Kerala Family Holiday: A 6 Day Munnar and Kumarakom Itinerary

A Kerala family holiday that combines the misty tea hills of Munnar with the calm backwaters of Kumarakom is one of the most rewarding trips you can plan in India. In just six days, children, parents and grandparents can move from cool mountain air and waterfalls to sunset cruises, village life and a night on a traditional houseboat.

Bluewaves Holidays is based in Kottayam, only a short drive from Kumarakom, and we plan this route for families every season. This guide shares our day by day itinerary, family friendly activities, a slower option for younger children and senior travellers, and honest advice on hotels, transport and meal plans.

Why Combine Munnar’s Hills with Kumarakom’s Backwaters

Munnar and Kumarakom show two completely different sides of Kerala, which is exactly why they work so well together on a Kerala family holiday. Munnar sits around 1,600 metres above sea level in the Western Ghats. The air is cool, the hills are covered in tea estates, and days are full of viewpoints, dams, waterfalls and wildlife.

Kumarakom lies on the shore of Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s largest lake. Here the pace slows completely. Days are spent gliding along palm lined canals, watching birds, cycling through villages and enjoying fresh Kerala food by the water. After the activity of the hills, the backwaters feel like a gentle reward.

• Variety without long journeys: the drive between the two takes about four to five hours, broken by scenic stops.
• Weather that suits everyone: cool hills balance the warmer lakeside, so nobody feels uncomfortable for long.
• Something for every age: wildlife and boating for children, nature walks for parents and calm houseboat time for grandparents.
• Easy access: both destinations are within reach of Kochi airport and Kottayam railway station.

Suggested 6 Day Kerala Family Holiday Itinerary

This route starts at Kochi airport and ends at Kochi or Kottayam, so it works for families flying in from other cities as well as families travelling within Kerala. It assumes a private car with a driver, which we strongly recommend for a Kerala family holiday.

Day	Base	Highlights
Day 1	Munnar	Drive from Kochi, Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls, tea estate views
Day 2	Munnar	Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Lake
Day 3	Munnar	Tea Museum, spice garden, Kathakali or martial arts show
Day 4	Kumarakom	Scenic drive to the backwaters, lakeside sunset
Day 5	Kumarakom	Houseboat cruise, bird sanctuary, village experiences
Day 6	Departure	Breakfast by the lake, drop at Kochi airport or Kottayam station

Day 1: Kochi to Munnar

After arrival at Kochi, drive about four hours into the hills. The road climbs through rubber and spice plantations, with stops at the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls. Children love these short breaks, and they help anyone who feels uneasy on winding roads. Check into your Munnar resort, enjoy the cool evening air and keep the first night relaxed.

Day 2: Eravikulam National Park and Munnar Sightseeing

Start early for Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat that is often seen close to the visitor path. Park buses take visitors up the hill, so the walk is manageable for most families. In the afternoon, visit Mattupetty Dam for a boat ride, Echo Point for children to shout across the water, and Kundala Lake for pedal boating among eucalyptus trees.

Day 3: Tea Museum, Spice Gardens and Kerala Culture

Visit the Tea Museum to learn how tea leaves become the tea in your cup, with a short film and a tasting at the end. Walk through a spice garden to see cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and vanilla growing, which children find surprisingly fascinating. In the evening, watch a Kathakali performance or a Kalaripayattu martial arts show. Both are colourful, dramatic and a wonderful introduction to Kerala’s culture on a Kerala family holiday.

Day 4: Munnar to Kumarakom

After breakfast, drive down from the hills to Kumarakom, a journey of about four to five hours through Kottayam district. Check into a lakeside resort and spend the afternoon by the pool or on a short canoe ride. As the sun sets over Vembanad Lake, the sky turns orange and pink, a perfect calm evening after the busy hill days.

