Kerala Hill Station Packages | Munnar, Thekkady, Vagamon & More | Memorable India

Why Kerala's Hill Stations Are Worth Planning Carefully

Kerala’s Western Ghats are not a backdrop; they are a functioning ecosystem. Forests, wildlife corridors, tea estates, and spice farms take up the same mountain range, and it is possible to visit them as part of a single, very structured trip.

Memorable India has been indulging in Kerala packages for more than a decade. Our Kerala hill station tours are based on one principle: geographic logic rather than checklists of destinations. Every circuit that we put together is routed in such a way that driving time is at a minimum and time at each destination is at a maximum.

We offer Kerala hill station packages covering a host of durations, focused 5 nights circuits of Munnar and Thekkady; 10-14 day circuit that cover the hill towns of Tamil Nadu and the highlands and backwaters of Kerala. Accommodation throughout our packages varies from mid-range plantation stays to forest edge resorts, according to destination, as opposed to the budget category.

All our Kerala packages are private tour not group tours. Every vehicle, guide, and hotel booking is organised just for your travel group. Our team does all the logistics so that your time in the hills is spent in the hills, not organizing transfers.

To know more about all of our Kerala packages, please visit our Kerala Holiday Packages page.

Why Kerala's Hill Stations Are Worth Planning Carefully

Choosing the Right Kerala Package for Your Family

Featured Kerala Holiday Packages

Destination Breakdown for Family Groups

Munnar

Munnar

Visit the Eravikulam National Park and see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr bird and the Anamudi Peak, which is the highest summit of South India. Visit the Tea Museum to gain an understanding of the plantation history of Munnar, and visit a tea estate, still in production, to see the process firsthand. Enjoy serene halts at Mattupetty Dam, Kundale Lake, and Echo Point, which is best enjoyed early in the morning. Drive to Top Station for a panoramic view on the other side of the Tamil Nadu border.

Thekkady

Thekkady

Take an early morning boat ride on Periyar Lake to spot wildlife. Visit a spice plantation and learn about cardamom, pepper, and cloves. Guided nature walks and bamboo rafting inside the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary need to be booked in advance. In Kumily, watch Kathakali and Kalaripayattu shows. Chellarkovil Viewpoint and Connemara Tea Factory provide much calmer half-day trips.

Vagamon and Wayanad

Vagamon and Wayanad

Paraglide over the open meadows of Vagamon or walk amongst the pine forests and grasslands. Visit Illikal Peak, Maramala Waterfalls in the month of monsoon. In Wayanad, explore Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam and Soochipara Waterfalls and get a bit of history and scenery mixed in with moderate trekking.

Things To Do In Kerala

boat safari in periyar lake
Boat Safari on Periyar Lake, Thekkady

Board a motorised vehicle on Periyar Lake within the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to get a chance to spot wild elephants, sambar deer, Indian gaur, langurs taking a drink at the forested shores. Moringa rides provide the best conditions.

tea estate and tea museum visit munnar
Tea Estate And Tea Museum Visit, Munnar

Walk on working tea estates from the British Era to see the entire process of cultivation, then visit the Tea Museum in Munnar, which has a well-curated account of how tea got from leaf to cup, with original processing machinery on display.

eravikulam national park
Eravikulam National Park, Munnar

Visit this protected reserve near Munnar to spot the endangered Nilgiri Tahr in their natural habitat, the highlands with the panoramic views of Anamudi Peak, the highest point in South India, at 2695 metres, visible from the park.

spice plantation walk, thekkady
Spice Plantation Walk, Thekkady

Walk through an operational spice plantation on the outskirts of Thekkady, where cardamom, vanilla, black pepper and cloves grow in their natural habitat. Guided journeys include explanations on cultivation techniques, harvesting seasons, and relate to Ayurvedic practice.

paragliding at vagamon
Paragliding at Vagamon

Vagamon has an open plateau with consistent wind conditions and is thus one of the few hill stations in Kerala that has a paragliding operation. Tandem flights are available and provide an aerial view of the meadows and surrounding valleys down below.

Edakka Caves, wayand
Edakkal Caves, Wayanad

To see prehistoric petroglyphs that are thousands of years old, reach these natural caves by a moderate uphill walk. Entry is regulated by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, and it is better to book in advance during the peak season.

mattupetty dam & kundala lake munnar
Mattupetty Dam, Kundale lake, Munnar

Visit Mattupetty Dam, where there are open landscapes, forest views, and optional boating on the lake. Kundale Lake nearby is well worth visiting in the early morning when one can enjoy quiet reflections on the tea-covered hillsides before tourist traffic starts to take its toll on the roads around the lake.

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Practical Planning Guide for Kerala Hill Station Packages

Planning a Kerala hill station trip is something with more variables than most travellers factor in upfront. Road conditions, seasons in which they are accessible, seasons of wildlife activity, and accommodation availability between Munnar, Thekkady, and Vagamon all change significantly by month and getting these right is the difference between enjoying so much of the circuit or spending it just trekking through.

The best time for exploring Kerala hill stations is October and March. The weather is stable and clear in all the hill station destinations, the wildlife activity is at its highest at Periyar, and the post-monsoon landscape is at its peak green. December to January is the peak demand season for houseboat bookings in Alleppey, Eravikulam National Park entry passes, and preferred accommodation fills up early in hill stations. Groups looking for a window provide itineraries for finalization by the beginning of October.

April and May are downplayed for the hills. Munnar and Vagamon are noticeably cooler than the plains at elevation, there are thinner crowds than the peak in December, and hotel rates all over the circuit are lower. Light and photography conditions during this period are quite good.

June to September is monsoon season, with visually dramatic full waterfalls and intensely green forests, as well as practical limitations to the Periyar Lake boat ride, bamboo rafting inside the sanctuary, and road access to certain parts of Munnar and Wayanad during peak rainfall weeks.

On the ground: carry motion sickness medication for the Ghats drives to Munnar and Thekkady. Use bottled water all the time. Withdraw enough cash before reaching remote areas of hill stations, as the access of ATM thins out outside main towns. Communicate dietary requirements to us before travel, and we pass these on to all properties/houseboat crews before travel.

Practical Planning Guide for Kerala Hill Station Packages

Frequently Asked Questions

October to March is the best and safest time to do a Kerala hill station tour. The weather is clear, the landscape is lush green due to the receding monsoon, and all tourist services are operating normally. If you do not mind as many people around, April and May are good alternatives. The hill stations are still cool in elevation even during the summer period, and room rates are usually lower during this shoulder period.

A dedicated Munnar-Thekkady circuit normally works well on 5 to 6 days. Adding Vagamon entails at least one additional night. If you are combining the hills with the backwaters of Alleppey, plan for 8 to 10 days total. Packages that try to cover five or six destinations in five days are usually travel rather than trips; the drive time takes over the experience.

Munnar is ideal for most families because of its available choices of activities, accommodation and the functionality of Eravikulam National Park and Mattupetty Dam as family-friendly stops. Thekkady adds the element of wildlife, which is enjoyed in particular by older children. Vagamon is suitable for quiet families as opposed to families looking for activities. Wayanad, with its caves, waterfalls, and forest trails are excellent for older kids and even teenagers.

Yes, many travellers do this to explore South India more widely. Ooty and Munnar are similar in elevation, colonial tea estate character, and regional proximity, about 4 to 5 hours by road depending on the route. It is common that a combined package of Ooty and Munnar starts from Coimbatore, passes through Nilgiris on the Tamil Nadu side, and moves down to Kerala. This works particularly well as a 7 to 9 day circuit for South India visitors for the first time.

Munnar is more developed, more accessible and has more options of curated experiences such as tea estate visits, national parks, and boat trips. Vagamon packages are attractive to travelers who seek precisely the opposite: quieter terrain, fewer tourists, and a more open landscape that is led by meadows. Vagamon is also significantly less commercialized, which is also a feature rather than a limitation for the right traveler. Paragliding is available at Vagamon and not at Munnar currently, which is another differentiation point for the adventure-minded visitors.

Yes, this is one of the most popular formats of Kerala itinerary. A basic 7 night version includes Kochi as the starting point followed by 2 nights in Munnar, 1 night in Thekkady and 1 to 2 nights in Alleppey at a houseboat and either closing in Alleppey or with a return route to Kochi. The distances are manageable and the experience of contrast cool hills and then flat, slow backwater country is what makes this combination such a constant satisfaction for such a wide range of travellers.

Yes. Munnar and Thekkady are quite suitable for young kids. The boat ride in Periyar, visit to tea estates, and Mattupetty Dam is not too strenuous and work for all ages. Road surfaces on the main circuits are manageable, and most accommodation in Munnar and Thekkady is at a standard for family travel. Vagamon and Wayanad trails need to be walked moderately, so these are suitable for children of all ages.

Accommodation on Kerala hill station packages ranges from standard hotels located in town to plantation bungalows and hotels on the edge of the forest. For families, multiple room configurations of properties or family suites are available at Munnar and Thekkady. Memorable India customizes accommodation to your group size and travel style instead of using a one-size-fits-all hotel in all of its packages. The exact properties that are available depend on your travel dates, length, and budget level.

