Tea hills at Munnar, spice gardens and the Periyar lake at Thekkady, the Alleppey backwaters and the beach at Kovalam — Kerala’s classic circuit in seven unhurried days, starting from Chennai.
Our Kerala tour package from Chennai is the trip most of our travellers ask for first: seven days, six nights, a private air-conditioned car with an experienced driver from the moment you land in Kochi, and hotels chosen to suit your budget. As a Kerala tour agency in Tamil Nadu, we plan the journey from your end too — flights or overnight trains from Chennai, and a pickup from your home in Virudhachalam, Cuddalore or anywhere in the state if you’d rather start by road.
The route runs the way Kerala is best seen: up into the cool Western Ghats first, down through spice country to the backwaters, and out to the sea at the end — so the long drives are short, and the last days are the easiest. It is the 7 days Kerala tour package in Chennai that families book with us most.
Highlights
Getting there from Chennai
- By air: direct flights from Chennai to Kochi (COK) take a little over an hour, and the return from Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) to Chennai is similar.
- By train: overnight trains run daily between Chennai and Ernakulam (Kochi), and between Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai — a comfortable way to save a hotel night.
- By road: for families who prefer one vehicle throughout, we can drive you from Chennai or from Virudhachalam all the way, adding a night on the way.
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrive Kochi, drive to Munnar
We meet you at Kochi airport or Ernakulam station and drive up to Munnar (about four hours), stopping at the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls on the way. Check in and take the evening easy in the cool hill air.
Munnar sightseeing
A full day in the tea hills: Eravikulam National Park, home of the Nilgiri tahr, the Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point, with time to walk through the estates.
Munnar to Thekkady
Down through cardamom country to Thekkady (about three hours). Visit a spice plantation, then take the boat ride on Periyar lake, where elephants often come to the water’s edge. Evening Kathakali or Kalaripayattu show if you’d like one.
Thekkady to Alleppey
Drive to Alleppey (Alappuzha) for the backwaters — canals, paddy fields and village life seen from the water. Stay in a lakeside hotel, or upgrade to a night on a private houseboat with meals cooked on board.
Alleppey to Kovalam
South along the coast to Kovalam (about four hours) and its crescent beaches below the lighthouse. The rest of the day is yours.
Thiruvananthapuram excursion
A morning in the capital: the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (entry is for Hindu devotees, with a traditional dress code we’ll brief you on), the Napier Museum and Kuthiramalika Palace, then back to Kovalam for sunset.
Depart from Thiruvananthapuram
Breakfast, check out, and transfer to Thiruvananthapuram airport or railway station for your journey home to Chennai.
What’s included
Usually included
- Hotels for 6 nights in the category you choose
- Daily breakfast
- Private AC car or tempo traveller with driver for all transfers and sightseeing
- Fuel, tolls, parking and driver allowance
- Periyar boat ride booking support
- One point of contact throughout the trip
Not included
- Flights or trains from Chennai (we can book them)
- Entry tickets and camera fees
- Lunches and dinners (except on a houseboat)
- Houseboat upgrade (optional)
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance
Your written quote lists exactly what is included for your dates and hotels.
Best time to go
September to March is the most comfortable time: clear days in the hills and pleasant evenings on the coast. The south-west monsoon (June to August) brings heavy rain, but also lush green hills, quieter roads and the traditional Ayurveda season. Eravikulam National Park usually closes for a few weeks around February–March for the Nilgiri tahr calving season, so tell us your dates and we’ll plan around it.
Why book with Bakkiya Tours
We're a family-run travel agency in Tamil Nadu that has arranged journeys since 2010. You get one point of contact who answers the phone, a written, itemised quote with no hidden charges, hotels checked by us, and someone on your side from the first enquiry to the drop back home. Elders, families and first-time travellers are looked after at a pace that suits them.
Bakkiya Tours is based in Virudhachalam, in Cuddalore district, and plans trips for travellers starting from Chennai, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Neyveli, Panruti, Ulundurpet, Puducherry and anywhere else in Tamil Nadu. We can begin the journey at Chennai airport or Chennai Central, or collect you from your doorstep in our own vehicle and drive you to the airport or station, so the trip is planned end to end by one local team.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for a Kerala tour from Chennai?
Seven days covers the classic circuit — Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Kovalam — without rushing. With five days we would suggest Munnar and Alleppey only; with nine or ten you can add Fort Kochi, Kumarakom or Varkala.
What is the best time to visit Kerala?
September to March for comfortable weather. June to August is monsoon season — beautiful and good value, but expect heavy rain.
How do we travel from Chennai to Kerala?
Most travellers fly from Chennai to Kochi (a little over an hour) and return from Thiruvananthapuram. Overnight trains between Chennai and Ernakulam are a good alternative. We book whichever you prefer.
Can we stay overnight on an Alleppey houseboat?
Yes. The Alleppey night can be upgraded to a private houseboat with an air-conditioned bedroom and meals cooked on board.
Is this Kerala tour suitable for senior citizens?
Yes. The drives are split into short legs, we can choose ground-floor rooms and hotels with lifts, and the pace is easy to adjust. Tell us about any mobility needs when you enquire.
How much does a 7 days Kerala tour package from Chennai cost?
It depends on your dates, hotel category, vehicle and group size. Send us those details on WhatsApp and we’ll reply with a written, itemised quote — the price you see is the price you pay.
Can the trip start from Virudhachalam or Cuddalore?
Yes. We’re based in Virudhachalam, so we can pick you up from home and drive you to Chennai airport or straight to Kerala by road.
Plan this trip with us
Send your dates and group size and we’ll reply with the itinerary and a clear, itemised quote.
