Backwaters to Temples: Luxury Honeymoon from Kochi7N/8D

Backwaters to Temples: Luxury Honeymoon from Kochi

Start & City : Kochi

View Itinerary Page

best deal price

Without GST ₹1,36,710

per person on twin sharing

We’ll send customised plan built for you within one working day.

Tell us where you want to go and when.

Updated On: Nov 12, 2026

1. Choose your departure date

Highlights

Stay in Fort Kochi, and see a Dutch palace, a synagogue and a Kathakali performance.

Spend a night on a private houseboat, with a chef and a crew, on the Alleppey backwaters.

Drive up into the tea country of Munnar, and share a candlelit dinner.

Visit Eravikulam National Park and the wild mountain goats of the high grassland.

Walk the streets around the Meenakshi temple in Madurai, and visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace.

Spend a day among the Chettinad mansions, with a private terrace dinner back in Madurai.

Essence of Journey

The experiences that capture the true spirit of the entire trip.

Day	Route	Distance	Major Highlights
Day 1	Arrive Kochi (COK), Fort Kochi	Airport to hotel, ~35 km	Welcome, fishing nets, Kathakali if time allows
Day 2	Fort Kochi to Alleppey	~60 km, 1.5 to 2 hrs	Mattancherry, houseboat
Day 3	Alleppey to Munnar	~175 km, 4.5 to 5.5 hrs	Backwater morning, drive into the hills
Day 4	Munnar	Local	Eravikulam, Tea Museum, candlelit dinner
Day 5	Munnar to Madurai	~160 km, 4.5 to 5.5 hrs	Bodimettu pass, plains of Tamil Nadu
Day 6	Madurai	Local	Temple gateways, palace, terrace dinner
Day 7	Madurai and Chettinad	~180 km round trip, 4 hrs driving	Mansions, tiles, Chettinad food
Day 8	Madurai (IXM)	Airport transfer, ~15 km	Departure

About

This is a private 8-day (7-night) Kerala and Tamil Nadu honeymoon tour package for couples. You begin in historic Fort Kochi, spend a night alone on a private houseboat with your own chef in the Alleppey backwaters, relax for two nights in the cool tea hills of Munnar, and finish with three nights in a villa near Madurai, the great temple city of the south. Two private dinners, welcome flowers and a cake are included, there are no domestic flights, and the trip costs from about INR 273,420 per couple.

Some honeymoons are about doing everything. This one is about doing a few beautiful things well, with time left over for each other.

You start by the sea in Fort Kochi, where Portuguese, Dutch and British traders all left their mark. Then you drift through palm-lined canals on a houseboat that carries only the two of you. Next come misty tea estates and a candlelit dinner high in the Western Ghats. Finally, you cross into Tamil Nadu for painted temple towers, a royal palace and a private terrace dinner beneath the stars.

The whole journey runs in one direction by private car, from the coast inland and south-east. No flights, no backtracking and no drive longer than about five and a half hours.

Honeymoon at a Glance

Detail	What to expect
Duration	7 nights / 8 days
Route	Fort Kochi → Alleppey backwaters → Munnar → Madurai (with a day trip to Chettinad)
States covered	Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Stays	Brunton Boatyard (Fort Kochi), a private houseboat (Alleppey), Windermere Estate (Munnar), Heritage Madurai
Romantic extras	Welcome flowers and cake, a candlelit dinner in Munnar, a private terrace dinner in Madurai
Best time to go	Mid-November to February
Price from	About INR 273,420 per couple (Premium tier)

Backwaters to Temples Honeymoon at a Glance

Why Couples Love This Honeymoon

A houseboat just for two. Cruise canals and lake past rice fields and village jetties, then moor for a peaceful night with dinner and breakfast cooked on board.
Tea-country romance. Walk among the tea rows, look for the rare Nilgiri tahr in Eravikulam National Park, and end the day with a candlelit dinner.
Culture without the crowds of a coach tour. A Kathakali dance in Fort Kochi, the Dutch Palace murals, the Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town's spice warehouses.
A taste of the temple south. The towering gopurams of the Meenakshi temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the evening flower market in Madurai.
Chettinad, a hidden gem. Grand merchant mansions, hand-made Athangudi tiles and one of India's most famous regional cuisines.
Time for yourselves. Free evenings, villa time with a plunge pool in the upper tiers, and optional couples' spa treatments.

