Overview
Varkala is the only place in south Kerala where laterite cliffs sit directly against the Arabian Sea — a formation the Geological Survey of India has designated a geological monument. The cliff face drops to the beach below and a natural spring at the base, locally called Papanasam, is believed to carry medicinal properties. The Janardhanaswamy Temple on the hillock above the beach dates back approximately 2,000 years. This varkala cliff beach tour package kerala builds the cliff experience into a south Kerala coastal circuit that also covers the Alleppey houseboat, Kollam and Trivandrum — six days across the varied southern coast.
Bon Voyagers manages the complete ground programme for this varkala cliff beach tour package kerala from Kochi Airport arrival. The private AC Innova Crysta covers all road transfers throughout. Five nights accommodation — one Alleppey houseboat night, one at Kollam, two at Varkala, one at Trivandrum — daily breakfast and dinner on MAP basis throughout. Houseboat lunch and evening tea on the Alleppey night and all sightseeing transfers as per the itinerary are included. The per person cost of this varkala cliff beach tour package kerala is ₹22,700.
Day-wise Itinerary
6-day travel plan — tap any day to view full details.
The varkala cliff beach tour package kerala begins at Kochi Airport where the Bon Voyagers representative meets the group. The drive from Kochi to Alleppey covers approximately 55 kilometres and takes around 1.5 hours. Houseboat check-in at Alleppey is typically at noon.
The afternoon is the backwater cruise — the vessel moves through the canal and lake network of the Vembanad system, past paddy field edges, canal villages and the open stretches of Vembanad Lake. Lunch and evening tea are served on the houseboat as it cruises through the afternoon. The houseboat moors for the night on a quiet canal away from the main tourist route. Overnight on the houseboat.
Houseboat checkout is typically by 9 AM. The morning on the water — the canal light before the engine starts, the birds on the bank and the village activity visible from the deck — is a different quality from the afternoon cruise. After checkout the vehicle heads south to Kollam — approximately 85 kilometres from Alleppey, taking around two hours.
Kollam is a historic port town with a Portuguese legacy and the Thangassery lighthouse near the beach marks the old colonial quarter. The afternoon is free in Kollam — the harbour promenade, the lighthouse area or the local market. Overnight at Kollam.
The drive from Kollam to Varkala covers approximately 22 kilometres — a short transfer that puts the group at the cliff by mid-morning. The cliff path at Varkala runs along the top of the laterite formation above the beach — the width of the path varies from a few metres to barely enough for two people, and the drop to the beach below is sheer. The path is lined with small restaurants, Ayurvedic massage centres and handicraft shops.
The afternoon is the beach below the cliff — the Papanasam Beach section where the natural spring emerges from the cliff base. The Janardhanaswamy Temple on the hillock beside the cliff is a short walk from the beach. Overnight at Varkala.
A full Varkala day is different from the arrival afternoon. The cliff at dawn — before the restaurants open and the visitors arrive — is the quietest and most photographically productive hour of the day. The light comes up over the Arabian Sea to the west and the cliff face catches it sideways, showing the layering in the laterite.
The Kappil Lake and beach, approximately 6 kilometres from Varkala cliff, is the afternoon programme — a backwater lake that opens directly onto the Arabian Sea, with boat rides available locally through the estuary section. The Sivagiri Mutt, the monastery founded by social reformer Sree Narayana Guru and approximately 4 kilometres from the cliff, is a short visit on the return. Overnight at Varkala.
The drive from Varkala to Trivandrum covers approximately 50 kilometres and takes around an hour. The afternoon in Trivandrum covers Kuthiramalika Palace — the early 19th-century palace of the Travancore royal family with a collection of Kerala mural paintings, ivory sculptures and traditional woodwork — and the Napier Museum, a 19th-century heritage building housing bronze sculptures, ancient ornaments and models of Kerala's traditional temple architecture.
Both sites are within walking distance of each other in the museum complex area. Overnight at Trivandrum.
The final day is the return drive from Trivandrum to Kochi Airport — approximately 220 kilometres, taking between four and five hours depending on conditions. Travellers with afternoon or evening flights from Kochi have a Trivandrum morning for the Padmanabhaswamy Temple if not visited the previous evening — entry is restricted to Hindus, the dress code is traditional and the darshan slots run through the morning.
After the temple the vehicle heads to Kochi. The Bon Voyagers vehicle drops at Kochi Airport. The varkala cliff beach tour package kerala ends here.
Map
Inclusions & Exclusions
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Pickup and drop at Kochi Airport on Day 1 and Day 6 respectively.
- All road transfers throughout by private AC Innova Crysta or similar vehicle as per the itinerary.
- One night deluxe houseboat stay at Alleppey on double sharing basis.
- Houseboat lunch and evening tea included on the Alleppey houseboat night.
- One night accommodation in deluxe hotel or resort at Kollam on double sharing basis.
- Two nights accommodation in deluxe hotel or resort at Varkala on double sharing basis.
- One night accommodation in deluxe hotel or resort at Trivandrum on double sharing basis.
- Daily breakfast and dinner at all hotels on MAP basis throughout all six days.
- Kuthiramalika Palace and Napier Museum visit transfers at Trivandrum on Day 5.
- All sightseeing transfers as per the itinerary.
- Meet and greet service at Kochi Airport on arrival.
- Travel assistance by field executive throughout.
- All fuel, toll and parking charges for the private vehicle throughout the trip.
- Driver and vehicle allowances for the full trip duration — nothing extra owed on the road.
NOT INCLUDED
- Flight tickets to and from Kochi — booked separately by the traveller.
- Lunch on all days except the Alleppey houseboat night.
- Kappil Lake boat ride charges on Day 4 — paid locally to operators.
- Entry tickets to Kuthiramalika Palace and Napier Museum on Day 5 — paid locally.
- Padmanabhaswamy Temple darshan on Day 6 — entry restricted to Hindus, no ticket charge.
- Personal expenses including laundry, tips, room service, telephone calls, shopping and beverages.
- Camera and video charges at all monuments and sites — paid separately on site.
- Any additional sightseeing or extra vehicle use beyond what is listed in the itinerary.
- Costs arising from natural events including rough sea conditions affecting cliff beach access or houseboat programme — to be borne by the traveller directly.
- Any item not clearly listed under the inclusions above.
Best Time to Visit
October to March is most comfortable for this Alleppey-Kollam-Varkala-Trivandrum circuit, with the Varkala cliff beach at its best from November to February when the Arabian Sea is calm and skies are clear. Monsoon from June to September brings heavy surf that makes the cliff base beach unsafe and can suspend the Kappil Lake boat rides during rough sea conditions.
Important Price & Package Conditions
- Prices are subject to availability and may vary based on travel dates, hotel selection, and seasonal demand.
- The actual price is reconfirmed at the time of booking. Discounts or deals may apply depending on ongoing promotions.
- Prices displayed do not include optional add-ons such as cab upgrades, special activities, or extra room categories unless mentioned.
- For group bookings, custom itineraries, or peak season travel, final pricing may differ. Please connect with our travel expert.
- 50% advance payment confirms your booking.
- Remaining balance is due 45 days before travel.
- Natural disasters or political unrest will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
- Valid for Indian nationals only. International guests may require special permits.
- Carry original government ID for all hotels.
- Secure payments and flexible policies.
- 24x7 emergency support during travel.
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