.  Our representiative will help to board the houseboat.
Check in Houseboat at 1200hrs or when you reach boarding point. Once check in, Houseboat start cruise through the best poossible canals in Alleppey from 1200hrs to 1730hrs with an hour lunch break.  Below are the possible cruise route during your trip.

• Punnamada kayal – river famous where annual Nehru trophy boat race is conducted.
• SNDP canal – One of the small canal in this trip.
• Pamba river – Almost 150ft width river.
• Irumbanam Thod – Another small canal.
• Munnattumugam – Where three canals joints together making very attractive and beautiful place.
• 1330hrs Lunch at Meenappalli Kayal – small lake in the middle of Aleppey backwaters.

Post lunch trip start at 1430hrs and continue till 1730hrs. Houseboat makes a trip through some of the beautiful villages in Aleppey called Kainakari Village, R Block, C Block canals.
Between 1730-1800hrs, houseboat finally halt at docking point for overnight stay. Once the houseboat halted, guest can walk around till the sun set.

Evening Options and Activities.

• Fishing in the lake and backwaters. (most of the houseboats is always having a fishing roads and you will surely get small fishes).
• Houseboat is having a tv and music system to enjoy some pictures. You can also bring your own to make your stay more comfortable.

Overnight stay in Houseboat.

Day 5: Houseboat to Kovalam. 150kms/5hrs.

Get up early morning and experience a nice sun rise in houseboat. (In case of clear climate). Boat starts at 0800hrs and finally drops at 0900hrs at Jetty. During this one hour cruise time, you will be served with authentic South Indian B/F. Check out from Houseboat and proceed to Kovalam. You can use two different routes to reach Kovalam. One is via Quilon which is a coastal highway and other is via MC road. The main sightseeing on the way from Aleppey to Kovalam is Jatayu Earth Centre which is located on the MC road side.

• Jatayu Earth Centre. Myth – Jatayu is an embodiment of valor and chivalry. Risking his life, he tried his best to save Sita from her abductor. Jatayu is a man made sculpture constructed on a top of a hill. The statue is 200ft long, 150ft wide and 70ft tall. This has entered in the Guinness book of records as “largest functional bird statue”.  Approximate time to visit this place is 2hrs.

Arrival Kovalam hotel, check in and relax.  Below are the Kovalam sightseeing is planned.

• Vizhinjam Light House.  Kovalam light house is also called as Vizinjam light house is located on the beach side of Kovalam. The tower is constructed cylindrically with a total height of 118ft and 187ft height from mean sea level. One needs to use the lift and steps to reach the observatory deck to have a good view. One can experience a good view of Kovalam beach, light house beach and in fact the beautiful Arabian Sea. One of the best places for a good photography.
• Light House beach. The entire Kovalam is on the Arabian sea side so you go anywhere, you can experience the beach. But there are only two beaches called light house beach and hawa beach (also called as eve beach) where you can have activities like scuba diving, swimming, jet sky etc. Hawa beach is used by local fisherman and sand is black.
• Hawa Beach. Howa beach – locally called as Eves beach, is located just opposite north side of light house beach. Compare to light house beach, this is a small black sand beach and not idle for swimming. This beach is overcrowded during weekend days by local tourists, no proper waste management by authorities therefore dirt is everywhere, fisherman keep their items for the fishing like small wooden boat, diesel barrels etc. Due to all these reasons, it’s advisable to skip this place or recommended to have just visited the beach during your holiday.

Kovalam beach activities.
Beach is having many activities like swimming in light house beach, scuba diving, surfing, speed boat etc. In case interested these activates can be booked on arrival. Some of the items like scuba diving, wind surfing etc need training and during your weekend holidays days, it may not be possible. Overnight stay in Hotel.

Day 6: Trivandrum  – Trivandrum Full Day Sightseeing.
Today we have planned sightseeing of Padmanabha swamy temple and other sightseeing options in Trivandrum. Departure for Padmanbha swamy temple at 0800 -0830hrs. Directly proceed to the temple.

1. Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple.  Please read carefully below information for your smooth darshan.

Darshan Timing.

• Morning – 0330hrs to 0430hrs, 0630hrs to 0700hrs, 0830hrs to 1000hrs & 1030hrs till 1200hrs.
  Evening – 1700hrs to 1830hrs and 1845hrs to 1930hrs.

Must Know.

