Hand-authored private journeys through the backwaters, tea hills and beaches of Kerala — a private houseboat, plantation stays, Ayurvedic calm and a designer who plans every day around you.
Kerala reveals itself slowly, and that is its magic. A ribbon of palm-fringed backwaters, mist rolling over the tea hills of Munnar, spice gardens perfuming the air, Ayurvedic calm and a long, warm coastline on the Arabian Sea. For more than four years we have designed private Kerala journeys for travellers who want to feel the state at its own gentle pace rather than tick off a list.
Your journey is looked after from the moment you land. A private, chauffeur-driven car meets you at Kochi; a private houseboat drifts you through the Alleppey canals past village life and paddy fields; you wake to tea-covered slopes in Munnar, walk a working spice plantation near Thekkady, and end with an Ayurvedic massage or a slow evening by the sea at Kovalam or Varkala.
Because no two travellers are the same, no two of our Kerala journeys are either. Whether you dream of a romantic houseboat honeymoon, an easy family holiday with beaches and backwaters, or a proper Ayurvedic wellness retreat, your designer shapes every day by hand — pace, stays, experiences and dining included.
Tell us a little about how you love to travel, and we’ll send a tailored Kerala itinerary and quote — with no obligation and no hidden charges.
First, the iconic places you’ll explore — then ready-made journeys — tap any for the full day-by-day plan. Every trip is private and fully customised to you, with no fixed departures and no crowds.
Tea hills, wildlife & a houseboat night — the essential Kerala.
View full details →Emerald tea hills and an Alleppey houseboat.
View full details →Tea hills, a private houseboat & Kovalam beach.
View full details →Hills, spice-country wildlife, a houseboat & a beach.
View full details →A houseboat, Kovalam beach & the Varkala cliffs.
View full details →The whole of God’s Own Country, end to end.
View full details →A private night adrift the Alleppey canals — Kerala at its most magical.
Endless emerald tea slopes, cool air and misty mountain mornings.
The home of authentic Ayurveda — massages, therapies and true rest.
Golden Kovalam and cliff-backed Varkala on the warm Arabian Sea.
Cardamom-scented plantations and elephants at Periyar in Thekkady.
Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi, Kathakali dance and Malabar flavours.
An example of how your days might flow — every detail is tailored to your pace and taste.
Private airport welcome and a boutique harbour stay in Fort Kochi.
Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry Palace, the spice bazaar and a Kathakali performance.
Drive into the hills, stopping at waterfalls, to your tea-estate stay.
Tea gardens, a working tea factory and Eravikulam National Park for the Nilgiri tahr.
Into the spice country — a plantation walk and a boat on Periyar Lake.
Board your private houseboat for a slow night on the backwaters.
South to the coast for a beachside resort and an Ayurvedic massage.
A relaxed morning by the sea and a transfer to Trivandrum airport.
Characterful plantation bungalows, heritage homes and boutique backwater stays.
Handpicked 5-star resorts and premium private houseboats — our most-loved tier.
The finest backwater, hill and beach resorts — Kerala’s celebrated names.
Fly into Kochi (COK) or Trivandrum (TRV) international airports; Kozhikode (CCJ) and Kannur (CNN) serve the north. We arrange domestic connections and private airport transfers.
Chauffeur-driven premium car for your party throughout.
A private, crewed houseboat for your night on the backwaters.
Scenic coastal rail links between towns on request.
September to March is the sweet spot — warm days, lush greenery after the rains and calm backwaters.
