Do Malaysians need a visa for India?

Yes. Malaysian passport holders apply for an India e-Visa online before departure. The tourist e-Visa covers tourism and short visits and is valid for 30 days from entry. The application is on the official India e-Visa portal, and Dhesu walks you through it when you book. Visa fees are not included in the package price.

Which airport does this trip use?

This is a land-only package: hotels, transfers, tours and guide are included, but international flights are not. Most Malaysian travellers fly from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Cochin International Airport (COK). We can recommend suitable flights and timings on request.

What wildlife might I see at Periyar?

Periyar is known for elephants, sambar deer, wild boar, and abundant birdlife, often seen from the lake boat cruise. Tigers and leopards are present but rarely sighted. The plantation walks focus on spices and smaller wildlife.

What is the best time for this trip?

September to March offers the most pleasant weather. The cool, dry season is best for the Munnar and Thekkady hills. The monsoon brings lush scenery but heavy rain that can affect hill roads and wildlife viewing.

Is the Periyar boat cruise included?

The package includes the Thekkady visit; the Periyar Lake boat cruise can be arranged as part of your day there. We will confirm the inclusions and any entrance or activity fees when you book.

Kerala

6 Days, Kerala & Thekkady. Tea Hills, Spice Country and Backwaters.

Add the spice-scented hills of Thekkady to the Kerala classics, and you get one of the most complete short tours in South India. Munnar's tea, Thekkady's plantations and wildlife, and a backwater houseboat night.

RM2,314

From RM1,928

per person (twin sharing)

Save RM771 per couple

6 Days / 5 Nights

Hotel

Daily Breakfast

Private Driver Guide

Airport Transfers

100% Private Tour

About This Package

6 Days Beautiful Kerala + Thekkady: The Full Picture

Thekkady, home to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, adds a wonderful dimension to a Kerala trip: spice plantations, cardamom hills, and the chance to spot elephants and other wildlife on a boat cruise across Periyar Lake. Combined with Munnar's tea and the backwaters, it makes a rich, varied journey.

This 6 day Kerala and Thekkady package from Malaysia is private throughout. You move from Fort Kochi to Munnar's tea hills, into Thekkady's spice country, and finish with an overnight houseboat on the backwaters, all linked by your own vehicle and driver guide.

Package Includes

✓Hotel & Houseboat Stay (5 nights)
✓Daily Breakfast
✓Private Vehicle & Driver Guide
✓Return Airport Transfers
✓Overnight Houseboat Cruise

Not Included

×International Flights
×India Visa Fee (30-day e-Visa applies)
×ETIQA Travel Insurance (6-10 Days) RM60
×Entrance Fees (unless stated)
×Lunches and dinners (unless stated)
×Personal Expenses
×Optional tour tips

What Makes This Trip

Why Travellers from Malaysia Love This Trip

Periyar Wildlife & Spice Plantations

A boat cruise on Periyar Lake offers the chance to spot elephants, deer and birdlife, while guided spice plantation walks reveal cardamom, pepper and cinnamon growing wild.

Munnar Tea Country

Rolling tea estates, cool mountain air and beautiful viewpoints make Munnar a refreshing highlight on the way to Thekkady.

Backwater Houseboat Night

Round off the trip with a private houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters, with onboard meals and a peaceful night on the water.

Day by Day

Your 6 Days Itinerary

Arrive Kochi

No meals

Met at Cochin airport and transferred to your hotel. Evening at the fishing nets.

Suggested activities

Sunset fishing nets
Fort Kochi walk
Seafood dinner

Kochi to Munnar

Breakfast

Scenic drive to the tea hills of Munnar.

Suggested activities

Drive to Munnar
Tea plantation stops
Evening in the hills

Munnar to Thekkady

Breakfast

Munnar sightseeing, then on to the spice hills of Thekkady.

Suggested activities

Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point
Drive to Thekkady
Evening spice market

Thekkady to Alleppey

Breakfast

Periyar wildlife and spice plantations, then descend to the backwaters.

Suggested activities

Periyar Lake boat cruise
Spice plantation walk
Drive to Alleppey

Alleppey Houseboat

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Board your private houseboat for an overnight backwater cruise.

Suggested activities

Board houseboat
Backwater cruise
Onboard Kerala meals

Disembark, Depart

Breakfast

Morning cruise, then transfer to Cochin airport for your onward flight.

Suggested activities

Morning cruise
Disembark
Airport transfer

Hotel Options

Choose Your Comfort Level

Centrally located hotels with easy access to the main sights. Pick the tier that suits your style.

3 Star

Budget Friendly

3-star hotels + deluxe houseboat or similar

Min 2 Adults (Toyota Etios)RM1928 per person
Min 4 Adults (Toyota Innova)RM1878 per person
Min 8 Adults (Tempo Traveller)RM1828 per person

From RM1928

per person

Most Chosen

4 Star

Value Plus Comfort

4-star hotels + premium houseboat or similar

Min 2 Adults (Toyota Etios)RM2228 per person
Min 4 Adults (Toyota Innova)RM2188 per person
Min 8 Adults (Tempo Traveller)RM2148 per person

From RM2228

per person

5 Star

Premium Value Stay

5-star hotels + luxury houseboat or similar

Min 2 Adults (Toyota Etios)RM2728 per person
Min 4 Adults (Toyota Innova)RM2698 per person
Min 8 Adults (Tempo Traveller)RM2668 per person

From RM2728

per person

Why Dhesu

Kerala's Full Spectrum, Linked Smartly

Tea hills, spice country, wildlife and backwaters in six days needs careful routing. We sequence Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey so the journey flows beautifully. Dhesu has run Kerala tours since 1988.

MATTA & IATA Registered

Fully licensed Malaysian travel agency. We guide you through India e-Visa documentation with every booking.

Private Tours, Daily Departures

No minimum group to wait for. Your trip runs on your dates, your pace, your own vehicle and guide.

A Real Team to Call

Reachable throughout your trip. Flight delayed, your guide waits. Plans change, we adapt on the ground.

Group & Custom Pricing

Travelling as a family or group lowers the per-person cost. Ask us for a tailored quote.

Kerala & Thekkady Tour from Malaysia

This 6 day package adds the spice hills and wildlife of Thekkady to the Kerala classics, making it one of the most complete short South India tours.

The Periyar Lake cruise and spice plantation walks at Thekkady bring nature and aromatics into a trip that already has tea hills and backwaters. A private vehicle links it all smoothly.

For even more time, our 8 day Kerala packages extend the same route at a more leisurely pace.

What Makes Thekkady Special

Thekkady is the gateway to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, one of South India's finest wildlife areas. A boat cruise on Periyar Lake offers the chance to spot elephants and deer along the shores.

The surrounding hills are spice country, growing cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and more. Guided plantation walks let you see and smell the spices that made Kerala famous for centuries.

Common Questions