Honeymoon in Kerala: Route, Houseboat Night and Couple Costs

Prices and rules as of 7 November 2026 · Sources: Kerala Tourism, Kochi airport to Munnar, Kerala Tourism, Alleppey houseboat day cruise, Incredible India, Kumarakom houseboat cruise, ATDC Alleppey houseboat safety notes, Flynk package pages

A Kerala honeymoon works best as five or six nights: two in Munnar, one in Thekkady, one on an Alleppey houseboat, then either Kochi or two nights on the beach at Kovalam. On our current packages that starts at ₹36,398 per couple for five nights in three-star hotels with breakfast and a private car, plus ₹9,598 per couple if you swap the Alleppey hotel for a houseboat night.

The usual route

You fly into Kochi (Cochin International Airport). The road goes up into the hills first, then down to the water.

• Munnar, 2 nights. Kerala Tourism puts the drive from Kochi airport to Munnar at about 67 miles (around 108 km) on NH85, a little over three hours. With waterfall stops on the climb, plan on four. The hotels are among tea estates and the evenings are cool.
• Thekkady, 1 night. Spice plantations and the Periyar boat ride. Entry tickets and activity fees are paid at each site.
• Alleppey, 1 night. A hotel by the backwaters, or the houseboat in its place.
• Kochi or Kovalam to finish. One night in Fort Kochi if you are short on leave, or two nights at Kovalam for beach days at the end.

Kerala Tourism gives the Kochi to Alleppey drive as 1.5 to 2 hours.

Our 4-night Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey package is tagged for honeymoons and is the shortest version of this route. The 5-night Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey package adds a first night in Kochi so you are not driving uphill straight off a morning flight.

The houseboat night: how it works

• You board around midday and leave the next morning. Incredible India describes overnight boats as starting at midday and returning in the morning. On our packages it is about 20 hours on the water.
• The boat does not cruise after dark. Houseboats are not allowed to cruise the backwaters at night. In the evening the boat is tied up at a set mooring spot, so the night is spent moored, not moving. Don't plan on a moonlit cruise.
• All meals on board are included. The crew cooks lunch, dinner and the next morning's breakfast on the boat. Tell us at booking if you are vegetarian or want fish; Kerala Tourism's own sample menu lists both.
• The crew stays on board. There is usually a boatman and a cook. The bedroom is yours, and the crew is on the boat with you through the night.
• Ask for a one-bedroom boat. Boats come in different sizes, and the boat level matches your hotel level (Deluxe, Premium or Luxury).

Kumarakom, on the Vembanad lake side, is the other houseboat base. Incredible India names November to February as its best months, and day boats from Kumarakom run to Alleppey and back.

What it costs for two

These are the prices on our package pages on 7 November 2026, per person two sharing, doubled for a couple. Included: hotels with breakfast, a private AC car with driver, tolls and permits. Extra: flights, hotel lunches and dinners, and entry tickets.

• 4 nights, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey: from ₹15,299 per person, ₹30,598 per couple.
• 5 nights, Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey (three-star hotels): ₹18,199 per person, ₹36,398 per couple.
• Same 5 nights, four-star hotels: ₹21,799 per person, ₹43,598 per couple.
• Same 5 nights, higher-end resorts: ₹28,299 per person, ₹56,598 per couple.
• 6 nights, adds 2 nights in Kovalam: from ₹23,499 per person, ₹46,998 per couple.
• 7 nights, Kochi to Kovalam: from ₹26,299 per person, ₹52,598 per couple.

The 5-night prices are for travel from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. The full hotel list for each level is on our Kerala tour packages page.

Swapping the Alleppey hotel for a houseboat night on the 5-night route costs:

• Three-star level: ₹4,799 per person, ₹9,598 per couple
• Four-star level: ₹6,499 per person, ₹12,998 per couple
• Higher-end level: ₹8,199 per person, ₹16,398 per couple

That houseboat price does not apply from 5 to 20 November or from 20 December to 5 January. Those dates are quoted separately. We confirm your exact total in writing before you pay.

The longer routes are on the 6-night Munnar to Kovalam package and the 7-night Kochi to Kovalam package.

Rooms, meals and other small things

• No AC in the hills. Hotels in Munnar and Thekkady have non-AC rooms at every level because the hill stations stay cool. City and coastal hotels in Kochi, Alleppey and Kovalam have AC rooms.
• Breakfast only at hotels. Dinner can be added to the package. On the houseboat, all meals are included.
• The car runs 8am to 8pm. It is a private AC car with driver throughout; for two people it is a sedan.
• Flights are not included. We can book them with the package if you want one invoice.

When to go

Our package pages give September to March as the clear-sky season. June to September is the green season: wet, and cheaper. Incredible India names November to February as the best months for Kumarakom.

If your wedding is in November or December, check your travel dates against the two windows above (5 to 20 November, 20 December to 5 January) and ask for those quotes early, because houseboats on those dates are priced separately.

If you are still choosing a destination

Kerala needs no passport and no visa for Indian citizens, which keeps the paperwork to an ID card and a flight ticket. If you are weighing it against a beach trip abroad, our Andaman vs Maldives honeymoon comparison and Maldives vs Mauritius vs Bali honeymoon guide set out the costs side by side. For Kerala routes beyond honeymoons, see our Kerala tour package guide.

FAQ

How many nights do we need for a Kerala honeymoon?

Five is the usual: two in Munnar, one in Thekkady, one in Alleppey and one in Kochi. Four nights works if you drop Kochi. Add two nights at Kovalam if you want beach days at the end.

Does the houseboat cruise at night?

No. Houseboats are not allowed to cruise the backwaters after dark, so the boat moors at a set spot in the evening. You board around midday and leave the next morning.

Is the houseboat included in the package price?

No. The base packages include an Alleppey hotel night. The houseboat is an upgrade, from ₹4,799 per person (₹9,598 per couple) on the 5-night route, with all meals on board.

Are flights included?

No. Flights are extra on every Kerala package. We can add them to the same invoice if you want.

Get exact price on WhatsApp or call +91 97199 96838, Mon to Sat, 10am to 8pm.