Is This the Right Honeymoon for You?

It is a great fit if you want a romantic, private trip that mixes nature, culture and comfort, at a gentle pace. It suits couples visiting India for the first time and those who prefer road journeys to airports.

It may not be ideal if you want a beach for most of the trip. In that case, we can add a night at Marari or Kovalam after the houseboat, or see our Goa and Coorg honeymoon (SI-INT-21).

WHY BOOK THIS WITH BIZAREXPEDITION

An 8-day private honeymoon through two states, planned and run by BizareXpedition from arrival at Kochi to departure from Madurai.

Privacy first. You travel alone with your driver and guide. There are no group coaches and no shared transfers.
One direction, no flights. The route runs Kochi, Alleppey, Munnar, Madurai by road, and no stretch is covered twice.
A private houseboat. Your boat has a bedroom, a crew and a chef, and carries only the two of you.
Short drives. The longest day on the road is about 5.5 hours, with stops.
Honeymoon touches arranged. Welcome flowers, a candlelit dinner and a private terrace dinner are included in every tier.
A registered company. BizareXpedition Services Pvt. Ltd. (CIN U63090UR2016PTC007433), headquartered in Haridwar, books the hotels and runs the ground arrangements directly.

ACCOMMODATION CATEGORIES

The four stays are the same in every tier. What changes is the room. Each tier maps to a room category at each stay, subject to availability on your dates.

Stay	Nights	Premium	Luxury	Ultra-Luxury
Brunton Boatyard, Fort Kochi	1	Heritage room	Waterfront room	Best available suite
Private houseboat, Alleppey	1	One-bedroom AC boat	Premium one-bedroom boat	Best available luxury boat
Windermere Estate, Munnar	2	Deluxe room	Best available suite	Best available villa
Heritage Madurai	3	Deluxe room	Villa with plunge pool	Best available villa

Backwaters to Temples Accommodation Categories

Note: Room names are confirmed with each stay when dates are fixed. Houseboats vary a great deal, and we choose a named boat when you book. If a category is full, we offer the nearest one at the same stay first. Another stay is used only if you agree. Tell us the date of your wedding, so that the hotels can add their own touches.

3-TIER PRICING SUMMARY

Tier	Per Couple (approx.)	Per Person, twin sharing (approx.)
Premium	Rs.273,420 – Rs.295,294	Rs.136,710 – Rs.147,647
Luxury	Rs.331,380 – Rs.357,890	Rs.165,690 – Rs.178,945
Ultra-Luxury	Rs.466,200 – Rs.503,496	Rs.233,100 – Rs.251,748

Backwaters to Temples 3-Tier Pricing Summary

Indicative pricing, modeled per couple. The range covers date and season variation. A final quote is given once dates and room categories are confirmed.

When to Go : Season Guide

Season	Months	What It Means on This Route	Price Guide
Peak	20 December – 5 January	Festive-season rates, minimum stays at Kochi and crowds in Munnar. Book the best houseboats and villas early.	+25% to +40%
High	mid-November – mid-December, and mid-January – February	Dry, sunny days, calm backwaters and cool nights in Munnar. The best months for the whole route.	Base price
Shoulder	March	Hot on the plains, pleasant in the hills. Eravikulam is closed. Good hotel offers.	–10% to –15%
Hot	April – May	Hot and humid on the backwaters and at Madurai, with temperatures over 38 degrees Celsius. Not advised for the whole route.	–20% to –30%
Monsoon	June – September	Heavy rain in Kerala. Houseboats run, but views are grey and the Ghat roads can slow. Fewer visitors and lower rates. Madurai is hot with some rain.	–25% to –40%
Northeast monsoon	October – mid-November	Rain and cyclones are possible at Madurai. The Kerala hills are green and the backwaters are full.	–10% to –20%

Backwaters to Temples Season Adjustments

Peak-season rates vary a great deal between stays, so the final quote is confirmed against live rates. Eravikulam closes for about 45 to 60 days from 1 February.

PRACTICAL NOTES

Temple rules: Cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes at temples. At Hindu temples run by the Tamil Nadu government, a Madras High Court order of January 2024 limits non-Hindus to the area before the flagpole unless they give a written undertaking. Rules can change, and we check before each visit.
Clothing: Light cotton for Kochi, Alleppey and Madurai. A fleece for Munnar evenings, and a rain jacket. Long trousers and closed shoes help on estate walks.
Long drives: Days 3 and 5 are about 4.5 to 5.5 hours. Your driver plans breaks. Travel sickness tablets help on the ghat roads.
The houseboat: Your boat has a bedroom with air conditioning, a bathroom and a small deck. Air conditioning runs on a generator, and the boat is moored for the night. Nights can be warm and humid, and mosquitoes are common.
Safety: South India is among the easier regions of India to travel in. Our team is reachable 24 hours.
Drinking water: Drink bottled or filtered water only. Your vehicle, boat and hotels provide it.
Photography: Rules differ at each temple, palace and museum. Drones cannot be flown by foreign visitors.
Alcohol: Served at the hotels and on request on the houseboat. Tamil Nadu and Kerala have dry days.
Tipping: Not compulsory. As a rough guide: driver Rs.300–500 per day, guides Rs.500 per visit, houseboat crew Rs.1,000–2,000 in total, hotel staff at your discretion.
Visa: Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa online before travel. Allow at least a week.

Booking Summary

Dept. City :

Dept. Date :

Traveller :

Adults: 2, Child: 0, Infant: 0

Rooms :

Basic Price :

Total Cost

GST

Grand Total

Itinerary

Tour Details

Inclusion

Exclusion

Policy

Cancellation

Need to Know

Itinerary (Day Wise)

This honeymoon starts by the sea in Fort Kochi. You’ll walk past Chinese fishing nets at dusk, see the old Dutch Palace and the spice lanes of Jew Town, and maybe catch a Kathakali performance on your first evening. Next comes a night on a private houseboat in Alleppey, with a chef and crew on board and nobody else as a guest. You’ll drift past rice fields and village jetties until the boat moors for the night. From the backwaters you drive up into the cool tea hills of Munnar for two unhurried days of tea estates, the rare Nilgiri tahr in Eravikulam and a candlelit dinner in the Western Ghats. You then cross the ghats into Tamil Nadu and spend three nights in a villa near Madurai. There you’ll see the painted towers of the Meenakshi temple and the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, spend a day among the Chettinad mansions and finish with a private dinner on a terrace under the stars. The whole route is covered by private car with no flights and no backtracking, so you get time for each other as well as the sights.

Day 1

Arrive Kochi | Fort Kochi

Route: Kochi International Airport (COK) to Brunton Boatyard, Fort Kochi, about 35 km

Your driver meets you at Kochi airport and takes you to Fort Kochi. Brunton Boatyard stands on the waterfront, on the site of a 19th-century boatyard. Welcome flowers and a small cake wait in your room.

Take a first walk along the old lanes at dusk, past colonial houses, small cafés and the Chinese fishing nets on the shore. The Portuguese came to Kochi in 1503, then the Dutch, then the English. If you arrive by mid-afternoon, we book a Kathakali performance for the early evening. The dancers' make-up is applied over an hour, and you may see this before the show.

Experience of the Day

Airport welcome and check-in
Dusk walk in Fort Kochi
Kathakali performance, if you arrive in time

Food

Recommended: Dinner at a Fort Kochi restaurant.

Must-Try: Karimeen fry (pearl spot fish) and Kerala prawn curry.

Activities to Do

Walk along the waterfront
Watch the fishing nets at sunset

Day 2

Fort Kochi To Alleppey | Spice Trade And A Private Houseboat

Route: Fort Kochi: Mattancherry – Jew Town – Alleppey, about 60 km

In the morning, visit the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese around 1555 and later known as the Dutch Palace. Its murals show scenes from the Ramayana. Walk through Jew Town, with its antique shops and spice warehouses, and see the Paradesi Synagogue, built in 1568. Check the opening days in advance.

After an early lunch, drive to Alleppey and board your private houseboat around midday. A crew and a chef are on board, and only the two of you are guests. The boat moves slowly through canals and across the lake, past rice fields, coconut palms and village jetties. It anchors before dark and stays at its mooring for the night.

Dinner is cooked on board.

Note on the houseboat: Houseboat standards vary. We choose a named boat with a good record, and confirm it when you book. Cruising stops at dusk, and the boat does not move at night.

Experience of the Day

Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town
Private houseboat cruise
Dinner on board

Food

Recommended: Lunch before boarding. Dinner and breakfast cooked on the houseboat.

Must-Try: Kerala fish curry with rice, and fresh coconut water.

Shopping

Spices, antiques and cotton in Jew Town.

Activities to Do

Watch village life from the deck
Optional evening canoe ride

Day 3

Alleppey To Munnar | From The Water To The Hills

Route: Alleppey – Kottayam – Peermade – Munnar, about 175 km

After a slow breakfast on the boat, step ashore and drive east. The road leaves the flat backwaters behind, and climbs through rubber, then spice and tea country in the high range. The air grows cool, and the hills turn to green rows of tea.

Munnar stands at about 1,500 metres, where three rivers meet, among tea estates planted from the late 19th century. Windermere Estate stands on a cardamom estate above the town, with wide views of the valley. Your welcome is a cup of local tea.

Experience of the Day

Drive from the backwaters to the hills
Arrival in the tea country
Evening on the hotel terrace

Food

Recommended: Breakfast on the boat. Lunch on the road. Dinner at the hotel.

Must-Try: Kerala parotta with a spiced curry, and fresh Munnar tea.

Activities to Do

Rest at the hotel
Short walk through the estate

Day 4

Munnar | Tea, Eravikulam And A Candlelit Dinner

Route: Munnar: Eravikulam National Park – Tea Museum – Mattupetty – Echo Point

Drive up to Eravikulam National Park, home to the Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat found only in the Western Ghats. A bus takes you to the walking trail on the high grassland. The park closes for about 45 to 60 days from 1 February each year, when the young are born.

Visit the Tea Museum, which tells the story of tea in these hills. See the plantations that began in the late 19th century, and how the leaf is dried and graded. Stop at Mattupetty Lake, and walk among the tea rows for photographs.

In the evening, a candlelit dinner is set for you at the hotel, on the terrace or in a private corner of the garden.

Note on Eravikulam: Entry is by timed ticket and the park shuts for the calving season. If the park is closed, we replace it with a walk to Top Station.

Experience of the Day

Eravikulam National Park, for the Nilgiri tahr
Tea Museum and a tea estate walk
Candlelit dinner

Food

Recommended: Lunch at a local restaurant. Candlelit dinner at the hotel.

Must-Try: Local tea, and a Kerala-style dinner.

Shopping

Tea, spices and homemade chocolate in Munnar town.

Activities to Do

Optional couples' Ayurvedic massage
Optional sunrise trek to Kolukkumalai

Day 5

Munnar To Madurai | Over The Ghats Into The Temple Country

Route: Munnar – Bodimettu – Bodinayakanur – Theni – Madurai, about 160 km

Drive down the Western Ghats from Munnar through the Bodimettu pass, in a series of hairpin bends, and cross from Kerala into Tamil Nadu. The scenery changes within an hour. Cardamom and forest give way to the dry plain, with palm groves and fields of banana and grape around Theni.

Reach Madurai in the afternoon. Heritage Madurai stands on a quiet stretch of land outside the city, with large villas set among lawns. A private villa with a plunge pool waits for you, in the Luxury and Ultra-Luxury tiers.

Experience of the Day

Descent from the hills
Crossing into Tamil Nadu
Evening at the villa

Food

Recommended: Lunch on the road. Dinner at the hotel.

Must-Try: A banana-leaf meal of rice, sambar and curd.

Activities to Do

Swim in the pool
Walk in the hotel grounds

Day 6

Madurai | The Nayak Temple City

Route: Madurai: temple area – Thirumalai Nayak Palace – Pudu Mandapam – city

Madurai grew around the Meenakshi Amman temple, rebuilt by the Nayak kings in the 16th and 17th centuries. It has four tall gateways, each over 45 metres, thick with painted figures of gods and animals. Your guide explains the colours and the carving, and the story of the goddess Meenakshi and her marriage to Shiva.

