Kerala Temples and Backwaters Yatra
A relaxed 5-day journey from Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram: Guruvayur, Padmanabhaswamy, the backwaters and Kovalam
5 days, from Kochi, from ₹18,999 per person
The Kerala Temples and Backwaters Yatra is a five-day journey down the length of Kerala, from Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram. It brings together the great temples of the state, Chottanikkara, Guruvayur, Vadakkunnathan in Thrissur, Ambalappuzha, and the Padmanabhaswamy and Attukal temples in Thiruvananthapuram, with easy, relaxing stops along the way: the Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, a shikara ride on the Alappuzha backwaters, and the sunset at Kovalam beach.
You stay four nights in Standard rooms, in Kochi, Guruvayur, Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, with breakfast included. The days are paced with a free afternoon or evening, as Kerala's temples close in the middle of the day. A houseboat day cruise is available as an add-on.
Many of Kerala's temples have strict dress codes, with a mundu or dhoti for men and a saree or set-mundu for women, and do not allow phones inside. Some allow only Hindus to enter, so please check with us before you book. The best months are October to March. Timings change, so we confirm them locally.
Spiritual significance
- Padmanabhaswamy in Thiruvananthapuram is one of the 108 Divya Desams and the family temple of the Travancore royals.
- Guruvayur is among the best-known Krishna temples in India.
- Vadakkunnathan in Thrissur is one of the oldest Shiva temples of Kerala and the focus of the Thrissur Pooram.
- Attukal is famed for the Pongala, the largest gathering of women for a religious activity.
- The backwaters and Kovalam give the journey a relaxed, restful side.
Itinerary
Day 1: Kochi
Pickup at Kochi airport or railway station, check in and rest. In the afternoon, the Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, then the Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi at sunset.
Day 2: Guruvayur
A drive of about 2.75 hours (estimate) to Guruvayur, a rest after lunch, and the evening darshan at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple.
Day 3: Alappuzha
The Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur in the morning, then a drive of about 3 hours (estimate) to Alappuzha. In the late afternoon, a shikara boat ride on the backwaters. The houseboat day cruise is an add-on.
Day 4: Thiruvananthapuram
The Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, then a drive of about 3.5 hours (estimate) to Thiruvananthapuram. In the evening, the sunset at Kovalam beach.
Day 5: Thiruvananthapuram
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in the morning, then lunch and a drop at the airport or railway station.
Inclusions
- Pickup at Kochi airport or railway station, and drop at Thiruvananthapuram airport or railway station
- 4 nights stay in Standard rooms: Kochi, Guruvayur, Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram
- Breakfast on Day 2 to Day 5
- Vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- The shikara ride at Alappuzha and the stops at Fort Kochi and Kovalam, as per the itinerary
Exclusions
- Lunches and dinners
- Temple special darshan tickets, offerings and donations, and rental of traditional clothes
- The houseboat day cruise, which is an add-on
- Personal expenses, tips and laundry
- Medical expenses and travel insurance
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions