Kerala packs a lot into a small space: the sea, the backwaters, the tea hills and the temples are all within a day's drive of each other. That is why groups from across the south choose a tourist bus for a Kerala tour. A typical route starts at Kochi, goes to Alappuzha for the backwaters and then climbs to Munnar. It is a beautiful trip, and with a good plan it is also a relaxed one. This guide covers the order of the route, the day-by-day timing, the hill road and the questions to ask the bus operator.
The usual route
Many groups begin in Kochi, spend a day around Fort Kochi and the city, and then go to Alappuzha for a houseboat or a canoe trip. From there they drive up to Munnar, stay for two nights and return to Kochi. The distances are not long, but the hill road slows the drive.
If you have an extra day, add Thekkady or a beach stop. Do not add too many places, because the best parts of Kerala are the slow ones.
Fort Kochi is best seen on foot, so plan to park the bus at a central place and walk through the lanes. A guide for the first hour helps a large group understand the old quarter and avoids long waits.
Houseboat day and timings
A houseboat stay has fixed check-in and check-out times. Ask the houseboat operator about them and plan the bus arrival accordingly. The bus waits near the jetty, so ask the operator about parking and waiting charges.
If the group is split across several houseboats, assign one person to each boat so that nobody is left behind.
On the day of the houseboat, keep your bags small. Large suitcases are hard to carry onto a boat, so many groups leave the main luggage in the bus and take only a small bag for the night. The bus driver can wait at a safe place nearby.
The hill road to Munnar
The road to Munnar is winding and passes through tea and spice country. Large buses can go, but they take time on the turns and need a driver with hill experience. Ask the operator whether the bus has made the trip before and whether any size restrictions apply at the town.
Start the drive in the morning, so the group reaches Munnar in daylight and sees the scenery.
In Munnar, the tea gardens, viewpoints and waterfalls are spread along the main road, so a bus can cover them in a day. Ask the driver to tell the group before narrow turns and to stop at proper viewpoints, not on the bends.
Seating, luggage and comfort
A tourist bus gives comfortable seating for a larger group and plenty of luggage space. Ask for push-back seats and air conditioning that works on both the plains and the hill.
Hill weather can be cool and wet, so people carry jackets and umbrellas. Make sure there is space for them.
Meals and halts
Kerala has many places to eat on the road, but not all of them can park a large bus. Ask the driver to choose stops with space. Plan a rest at least every two hours on the hill road.
Check the opening hours of the tea gardens and viewpoints in Munnar before you plan the day.
Kerala weather changes quickly, so keep a plan B for a rainy afternoon, such as a museum, a spice garden or a long lunch. It keeps the group happy even when the sky does not cooperate.
- Houseboat check-in and check-out times
- Parking near the jetty and the town
- Meal stops with space for a large bus
- Weather plan for the rainy season
Season and permits
The monsoon months bring heavy rain, and the hill road can be affected. The cooler months are popular, so book early. If your group is coming from another state, ask the operator about the permit and the border tax, and whether they are in the quote.
Booking
On Oray you can search for a bus, check the photos and amenities and ask for a price for your route and dates. The team replies with the details, and you can confirm.
Questions
How many days are enough for Kochi, Alappuzha and Munnar?
Four days is comfortable, with two nights in Munnar or one in Alappuzha.
Can a big bus go to Munnar?
Yes, but ask the operator about the driver's experience and the route.
Is the monsoon a bad time to travel?
It is beautiful but wet, and roads can be affected. Keep a spare day in your plan.