Walk the temple streets to the tank and gateways. The Madras High Court order of 2024 limits non-Hindus at this temple to the area before the flagpole, unless a written undertaking is given. We do not plan the inner shrine. The Hall of a Thousand Pillars is now a museum of temple art, and we confirm its opening on the day.

In the afternoon, visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, built around 1636, with its tall arches and plaster work. Then stroll through Pudu Mandapam, a pillared hall full of tailors, and visit the flower market at dusk. In the evening, a private dinner is set for you on the terrace of your hotel.

Note on temple entry: Rules at Hindu temples run by the state can change. Your guide tells you what applies on the day, and nothing in the plan depends on the inner shrine.

Experience of the Day

Meenakshi gateways and tank
Thirumalai Nayak Palace
Pudu Mandapam and the flower market
Private terrace dinner

Food

Recommended: Lunch at a local restaurant. Private dinner at the hotel.

Must-Try: Jigarthanda, a cold milk drink with almond gum and ice cream, and parotta with a spiced curry.

Shopping

Cotton and silk saris from Madurai, and brass lamps.

Activities to Do

Optional street food walk
Optional rest at the villa in the afternoon

Day 7

Madurai And Chettinad | Mansions, Tiles And Spice

Route: Madurai – Karaikudi – Kanadukathan – Athangudi – Madurai, about 180 km round trip

Drive north-east to the Chettinad region, home of the Chettiar merchant families. They built large mansions in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with teak doors, marble floors and painted tiles. Stop at Karaikudi and Kanadukathan to see the streets and one or two mansions. Many are private homes, and a few are open to visitors.

Visit a workshop at Athangudi, where handmade cement tiles with bright patterns are made on glass. Have a long Chettinad lunch, known for its pepper, fennel and star anise, and return to Madurai in the late afternoon. The evening is free.

Note on the mansions: Most Chettinad mansions are private. We visit those that accept guests, and confirm them when you book.

Experience of the Day

Chettiar mansions at Karaikudi and Kanadukathan
Athangudi tile workshop
Chettinad lunch

Food

Recommended: A Chettinad lunch. Dinner at the hotel.

Must-Try: Chettinad pepper chicken or a vegetable meal.

Shopping

Hand-painted Athangudi tiles, and cotton saris from Chettinad.

Activities to Do

Optional Chettinad cooking class
Optional couples' spa treatment at the hotel

Day 8

Departure From Madurai | Madurai Airport

Route: Heritage Madurai to Madurai airport (IXM), about 15 km

Your driver takes you to Madurai airport for your onward flight, to Chennai or Bengaluru, and then on to your home city. We plan the drop around your departure time.

You leave having spent a night on the backwaters, a day among the tea hills, and three in the temple country of the south.

Experience of the Day

Airport drop
Farewell

Tour Information

Your complete guide to a hassle-free and enjoyable trip.

Inclusion

Exclusion

Payment Terms

Important factors to consider before your trip!

Cancellation

Need To Know

Be Responsible Traveller

Minimize Plastic Use : Bring a reusable water bottle, shopping bag, and utensils to reduce the need for single-use plastics. Many destinations have water refill stations and eco-friendly stores.
Support Local and Sustainable Businesses : Eat at local restaurants, buy souvenirs from local artisans, and choose tour operators that prioritize sustainable practices and support the local community.
Respect Wildlife and Natural Habitats : Avoid disturbing wildlife or their natural habitats. Stick to designated paths and observe animals from a distance without feeding or touching them.
Dispose of Waste Properly : Follow local guidelines for recycling and waste disposal. If facilities aren't available, carry your waste with you until you can dispose of it responsibly.
Educate Yourself and Others : Learn about the local environment, culture, and customs. Respect local practices and traditions, and share your knowledge about responsible travel with others.
Choose Sustainable Activities : Engage in eco-friendly activities such as hiking, snorkeling, or visiting national parks. Avoid activities that exploit animals or damage the environment.
Leave No Trace : Follow the principle of "Leave No Trace," which means leaving natural areas as you found them. Pack out all trash, avoid picking plants, and refrain from carving or writing on rocks or trees.
Plant Trees Whenever Possible : Participate in local tree-planting initiatives or plant trees in your own community. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, provide oxygen, and help support biodiversity, making them vital for a healthy environment.

