Day by Day itineraryDay 1: Arrival at Trivandrum and Transfer to Kovalam(20 Km. / approx. 30 min.)Welcome to ‘God’s own Country’, Kerala!Once you arrive at the Trivandrum Airport, our representative will greet you and transfer you to your luxurious hotel in Kovalam. Check in at the hotel and freshen up to enjoy your exciting Kerala Tour.
Kovalam is a charismatic land of scenic beauty, perfect golden beaches and idyllic ambience. It gives a perfect combination of sand, sun and sea to lures travellers from all over. You can stroll along the lovely stretch of beaches or spend the day relaxing at the hotel.
Overnight stay is at the hotel.
Start your day with scrumptious morning breakfast and head to explore the serene beaches of Kovalam. Visit Hawa beach, Ashoka beach, Light House beach, etc. which are located at a short distance from each other. Here you can enjoy countless water activities like swimming, kayaking, skiing, surfing, etc. After the sun sets, experience the visual charm of moonlit nights at these tranquil beaches.
Later,head to the hotel for overnight stay.
Things to Do in Kovalam on Your Kerala Tour
- You can pamper yourself with ayurvedic massages or exotic herbal spa.
- Beach lovers can take anevening stroll along the beachside and enjoy themajestic view of thesunset.
- Quench your hunger with mouth-watering cuisines in Kovalam. Being a beach destination, it offers some delicious seafood along with South Indian cuisines.
- Water enthusiasts can get involved in activities like skiing, surfing, swimming, speed boat rides, kayaking, etc.
- Explore the estuary and quaint parts around the sea with a refreshing backwater cruise.
- Experience the 360-degree panoramic view of the entire city from the top of Lighthouse.Apart from that long walks at the coastline, you can indulge in activities like surfing, beach volleyball, swimming or simply sunbathing.
- Enjoy the interesting experience of watching the fishermen hauling the nets in the morning. It is a beautiful sight to catch and hear them singing in chorus at work.
Places to Visit in Kovalam
Book ourKerala tour packages for 5 days orKerala tour packages for 3 nights 4 daysto enjoy some of the best sightseeing places in Kovalam. Some of the popular attractions which you must not miss on your Kerala tour are:
- Neyyar Dam: Enjoy boating to explore the beauty of the surroundings. This place is a heaven for peace lovers.
- Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium: Watch a colourful display of fishes and other aquatic life from Kerala's waters here.
- Artificial Coral Reef in Kovalam: Your Kerala tour is incomplete without a visit to India’s first offshore coral reef.
- Veli Tourist Village: This is a famous picnic spot for tourists. Here you can enjoy anarray of activities like ferry rides (Rs. 15 per person), speed boating (Rs. 150 per person), pedal boating (For half an hour 4 seater / 2 seater - Rs. 50 / Rs. 40), row boating and motored boating.
- Vellayani Lake: 7 km. away from Kovalam, this is a picturesque freshwater lake. If you are on your tour to Kerala during Onam festival, you can witness the world famous annual boat race in this lake.
- Hawa Beach: Hawa beach also known as Eve's beachis a heaven if you are looking for peace and relaxation. You can escape from the humdrum of the city life and experience the calmness and tranquility of this beach. You can savour local delicacies from the eating joints besides the beach.
Start your day with wholesome breakfast and get prepared to proceed to another picturesque destination onyour Kerala tour. Kumarakom is located on the banks of Vembanad Lake. It is a cluster of numerous man-made islands, which is a treat to watch. Once you arrive at Kumarakom, check in at the hotel and proceed for local sightseeing. You can visit some popular places like Kumarakom bird Sanctuary, house boat jetty and tiny villages located on the banks of backwaters.
After having a joyous day, head back to the hotel for delicious dinner and comfortable night stay.
All You Need to Know about Kumarakom
Kerala tour packages for 5 days gives you a perfect chance to explore the picturesque Kumarakom.
Weather:The climate inKumarakom is moderate throughout the year.
Best Time to Visit:
- Peak tourist season at Kumarakom is from November to February when the weather is extremely soothing due to thewinter season. The temperature during this time ranges around 18 degree Celsius, making it perfect for houseboat tour and sightseeing activity.