| Months | Season | Weather & what to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | Peak | Cool, dry and sunny — the finest month for backwaters, hills and beaches. |
| Feb | Peak | Warm, dry and clear; ideal all-round conditions across the state. |
| Mar | Peak | Warm and dry; backwaters and beaches at their best before the summer heat. |
| Apr | Warm | Hot, humid coast; Munnar and Wayanad stay cooler. Thrissur Pooram festival. |
| May | Warm | Hottest and most humid on the coast; hill stations pleasant and quiet. |
| Jun | Monsoon | Onset of the south-west monsoon — lush and dramatic; the Ayurveda season begins. |
| Jul | Monsoon | Heavy, atmospheric rain; vivid greenery and the best value of the year. |
| Aug | Monsoon | Rains continue; Onam and the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race; brilliant green. |
| Sep | Easing | Rains ease, countryside emerald-green and crowds thin — a lovely shoulder month. |
| Oct | Peak | Post-monsoon freshness; pleasant, green and the start of peak season. |
| Nov | Peak | Warm days, cooler evenings — excellent all-round conditions. |
| Dec | Peak | Cool, dry and festive; peak season, so book stays and houseboats early. |
Festivals worth timing: Onam (Aug–Sep), the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race (Aug), Thrissur Pooram (Apr–May) and the Theyyam ritual season (winter).
The landmarks everyone comes for, the quieter corners we love, and where to catch Kerala at its most photogenic.
When the state comes alive, how to travel respectfully, and the practical notes that keep your trip smooth.
A private houseboat, candlelit dinners, hill-view suites and beach sunsets for two.
Gentle pacing, houseboats, elephants at Periyar and safe, easy beaches for children.
Iconic resorts and serious Ayurvedic retreats for deep rest and rejuvenation.
Munnar, Wayanad and the Western Ghats for greenery, birds and cool air.
Multi-generation trips and small private groups, handled end to end.
Comfortable transfers, quality stays and unhurried days with 24x7 care.
A few well-loved routings to start from — each fully private and shaped around your dates.
Hills and a houseboat — the perfect short Kerala escape.
The classic loop of coast, tea, spice and backwaters.
Add Wayanad or a beach finish at Kovalam or Varkala.
Extend to Madurai, Ooty or the temples of the deep south.
Because every journey is private and tailor-made, we quote per person after understanding your plans — with no hidden charges and a proper GST invoice. Your final cost depends on:
A registered Indian company — a proper GST invoice with every booking.
India-based, with on-ground teams and partners across the region.
A named designer plans and personally manages your journey, start to finish.
A real person on call before, during and after your trip — anywhere in India.
Personally-inspected hotels, licensed guides and vetted chauffeurs only.
Encrypted, secure payment options, GST invoice and no hidden charges.
Itinerary Diary Tour & Travels · Est. 2022 · GSTIN & company registration available on request · help@itinerarydiary.com · +91 76499 29992
"Our whole family travelled Kerala with them — houseboat, Munnar and the beaches. Every hotel was hand-picked and every transfer on time. Flawless."
"Our honeymoon houseboat night and the Ayurveda were pure magic. The team thought of everything before we did."
"I planned a wellness trip for my parents — comfortable, respectful and completely seamless from start to finish."
Kerala pairs beautifully with South India’s hills and the islands — we can combine any of these into one seamless trip.
Ooty, Kodaikanal and Madurai, an easy add-on from Munnar or Thekkady.
Coffee estates and misty hills, north of Wayanad.
A short hop up the coast for sun, sand and Portuguese heritage.
Turquoise water and coral reefs, a direct flight from Kochi.
Kerala packs backwaters, tea hills, beaches, wildlife and centuries of culture into one green sliver of coast. Here is every major destination — when to go, how long to give it and what not to miss — so you can plan the perfect route.
The heart of the backwaters, where you drift through palm-lined canals and paddy fields on a private houseboat. The quintessential Kerala experience.
Don’t miss: An overnight houseboat, the Nehru Trophy snake-boat route
Plan this →A quieter, lake-side backwater village on Vembanad Lake, famous for its bird sanctuary and luxury lake resorts.
Don’t miss: The bird sanctuary, a sunset on Vembanad Lake
Plan this →Kerala’s best-known beach town — crescent coves, a lighthouse and Ayurveda resorts on the Arabian Sea.
Don’t miss: Lighthouse Beach, an Ayurveda massage
Plan this →A dramatic cliff-top beach with cafes along the edge and a sacred temple and springs below.
Don’t miss: The cliff walk, Papanasam beach
Plan this →A serene fishing-village beach near Alleppey, all coconut groves and calm sea — a favourite for slow luxury.
