8N/9D Offbeat South Kerala Tour

This 8N/9D Offbeat South Kerala Tour traces a quiet arc from the cool hills of Vagamon through the deep-forest eco-camp of Gavi to the backwaters of Kumarakom and the lakeside calm of Kollam. Blending soft adventure, wildlife, heritage churches and village canals, this 8N/9D Offbeat South Kerala Tour reveals South Kerala beyond the usual tourist trail.

Day 1: Kochi – Transfer to Vagamon via Pala & Erattupetta

Meet our representative at Cochin International Airport or in Kochi and transfer to Vagamon, approximately 4 to 4.5 hours by road, climbing from the plains through Pala into pine-and-meadow hill country. The final stretch is a switchback ascent. Check in to a hillside stay and take the late afternoon gently on the meadows above your property. Overnight in Vagamon.

Day 2: Vagamon – Meadows, Pine Valley & Kurisumala

A full day across Vagamon’s under-visited landscape. Morning at the rolling meadows and Kurisumala, where the monastery runs a working dairy farm on the ridge, quiet before the day-trippers arrive. Afternoon in the pine valley and, weather permitting, the paragliding launch point, one of South India’s few working sites. Evening free on the meadows for the light. Overnight in Vagamon.

Day 3: Vagamon – Transfer to Gavi via Vandiperiyar

After breakfast, transfer to Gavi, approximately 4 to 5 hours by road through the high ranges to Vandiperiyar, then up the forest track. Gavi is a remote eco-tourism forest camp inside the Periyar landscape, no town, no market, no commercial development. Arrive by afternoon, settle into the forest accommodation, and take a short guided walk near camp as the light fades. Overnight in Gavi.

Day 4: Gavi – Trekking, Lake Canoe & Wildlife

A full day inside the Forest Department programme. Early morning guided trek through rainforest and cardamom slopes, prime territory for Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque and great hornbill, though sightings in wild forest are never guaranteed. Optional coracle on the Gavi lake and the viewpoints toward the Sabarimala forests. The day runs to the forest’s rules and the guides’ judgement, not a fixed schedule. Overnight in Gavi.

Day 5: Gavi – Transfer to Kottayam via the Descent

After an early breakfast, begin the long descent to Kottayam, approximately 4 to 5 hours by road down out of the high ranges into the plains. This is a dedicated travel day, treat it as decompression after the forest. Check in near Kumarakom on the Vembanad water’s edge. Optional sunset canoe. Overnight in Kottayam/Kumarakom.

Day 6: Kottayam – Kumarakom Backwaters & Syrian Christian Heritage

A full day across Kottayam’s distinct offerings. Early morning at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary on the Vembanad shore, then a small-boat cruise through the quieter Kumarakom canals, calmer and greener than Alleppey. Afternoon into Kottayam’s Syrian Christian heritage, among the oldest Christian communities in the world, the Cheriapally and Valiapally churches carrying Persian-cross and mural history most visitors never see. Overnight in Kottayam/Kumarakom.

Day 7: Kottayam – Transfer to Kollam & Ashtamudi Edge

After a slow breakfast, transfer to Kollam, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours by road down the coast. Check in near Ashtamudi Lake, the second-largest in Kerala and the quieter cousin of Alleppey’s backwaters. Afternoon on the water’s edge, optional sunset cruise on the open lake. Overnight in Kollam.

Day 8: Kollam – Munroe Island Canals & Coastal Kollam

A full day across Kollam’s under-touristed offerings. Morning canal cruise through Munroe Island, a cluster of eight islets where village life runs on canoes, too narrow for large boats, which is why it stays quiet. Afternoon into Kollam town: Thangassery lighthouse, the Portuguese and Dutch trading quarter, and the cashew-port heritage that built this coast. Overnight in Kollam.

Day 9: Kollam – Departure at Trivandrum

After breakfast, transfer to Trivandrum, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours by road, for drop at the airport or railway station for onward departure. For clients with time, Varkala’s clifftop beach sits roughly on this road, worth flagging as a final add-on.

Tour Highlights

Vagamon Meadows & Pine Valley · Gavi Deep-Forest Eco-Camp & Trekking · Kumarakom Backwaters & Bird Sanctuary · Syrian Christian Heritage · Ashtamudi Lake · Munroe Island Canal Cruise · Kollam Cashew-Port Heritage · A True Offbeat South Kerala Arc From Hills to Coast.

Tour Includes

• Ex. Lorem Airport/ Station
• Selected Category of Accommodation
• Stay in Double/ Triple Sharing AC Rooms
• Daily Breakfast at Accommodation
• AC Private Vehicles as per Pax
• All Sightseeing Mentioned in Itinerary
• All Transfers Mentioned in Itinerary

Tour Excludes

• 5% GST on Total Invoice Amount
• 3% Card Charges [If Applicable]
• Any Air Fare or Train Fare
• Any Entrance or Activities Fees
• Any Travel Insurance
• Any Contingency Expenses
• Whatever is Not Mentioned in Tour Includes

8N/9D Offbeat South Kerala Tour Booking Price

Pricing Policy

1. All the prices can change without any notice due to fuel price hike, inflation, economy disruption.
2. All the prices mentioned are Per Person Rate, based upon minimum 2 Persons travelling together.
3. All the prices are not valid on long weekends, national holidays, blackout dates, any festival dates.
4. All the prices are based on base category double/ triple sharing bed room of the mentioned accommodations.
5. All the prices are based on Non AC accommodations in the hills & cold climate zones.
6. All the prices are based on AC accommodations in the plains & coastal zones.
7. All the prices given above are indicative & approximate, so price may exceed 10-15% during final quotation.
8. All the prices are based on Non-AC vehicles in the hills & cold climate zones.
9. All the prices will change with respect to the change in the number of Pax.
10. All the prices are valid as per the months mentioned above.
11. All the prices are valid for Residential Indian Citizens only.
12. The featured price mentioned in this tour is based on maximum number of pax.
13. No Tours can be arranged, booked or processed less than 72 Hours of Check-in Date
14. Please call +91 9874284569/ 9874361951 for Group Booking, MICE Tours & Institutional Tours.

Tour Customisation

1. This tour can be customised as per your requirement with an Adjustable Advance of INR.3,540.
2. Any tour customisation will come with upfront cost committment with short itinerary with 5% Deviation Maximum.
3. You can share your preferred accommodation, we will try to get the best deal for you and customise the tour.
4. Please call +91 9874284569/ 9874361951 to upgrade your package.

Accommodation Booking Policy

1. Ocean6 Holidays partners exclusively with accommodations rated 3.5 stars or higher on Trip Advisor or Google.
2. Exact Accommodation names can be told after advance payment to Ocean6 Holidays before booking.
3. All Accommodation rooms are volatile. No rooms are on hold.
4. Confirmation of Accommodation process starts upon guest payment receipt.
5. Accommodation confirms rooms after receiving payment from Ocean6 Holidays.
6. If promised Accommodation rooms are unavailable, refund or alternative accommodation will be proposed.
7. Ocean6 Holidays shall not be responsible for any consequences of Accommodation non-booking.
8. No Accommodation can be arranged, booked or processed less than 48 Hours of Check-in Date
9. Please call +91 9874284569/ 9874361951 for any clarification.

General Payment Policy

1. 50% Advance must be paid during Booking.
2. 50% Balance must be paid 21 days before Check-in Date.
3. 100% Payment must be made if the Check-in Date < 21 days.
4. Disruption in Payment Schedule will affect the Tour Confirmation.
5. Please call +91 9874284569/ 9874361951 for any clarification.

General Cancellation & Refund Policy

Detail FAQs - Terms & Conditions