Kerala Family Holiday

All our tours are customizable.

Overview

Discover Kerala, “God’s Own Country,” on a family holiday that blends adventure, relaxation, and authentic local experiences. Over 11 days, you’ll journey from the historic streets of Fort Kochi to the bird-filled forests of Thattekad, the misty tea hills of Munnar, and the spice plantations of Thekkady. Along the way, explore wildlife sanctuaries, enjoy a bamboo rafting experience, cruise through Alleppey’s backwaters on a traditional houseboat, and unwind on the golden sands of Marari Beach.

This thoughtfully crafted itinerary ensures a balance of exploration and leisure, perfect for families seeking both bonding moments and discovery. Children will love spotting elephants, paddling in calm backwaters, and wandering village trails, while adults will appreciate the cultural encounters, serene landscapes, and charming boutique stays chosen for comfort and authenticity.

From vibrant Kathakali dance to kayaking through quiet canals, every day brings a new perspective on Kerala’s natural beauty and cultural richness.

The Route

This family-focused journey moves through central and southern Kerala, starting in Fort Kochi, continuing through forest and hill regions such as Thattekad, Munnar, and Thekkady, before descending to the backwaters of Alleppey and finishing on the coast at Marari Beach.

Key distinction: regional exploration with short transfers, not point-to-point cycling.

Landscapes & Activity Experience

Activities are designed for mixed age groups and include nature walks, short hikes, boating, kayaking, wildlife safaris, plantation visits, and beach time. Terrain ranges from forest trails and tea hills to calm waterways and coastal stretches, with no endurance-based or technical activities.

Wildlife & Natural Context

The itinerary includes multiple protected areas and biodiversity zones, including Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve, and Gavi. Wildlife viewing is conducted through guided walks, boating, and jeep safaris suited to families.

Cultural & Village Life

Cultural exposure is woven into daily activities rather than formal sightseeing. Experiences include heritage walks, village trails, cooking sessions, local performances, and interactions with plantation communities, offering insight into everyday life across Kerala’s regions.

Support, Comfort & Pace

This is a fully guided holiday with vehicle support throughout. Accommodation includes boutique hotels, nature lodges, tented camps, and a traditional houseboat stay. The pace is deliberately unhurried, allowing rest periods and flexible activity timing for families travelling with children.