Don’t miss: A barefoot beach-resort day
Plan this →North Kerala’s hidden coast, crowned by a vast sea-fort and quiet golden beaches.
Don’t miss: Bekal Fort at sunset, the backwater cruises
Plan this →Rolling emerald tea gardens, misty peaks and cool mountain air — Kerala’s beloved hill station.
Don’t miss: Tea-garden drives, Eravikulam NP, Top Station
Plan this →Spice plantations and the Periyar wildlife sanctuary, where you cruise a lake in search of elephants.
Don’t miss: A Periyar lake safari, a spice-garden walk
Plan this →A green upland of coffee estates, waterfalls, caves and wildlife in Kerala’s quiet north-east.
Don’t miss: Edakkal caves, Chembra Peak, a wildlife safari
Plan this →Offbeat rolling meadows, pine forests and paragliding — a quieter alternative to Munnar.
Don’t miss: The meadows, paragliding, pine valley
Plan this →A misty little hill station above Thiruvananthapuram with tea slopes and easy nature walks.
Don’t miss: Golden-valley viewpoints, Meenmutty falls
Plan this →A layered port city of Chinese fishing nets, colonial streets, a Jewish quarter and the Kathakali stage — Kerala’s cultural gateway.
Don’t miss: Chinese nets at sunset, a Kathakali show, Mattancherry
Plan this →Kerala’s cultural capital, home of the spectacular Thrissur Pooram temple festival and classical arts.
Don’t miss: Vadakkunnathan temple, Pooram (Apr–May)
Plan this →One of India’s most revered Krishna temples, a major pilgrimage centre with its own elephant sanctuary.
Don’t miss: The temple darshan, Punnathur Kotta elephants
Plan this →A historic Malabar trading port famous for its beach, its cuisine and the legendary Kozhikode halwa.
Don’t miss: The beach, Malabar biryani & halwa
Plan this →Kerala’s grandest waterfall, thundering through rainforest — the ‘Niagara of India’.
Don’t miss: The main falls, the Vazhachal forest drive
Plan this →North Malabar’s unspoilt beaches, weaving looms and the trance-like Theyyam ritual (Dec–Mar).
Don’t miss: A Theyyam performance, Muzhappilangad drive-in beach
Plan this →A tranquil estuary near the Tamil Nadu border where a golden beach meets backwater and river.
Don’t miss: The floating cottages, the golden sand-bar
Plan this →A pristine, untouched rainforest national park in the Nilgiris — rare wildlife and profound quiet.
Don’t miss: The rainforest trail, birdlife
Plan this →When you travel shapes what you see. Here is how each season plays out in Kerala, and where to head.
Peak season and the best all-round time — warm days, cool evenings and clear skies ideal for backwaters, beaches and the hills alike.
Plan a winter trip →Hot and humid on the coast, but the hills of Munnar and Wayanad stay pleasant and green. Great value, and the classic Ayurveda season begins.
Ayurveda in Kerala →Kerala at its lush, dramatic best — the authentic monsoon-Ayurveda season, houseboats and tea hills gleaming green, with fewer crowds and lovely rates.
Monsoon travel guide →Whatever your style — family, honeymoon, luxury, a quick escape or an adventure — there is a private Kerala journey shaped for it.
Houseboats, elephants at Periyar, beaches and easy hill drives make Kerala a gentle, varied trip for all ages.
Private houseboats, candlelit backwater dinners, hill-view suites and quiet beaches — Kerala is India’s favourite honeymoon.
Iconic backwater resorts, heritage plantation bungalows and private houseboats with a personal chef.
Smart routes, comfortable stays and the best of Kerala without overspending — monsoon offers the finest value.
Gentle pacing, easy sightseeing, a private car and comfortable backwater and beach stays.
Authentic doctor-led Ayurveda retreats, yoga and rejuvenation by the backwaters and the sea.
A private overnight kettuvallam through Alleppey’s canals — the signature Kerala experience.
Sadya feasts, Malabar biryani, seafood and Kathakali — a journey through Kerala’s flavours and arts.
