A final hotel night in Kochi changes the shape of a short Kerala holiday. This six-day Varanasi Excursion tour returns from the Alleppey houseboat on Day 5, visits Kochi’s heritage sights, and leaves departure for Day 6. For travellers comparing a five-day route, that final night is the detail to notice.
The current Cochin: 6-Day Kerala Luxury Tour with Munnar Thekkady & Alleppey listing combines two Munnar nights, one Thekkady night, one houseboat night and one Kochi night.
Day-wise itinerary
- Day 1 — Cochin to Munnar: Arrival pickup and a scenic hill-country transfer, passing Valara waterfall and tea estates.
- Day 2 — Munnar: Eravikulam National Park, Tea Museum and plantations, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Kundala Lake.
- Day 3 — Munnar to Thekkady: Periyar Lake boat ride and guided spice-plantation tour. Market exploration and Kalaripayattu are optional.
- Day 4 — Thekkady to Alleppey: Houseboat cruise, meals on board and overnight stay.
- Day 5 — Alleppey to Cochin: Fort Kochi, Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace and the synagogue; overnight in Kochi.
- Day 6 — Departure: Breakfast and transfer to the airport or railway station.
What is included?
The package specifies four hotel nights in 4-star accommodation with breakfast, one houseboat night with all meals, an English-speaking driver-guide and air-conditioned transport with itinerary parking and tolls. Arrival/departure assistance, one mineral-water bottle per person per day and currently applicable taxes including GST are listed. Monument and sightseeing entrance fees, plus staff tips, are excluded.
Make use of the final Kochi night
Keeping a night in Kochi separates the houseboat checkout from the flight departure. It gives the operator a clearer sightseeing day and lets you pack for the journey home at a hotel. It does not remove the need to allow for airport traffic or an early flight: confirm the location of the final hotel and the pickup time.
When comparing this itinerary with a shorter package, compare all five overnight stops. An extra calendar day is only useful if you understand where the added night falls and which services come with it.
Check the activity and ticket wording
The Periyar boat ride is named as an included Day 3 activity, while sightseeing entrance fees are excluded in the package section. Ask for a written breakdown of boat charges and park admission before paying. This avoids treating an arranged activity as an assurance that every associated ticket is prepaid.
The source’s houseboat-day landmark table names Periyar Lake, but its day heading, narrative and accommodation place that day in Alleppey. This guide follows the coherent Alleppey route; ask for the final travel voucher to confirm the boarding point.
Practical planning tips
- Arrive with enough time for the Day 1 drive to Munnar. Share your exact flight or train details before accepting the schedule.
- Confirm attraction opening days and the timing of the Periyar outing before adding an optional evening performance.
- Ask for the actual hotel names and room types. Properties shown on the listing are subject to change.
- Confirm houseboat privacy, cabin arrangements, air-conditioning hours and meal preferences.
- Keep overnight essentials in a manageable bag and discuss boarding steps if anyone in the group needs mobility assistance.
Frequently asked questions
Does this tour return directly to the airport from the houseboat?
No. Day 5 returns to Kochi for sightseeing and a hotel night; departure is on Day 6.
Are the hotels guaranteed?
The stated package category is 4-star, but the accommodation list is subject to change. Obtain confirmed properties in the quotation and voucher.
Are optional performances included?
Kalaripayattu is marked optional. Request its price and timing separately.
Are flights and travel insurance included?
The expanded exclusions for this listing mention entrance fees and tips, but do not confirm flights or insurance. Do not assume either is provided; ask the operator explicitly.
Related Kerala planning guides
- Plan your two nights in Munnar
- What to pack for Kerala’s backwaters
- Compare a different seven-day Kerala route
Enquire about this Kerala tour
Send Varanasi Excursion your travel dates, arrival and departure details, group size and preferred hotel category. Ask for a written quotation with the final route, properties, activity tickets and meal plan.
WhatsApp +91-9005104999 or email info@varanasiexcursion.com.
Tour itinerary and inclusions reviewed on 8 October 2026. View the specific TourRadar listing. Confirm the final services for your dates before booking.