Kerala, God’s own country, is one of the most unique states in India! Blessed by a rich & diverse culture, there’s something magical in the air that makes us want to explore Kerala all the time. To start on this exploration trip across God’s own country, we’ve chosen our favorite gems of all that we’d like to show you all!
Our journey starts in Munnar, a hill station located in the western ghats. Here we visit the famous Cheeyapara & Vallarta waterfalls, truly nature’s gems! The best thing about Munnar? It is an amazing location for self-exploration as well. Following that, we hike to the Lakshmi hills; amidst nature with spectacular views. However, a trip to Munnar isn’t complete until we go for tea tasting! All the chai lovers in the house, this is a must. And before heading leaving Munnar, we visit the Eravikulam national park to experience nature at its best! Kerala is also famous for its spices and so we head out on a guided tour of the spice plantation at Thekkady; spend the evening boating at Periyar Lake and enjoying the Kadhakali Kalari show! A trip to Kerala also calls for a houseboat cruise in Kumarakom to slow down and enjoy the beauty around. We also explore the village along with a local guide to get a better insight into a whole new lifestyle of people! And then we head to Varkala, Kerala’s most popular destination! However we go offbeat with a boat ride to Munroe Island and a trip to Jatayu Earth center! The evening, before the end of the journey, can be spent relaxing or adventuring on the waves while surfing! You go home with new friends, new memories, and stories!
Places Covered: Munnar 2N – Kolukkumalai – Thekkady 1N – Varkala 2N – Alleppey 1N
Departure from Mumbai: 10th Aug to 18th Aug
Departure from Kochi: 11th Aug to 17th Aug
Cost For Kerala Backpacking
Join from Ex Mumbai (3 AC train Tickets): INR 24,999 per person
Join from Ex Cochin: INR 20,999 per person
Additional Cost
- Rs. 2,500 Extra for Double Sharing
Booking Amount is Rs. 7,000/ Non-refundable
- Curvy roads of Cochin to Munnar
- Matupetty dam in Munnar
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady
- Houseboat stays in Alleppey
Kerala Backpacking Trip Itinerary
Pick-up timings from Cochin Railway Station – Around 11.00 AM
Pick-up timings from Cochin International Airport – Around 12.00 PM
We pick you up from the respective pickup points & Meet and get our fellow travellers. Have breakfast on the way & leave for Munnar. En route, visit visit to the magnificent and famous Athirapally waterfalls ( famously known as Bahubali waterfalls ) Reach Munnar by late evening. Overnight stay at Munnar.
Post breakfast, we will go for Munnar local sightseeing. We start with the Eravikulam National Park to spot some rare wildlife species like the nilgiri thar. Also a place where you can spot the beautiful plants of neelkurunji which are known to bloom once in 12 years.
Post lunch, visit the nearby Mattupetty Dam. Thereafter, enjoy the LakeSide boating and the beauty of the Flower Nursery, and Scenic ride to Thekkady and visit to periyar river drive straight to the Top Station to enjoy the breath-taking view of the mountains from the top. Return to Munnar, Overnight stay at Munnar.
Wake up at 2:30 AM for an off-road Jeep Safari to reach Kolukkumalai Top and witness a mesmerizing sunrise.
Descend and reach back hotel get refresh have breakfast check out and
head to Thekkady.
Visit a spice garden, enjoy a boat ride (as per slot availability) on Periyar Lake, and in the evening, witness the captivating Kalaripayattu Show.
Overnight stay in Thekkady.
After breakfast, drive towards Offbeat Varkala.
En route, visit the Jatayu Earth Centre, home to the largest bird sculpture.
In the evening, you are free to explore Varkala Beach, its shacks, stroll along the cliff, and enjoy a delightful dinner.
Overnight in Varkala.
After breakfast, drive towards Religious Day-Out
En route, visit the Aazhimala Shiva Temple 58-ft-tall statue of Lord Shiva in the Gangadhareswara form.
After that will visit world richest temple
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Across the world, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is renowned for its beauty and grandeur.
In the evening, you are free to explore Varkala Beach, its shacks, stroll along the cliff, and enjoy a delightful dinner.
Overnight in Varkala.
The day awaits you to tick surfing off your Bucketlist! Surf, explore & later, come back to the hotel, have breakfast, leave for Alleppey.