A quick side-by-side of our most-loved Kerala journeys. Every one is private and fully customisable.
| Trip style | Ideal length | Ideal for | Covers | Signature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backwaters & Munnar | 6–7 days | First Kerala trip | Kochi · Munnar · Alleppey | Tea hills + an overnight houseboat |
| Kerala Honeymoon | 6 days | Couples | Munnar · Alleppey · Kovalam | Houseboat & candlelit dinners |
| Complete Kerala | 8–9 days | All-rounder | Kochi → Kovalam | Backwaters, hills, wildlife & beach |
| Wildlife & nature | 6 days | Nature lovers | Thekkady · Wayanad | Periyar safari & coffee country |
| Beaches & Ayurveda | 6 days | Wellness | Kovalam · Varkala · Marari | Spa, sea & slow days |
| Kerala Family Holiday | 7 days | Families | Munnar · Alleppey · Kochi | Easy, varied & fun for kids |
Message us on WhatsApp or send the enquiry form with your dates, group and interests.
Your travel designer sends a custom itinerary and a clear, all-inclusive quote within one working day.
Approve the plan and pay a booking deposit through secure options — you receive a GST invoice.
A private car, handpicked stays and a 24×7 support line look after you from arrival to homecoming.
A booking deposit confirms your trip; the balance is due before travel through secure options. Every booking includes a GST invoice with no hidden charges. See our terms.
Cancellation is fair and transparent, tiered by notice, with clear terms shared before you pay. Full details on our cancellation & refund policy page.
In-depth, honest guides to help you plan the perfect Kerala journey — when to go, how to reach, what it costs and more.
September to March is ideal — warm, pleasant days and lush green scenery after the monsoon. April and May are hot and humid on the coast though the hills stay cooler, and June to August is the dramatic monsoon and the traditional Ayurveda season.
Four to five days covers Munnar and the backwaters; six to eight lets you add Kochi, Thekkady and a beach; nine or more allows Wayanad or a South India extension. We tailor the length to your pace.
Every Kerala journey is private and customised, so we quote per person after learning your plans. Cost depends on trip length, hotel category, season, group size and the experiences you add — always with no hidden charges and a GST invoice.
Absolutely — a private houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters is Kerala at its most memorable. Alleppey (Alappuzha) has the widest choice; Kumarakom is quieter and more upmarket. We match the boat and route to your taste.
Wonderfully so — a private houseboat, candlelit backwater dinners, misty hill-view suites in Munnar and beach sunsets at Kovalam or Varkala make it one of India’s most romantic destinations.
Yes. The pace is gentle, the houseboats are a hit with kids, Periyar offers easy wildlife boat rides, and the beaches are calm. We choose family-friendly stays and keep days relaxed.
Yes — from a single rejuvenating massage to a supervised multi-day Panchakarma programme at a genuine Ayurvedic centre. The monsoon months are considered the best time for deeper therapies.
Kerala is a food-lover’s state and very vegetarian-friendly — the banana-leaf sadya feast, appam with stew, puttu and idiyappam — alongside superb coastal seafood and the famous Malabar biryani. Jain and vegan needs are easily arranged.
Kochi (Cochin) is the main international and domestic gateway, with Trivandrum and Calicut also well connected. Most journeys begin in Kochi; we handle every transfer and any internal flights.
Kerala is among India’s most relaxed and literate states and is generally very comfortable for solo and women travellers. With a private chauffeur, vetted hotels and 24x7 support, you always have a trusted team around you.
It can be beautiful — the backwaters brim, the hills turn vivid green, crowds thin and it is the classic Ayurveda season. Rain is usually in spells rather than all day; we plan around it.
Yes — Kerala pairs naturally with the temple towns and hill stations of Tamil Nadu (Madurai, Ooty), or with a beach finish in Goa. We can design a smooth multi-state route.
Periyar in Thekkady offers elephants, bison and birds on a lake boat safari, while Wayanad has forest reserves. Kerala is more about gentle nature than big-game safaris — lush, green and birdsong-filled.