Tour Highlights

  • Fort Kochi Heritage Walk
    Guided exploration of a historic trading port and cultural quarter.
  • Thattekad Nature Trails
    Bird-focused forest walks in one of Kerala’s key sanctuaries.
  • Tea Hills of Munnar
    Plantation walks and factory visits in the Western Ghats.
  • Spice & Tribal Regions of Vandanmedu
    Short hikes, village visits, and hands-on cultural activities.
  • Periyar Forest & Bamboo Rafting
    Wildlife-focused boating and guided forest experiences.
  • Gavi Wildlife Zone
    Jeep safari and nature walks in a protected eco-tourism area.
  • Alleppey Backwaters
    Houseboat stay and village-level kayaking.
  • Marari Beach Leisure
    Relaxed coastal finish with unstructured downtime.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival at Fort Kochi
Activity: Fort Kochi Heritage Walk and Kathakali dance performance
Hotel: Dutch Palace
Meals: Breakfast
On arrival at Cochin Airport, transfer to Fort Kochi (approx. 1.5 hours). In the afternoon, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour, walk through the heritage streets, see the iconic Chinese fishing nets, and visit historic monuments, Jew Street, and the Synagogue. In the evening, experience a traditional Kathakali dance performance, a highlight of Kerala’s cultural heritage.
Day 2 – Fort Kochi to Thattekad
Activity: Cycling to Thattekad, Evening Plantation Walk Optional Kayaking
Hotel: Birds Murmur Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, take a one-hour drive out of town before starting your cycling adventure. Ride about 30 km on mostly flat village roads along the irrigation canal with little traffic. Along the way, pass pineapple fields, rubber plantations, and spice gardens of nutmeg and pepper. Arrive at your luxury camp for lunch. In the afternoon, take a guided plantation walk and enjoy kayaking on the Periyar River along the forest.
Day 3 – Thattekad to Munnar
Activity: Nature walk at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Drive to Munnar,visit local market
Hotel: Olive Brook
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin the day with a guided nature walk at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, exploring the forest and spotting endemic birds with a naturalist. Later, drive to Munnar, visiting the scenic Inchathotty Hanging Bridge and nearby waterfalls en route. In the evening, take a stroll through Munnar’s local market.
Day 4 – Exploring Munnar
Activity: Tea plantation Walk and Visit Tea Factory
Hotel: Olive Brook
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin the morning with a guided tea plantation hike in the scenic Letchmi Estate. This 4-hour trek winds through villages with stunning views of the hills and valleys. Meet the tea-picking ladies and enjoy a warm interaction as you walk along the undulating terrain of gentle ups and downs. Later, visit a tea factory to see how tender tea leaves are carefully processed into fine tea.
Day 5 – Munnar to Vandanmedu
Activity: Papathy Shola hike visit Tribal Village, Cooking Class
Hotel: Carmelia Haven
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a one-hour drive to Suryanelli village to begin a guided 4-hour trek. Walk through Papathi Shola (Butterfly Forest), cardamom plantations, and a tribal settlement of the Muthuvan community. Along the way, take in stunning aerial views of Anairangal Lake (Elephant Lake). After the trek, relax with a picnic lunch before transferring to Vandanmedu. In the evening, join a Kerala cooking class at your plantation resort. Pick fresh vegetables from the garden and learn traditional recipes with the chef.
Day 6 – Vandanmedu to Thekkady
Activity: Boating in Periyar Tiger Reserve, Elephants interaction, Martial Art Show
Hotel: Green Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a one-hour drive to Thekkady through the scenic cardamom hills. Visit an elephant park for a memorable experience of bathing and feeding the elephants—an activity children especially enjoy. Later, check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, take a boat ride in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, cruising across the lake with chances to spot wild elephants, Indian gaur, and sambar deer. Afterwards, visit a spice garden to learn about Kerala’s rich variety of spices. In the evening, witness a thrilling Kalaripayattu performance, the ancient martial art of Kerala.
Day 7 – Wildlife at Gavi
Activity: Jeep Safari to Gavi, Nature Walk at Gavi Wildlife Sanctuary, Boating to Waterfall
Hotel: Green View
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thekkady – Gavi Exploration Start your day early with a jeep safari to Gavi, where breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife await. Journey through Thekkady’s pristine nature and keep an eye out for wild elephants, Indian gaur, giant squirrels, and Nilgiri langurs. At Gavi, enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off on a guided nature walk through the lush evergreen forest. Return for a delicious lunch, followed by a boating experience that takes you to a serene waterfall. After a refreshing tea break, ride back through the wilderness on a jeep safari to Thekkady a day full of unforgettable memories in nature’s lap.
Day 8 – Thekkady to Alleppey
Activity: Houseboat cruise
Hotel: Houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to Alappuzha – a scenic four-hour drive through rolling tea and spice plantations and charming villages. On arrival in Alappuzha, board your private houseboat for an unforgettable overnight backwater cruise. Drift through serene rivers and canals, witnessing the daily life of village communities fishing, washing, and duck farming along the shores. Savor freshly prepared meals on board, including the region’s delicacy, pearl spot fish.
Day 9 – Alleppey Backwater Village
Activity: Backwater Village Kayaking, Village Walk
Hotel: Emerald Isle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark from the houseboat and transfer to Emerald Isle Heritage Resort. In the morning, go kayaking Guided by local experts, you’ll paddle through narrow waterways lined with coconut trees and small villages. It’s a wonderful way to experience daily life up close fishermen preparing nets, women washing clothes by the water, and children waving from the banks. The gentle pace makes it suitable even for beginners and families with kids.. Later, take a relaxed village walk, meeting locals and learning about their daily life. Overnight at Emerald Isle.
Day 10 – Alleppey to Marari
Activity: Leisure at Beach
Hotel: Turtle Beach
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short drive brings you to Marari Beach. Spend the day at leisure play on the beach, swim in the Arabian Sea, or simply relax at your beachfront resort. Overnight at Turtle Beach Resort.
Day 11 – Departure
It’s the time to say Adieu, with fond memories of the ride through the biodiverse and culture-rich Western Ghats. We will be happy to drop you at the Cochin International Airport. If you have a couple of days more left, the add-on tour program offers more experiences of the beach and backwaters of Kerala as you can read through below.

Reviews

Ari Buntman

January 6, 2026
Wow, what a fabulous experience. Francis, Sujith and Asim will guide you, treat you like gold and expose you to the area like you could never have imagined. You’ll cycle through rubber and tea plantations, up hills and down dales, eat, drink and see local, go to the beach, swim in streams and I could go on and on. These guys will dot the I’s and cross the T’s. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. Ari from South Africa

Indira Wald

January 6, 2026
Neue Mountainbikes auch für 2 Meter Menschen! Und auch ein nagelneues E-Bike ist dabei. Die Helme waren sehr gut. Und die Reisebegleitung durch Sujith war 1A. Engagiert, energetisch, sehr gut organisiert . Zusätzlich haben wir mit ihm in einer und zweier Kajaks die Backwaters rund um Emerald Isle erpaddelt. Sujith ist ein wunderbarer Begleiter für kulturelle und naturkundliche Führungen. Unsere Familie ist dankbar und begeistert. Herzlichen Dank für die unvergesslichen Tage. Jederzeit wieder Bettina Indira

Gallery

Inclusions

  • Tent / Guest House Accommodation on Twin Share
  • Meals as per itinerary
  •  Refreshments and Drinking Water
  •  All activities including Walks and Visits as per Itinerary
  •  English Speaking Guide
  •  Entry Fee at Forest, Temple, Plantation etc
  •  Support Vehicle
  •  Government Taxes

You May also Like

Family holiday through South India, exploring royal palaces, vibrant wildlife, misty hill stations, spice gardens, tranquil backwaters, & golden beaches – journey blending culture, nature, & relaxation.
Explore Kerala with a heritage walk in Fort Kochi, birdwatching in Thattekkad, backwater kayaking, Gavi jeep safari, and scenic tea estate visit—an active, family-friendly adventure.
Pedal Sri Lanka’s coast, ancient cities, tea hills & wildlife parks on a 15-day adventure—from Chilaw’s lagoons to Tangalle’s beaches—blending cycling thrills, culture and safaris for an immersive slice of island life.