12-Nights Best of Kerala & Maldives: Cochin, Munnar, Backwaters & More

Goway Travel

Discover the essence of Kerala and the Maldives on this 13-day India vacation, venturing from Cochin’s historic streets to Munnar’s lush hills and valleys, Alleppey’s scenic backwaters, and Male’s breathtaking white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Begin along Kerala’s shores in the historic city of Cochin, renowned for its rich cultural diversity. Immerse yourself in Cochin’s storied past with a tour of Fort Cochin, constructed by Portugal’s Alfonzo de Albuquerque in 1500, where you’ll find the St. Francis Church, India’s first European church noted for its simple design and beautiful floor tiles. Uncover the city’s ancient Jewish heritage at several antique shops and spice auction rooms, offering glimpses into the lives of the Jewish community that settled in Cochin near 587 BCE. Discover the iconic Chinese fishing nets along Fort Cochin’s shores before continuing to Munnar.

Settle into your first-class Munnar hotel, nestled in lush hills and surrounded by verdant valleys, scenic waterfalls, and vast tea plantations, before embarking on a guided town tour. Learn about the region’s history as you explore the fascinating Tea Museum and marvel at the spectacular views from the Anaimudy viewpoint, where the sight of Southern India’s highest peak promises to take your breath away.

Continue to the Periyar Highlands and explore the wildlife-rich Periyar National Park, a local spice plantation, and the Periyar Reserve by boat on an unforgettable houseboat adventure. Search for elephants, bison, deer, several bird species, and the occasional tiger before exploring the significance of spice harvesting in the region and boarding the Kerala Backwaters Houseboat in Alleppey.

Float through Alleppey’s coconut-lined canals that have provided a safe and efficient means of transporting goods and people between Kerala’s heartland and coastal towns. Marvel as the scenery changes from papaya and mango trees to coconut harvesting, coir factories, and paddy fields as you inch closer to your final escape in Male.

Enjoy five nights of leisure, unwinding on pristine beaches, exploring tropical forests, and swimming in secluded blue lagoons. Immerse yourself in quintessential Maldivian luxury as you scuba or snorkel along coral reefs beaming with over 200 species of coral and over a thousand species of colourful fish.

Vacation Inclusions

• Private arrival and departure airport transfer in Cochin
• 2 nights first-class accommodations in Cochin
• 2 nights first-class accommodations in Munnar
• 2 nights first-class accommodations in Periyar
• 1 night first-class houseboat accommodations in Alleppey
• Private-guided Cochin City Tour
• Private-guided Munnar City Tour
• Private-guided Spice Plantation Tour
• Private-guided nature walk and Periyar Reserve boat trip
• Private Transportation between Cochin-Munnar-Periyar-Alleppey-Cochin
• Arrival and departure Speedboat transfer between Velana International Airport and Resort
• 5 nights first class accommodations at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, Premium All-Inclusive
• 12 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 5 Dinners

Featured Destinations

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary A National Park and a Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar (Thekaddy) is South India's protected are and nature reserve. Created by the British in 1895, Periyar is a mountain scenery of jungle walks that's home to bison, sambar, wild boar, languar, elephants and tigers.
Male Atoll
Alleppey (Alappuzha) Alleppey (Alappuzha) Also known as Alappuzha, Alleppey is considered a network of waterways. There are over 1000 houseboats, canoes and toddy shops located within the city; because of this many consider Alleppey to be the “Venice of the East”. About 2 miles west of the chaotic city center you will find Alleppey Beach, a beach not known for swimming, but known for the daily picturesque sunset.	Destination Guide
Munnar
Kochi (Cochin) Kochi (Cochin) Kochi (Cochin) is the great, old Keralan spice city. It consists of mainland Ernakulam, islands of Willingdon, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbor, Fort Cochin and Mattancheri on the southern peninsula and Vypeen Island north of Cochin. Because of the area’s dense tropical forests, extensive ridges and ravines, it has been sheltered from invaders and the rest of India. This encouraged Keralites to welcome maritime contact, and therefore influence from the outside world. In Cochin there is still a small community of descendants from Jewish settlers who fled Palestine 2,000 years ago. When the Portuguese arrived here some 500 years ago, they were surprised to find Christianity already established along this coast. People from far-off lands have been coming to Kerala since ancient times in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory. Such long contact with people from overseas has resulted in the blending of various cultures and has given Keralites a cosmopolitan outlook.	Destination Guide

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