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Munnar & Thekkady · Tea Hills & Spice Trails

Two nights in Munnar's tea country and two in Thekkady's spice forests

4.7638 reviews
4 Nights / 5 Days(4N/5D)
India, Kerala
easy pace
Great for couples, family, senior

Destinations: Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady

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Overview

About this Munnar & Thekkady trip

This is Kerala's high country without the rush. You drive up from Kochi into the Western Ghats and spend two unhurried nights in Munnar, where tea bushes are clipped into neat green waves over every ridge and the Nilgiri tahr grazes on the slopes of Eravikulam. Then the road winds south through cardamom estates to Thekkady, gateway to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, for an early boat safari on the lake, a guided spice walk and an evening of Kalaripayattu, Kerala's ancient martial art.

Tea-estate walks, Nilgiri tahr at Eravikulam, Top Station views and a Periyar Lake boat safari.

Duration: 4 Nights / 5 Days
Stay: 3-star hill & plantation resorts
Transport: Private AC sedan or Innova with driver
Best time: September to May; June to August brings heavy rain but lush green hills
Departures: 8 upcoming dates

Why Choose Munnar & Thekkady?

Two full days in Munnar instead of a rushed overnight
Eravikulam National Park — best place to see the Nilgiri tahr
Top Station viewpoint over the Tamil Nadu plains
First-slot Periyar Lake boat safari arranged for you
Guided spice plantation walk — cardamom, pepper, cinnamon
Cool climate all year; ideal for families and seniors

Trip highlights

Eravikulam National Park
Tea Museum
Top Station
Mattupetty Dam
Periyar Lake boat safari
Spice plantation walk

Itinerary

Day-by-day plan for Munnar & Thekkady

5 days, planned end to end

D1
- Pickup at Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam station
- Scenic 4–4.5 hour climb past Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls
- Stop at a spice outlet and tea shop en route
- Check in at Munnar; evening stroll in town
D2
- Morning at Eravikulam National Park to see the Nilgiri tahr (park shuts every Feb–Mar for calving)
- KDHP Tea Museum — see how leaf becomes tea
- Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Kundala Lake
- Optional Kalaripayattu or Kathakali show in the evening
D3
- Early drive to Top Station for valley views (best before clouds roll in)
- Tea estate photo stops on the way back
- Drive to Thekkady through cardamom hills (approx. 3.5 hours)
- Evening walk around Kumily spice market
D4
- Periyar Lake boat safari — elephants, gaur, sambar and water birds
- Guided spice plantation walk with tasting
- Optional bamboo rafting or nature walk (booked direct with the reserve)
- Kalaripayattu performance at a Kumily cultural centre
D5
- Breakfast at the resort
- Drive to Kochi (approx. 4.5–5 hours) or Madurai airport (approx. 3.5 hours)
- Drop at airport or railway station

What's covered

Inclusions & exclusions

Read this before you book — no surprise add-ons later.

Included

2 nights in a 3-star valley-view resort in Munnar
2 nights in a 3-star plantation resort in Thekkady
Daily breakfast and dinner
Private AC sedan or Innova with driver for all transfers and sightseeing
Airport/railway pickup and drop at Kochi (Madurai drop on request)
Guided spice plantation walk
Fuel, tolls, parking and driver allowance

Not included

Flights or trains to Kochi
Eravikulam, Tea Museum and Periyar boat tickets
Kalaripayattu, Kathakali and bamboo rafting charges
Jeep safari to Kolukkumalai
Lunches and personal expenses
Tips for drivers and guides

Stay & travel

Hotels & transport

Hotel category

3-star hill & plantation resorts

Twin-sharing rooms with daily breakfast unless stated otherwise. Single rooms and upgrades on request.

Transport

Private AC sedan or Innova with driver

Airport and station pick-ups, sightseeing and inter-city transfers are arranged by our ground team.

Overnight stops: Kochi to Munnar · Munnar Sightseeing · Top Station to Thekkady · Periyar & Spice Walk · Departure

Route

Route map

5 stops from start to finish

KochiStart
2MunnarStop 2
3Top StationStop 3
4ThekkadyStop 4
KochiFinish

Plan ahead

Best time & what to pack

Best time to visit

September to May; June to August brings heavy rain but lush green hills

Things to carry

Light woollens or a fleece — Munnar nights drop to 10°C in winter
Rain jacket or umbrella (rain is possible any month)
Comfortable walking shoes with grip
Leech socks if travelling in the monsoon
Insect repellent and sunscreen
Motion-sickness tablets for the ghat roads

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is Eravikulam open all year?

No. The park closes every year for Nilgiri tahr calving, usually from early February to the end of March or early April. In that window we replace it with a Kolukkumalai or Lockhart Gap excursion.

How do we get Periyar boat tickets?

Tickets are sold by the forest department (online and at the boat landing) and the early 7:30 am trip sells out fast. We guide you to book as soon as the window opens and plan the day around your slot.

Will we see tigers in Periyar?

Unlikely. Periyar is a tiger reserve but the boat safari mostly shows elephants, gaur, sambar, otters and birds. Treat a tiger sighting as a rare bonus.

Can we end the trip at Madurai instead of Kochi?

Yes. Thekkady is closer to Madurai (approx. 3.5 hours), which suits guests flying back to Hyderabad, Chennai or Bengaluru.

Is this trip good for elderly parents?

Yes. There is no trekking, Eravikulam has a park bus to the viewing area, and walking is on easy paths. Ghat roads are winding, so we keep driving days comfortable.

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Policy

Cancellation & refunds

Refund by days before departure
When you cancel	Refund
30+ days before departure	90% refund
15–29 days before	75% refund
7–14 days before	50% refund
Less than 7 days	No refund

Cancel 30+ days before departure: 90% refund · 15–29 days: 75% · 7–14 days: 50% · under 7 days: no refund. Refunds go back to the original payment method within 7–10 working days. Cancel any time from My Trips — the refund is calculated instantly.

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