• Dress Code. Main dress code is saree for ladies and pants and dhoti for gents. Dhoti can wear over the churidar and pants. Gents needs to remove shirt before entering the temple. Jeans, half shorts are not allowed.
• Small ladies’ bags are allowed. Mobile phone, camera and similar items are not allowed inside.
• During “Kalasam” which is performed during special or festival days, the above darshan time is not applicable. During Kalasam pooja time, darshan inside Sanctum Sanctorum not available.
• Special darshan at Rs 500 per person is available. This is inclusive of offering thali with flowers and prasadam in return. Special darshan gives you access without any queue and may take overall 20mins. This is also not available during Kalasam days.
• You need to keep all your belonging in the car or hotel before the entrance.
• Safe locker and paid foot wear keeping place available in front of the temple.
• The idol inside the temple is Lord Vishnu in the form of Ananda Sayana. The sanctum sanctorum has three doors. You need to start darshan from left to right side starting the face, hands with lotus and legs.
• You need to have minimum an hour or two to visit the temple.
• Only hindus are allowed inside.

2. Puthanmaliga Palace Museum. Puthanmalika also known as Kuthiramalika palace museum is located very close to Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple is one of the must-see places in Trivandrum. This is a 200yr old place of erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore and now converted as a museum. The main attraction of the palace is the traditional Kerala archicture marvel especially wooden carving, 122 horse structure curved in wooden planks which support the room. Therefore, this palace is also called as Kuthira (horse) maliga (Palace) – Kuthiramalika palace. This is a must-see place for the tourist who love to see traditional old place, archicture etc. Alongside the museum, there is another Art gallery in the same premises showcasing pictures of the royal family at various occasions.

Important Museum Tips

• Entry is subject to payment of an entry fee. Foreign tourist to pay Rs 150, Domestic tourist Rs 50, Children Rs 15.
• Inside photography is restricted. Mobile phone needs to be switched off.
• Photo/video charges outside museum within palace complex is – video – Rs 300, camera Rs 50 and Mobile Rs 20.
• Entry fee inclusive of guide charges.
• Opening at 0900hrs till 1230hrs and 1400hrs to 1645hrs. Monday Closed.
• Foot wear will not be allowed inside the palace.
• Mobile photo needs to be switched off before entering the palace.
• Hand bags, shoulder bags etc will not be allowed and you need to keep in the clock room free of charge.
• There is an annual classical music festival is conducted every year from -6 Jan to 10 Jan which is being attended by the best musicians in India.
• Total time required visiting this complex and museum is approx an hr.

3. Sri Chithra Art Gallery. Sri Chithra art gallery was opened to public in the year 1935. Basically this art gallery displays paintings of Royal House of Travancore and Kilimanoor Royal family. Apart from painting of Raja Ravi Verma, paintings from Bengal School, Russian artists Nicholas Roerich and his son Svetoslav Roerich, contemporary paints and murals. Tanjore paintings, Art from Bali, Tibetian , Mugal, Rajasthani paintings add feather to the cap.

Art Gallery Tips

• Visiting from 1000hrs till 1700hrs. Wednesday open from 1300hrs till 1500hrs.
  Last entry available at 1625hrs.
  Monday closed.

4. Napier Museum. The Naiper Museum was designed by Robert Chisholm who was then architect of Govt of Madras, built and opened to public in the year 1880 by Ayillyam thirunal Maharaja of erstwhile Travacore Kingdom. The museum was named after Lord John Naiper, the then Governor General of Madras. Also known as Govt Art Museum, has a fairly collection of exhibits of more than 550 numbers. These collections are of dates back to 18th Century include mainly metal sculptures of Chola, Chera, Vijayanagara and Naik style. Wood and stone sculptures from different styles of South India, ivory and musical instruments, ancient coins, old burial urns, wooden ornamental box, temple chariot, ceremonial lamps are all add to its attraction.

Museum tips

• Entry fee is Rs 20 for Indians and Rs 50 for foreigners.
• Photography not allowed.
• Open from 100hrs till 1645hrs on all days. Monday closed. Wednesday entry from 1300hrs till 1645hrs.
• It takes approximately 1.5hrs to see all the displayed items in detail.
• No guide service available.
• Better down load Napier Museum app, show this at each item and you will get details or extra information.

Trivandrum Travel Advise.

• All Govt controlled sightseeing places are closed on Monday.
• Chala Market – a traditional old market is good for local shopping and visit.
• There are lot of things to see if you are family with kids. This includes Trivandrum Zoo, Kerala Museum of History and heritage, Natural History Museum, Aquarium, Children park, Kanakakunnu palace etc. Wash room, cafeteria and food court are all available.

Departure back to Kovalam.  Overnight stay in Kovalam.

Day 7: Trivandrum

This is the last day of the trip. Check out from hotel before 12 pm, shopping at Trivandrum city, and finally drop at Trivandrum railway station. Tour ends.