If you only have five days for Kerala, this itinerary is the one to pick. It threads together the state’s three most-loved experiences — misty tea hills, spice-scented wildlife country, and a private houseboat gliding through the backwaters — into one smooth, no-rush route starting and ending at Kochi.
This 4 Nights / 5 Days Kerala tour package covers 2 nights in Munnar, 1 night in Thekkady, and 1 night aboard a private Alleppey houseboat, with all transfers, sightseeing, and a driver included. Below is the full day-wise plan, what’s included, and what to keep in mind before you book.
Quick overview
| Duration | 4 Nights / 5 Days |
| Route | Kochi → Munnar (2N) → Thekkady (1N) → Alleppey Houseboat (1N) → Kochi |
| Pickup/Drop | Kochi Airport or Kochi Railway Station |
| Best for | Couples, families, first-time Kerala travelers |
| Meal plan | Breakfast at hotels (CP), all meals on the houseboat |
Browse our full range of Kerala tour packages if you’d like to compare durations, or jump straight to the Grand Kerala Tour Package if you have a couple of extra days to spare.
Day-Wise Kerala Itinerary (5 Days)
Day 1: Kochi to Munnar — Waterfalls and Tea Hills
Your Kerala journey begins the moment you land at Kochi Airport or step off the train at Kochi Railway Station, where a Travelnote representative will receive you and start the drive up to Munnar.
The road itself is part of the experience. En route, you’ll stop at:
- Cheeyappara Waterfalls — a series of cascades right by the roadside
- Valara Waterfalls — set against thick forest, a favorite photo stop
As the road climbs, the landscape changes from paddy fields to rolling tea plantations wrapped in mist. Check in to your Munnar hotel by the standard 2:00 PM check-in time, and spend the rest of the day at leisure soaking in the hill-station air.
Overnight: Munnar
Day 2: Full-Day Munnar Sightseeing
After breakfast, the day is dedicated entirely to Munnar’s best-known sights:
- Eravikulam National Park — home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, set inside rolling grasslands
- Tea Factory & Tea Museum — see how Munnar’s famous tea goes from leaf to cup
- Mattupetty Dam — a scenic reservoir surrounded by hills, popular for boating
- Echo Point — a quiet lakeside stop, exactly what it sounds like
- Kundala Lake — another boating spot, ringed by pine and eucalyptus
- Blossom Park — a landscaped garden good for an easy, relaxed walk
It’s a full day, so comfortable shoes and an early start are worth it. Return to the hotel by evening.
Overnight: Munnar
Day 3: Munnar to Thekkady — Spice Country
Check out after breakfast and head toward Thekkady, Kerala’s wildlife and spice hub. The drive itself winds through hills and valleys, with two notable stops:
- Gap Road Viewpoint — a sweeping viewpoint over the Western Ghats
- Spice Plantation Tour — walk through working plantations of tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom, and see where a lot of what’s in your kitchen actually comes from
Check in to your Thekkady hotel by 2:00 PM. Evenings here are lively if you want to add on optional activities such as:
- Elephant Safari
- Kathakali Dance Performance
- Kalaripayattu (traditional martial arts) show
These are optional add-ons and not part of the base package, so let us know in advance if you’d like them arranged.
Overnight: Thekkady
Day 4: Thekkady to Alleppey — The Houseboat Experience
This is the day most travelers look forward to. After breakfast and checkout, you’ll head to Alleppey to board your private houseboat — and this is where the package goes beyond a standard hotel stay.
Your houseboat comes with:
- A well-furnished, air-conditioned bedroom
- Attached bathroom
- Private balcony
- Dining area
- Hygienic onboard kitchen
- Spacious side decks for watching the backwaters go by
As the boat cruises through Alleppey’s canals and paddy fields between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM, meals are prepared fresh onboard — welcome drink, lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner, and breakfast the next morning are all included. Cabin air-conditioning runs from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Overnight: Private Houseboat, Alleppey backwaters
If you’d like to pair this with Gavi or Vagamon on a future trip, our Thekkady–Gavi–Vagamon package is worth a look.
Day 5: Alleppey to Kochi Departure
After breakfast onboard, check out from the houseboat by 9:00 AM and transfer to Kochi Airport or Kochi Railway Station for your onward journey — with five days of hills, wildlife, spice trails, and backwaters behind you.
What’s Included in This Package
| Inclusion |
|---|
| Hotel stays with daily breakfast |
| Private air-conditioned houseboat with all meals |
| Pickup and drop from Kochi Airport / Railway Station |
| All sightseeing and transfers by private AC vehicle |
| Inter-hotel transfers as per itinerary |
| Experienced driver with driver allowance |
| Fuel, toll, parking and road tax charges |
| Houseboat meals — welcome drink, lunch, evening tea & snacks, dinner, breakfast |
What’s Not Included
| Exclusion |
|---|
| Airfare, train or bus tickets |
| Entry fees to parks, monuments and museums |
| Lunch and dinner at hotels (CP plan — breakfast only) |
| Optional activities — Periyar Lake boating, jeep safari, bamboo rafting, adventure sports |
| Personal expenses — laundry, calls, tips, beverages, shopping, room service |
| Any sightseeing not listed under inclusions |
Houseboat Timings at a Glance
- Check-in: 12:00 PM
- Check-out: 9:00 AM
- Cruise window: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- AC hours (bedroom): 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4 nights 5 days enough for a Kerala trip?
Yes — this itinerary is deliberately built to cover Munnar’s hills, Thekkady’s wildlife and spices, and an Alleppey houseboat night without cramming the days.
What is included in this Kerala tour package?
Hotel stays with breakfast, a private AC houseboat with all meals, all transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle, and pickup/drop from Kochi.
What meals are served on the Alleppey houseboat?
Welcome drink, lunch, evening tea and snacks, dinner, and breakfast the next morning.
Are entry tickets to Munnar and Thekkady attractions included?
No — park, museum, and monument entry fees are paid directly and are not part of the package cost.
Ready to Book Your Kerala Getaway?
This 4N/5D Munnar–Thekkady–Alleppey itinerary is one of our most requested routes, and it’s easy to customize — extend it, add Vagamon or Gavi, or upgrade your houseboat category.
Get in touch with our travel experts to check availability and pricing, or explore more Kerala packages to compare options.
