This tour takes you from Pondicherry across Tamil Nadu into the hills and backwaters of Kerala in a single, one-way road journey. It breaks the long drive with a night in Madurai, then spends two nights in Munnar, one in Thekkady, and two in Alleppey – one of them on a houseboat – before ending at Kochi, where you can fly or take the train home.
The same car and driver stay with you throughout, which is simpler than changing taxis at the state border.
Who this Kerala tour is for
Honeymooners, families and friends who want to see Kerala’s best-known landscapes – tea hills, spice forests and backwaters – in one trip without flying in and out. It also suits guests already holidaying in Pondicherry who want to continue west rather than return to Chennai. The pace is moderate, with no day longer than about seven hours on the road.
Route at a glance
- Pondicherry → Madurai: about 335 km
- Madurai → Bodimettu → Munnar: about 150 km
- Munnar → Thekkady: about 90 km
- Thekkady → Alleppey: about 140 km
- Alleppey → Fort Kochi → Kochi airport: about 100 km
Why go via Madurai
Madurai lies almost exactly halfway, so it turns a punishing 11–12 hour drive into two comfortable days and adds a visit to one of South India’s great temples. From Madurai, the Bodimettu ghat road is the most direct way into Munnar, and the route continues south through the hills to Thekkady before descending to the coast. Finishing in Alleppey and Kochi means the trip ends at an airport, instead of doubling back to Pondicherry.
The order – hills first, backwaters last – also makes the trip progressively more relaxing: the final two days involve almost no driving.
Best season
September to March is the most popular time, with green hills after the monsoon and pleasant weather on the backwaters. December and January nights can be cold in Munnar. Eravikulam National Park closes for the Nilgiri tahr calving season, usually from 1 February to 31 March, so plan around it if seeing the tahr matters to you. The southwest monsoon (June to August) brings heavy rain; the scenery is lush, but landslips can close hill roads for short periods. The Neelakurinji flower blooms on Munnar’s slopes only once every 12 years.
How it can be customised
- Skip Madurai by starting from Bangalore or Chennai, or fly into Madurai and begin the tour there
- Replace the houseboat night with a lakeside resort, or add a second night on the water
- Add Kodaikanal before Munnar – see our Kodaikanal hill holiday
- Extend to Kovalam or Varkala, or end at Trivandrum instead of Kochi
- Hotels, homestays and houseboats in budget, standard or premium categories
- Pickup from Chennai or Bangalore, arranged on request
Houseboat tips
Houseboats range from simple one-bedroom boats to large premium boats with upper decks. On many boats the air conditioning runs only at night, and cruising stops by early evening, when boats tie up by the bank. Tell the crew in advance about any food preferences; most will cook Kerala meals with fish or vegetarian dishes. The boat does not go far – it is a slow drift through the canals and lake, and that is the point.
What to pack
Light cotton for Madurai and the backwaters, a warm layer for Munnar evenings, a rain jacket or umbrella in any season, and comfortable walking shoes for the tea estates and spice gardens. Leech socks are useful for forest walks at Thekkady in the wet months. For the Meenakshi Temple, dress modestly and plan to leave your phone at the deposit counter. Carry insect repellent for the houseboat.
Official information: Kerala Tourism
Frequently asked questions
How far is Munnar from Pondicherry?
Munnar is about 485 km from Pondicherry via Madurai and Bodimettu. We split the drive with a night in Madurai: about 335 km on the first day and 150 km on the second.
Is Eravikulam National Park open all year?
No. The park usually closes from 1 February to 31 March for the Nilgiri tahr calving season. Dates can vary, so check with the Kerala Forest Department before planning.
Where does the tour end?
The tour ends with a drop at Kochi airport or Ernakulam railway station. A return drive to Pondicherry can be arranged, but it adds about two days.
Can this tour be customised?
Yes. We can change the order, add or remove nights, swap the houseboat for a resort and choose hotels to your budget. Send your dates on WhatsApp.
Is it suitable for senior citizens?
Yes, with some care: the ghat roads are winding, and boarding boats needs a little help. Walks in Munnar and Thekkady are optional.