Connect

Share Itinerary

Email Itinerary

Traveler's Favorite - Don't Miss Out!

North East Trekking & Adventure Circuit

4.8

This private North East trekking tour links the region’s two best-known treks in one 11-day trip. In Meghalaya you walk the David Scott Trail, go...

Awesome Price

Starts From ₹1,16,424

per person on twin sharing

View details

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) & People Also Ask — Backwaters to Temples: Luxury Honeymoon from Kochi

We help you prepare for your trip and ensure an effortless and enjoyable travel experience.

How many days do you need for a Kerala Tamil Nadu honeymoon?

Eight days is enough for a relaxed honeymoon across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This plan gives one night each in Fort Kochi and on the houseboat, two in Munnar and three in Madurai. With three more days, add Thekkady, Kovalam or Rameswaram.

What is a backwater temple combined trip for foreigners?

It is one journey that joins the water and green hills of Kerala with the temple cities of Tamil Nadu. You spend a night on a private houseboat, two in the tea hills, and three in Madurai. You travel with a private driver and a guide, and stay in four stays.

Is this a good South India luxury honeymoon combined package for privacy?

Yes. You travel alone with your driver, with no group coaches. You have a private houseboat with its own crew, and a villa with a plunge pool at Madurai in the upper tiers. Two private dinners are included, and the days are left free for rest.

What is the best time to take this honeymoon?

November to February is the best time. Days are dry and sunny, the backwaters are calm, and Munnar is cool. March is warm, April and May are hot, and June to September is the monsoon, with heavy rain in Kerala and grey views from the boat.

What is a private houseboat night like?

You board around midday and cruise through canals and across the lake until dusk. The boat then moors for the night. It has an air-conditioned bedroom, a chef who cooks all meals, and a crew. Nights can be warm and humid, and mosquitoes are common. We choose a named boat with a good record.

How long is the drive from Munnar to Madurai?

The drive from Munnar to Madurai is about 160 km and takes about 4.5 to 5.5 hours. The road drops down the Western Ghats through the Bodimettu pass in hairpin bends, then crosses the plain. Travel sickness tablets help, and we leave by 9 am.

Can non-Hindus enter the Meenakshi temple?

At Hindu temples run by the state, non-Hindus are asked to stay before the flagpole, under a Madras High Court order of January 2024. Entry beyond needs a written undertaking. We plan Madurai around the gateways, the tank and the palace, and confirm the rules before each visit.

Which airports do we use?

You fly into Kochi (COK) and out of Madurai (IXM). There are no domestic flights on this route. All travel between stops is by private vehicle. Madurai connects to Chennai and Bengaluru for your onward flight.

How much does an 8-day Kerala Tamil Nadu honeymoon cost?

This 8-day trip costs about Rs.273,420 to Rs.295,294 per couple in the Premium room tier, about Rs.331,380 to Rs.357,890 for Luxury, and about Rs.466,200 to Rs.503,496 for Ultra-Luxury. Prices include the four stays, the houseboat, vehicle, guides, entries, the honeymoon touches and GST. International flights are not included.

Do we need a visa for India?

Yes. Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa online before travel. Check which airports accept e-Visa arrivals for your nationality, and apply at least a week ahead on the official e-Visa site.

Can we add a beach to the honeymoon?

Yes. A beach stay at Marari or Kovalam fits after Alleppey, and adds a night. Goa fits at the end, by flight from Madurai via Bengaluru. Tell us your dates and we will price the extra nights.

BizareXpedition^TMReviews

Let's go, pack up, and hit the road!

Similar Tour Packages

Explore other exciting options for your next adventure!

Trusted Paths, Bold Journeys — Inside BizareXpedition

From humble beginnings to a trusted name in the industry, BizareXpedition's story is one of purpose-driven growth, community connection, and a relentless pursuit of excellence that speaks for itself.