Short Break Itineraries in Kerala

Fort Cochin – Houseboat – Fort Cochin has a mix of heritage feel with a laidback attitude. There are a few eclectic restaurants that brighten up evenings and a walk alongside the harbour front and heritage buildings is quite relaxing.

Houseboat jetty is about 60 kms South of Fort Cochin and is highlight of any Kerala trip.

Houseboat cruise in Alleppey backwaters of Kerala is considered to be one of the most romantic experiences where a traditional Kerala Rice Boat (Known as Ketuvallam and now generically known as a Houseboat) cruises past villages, paddy fields, Coconut Trees and gives a feel of backwater lifestyle real upclose. The greenery, views around and exclusivity of stay are very relaxing.

Accommodation Options - Fort Cochin - Houseboat

Munnar/Vagamon/Thekkady – Alleppey / Kumarakom Or Houseboat – This is a popular short break to visit Hill Station of Munnar and Backwater and Lakeside Retreats of Alleppey and Kumarakom.

Munnar (100-120 kms from Cochin Airport ) is a hill station at 6000 ft with tea and cardamom plantations all over the area. Munnar enjoys a misty weather and gets rainfall (More of a drizzle in Winter and Summer) all through the year. Munnar has a few sightseeing possibilities and has quite a few resorts that just allows guests to unwind.

Kumarakom and Alleppey (200 kms from Munnar) are set on two sides of the Vembanad Lake . Kumarakom has luxury resorts situated right next to each other that offer best in Hospitality and soothing lake views. Alleppey is more famous for its backwater canal network and therefore attracts guests who want to feel upclose to backwater lifestyle. Alleppey also has a few Kumarakom style lake resorts and quite a few heritage backwater homestays, which don’t have the same level of luxury and service but are high on charm and experience (Most homestays have owners staying there and providing authentic Kerala cuisine and gives a good feel of the local culture and lifestyle).

Variation

Guests may opt for a houseboat stay instead of a resort / homestay.
Instead of Munnar, Vagamon an idyllic hill station can be chosen for a relaxed stay. From Vagamon Alleppey is closer (which translates into lesser traveling).
Instead of Munnar, Thekkady or any plantation stay (A resort or a plantation homestay) in Idukki or Kottayam District can be chosen. The area is famous for spice plantations (Cardamom, pepper), Rubber and Vanilla. A walk in the plantation is a very relaxing experience.

Accommodation Options - Munnar Vagamon/Thekkady - Homestays - Alleppey/Kumarakom - Houseboat

Only Houseboat – 2-3 nights – This option is preferred by those who want to go deeper into backwater canals and further explore the Kuttanad Region south of alleppey and completely unwind over two to three nights. Guests can arrive at Alleppey Jetty and travel upto Alumkadavu which is few kms before Kollam and enroute exploring the entire Kuttanad region.

Accommodation Options - Houseboat

Munnar – Plantation Stays – This is a summer combination when guests prefer the cooler destinations.

Thekkady is a plantation retreat and staying at a Plantation near Thekkady is certainly an experience. The area is famous for spice plantations (Cardamom, pepper), Rubber and Vanilla. A walk in the plantation is a very relaxing experience.

There are quite a few plantation stays right from 30 kms before Thekkady till about 75 kms from Cochin on one side and till Kottayam on other side. Plantation stays could be a full fledged resort or could be a heritage homestay set in a plantation and guest can choose according to availability and preference. Homestays don’t have the same level of luxury and service but are high on charm and experience (Most homestays have owners staying there and providing authentic Kerala cuisine and gives a good feel of the local culture and lifestyle).

Variation

Instead of Munnar, Vagamon an idyllic hill station can be chosen for a relaxed stay.

Accommodation Options - Munnar Vagamon/Thekkady - Homestays

Kumarakom/Alleppey OR Marari – Houseboat – This is a combination where guest prefers a stay in the backwater area and splits it between a resort and a houseboat. A resort stay is for enjoying luxuries and Ayurveda and the houseboat stay is to explore backwater canal areas and get upclose with the local cuisine, culture and lifestyle.

Variation

§ Guest may choose to stay at a resort on Marari Beach nearby instead of Kumarakom/Alleppey to give a variety to the stay (Beach and Backwaters)

Accommodation Options - Kumarakom/Alleppey - Houseboat - Marari

Thattekad – Athirapally – Cherai – This is an off beat circuit of areas around Cochin Airport that are not visited as a part of regular Kerala itinerary.

Cherai is a beach resort just 40 kms south of cochin where backwater and beach meet (22 kms from Airport). Athirapally is a set of spectacular waterfalls at just about 40 kms from Airport. Thattekad is a bird sactuary at just 25-30 kms from Airport and here guests can enjoy bamboo rafting and do birding or just enjoy a resort or homestay.

Accommodation Options - Thattekad - Athirapally - Cherai

Access Information:

Cochin Airport (30 kms from Ernakulam - Cochin Mainland and 45 kms from Fort Cochin) gets flights from Gulf Countries, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore and Mumbai.
Aluva, Ernakulam Railway stations get trains from all major centres in India.

Please email to shortbreakkerala@nivalink.com with dates of travel and the starting point for us to email you preferred point of access, short-break itinerary and we will email a firm quote (hotel cost and transportation) with an indicative itinerary to customised to your requirements in terms or time on hand and total budget at disposal. Please refer to Kerala Tourist Map for Planning.

- Section Contains Photographs taken by Nivalink Team.