Kerala Backwaters: A 6 Day Itinerary from Surat

What is the best Kerala backwaters itinerary?

The best Kerala backwaters itinerary follows the land itself, from the high tea hills down to the water and finally to the coast, over roughly 6 nights and 7 days. A proven route begins in Cochin, climbs to Munnar, moves to Thekkady, drops to Alleppey for the houseboat, then finishes at Kovalam beach before you depart near Trivandrum. Ordered this way, the temperature warms gradually as you descend, and the backwater cruise sits naturally between the hills and the sea.

This is the spine La Familia Holidays uses for its Surat to Kerala package, which pairs real hotels with a private air conditioned vehicle for the sightseeing and breakfast at each hotel. Kerala is marketed by the state as God's Own Country, and the appeal for a Surat family is the sheer variety packed into one trip: plantations, wildlife, waterways and beach, all within comfortable driving distance. The plan below is a template we adjust to your pace and dates.

What exactly are the Kerala backwaters?

The Kerala backwaters are a network of interconnected lakes, canals, rivers and lagoons that run parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, according to Kerala Tourism. Fed by rivers coming down from the Western Ghats, they form a calm inland waterway threaded through paddy fields, coconut groves and small villages. Life here has always moved by boat, and that is what makes a cruise feel like stepping into everyday Kerala rather than just looking at scenery.

Alleppey, officially Alappuzha, is the most famous backwater hub and is often called the Venice of the East. Its signature craft is the kettuvallam, a traditional rice barge rebuilt as a houseboat, which you can hire for a day cruise or an overnight stay. The waterways are gentle and shallow, so this is a relaxed, family friendly experience rather than an adventurous one.

Why start in Munnar and Thekkady?

Munnar and Thekkady open the trip in the cool of the Western Ghats before you head down to the water. Munnar is a hill station carpeted in tea plantations, with rolling green slopes, waterfalls along the ghat road and the Eravikulam National Park nearby, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr. The air is crisp and the light is soft, which makes the first two days both restful and scenic.

Thekkady, a short drive on, is spice country, and its centre is the Periyar Tiger Reserve set around a lake. Here you can take a boat on Periyar Lake to spot birds, elephants and other wildlife from the water, and walk a working spice plantation of cardamom, pepper and coffee. Together, Munnar and Thekkady give the trip its greenery and wildlife before the mood shifts to the slow waterways of Alleppey.

What is an Alleppey houseboat like?

An Alleppey houseboat is a converted rice barge that drifts through the backwaters at walking pace while you sit back on deck. Most boats come with a small crew and a cook, so meals of Kerala rice, fish and vegetables are prepared on board as you pass paddy fields, village jetties, children heading to school by canoe and fishermen at work. You can choose a shorter day cruise or an overnight stay moored on the water under the stars.

For families this is often the highlight of the whole trip, because it is calm, safe and completely different from anything at home in Gujarat. Do bring light cottons, a hat and mosquito protection for the evening. La Familia Holidays arranges the houseboat as part of the Kerala itinerary, and we confirm whether you prefer a day cruise or an overnight boat when we plan your dates.

How does Kovalam beach fit in?

Kovalam is the beach finale, a crescent of sand on the Arabian Sea near Trivandrum that is famous for its lighthouse headland. After the hills and the backwaters, a day or two here lets everyone slow right down: swim in the calm season, walk the promenade, watch the sunset from the lighthouse beach, and enjoy fresh seafood. Kerala is also known for Ayurveda, and Kovalam is a good place to try a traditional massage if you wish.

Because Kovalam sits close to Trivandrum, it is a natural end point before your flight home. Sea conditions vary by season, so always follow the local flags and lifeguard guidance when swimming. This closing stretch turns a busy sightseeing trip into a proper holiday, sending you home rested rather than tired.

Day by day itinerary at a glance

Here is the full route as a simple day by day table. Use it as a starting point, then we tailor the nights and any add ons to your group.

A couple of practical notes on the package: sightseeing runs in a private air conditioned vehicle, breakfast is included at all hotels, and some hill station rooms are non air conditioned because the climate is naturally cool. Monument entries and boat rides are not included, so keep a little cash for tickets on the day. As always, we tune the exact hotels and pace to your budget and dates.