Day 5: Houseboat Cruise and Backwater Life

Today is the heart of your Kerala family holiday. Board a traditional kettuvallam houseboat for a day cruise or an overnight stay. You will drift past paddy fields, small temples, churches and villages where life moves at the pace of the water. Fresh Kerala meals are cooked on board, often with fish bought from local fishermen along the way.

Early risers can visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, where herons, egrets, kingfishers and, in season, migratory birds can be seen. In the afternoon, try a village walk to watch coir making, toddy tapping demonstrations or traditional fishing. Families who want more rest can enjoy an Ayurvedic massage at the resort.

Day 6: Departure

Enjoy a slow breakfast by the lake and a final walk along the water. Kumarakom is about two hours from Kochi airport and around 30 minutes from Kottayam railway station, so afternoon flights and trains are easy to reach.

Kerala Family Holiday Routes Beyond Munnar and Kumarakom

If your family has visited these two places before, the same Kerala family holiday format works with other combinations. Thekkady adds wildlife and spice plantations, Alleppey offers a different stretch of backwaters, and Varkala or Kovalam bring beach time to the end of the trip.

A popular eight day Kerala family holiday combines Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom and Kovalam, giving children hills, forests, lakes and beaches in one memorable journey. Ask us to tailor a Kerala family holiday route that suits your interests and school calendar.

Family Friendly Activities in Munnar and Kumarakom

Every family is different, so we build each Kerala family holiday around the ages and interests of the group. These are the activities families enjoy most.

In Munnar

• Pedal boating at Kundala Lake and speedboat rides at Mattupetty Dam.
• Short guided walks through tea estates with a stop to pick leaves.
• Blossom Park and the Rose Garden, which are flat and easy for small children.
• Visiting a chocolate shop and a spice garden.
• Watching sunrise from a viewpoint near your resort.

In Kumarakom

• Shikara boat rides through narrow canals that houseboats cannot enter.
• Cycling through village roads with a local guide.
• Fishing with village fishermen and learning how a Chinese fishing net works.
• Cooking demonstrations of Kerala dishes such as appam and stew.
• Swimming pools and play areas at family friendly lakeside resorts.

A Slower Option for Young Children and Senior Travellers

If you are travelling with toddlers or grandparents, a slower Kerala family holiday is often more enjoyable. We suggest stretching the same route to seven days, with three nights in Munnar and three nights in Kumarakom.

• Keep sightseeing to the mornings, with afternoons for rest at the resort.
• Choose resorts close to the main attractions to reduce driving time.
• Replace long viewpoint walks with tea garden drives and short stops.
• Book a day cruise on the houseboat instead of an overnight stay if anyone needs familiar comforts at night.
• Request ground floor rooms and resorts with lifts for senior travellers.

A slower Kerala family holiday costs a little more in hotel nights but saves energy, reduces travel sickness and leaves time for the simple pleasures that make a family holiday memorable.

Choosing Hotels, Transport and Meal Plans

The right choices here make the biggest difference to comfort, so we always discuss them carefully before confirming a Kerala family holiday with you.

Hotels and Resorts

In Munnar, look for resorts with family rooms or connecting rooms, a heated pool or play area, and a valley view if possible. Some resorts are a fair distance from town on steep roads, which feels peaceful but adds driving time. In Kumarakom, lakeside resorts with pools, gardens and boat jetties are ideal for families, and many offer cultural evenings and bicycles.

Houseboats

Houseboats range from one to several bedrooms. For families, choose a premium or deluxe boat with air conditioned bedrooms, attached bathrooms and a covered upper deck. Air conditioning on most houseboats runs in the evening and overnight, and the boat anchors after sunset, so it is calm and quiet at night.

Transport

A private car with an experienced driver is the most comfortable way to travel. A sedan suits a family of three or four, an SUV such as an Innova suits five or six, and a tempo traveller suits larger groups. The roads to Munnar have many bends, so carry travel sickness tablets, light snacks and water, and plan regular stops.

