Varkala Cliffs and Kollam Backwaters
Route Covered
Overnight stops in day orderOverview
This Varkala and Kollam tour package is a private five-day, four-night trip in Kerala. It spends two nights on the red cliffs at Varkala and two beside Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, with short drives between them. It suits beach and backwater lovers who prefer a slow pace, and October to March is the best time to go.
Couples, families and friends who want sea air, calm water and short drives, not long road days or a packed list of sights
Highlights
Good to know
Swimming
Ask locally about sea conditions before you swim at Varkala, especially once the monsoon starts in JuneDress
Cover shoulders and knees at the Janardhana Swami Temple and Sivagiri MuttBest months
Varkala is best from October to March; Kollam is milder in October, November, February and MarchBoat rides
Boat and canal cruise fees are not in the price, and the operator confirms them at bookingDay-by-Day Itinerary
From Thiruvananthapuram airport to the Varkala cliff
- Meet your driver at Thiruvananthapuram airport
- Drive about 55 km up the coast to Varkala
- Check in and rest after the flight
- Walk the cliff path at sunset if energy allows
Papanasam Beach, Janardhana Swami Temple and Sivagiri Mutt
- Start on Papanasam Beach, below the red cliff and beside the sacred spring
- Visit the Janardhana Swami Temple on the cliff
- Drive about 3 km inland to Sivagiri Mutt and Sree Narayana Guru's samadhi
- Free afternoon, or an optional drive to Anjengo Fort, about 12 km away
Varkala to Kollam: Thangassery and Ashtamudi Lake
- Morning by the sea at Varkala, then drive about 35 km to Kollam
- Afternoon at Thangassery, with its lighthouse and colonial-era remains about 5 km from the centre
- Evening on the shore of Ashtamudi Lake, where the backwaters meet the sea
Munroe Island canal cruise
- Drive about 27 km to Munroe Island, a group of eight small islands
- Ride a canal cruise through the narrow waterways past coconut groves and small hamlets
- Return to Kollam for a quiet evening
Kollam Beach and departure
- Early walk at Kollam Beach, about 2 km from the city centre, if your flight time allows
- Return to the hotel and check out
- Transfer to Thiruvananthapuram airport for your flight
Indicative — varies with season and hotel category.
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Trip Facts
Local Activities & Events
Updated Oct 7, 2026Varkala — Days 1-3 of the trip
Yaanam travel literature festival
culturalA travel writing festival of talks, screenings and conversations at the Ranga Kala Kendram at Varkala Cliff, started by Kerala Tourism in 2025.
First held in October 2025; Kerala Tourism's minister said it would become annual, but no official 2026 dates were found
Reach out to us for the confirmed datesKerala — across your trip
Champions Boat League: Marine Drive, Kochi
sportsA snake-boat race on the Kochi waterfront, one round of the 2026 Champions Boat League organised by Kerala Tourism.
Alpashi Utsavam
festivalThiruvananthapuram's Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple celebrates for ten days, closing with a procession to the sea for a ritual bath.
Koratty Muthy Feast
festivalAnnual feast of the Virgin Mary at the Koratty church in Thrissur district, with processions and cultural performances.
Navarathri Sangeetholsavam
culturalNine evenings of Carnatic music and classical dance at the Navarathri Mandapam in the fort palace complex beside the Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
Navaratri
festivalGoddess worship fills nine nights across Kerala and closes on Vijayadashami.
Panachikkadu Navaratri Festival
festivalNavaratri celebrations at the Panachikkadu temple in Kottayam district, known for Vidyarambham, when young children are introduced to letters.
Champions Boat League: Piravom
sportsA snake-boat race at Piravom in Ernakulam district, a round of the 2026 Champions Boat League.
Events are reviewed by our team before publishing and drop off after they end. Please confirm timings and availability with us before your trip — local schedules can change without notice.
What's Included & Excluded
Quick Answers
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