Kovalam is the classic golden-sand resort beach; Varkala has dramatic red cliffs and a laid-back vibe; Marari near Alleppey is quiet and unspoilt. We match the beach to the mood you want.
November to February is warm and comfortable; March to May is hot and humid on the coast; June to September is the monsoon; the hills of Munnar and Wayanad stay pleasantly cool year-round.
Light, breathable cottons, a light layer for the hills, comfortable sandals, mosquito repellent, sun protection and a rain layer if travelling in the monsoon. We send a tailored packing note.
Yes — all airport and inter-place transfers are by private chauffeur-driven car, and expert local guides are included at the main sights. Everything is listed clearly in your quote.
Estate spices, Kerala tea and coffee, coir products, the famous Aranmula mirror, Kasavu gold-bordered handlooms and Ayurvedic oils. Your guide can take you to trusted, fair-price sources.
Yes — from iconic backwater and hill resorts to premium private houseboats, butler service and bespoke experiences, we design at the very top end for travellers who want the finest.
Completely. Places, pace, hotels, houseboat, wellness and dining are all shaped around you — there are no fixed departures. Your Kerala is authored from scratch.
For peak season (September to March) and premium houseboats and resorts, two to three months ahead is ideal. We can also arrange shorter-notice trips — just ask.
A named travel designer plans your journey, a dedicated tour manager and a 24x7 support line are with you throughout, and every booking comes with a GST invoice — so help is always a message away.
October to February is the peak, all-round best time — warm days and cool evenings ideal for backwaters, beaches and hills. The hills stay pleasant in summer, and the monsoon (Jun–Sep) is lush, uncrowded and the authentic Ayurveda season.
Six to seven days cover the classic backwaters, Munnar and Kochi. Eight to nine let you add beaches and wildlife for a complete Kerala. We can shorten or extend it to your pace.
Every trip is private and tailor-made, so we quote per person after learning your plan — cost depends on length, hotel tier, season, houseboat choice and group size, always with a GST invoice and no hidden charges.
Very much — the backwaters and tea hills are at their green best, crowds thin and rates drop, and it is the genuine season for monsoon Ayurveda. We simply plan around the heaviest downpours.
Absolutely — a private overnight houseboat (kettuvallam) through Alleppey’s canals, with a cook on board, is the signature Kerala experience. We arrange premium and luxury houseboats to suit you.
Munnar’s tea hills, a private Alleppey houseboat and a quiet beach at Kovalam or Marari make the classic romantic trio. We add candlelit dinners, flowers and thoughtful touches for two.
Yes — houseboats, the Periyar elephant safari, gentle beaches and easy hill drives keep it varied and relaxed for all ages, and we keep the pace family-friendly.
Kerala is the home of authentic Ayurveda — we use doctor-led, certified centres. The traditional season is the monsoon (Jun–Sep), when the cool, humid air is considered ideal, though quality retreats run year-round.
By air to Kochi (COK), Trivandrum (TRV) or Kozhikode (CCJ), or by train to Ernakulam. We handle every transfer and internal drive in a private car.
Wonderfully varied and very vegetarian-friendly — the banana-leaf sadya feast, appam and stew, Malabar biryani and fresh seafood. We arrange menus to suit you.
Kovalam and Varkala in the south, tranquil Marari near Alleppey, and offbeat Bekal and Muzhappilangad in the north. We match the beach to the mood you want.
Munnar for classic tea-garden scenery and easy access; Wayanad for coffee estates, waterfalls, caves and a quieter, wilder feel. We can combine both on a longer trip.
Yes — Kerala is among India’s safest and most literate states, easy to travel with a private car and gentle pacing, and very comfortable for seniors and solo travellers.
No special permits are needed for the usual destinations. Wildlife safaris and some sanctuaries require entry tickets, which we pre-arrange.
Completely — the places, pace, houseboat, hotels and experiences are all shaped around you, with no fixed departures. Your Kerala is authored from scratch.
Tell us your dates and how you love to travel. Your personal designer will send a tailored itinerary and quote within one working day — no obligation, no hidden charges.