En route, visit the Mangrove village for boating
Make living on water a dream come true with the houseboat stay. Explore the serene backwaters and enjoy a mesmerizing seafront sunset.
Bond with fellow travelers. Overnight on the houseboat.
Congratulations! You have reached the no early wake-up call day! Have breakfast in the hotel, freshen up and bid adios! We check-out from our hotels and leave for railway station with your backpacks full of memories, souvenirs and pictures of a lifetime
What is included in the tour
✔Kerala Tour on Tempo Traveler
✔ 2N Munnar, 1N Thekkady, 2N Varkala, 1N Alleppey 6N Hotel accommodation on a triple Sharing basis
✔ Pure veg / Jain Meals with 6 Breakfast & 5 Dinner
✔ Jeep Safari at Kolukkumalai
✔ Per Day 1 Mineral water during road journey
✔ Kalaripayattu Show Tickets Eravikulam National Park Tickets
✔ Spice Garden Entry Tickets
✔ All sightseeing as per Itinerary with Bhatakna Expertise
What is NOT included in the tour
✘ Surfing Charges – 1500 per person for 2 Hours. The Surfing Session will be done under Experts’ Help, Training & Guidance. It is completely okay if you do not know how to Swim.
✘ Entry Ticket to Tea Museum & Jatayu Earth Centre
✘ Meals & Water during Train Journey
✘ Periyar National Park Boating Tickets
✘ Elephant Ride
✘ Personal Expenses – Camera, Guide, Beverages etc
✘ Any sightseeing activities or visits that are not specifically mentioned in the provided itinerary.
✘ Lunch at the hotel, which is not part of the provided package.
Kerala packing list – adults
Must-haves
- T-shirts – 1 per day plus a 1-2 spares
- Long-sleeved tops – 1-2 depending on exact destination/time of year/weather forecast
- Jumper / cardigan – 1 per 7 days
- Shorts / skirts / dresses – enough for 1 outfit per day
- Trousers – 1 per 7 days
- Underwear / socks / nightwear
- Clothes for travelling
- Hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable footwear – flip flops / sandals and closed-toe shoes e.g. walking shoes / trainers
- Wet weather gear (including umbrella if wanted)
Optional extras
- Swimming costume – as many as you want!
- Workout gear
- Smarter outfit for evenings (depending on plans)
General
- Passports
- Wallets
- Phones
- Travel details
- Books or kindle
- Camera and extra memory card
- Video equipment
- Laptop
- Chargers, extra power bank and travel adapters (can be in regular luggage)
- Anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitiser
- Small amounts of medications / all medication that can’t be lost in case of lost luggage
- Mumbai To Ernakulam
- Train 12618 - MNGLA LKSDP EXP
- Train 12218 - KERALA S KRANTI
- Ernakulam To Mumbai
- Train 16332 - TVC CSMT EXP
- In the event of ticket unavailability, extra Tatkal charges will be applied. Please confirm at the time of booking
- Standard check-in for hotels: 1 noon and check out by 10:00 AM. (Early check- in subject to availability)
- There will be limitations for Jain Food options, although we will try to provide the best food as per resources available.
- At some sightseeing destinations, buses are allowed only till the parking area & travelers will have to walk till the monument or can hire the local transport on their own.
- For Lunch/ Dinner, we will try out local cafes/ eateries to experience tasty local cuisines. Do not expect variety but do expect quality
- The schedule can be changed on the spot by the tour manager according to the circumstances & convenience.
- Costs arising out of any event beyond our control like strikes, bandh, riots, train cancellation, flight cancellation, mechanical breakdown, natural calamities like heavy rainfall, snowfall, landslides, earthquake will be directly borne by the participants.
- Bhatakna Tourswon’t be responsible in case any sightseeing/ activity gets canceled due to natural calamities or man-made incidents.
- Guests would be responsible for their luggage/ baggage throughout the trip.
- Train ticket bookings usually start 4 months before the departure dates, so there are chances the tickets will be RAC/ Waiting. If you book the tour late, please check the ticket status with us at the time of booking, you might have to pay a bit extra to get a confirm seat (Tatkal)
- Any complaints or issues during the trip should be reported promptly to our representative to allow us an opportunity to address them.
