Munnar, Alleppey Backwaters and Trivandrum

Arrive in Cochin and meet your transfer for the 130 km drive into the Western Ghats towards Munnar. Enjoy the journey past rolling hills, expansive tea plantations and verdant forests. En route, make brief stops to view the cascading waters at Cheeyappara Waterfalls and Valara Waterfalls. On reaching Munnar, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day unwinding at your leisure. Overnight stay in Munnar.

After breakfast at your hotel, set out on a full day of sightseeing around Munnar. Begin at Mattupetty Dam, an idyllic picnic area where you can opt for boating on the calm reservoir at your own expense. Continue to the serene Kundale Lake and test your voice at Echo Point. In the afternoon, explore Rajamalai in Eravikulam National Park, strolling across rolling grasslands while keeping an eye out for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Return to your hotel to relax. Overnight stay in Munnar.

Enjoy breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive 100 km to Thekkady, the gateway to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. After checking into your hotel, visit the sanctuary to observe wildlife in its natural setting. You may choose to take a boat ride on Periyar Lake at your own cost to spot wild elephants, gaur and varied birdlife. In addition, you can visit a local spice plantation to discover cardamom, pepper and cinnamon cultivation, or opt for an elephant ride at your own expense. Overnight stay in Thekkady.

Have breakfast and check out for the 140 km drive to Alleppey, famous for its intricate canals and backwaters. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation or board your traditional sharing houseboat, where lunch and dinner are included. Cruise along tranquil canals bordered by paddy fields, coconut groves and villages. You will also visit St. Mary's Forane Church, renowned for its heritage architecture, and watch the evening sunset at Alleppey Beach. Overnight stay in Alleppey.

Following breakfast, disembark and drive 180 km south along the coastline to Kovalam. Check in to your hotel and head out to explore the beaches. Walk along Lighthouse Beach, distinguished by its striped beacon and sunset views, and relax on the calmer sands of Samudra Beach. You will also visit the ancient Rock Cut Cave Temple to admire its historic carvings. Optional water sports including parasailing, speed boating and scuba diving can be arranged at your own cost. Overnight stay in Kovalam.

After breakfast, check out and drive towards Poovar. En route, make a stop at the oceanfront Aazhimala Shiva Temple to see its towering Shiva statue overlooking the Arabian Sea. At Poovar, experience the meeting point of river, mangrove backwaters and the sea, where you can take an optional boat ride through mangrove forests at your own expense. Afterwards, drive to Trivandrum, check in to your hotel and spend the evening relaxing. Overnight stay in Trivandrum.

Begin the day with a visit to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, celebrated for its Dravidian architecture and heritage. Continue your cultural tour with visits to Napier Museum, which houses rare antiquities, and the nearby Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Explore Puthenmalika Palace to view its royal collections and traditional woodwork, and conclude your sightseeing at Trivandrum Zoo, one of India's oldest zoological gardens. Entry fees for museums, palace and the zoo are payable on site. Overnight stay in Trivandrum.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, check out and start the 240 km drive back to Cochin. Upon arrival in Cochin, transfer directly to Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam Railway Station for your onward journey, bringing your holiday to an end.