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Varkala cliff at dusk
6N/7DKerala, Kerala

Kerala Backpacking – Munnar to Varkala (6N/7D)

A week-long group trip, Kochi to Trivandrum: Munnar's tea estates and tea museum, Thekkady's spices, a houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters, Varkala's cliff beaches, Munroe Island and the Jatayu Earth Centre — with most entries included.

Duration
6 Nights / 7 Days
Departs from
Kochi
Departures
On request
Transport
Tempo Traveller or cab from Kochi to Trivandrum for the whole trip
Stay
6 nights on sharing basis (Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey houseboat, Varkala)
Meals
11 meals – 6 breakfasts, 4 dinners and 1 Kerala lunch

Trip overview

A week-long group trip, Kochi to Trivandrum: Munnar's tea estates and tea museum, Thekkady's spices, a houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters, Varkala's cliff beaches, Munroe Island and the Jatayu Earth Centre — with most entries included.

Trip highlights

  • KDHP Tea Museum & tasting
  • Spice plantation tour
  • Alleppey houseboat with Kerala lunch
  • Varkala cliff beaches
  • Munroe Island boat ride
  • Jatayu cable car & sculpture

Day-wise itinerary

Download itinerary
  1. 1
    Day 1Arrive Kochi+
    • Drive to Munnar
    • Reach Kochi by about 9:30 am and drive up to Munnar
    • Stop at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls on the way
    • Check in and take an easy evening walk around town

    Meals: DinnerNight: Munnar

  2. 2
    Day 2Munnar Tea Country+
    • Morning among the tea estates
    • Rose garden, Photo Point, Echo Point, Mattupetty Dam and the 'Chennai Express' shooting point
    • KDHP Tea Museum with tea tasting, and Eravikulam National Park when open (closed in season)

    Meals: Breakfast & DinnerNight: Munnar

  3. 3
    Day 3Munnar to Thekkady+
    • Drive to Thekkady and check in
    • Guided spice plantation walk
    • Periyar National Park (safari optional, at own cost)
    • Kathakali or Kalaripayattu show at Kadathanadan Kalari if time allows

    Meals: Breakfast & DinnerNight: Thekkady

  4. 4
    Day 4Thekkady to Alleppey+
    • Houseboat
    • Drive to Alleppey, the backwater capital
    • Board the houseboat and cruise the narrow canals past paddy fields and villages
    • Traditional Kerala lunch on banana leaf on board

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerNight: Alleppey (houseboat)

  5. 5
    Day 5Alleppey to Varkala+
    • Drive to Varkala, known for its red cliffs above the sea
    • Papanasam beach and the Sivagiri Mutt of Sree Narayana Guru
    • Sunset on the cliff

    Meals: BreakfastNight: Varkala

  6. 6
    Day 6Munroe Island & Jatayu Earth Centre+
    • Two-hour country boat ride through the canals of Munroe Island
    • Jatayu Earth Centre at Chadayamangalam with the cable car and the giant Jatayu sculpture
    • Drive back to Varkala

    Meals: BreakfastNight: Varkala

  7. 7
    Day 7Varkala to Trivandrum+
    • Departure
    • After breakfast, check out and drive to Trivandrum
    • Drop at Trivandrum airport

    Meals: Breakfast

Important travel notes

  • All sightseeing depends on weather, road conditions and available time; the Trip Captain may change the order when needed.
  • A booking advance of ₹10,000 per person confirms your seat. You can pay the advance or the full amount online; the balance is due before departure.
  • Each batch has 20 seats, so we recommend booking early, especially for weekends and holidays.
  • Before departure we add all travellers to a WhatsApp group with the Trip Captain, boarding point and timings.
  • Carry a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar / Driving Licence / Passport) for every traveller.

What's included

  • Transport: Tempo Traveller or cab from Kochi to Trivandrum for the whole trip
  • Stay: 6 nights on sharing basis (Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey houseboat, Varkala)
  • Meals: 11 meals – 6 breakfasts, 4 dinners and 1 Kerala lunch
  • Entries: KDHP Tea Museum with tea tasting, spice plantation tour, KTDC boating and forest entry
  • Houseboat ride with Kerala lunch on banana leaf
  • Munroe Island boat ride (2 hours)
  • Jatayu Earth Centre cable car and sculpture visit
  • Guided walks at viewpoints
  • Driver allowance, tolls, parking and state taxes

Not included

  • 5% GST
  • Flights or train tickets to Kerala
  • Meals and stays not listed under inclusions
  • Entry tickets, boating, jeep safaris and other optional activities unless listed
  • Travel insurance, tips, porterage, laundry and other personal expenses
  • Costs from weather, landslides, road blocks, strikes or anything else outside our control
  • Anything not listed under inclusions

Dates & prices

Triple sharing (3 per room)

₹27,500

per person + 5% GST

Double sharing (2 per room)

₹30,500

per person + 5% GST

No fixed dates open right now

We run this trip on request for groups. Ask us for the next batch or a private departure.

Ask for dates

Things to carry

  • Valid government photo ID
  • Comfortable walking / trekking shoes
  • Warm layers or jacket (mountain evenings get cold)
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Sunglasses, cap and sunscreen
  • Personal medicines
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Power bank and charger
  • Toiletries and personal essentials
  • Small backpack for day trips

Cancellation policy

  • The booking amount / advance is non-refundable in any case.
  • 30 or more days before departure: 80% refund (excluding the advance).
  • 15–29 days before departure: 50% refund (excluding the advance).
  • 7–14 days before departure: 25% refund (excluding the advance).
  • Less than 7 days before departure: no refund.
  • No-shows and late arrivals: no refund.
  • If Aquilla Hikes cancels or reschedules for unavoidable reasons, you get another date or a trip of equal value (no cash refund). Rescheduling credit is valid for 12 months.
Full policy

Important instructions

  • Carry a valid government photo ID.
  • The balance must be cleared before boarding.
  • Itineraries may change due to weather, road conditions or local restrictions.
  • Follow your Trip Captain's instructions — their decision on safety is final.
  • AC is switched off on hill roads for safety.
Terms & conditions

Questions about this trip

What is the price of the Kerala Backpacking – Munnar to Varkala (6N/7D)?+

Triple sharing (3 per room): ₹27,500; Double sharing (2 per room): ₹30,500 per person. 5% GST is extra. A booking advance of ₹10,000 per person confirms your seat.

Where is the pickup / boarding point?+

Departure from Kochi. Exact boarding details, vehicle number and your Trip Captain's contact are shared in the trip WhatsApp group a day before departure.

What stay and meals are included?+

Stay: 6 nights on sharing basis (Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey houseboat, Varkala). Meals: 11 meals – 6 breakfasts, 4 dinners and 1 Kerala lunch. See the full inclusions list on this page.

How will we travel?+

By Tempo Traveller or cab from Kochi to Trivandrum for the whole trip, as per the itinerary. AC is switched off on hill roads for safety.

Can I join solo?+

Yes — book a single seat on quad or triple sharing and you'll share with fellow travellers from the group.

What if I need to cancel?+

The booking amount / advance is non-refundable in any case. 30 or more days before departure: 80% refund (excluding the advance). 15–29 days before departure: 50% refund (excluding the advance). 7–14 days before departure: 25% refund (excluding the advance). Less than 7 days before departure: no refund.

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