Yes. The boat rides on Periyar Lake by the KTDC are operated in closed, motorized boats and are safe for all age groups including young children and senior travelers. The rides do not require physical exertion. Wildlife sightings of elephants, deer, bison, and birds are common, but not guaranteed, because they are dependent on animal movement. The morning boat rides usually have better sighting conditions than the afternoon slots.

A well-focused 5-day package from Munnar to Thekkady is practical. It offers two days in Munnar, one day's travelling, and two days in Thekkady. Adding Vagamon to this window would be hurried and it is not recommended. Families with children especially enjoy a slower pace, and so a 7-8 day package including a backwater houseboat experience in Alleppey is a more satisfying format for most groups.

Meal inclusions vary from package to package. Most of the structured packages from Memorable India include breakfast at each hotel. Lunch and dinner are according to the package tier option chosen. Local Kerala meals, usually rice-based, vegetarian or non-vegetarian, are common at all points of price throughout Munnar, Thekkady, and Kumily. For families travelling with young children, basic dietary requirements can usually be met at standard hotels in both destinations.

Yes. The Munnar Thekkady route links through naturally with Alleppey, and a houseboat night on the Vembanad Lake backwater network is one of the most practical extensions for a hill station package. The distance between Thekkady and Alleppey is about 138-140 km, which takes about 4 hours by road. Our 8 Days Classic Kerala Tour is based on exactly this combination and is a good point of reference for families who are thinking of undertaking this extension.

Paragliding operators, Vagamon, have their own minimum age restrictions, between the ages of 14 and 16, and weight restrictions. These conditions are different with each operator and are dependent on the weather and wind conditions on the day of the activity. Memorable India suggests checking for any activity eligibility for the younger set before finalising an itinerary that includes paragliding at Vagamon.

Wayanad's major attractions are Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam, and Soochipara Waterfalls. The walk to the Edakkal Caves is a moderate uphill climb and involves steps, which is not friendly for elderly travelers with limited mobility. Banasura Sagar Dam and the viewpoints around the dam are easy to reach without walking much. For senior family members, a Wayanad visit based on scenic drives, estate views, and a dam would be a more practical structure than a trail or cave-based itinerary.

Two nights at Munnar is the minimum that gives a full sightseeing day, including Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and a tea estate or the Tea Museum. Families with young children who would prefer a relaxed pace would benefit from three nights, which would eliminate the pressure of trying to fit multiple stops into one day. A third night in Munnar also gives an opportunity to either do an optional sunrise drive or have a more peaceful tour of the estates around.

Yes. Thekkady's variety of activities is especially suitable for teenagers. Bamboo rafting in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nature trails, spice plantation walks, Kalaripayattu demonstrations, and Kathakali shows in Kumily cater to the involvement of older kids and teenagers. These activities are organised by the Kerala Forest Department and local cultural centres, and most of them require prior booking. The wildlife boat ride on Periyar Lake is a sure shot for any age group.

Light woollen layers or a fleece jacket for evenings in Munnar and Thekkady, where the temperature falls quite low after sunset, even in non-monsoon months. Comfortable walking shoes with grip for estate walks, nature trails. A light raincoat in the month of non-monsoons too, as the Western Ghats are subject to unexpected showers. Sunscreen and sunglasses during the daytime. For young children, carrying around a couple of snacks is practical as restaurant options are few and far between destinations. Note that air conditioning in vehicles is turned off during hill drives.

Yes, and this multi-generational dynamic works especially well on the Kerala hill circuit. Munnar's accessibility, Mattupetty Dam, and tea estate drives are as comfortable for older people as they are for young kids. The boat ride in Thekkady does not demand any physical effort. Vagamon's open landscape in the meadow is restful to all ages. Memorable India chooses the activity for each destination to suit the physical range of your group, so no single traveler is left behind in the scheme of the day's activities.

The roads from Kochi to Munnar and from Munnar to Thekkady all go by winding mountain terrain for stretches. Motion sickness is a practical issue for some travellers. Taking road trips early in the morning, before the heat builds, helps. Providing front seat access for sensitive travelers and rest stops at viewpoints makes significant reductions in discomfort. The Thekkady to Alleppey route is downhill and more level, and the latter half of the circuit is much smoother than the climb up to Munnar.

Peak season for Kerala hill stations is October to March, with December and January being the peak demand period. For travel during this window, especially over Christmas, New Year, or school holidays, accommodation in preferred plantation and forest-edge properties fills early. It is advisable to book 6 to 8 weeks before the peak season travel. For April-May shoulder season travel, a 3-4 week lead time is usually sufficient, although some properties in popular family-friendly destinations in Munnar can fill up rapidly during family-friendly periods in April, such as school holidays.