The Kerala Grand Circuit is the definitive 12-day exploration of God's Own Country — designed for travellers who want to experience all of Kerala's faces without compromise or rush. From the colonial spice lanes of Fort Kochi to the misty summit of Top Station, from Periyar's wild elephants to the still moonlit backwaters at midnight, from Varkala's red cliffs to the sandy crescent of Kovalam — this circuit leaves nothing out.
Across 11 nights, you'll stay in a handpicked selection of heritage boutique hotels, a premium hillside resort in Munnar, a tented eco-camp in Thekkady, an AC houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters, a cliff-top resort in Varkala and a beach resort in Kovalam. Every property is chosen for character, location and service.
Route: Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Kollam → Varkala → Kovalam → Thiruvananthapuram
Two afternoons in Fort Kochi — Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, street art alleys and a full Kathakali performance with a backstage costume session.
Walk through the KDHP plantation at sunrise, meet tea pluckers, take the full factory tour, and end at Top Station (1,700 m) for views across the Tamil Nadu border.
Periyar Lake boat safari for wild elephants and bison, guided spice plantation trek through cardamom and pepper groves, and optional bamboo rafting inside the reserve.
Board your private houseboat and spend two full days gliding through Alleppey's canal network — paddy fields, coir villages, sunrise over still water and a chef-cooked Kerala seafood dinner.
A dedicated half-day Ayurveda treatment at Varkala's clifftop retreat — Abhyanga oil massage and Shirodhara — followed by yoga on the cliff with the Arabian Sea below.
Two leisurely days at Kovalam — Kerala's most famous crescent beach. Swim in the Arabian Sea, hike up to the lighthouse for panoramic views, and enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at a beachside shack.
Arrive at Cochin International Airport. Guide and private vehicle waiting. Check in to your heritage boutique hotel in Fort Kochi. Afternoon walking tour of the Fort Kochi quarter — Chinese fishing nets at sunset, St. Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue on Jew Town Road and Mattancherry Dutch Palace. Evening Kathakali performance with backstage costume session. Welcome dinner at a heritage spice restaurant.
Morning visit to Cherai Beach on Vypeen Island — Kerala's closest beach to Kochi, famous for Chinese fishing nets and dolphin sightings at dawn. Take the local backwater ferry across the estuary — a glimpse of authentic Kochi life. Afternoon: explore Ernakulam's Broadway market and the Indo-Portuguese Museum. Evening river cruise on Fort Kochi harbour to watch the sunset. Overnight Kochi.
Drive to Munnar (4.5 hrs) through the Western Ghats. Stop at Cheeyappara Waterfalls and Valara Falls. Arrive Munnar, check in to premium hillside resort with valley views. Evening stroll through Munnar market — spices, estate teas and local produce. Overnight Munnar.
Full day in Munnar. Eravikulam National Park at opening time — Nilgiri Tahr up close on the Rajamala grasslands. Guided KDHP tea estate walk with full factory tour and tasting. Afternoon drive to Top Station (1,700 m) for panoramic Ghats views. Sunset at the resort. Overnight Munnar.
Drive to Thekkady (3 hrs). En route, stop at a working cardamom and pepper estate in the Ghats. Afternoon Periyar Lake boat safari — spot wild elephants bathing, sambar deer, bison and abundant birdlife. Optional evening bamboo rafting inside the tiger reserve. Overnight Thekkady eco-camp or jungle resort.
Morning elephant interaction programme or Kalaripayattu martial arts demonstration. Drive to Alleppey (3 hrs). Board your AC 2-bedroom premium houseboat at noon — welcomed with fresh coconuts and marigolds. Cruise through paddy-lined canals, coir weaving villages and narrow waterways all afternoon. Fresh Kerala seafood dinner prepared on board. Anchor at a quiet bend for the night under the stars.
Wake at dawn for sunrise over the still backwater — one of the most serene moments in all of South India. Breakfast on deck. Continue cruising through narrower canals and village waterways. Disembark mid-morning and transfer to an Alleppey lakeside resort. Afternoon canoe tour through the small neighbourhood canals with a local guide — peek into village homes, watch coir rope being twisted by hand. Evening kayaking and farewell Alleppey dinner.
Morning drive to Kollam (55 km). Scenic 3-hour backwater cruise on Ashtamudi Lake — a Ramsar wetland with cashew groves and toddy tapper villages. Continue to Varkala (1 hr). Check in to your clifftop resort. Sunset walk along North Cliff — browse the bohemian shops, watch the fishing boats below and enjoy the Arabian Sea at its most dramatic. Dinner overlooking the cliff.
Morning yoga session on the cliff at sunrise. Half-day Ayurveda treatment at the resort's wellness centre — Abhyanga full-body oil massage followed by Shirodhara (medicated oil flow on the forehead). Post-treatment rest and lunch. Afternoon swim at Papanasam beach — the sacred laterite cliff beach at the base of Varkala's dramatic escarpment. Evening at leisure — explore the cliff cafés and souvenir stalls.
After breakfast, drive to Kovalam (1.5 hrs). Check in to your beach resort right on Lighthouse Beach. Afternoon at leisure — swim in the safe waves, explore Hawah Beach and Eve's Beach. Evening hike up to the iconic Kovalam Lighthouse for a 360° panoramic view of the coast at golden hour. Fresh grilled seafood dinner at a beachside restaurant recommended by our local team.
Morning at leisure on the beach. Drive to Thiruvananthapuram (16 km). Visit the magnificent Padmanabhaswamy Temple exterior and the Napier Museum of Natural History. Explore the Chalai Bazaar — a sprawling traditional market for Ayurvedic herbs, fresh spices, textiles and brassware. Farewell dinner at a heritage restaurant with traditional Kerala thali. Overnight Thiruvananthapuram.
Morning at leisure. After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to Trivandrum International Airport for your onward journey. Tour ends with warm Kerala farewells, a bag of fresh spices and Ayurvedic teas, and 11 nights of extraordinary memories across God's Own Country.
"12 days, 7 properties, 11 experiences — all seamlessly organised. The Alleppey sunrise was our highlight but honestly every single day had a wow moment. The best holiday of our lives."
Jan 2026"We covered every major experience Kerala has to offer — and still didn't feel rushed. The Periyar elephants, the Ayurveda in Varkala and Kovalam lighthouse sunset were unforgettable. Flawless logistics."
Feb 2026"Booked the Grand Circuit for our 25th anniversary — worth every rupee. The premium houseboat for 2 nights was extraordinary. Our guide Rajan was the best we've had in 30 years of travel."
Dec 2025"A genuine full-state experience. Loved that it went beyond the backwaters — Kovalam beach and the Thiruvananthapuram temple day were unexpected highlights. The Cherai Beach morning was a hidden gem."
Nov 2025