Meal Plans

• Breakfast only: flexible and ideal for families who like to try local restaurants.
• Breakfast and dinner: convenient in Munnar, where resorts can be far from town.
• All meals: standard on houseboats, which serve lunch, evening tea, dinner and breakfast.

Let us know about children’s food preferences, vegetarian diets and any allergies, and we will inform every resort and houseboat in advance.

Kerala Food Your Family Will Love

Food is a big part of any Kerala family holiday, and both Munnar and Kumarakom offer dishes that suit every age. Most resorts serve a mix of Kerala, North Indian and continental food, so even fussy eaters are well looked after.

• Breakfast favourites: appam with vegetable stew, puttu with kadala curry, idiyappam and fresh fruit.
• Kerala sadya: a traditional vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, often available on request.
• Backwater specials: karimeen pollichathu, which is pearl spot fish cooked in banana leaf, and fresh prawns on the houseboat.
• Snacks for the drive: banana chips, unniyappam and tender coconut water from roadside stalls.
• Hill treats: fresh tea, homemade chocolates and warm soups on cool Munnar evenings.

If your children prefer simple food, resorts happily prepare plain rice, dal, chapati, pasta or sandwiches. Just tell us in advance so every meal on your Kerala family holiday feels easy.

Planning the Budget for Your Kerala Family Holiday

The cost of a Kerala family holiday depends mainly on the season, the resort category, the type of houseboat and the vehicle you choose. A few simple choices can keep the budget comfortable without losing quality.

• Travel between September and November or in February and March for good weather with better rates than December.
• Choose one special stay, such as a lakeside resort or a premium houseboat, and keep the other nights in well rated comfortable hotels.
• Pick a day cruise instead of an overnight houseboat if you want to save without missing the backwaters.
• Book flights early if family members are flying into Kochi from other cities.

We share transparent package quotes with every inclusion listed clearly, so there are no surprises during your Kerala family holiday.

Safety and Health Tips for Families

Kerala is a safe and welcoming state, and a few sensible habits keep everyone comfortable throughout a Kerala family holiday.

• Drink bottled or filtered water, especially on long drives.
• Keep children supervised near lakes, dams and waterfalls, and avoid slippery rocks after rain.
• Carry a basic first aid kit with plasters, motion sickness tablets and any prescribed medicines.
• Respect local customs at temples, churches and mosques, and dress modestly when visiting.
• Keep your driver’s and our team’s numbers saved, since our Kottayam office is close by if you need help.

Best Time for a Kerala Family Holiday

September to March is the most popular season, with pleasant weather in both destinations. December and January are cool in Munnar, so pack warm layers for children. The monsoon months from June to August are green and beautiful, with lower hotel rates, though rain can limit outdoor activities. School holidays in April, May and December are busy, so book early.

For official festival dates, boat race schedules and destination updates, the Kerala Tourism website is an excellent resource. You can also explore more ideas on our domestic tour packages page.

Packing List for the Hills and the Backwaters

• Light cotton clothes for Kumarakom and warm layers for Munnar evenings.
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals for boats.
• Rain jackets or umbrellas, especially from June to November.
• Insect repellent, sunscreen and caps.
• Travel sickness tablets and any regular medicines.
• Snacks and refillable water bottles for the drives.
• A small torch and power bank for the houseboat.

Why Plan Your Kerala Family Holiday with a Local Tour Operator

Kerala is our home, and every Kerala family holiday we plan benefits from that. Because our office is in Kottayam, we know the resorts, houseboat owners, drivers and road conditions personally. That local knowledge helps us match the right resort to your family, avoid closures such as the Eravikulam calving season, and handle changes quickly if the weather turns.

We also take care of the details families often worry about: airport pickup, child seats on request, vegetarian meal arrangements, ground floor rooms for elders and a driver who knows the route well. Read what other families say on our testimonials page, and see real trip photos in our gallery.

Frequently Asked Questions