A woven-canopy kettuvallam houseboat gliding down a palm-lined backwater channel

Kerala · 5 nights

Kerala Slow Living Escape

Hills, backwaters and a cliff, at half speed.

Choose your dateMunnar • Alleppey • Varkala

About the experience

Kerala rewards going slowly, which is the one thing most itineraries won't let you do. This one is built around three places and refuses to add a fourth.

Tea hills in Munnar where the mornings come in under cloud. A houseboat night on the Alleppey backwaters with nowhere to be. Then the Varkala cliff, where the plan is a long lunch and the sea.

There is no 6am departure on this trip. There is one full free day. Both of those are deliberate.

A houseboat crossing bright blue water past a palm-covered island on Ashtamudi lake

The shape of it

What your days are made of

Accommodation

A plantation stay in Munnar, a private houseboat on the backwaters, and a cliffside property in Varkala. PLACEHOLDER.

Experiences

A tea estate walk with someone who works it, a night on the water, and sunset from the north cliff.

Activities

Hill walks, a canoe run through the narrow canals the houseboats can't enter, and an Ayurvedic session for whoever wants it.

Food

A proper sadya on a banana leaf, backwater fish cooked on board, and coastal breakfasts.

Transport

Kochi airport transfers and a private vehicle for the full route.

Community Events

Opening circle in the hills, and a closing one on the cliff.

Departures

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1–6 December 2026

5 nights · Munnar • Alleppey • Varkala

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Who this is for

You'll fit right in if…

Solo travellersWorking professionalsRemote workersCreatorsCouplesAnyone badly in need of a slow week

What's included

5 nights accommodation, including one houseboat night
Kochi airport transfers and all ground transport
Tea estate walk and canoe run
Daily breakfast, all houseboat meals, and two group dinners
An OffGrid trip captain, on the ground the whole time

Not included

Flights to and from Kochi
Meals not listed above
Ayurvedic treatments
Personal expenses
Travel insurance

A feel for it

Tea terraces stepping down a hillside with mist lying in the valley beyond

A sadya laid out on banana leaves down a long wooden table, the garden visible through open shutters

Hands and sticks on a row of chenda drums mid-performance

Good to know

Asked every time

Is December a good time for Kerala?

It's the best time. The monsoon is done, the hills are still green, and the coast is warm without being punishing.

How are the houseboat rooms arranged?

Twin-shared cabins, same-gender by default. The boat is private to our group.

Is there a lot of driving?

Three transfer days, the longest around four hours. We break them up, and there's no dawn start on any of them.

Can I extend my stay?

Yes, and plenty do. Tell us when you book and we'll help you sort the extra nights in Varkala.

Kerala is better with your people in it.

You just haven't met them yet.

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