Alleppey - Thekkady - Munnar - Madurai

After breakfast at 9 AM, complete any sights in Kochi or Fort Kochi that were not covered yesterday. 

 

Afterwards, depart for Alleppey. The distance from Kochi to Alleppey is approximately 60 km, and it takes around 3 hours by road. You should reach Alleppey by 12:00 PM.

 

Check in at the Houseboat and start your cruise through the scenic backwaters of Alleppey. Relax on the luxurious houseboat while cruising past village sides and paddy fields, witnessing authentic Kerala village life. The houseboat is fully furnished with bedrooms, a private balcony, and a kitchen, and includes a chef, oarsmen, and a cabin assistant.

 

Important Pointers for Houseboat Stay:

• From 5:30 PM to 8:00 AM the next day, the boat will be anchored and idle on the lake due to fishing activities by local villagers (as per government rules).
• Deluxe Houseboat: AC operational in bedroom only from 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM.
• Premium Houseboat: AC runs 24/7, but only one AC can operate at a time (either deck or bedroom).
• AC takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to cool the room since it runs on a diesel engine.
• Enjoy a unique and exclusive experience cruising the rich Alleppey backwaters.

After breakfast in the hotel, prepare yourself for the next journey towards Thekkady. Upon your arrival in Thekkady, check in to the hotel and freshen up. Depart for a sightseeing tour of Thekkady. Do a boat ride on the Periyar Lake through the Periyar Tiger Reserve and have a chance to see the big cat Later on, you may go for an Elephant ride, Jeep safari through the jungle (All the activities at your own cost). In the evening visit to spice garden or take a stroll at the local markets in Thekkady and enjoy the local cuisines.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Thekkady. Before departure, complete any remaining sightseeing you may have missed.

 

Start your drive to Munnar, which is approximately 110 km away and takes around 4–5 hours by road.

 

En route, you can visit the following authentic attractions:

• Cheeyappara Waterfalls – A seven-tiered waterfall surrounded by lush greenery
• Valara Waterfalls – Scenic cascade ideal for photography
• Tea Plantations near Munnar – Stop briefly to admire the rolling hills and lush estates

 

Upon arrival in Munnar, check in to your hotel and relax. The rest of the day is free for leisure — you may stroll through the local markets or enjoy the hotel facilities.

After breakfast at Munnar hotel, we would start the sights of Munnar.

 

Munnar Sightseeing (You can spread these sights over your stay depending available time. No sights will be visited twice):

• Tea Plantations – Explore the sprawling tea estates and learn about tea processing.
• Mattupetty Dam – Popular for boating and panoramic views of the hills.
• Echo Point – Famous for natural echo phenomenon and picturesque surroundings.
• Attukal Waterfalls – Serene waterfall surrounded by lush greenery.
• Kundala Lake & Dam – Pedal boating and tranquil scenery.
• Pothamedu Viewpoint – Scenic viewpoints ideal for photography and short walks.
• Tea Museum – Learn about tea processing (optional).
• Kathakali / Punarjani Traditional Village – Cultural performance showcasing Kerala traditions (optional).
• Rose Garden – Stroll among vibrant flowers and take photos.
• Spice Garden – Explore Kerala’s aromatic spices and plantations.

 

Optional: Local markets in Munnar town for spices, tea, and handicrafts.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Munnar. Complete any remaining sightseeing in Munnar before beginning your journey to Madurai. Madurai is approximately 260 km away from Munnar, and it would take around 6–7 hours to reach by road.

 

En route, visit the following attractions (optional stops):

• Spice Plantations near Munnar – Quick stops to see cardamom, pepper, and tea plantations
• Scenic viewpoints along the Western Ghats – Ideal for photographs and enjoying panoramic views

 

Upon reaching Madurai, check in to your hotel. The rest of the evening is free for leisure.

 

Sightseeing in Madurai (next day or evening if time permits) includes:

Inside Meenakshi Amman Temple Premises (Full-day exploration possible)

• Meenakshi Shrine (Goddess Meenakshi) – Main sanctum dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi
• Sundareswarar Shrine (Lord Shiva) – Twin main sanctum dedicated to Lord Shiva
• Gopurams (Temple Towers) – 12 colorful towers, notably the South Tower
• Aayiram Kaal Mandapam (Hall of Thousand Pillars) – Pillared hall with exquisite carvings
• Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam – Paintings and sculptures depicting the life of Meenakshi
• Temple Tanks / Ponds – Sacred water tanks for rituals and festivals
• Golden Lotus Tank (Potramarai Kulam) – Sacred tank believed to be Meenakshi’s lotus throne
•  

Outside Meenakshi Temple

• Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal – 17th-century palace with grand halls and Indo-Saracenic architecture
• Gandhi Memorial Museum – Museum showcasing India’s freedom struggle
• Koodal Azhagar Temple – Historic Vishnu temple within the city
• Samanar Hills – Ancient Jain carvings with scenic views
• Local Markets – Famous for silk sarees, handicrafts, and street food

 

Relax and enjoy the evening.

In the morning post breakfast, we Drop You At Madurai Airport / Railway Station