- March marks the beginning of summer season, which extends until May. The temperature during this time goes up to 37 degrees Celsius.If you are looking for great deals on Kerala family tour packages, this is the perfect time as it is off-season and you can explore the city peacefully at your own pace.
- If you love bird watching, then you can choose atour to Kerala during June to September when the city enjoys therain-washedsplendour. However, during this time houseboat rides are not available.
Famous For: Kumarakom is a popular destination for backwater tourism.
Famous Sightseeing Places:
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: Visit here early morning to spot many species of local and migratory birds including Egrets, Herons, Darters, Teals, Cuckoos, Waterfowls and Wild Ducks. (Entry fee: Indians - Rs. 5, Foreigners - Rs. 45; Guide charges – Rs. 100 to Rs. 200)
- Vembanad Lake: It is the largest lake in Kerala and is habitat for numerous marine and freshwater fishes. (Free entry)
- Pathiramanal: This famous 10 acres island rests on Vembanad Lake and is home to rare species of exotic and colourful migratory birds from different parts of the world. (Free entry)
- Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls: Enjoy the magnificent view of thewaterfall cascading down the cliff from a height of 100 feet. (Free entry)
On day 4 of your Kerala tour, begin the day with hot morning breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to Alleppey.Once you reach Alleppey, board a traditional Kerala houseboat to explore the backwaters and serene beauty of theheavenly place. While cruising, enjoy the mesmerizing views of swaying coconut groves, paddy fields, traditionally built homes, scenic islands, small villages, beautiful ancient temples, etc. Let all your worries drift away as you sail through the calm and peaceful backwaters while enjoying delicious Keralite cuisines.
Your overnight stay is in the houseboat.
Tips for Choosing the Best Houseboat in Alleppey
The best way to experience Kerala is by gliding through the serene backwaters on some of the best houseboats in Alleppey. We share with you some tips for choosing the best houseboat in Alleppey.
- No Advance Booking: Do not book your houseboat in advance as you may end up paying extra commission to the agent, making your Kerala houseboat tour more expensive. However, during peak season and special occasions, you may book it in advance.
- Do Proper Inspection:Before you pay for the houseboat, do proper inspections. Look for safety, hygiene and basic facilities in the houseboat. A good or bad houseboat can really make or break your holiday experience.
- Speak to Others Guests: Enquire from other guests about their experience of the houseboat. Ask questions like was their stay comfortable? Did they like the boat? If not, why? How much did they pay? etc.
- Look for Options: Until you are completely satisfied, look for as many options as you can.
- Prefer Houseboat With Upstairs Deck: Apart from having a personal space separated from the staff, you also get great views from the upstairs deck.
- Meals: Get complete clarity on what is going to be served on the houseboat. If you have any preferences, convey it to the owner prior to finalizing your Kerala houseboat tour.
- Other Things to Note: You definitely do not want to compromise on anything in your Kerala tour. So make sure you check whether all the basic amenities are working properly, like air conditioners, fans, electrical sockets, etc.
Enjoy your breakfast in the houseboat and discovering the charm and peacefulness of this stunning place. Unfortunately, today is the last day of your Kerala houseboat tour. Checkout from the houseboat and drive to Kochi Airport to take your flight back home. Take back lovely memories of your Kerala tour.
Special Travel Tips on Kerala Tour
- If you are planning to spend time on thebeach, do not forget to carry your swimsuit, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen lotion with good SPF.
- On your Kerala tour, you will find a lot of Ayurveda centers, but make sure you visit only authorised centers approved by the department of tourism.
- Kerala experiences humid climate and therefore it is important to keep yourself hydrated by drinking a lot of water, lemon juice and coconut water.
- Avoid carrying too much cash, as ATMs are easily available in major parts of the cities. Apart from that, debit cards and credit cards are widely accepted at major restaurants, shopping centers and hotels.
- Kerala experiences warm climate all-round the year so carry light cotton clothes for your Kerala tour.
- Some of the temples in Kerala do not allow non-Hindus to enter the temple. You also need to follow the strict dress code while offering prayers.
- Always follow the instructions of lifeguards while indulging in water activities.
- Try out some local cuisines on your tour to Kerala.
- It is advisable, not to take Kerala houseboat tour on the day of your arrival as you may miss the morning charm of houseboat experience.