Kerala family holiday
- Private tour
- Private guide and vehicle throughout
- Reply within four hours, 9am–9pm IST
- No payment to start planning
- Families of any age combination, including toddlers and grandparents together.
- Distances between stops are shorter than a Rajasthan circuit, and the overall pace is naturally more relaxed.
- Houseboats vary in cabin standard — tell us your family's needs and we will match the boat accordingly.
- Life jackets and boat safety briefings are standard on the backwaters — your guide ensures this happens before boarding.
What’s included
- Private guide and vehicle
- Houseboat cruise arrangement
- Family-paced itinerary
What’s not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Park or monument entry tickets
- Personal expenses
Cancellation terms are confirmed with your written quote
- No payment is taken until you approve the itinerary.
Cochin arrival
A gentle introduction to Kerala, including the Chinese fishing nets and old town.
Backwaters houseboat
One or two nights aboard a traditional kettuvallam, cruising the canals at an easy pace.
Beach time
Days at Kovalam or Varkala, with time for the beach and pool rather than a packed schedule.
Optional Periyar stop
A gentle boat safari for wildlife, if your route and time allow it.
A Kerala family holiday centres on the backwaters — typically a houseboat cruise around Alleppey or Kumarakom — combined with beach time at Kovalam or Varkala, and often a gentle wildlife stop at Periyar. Distances between stops are shorter than a Rajasthan circuit, and the overall pace is naturally more relaxed.
It is the circuit we most often recommend for families with a wide age range travelling together, since almost every part of it — a houseboat deck, a beach, a boat safari — works for toddlers and grandparents alike.
- Houseboats vary in cabin standard — tell us your family's needs and we will match the boat accordingly.
- Kerala's food is generally milder and more accommodating for children than some other regions, though ask your guide about specific dishes.
- Life jackets and boat safety briefings are standard on the backwaters — your guide ensures this happens before boarding.
Best season and starting point
Typically seven to ten days covering the backwaters and coast at a relaxed pace. Kerala is pleasant October to March; June to September is monsoon season, lush but wet.
Is a houseboat safe for young children?
Yes, with normal precautions — life jackets and a safety briefing are standard, and the backwaters themselves are calm, slow-moving water.
Is Kerala a good choice for a first India trip with kids?
Yes, often the best choice — the gentle pace and short distances make it easier on young children than a heritage-fort circuit.
How many nights on the houseboat?
One or two nights is typical; more time is spent on land at beaches or the backwaters' edge for most family itineraries.
Reviews
- 5 stars4
- 4 stars2
- 3 stars1
- 2 stars0
- 1 stars0
What our guests say
Kavya R
Solo · Verified trip
5/56 days agoStraightforward and honest. They told us in advance which parts would be crowded and which days to avoid, and the route they suggested was better than the one we had planned ourselves.
via Tripadvisor
Meera N
Friends · Verified trip
3/53 weeks agoMixed feelings. The sites were spectacular and the driver excellent, but our guide's English was harder to follow than we expected and we missed some of the detail. The office apologised quickly when we mentioned it.
via Google
Divya B
Family · Verified trip
5/51 month agovia Google
Tom R
Couple · Verified trip
4/52 months agoReally good. The early start was tough but paid off in empty courtyards and cool air. One of the stops on the itinerary was swapped without warning, though the replacement was arguably better.
via Google
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