Bangalore to Munnar–Alleppey Kerala Tour by Tempo Traveller

Bangalore to Munnar–Alleppey Kerala Tour by Tempo Traveller

Tea hills and backwaters are Kerala's two best-known postcards, and they sit only about 170 km apart. The catch for a Bangalore group is everything around them: you cross two state borders, drive through the Tamil Nadu plains, climb a ghat into the High Ranges, descend to sea level, and then make the longest run of the trip back home. A road package covering both is very achievable — but it is a six-day journey, not a long weekend.

Here we focus on the logistics that make or break this tour: the route into Kerala, the order of stops, how the houseboat day fits with the vehicle, interstate paperwork, and why seat comfort matters on a circuit of roughly 1,150–1,300 km.

Route Overview

Bangalore → Munnar

About 450–500 km, usually 10–12 hours. The common route leaves via Hosur Road and NH 44 to Krishnagiri and Salem, then heads towards Coimbatore or cuts across via Erode, then to Pollachi and Udumalpet. From Udumalpet the road enters the Chinnar wildlife area and climbs through Marayoor to Munnar. It is a beautiful final stretch, but it passes through protected forest; check current timings for the forest checkpost before relying on a late-evening arrival. An alternative goes via Coimbatore, Palakkad and the Kochi side, entering Munnar from Adimali — longer, but sometimes chosen when the Chinnar road is affected by weather or restrictions.

Munnar → Alleppey

About 160–180 km, typically 4.5–6 hours. The road drops through Adimali and Kothamangalam to the plains, then runs via Muvattupuzha and Kottayam towards Alappuzha. The descent is winding for the first couple of hours.

Alleppey → Bangalore

About 560–620 km, generally 11–13 hours, via Kochi, Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Salem and Hosur. This is the longest leg; many groups break it with a night in Coimbatore or Salem, especially when travelling with elders.

Why Munnar First?

Starting with Munnar gets the difficult driving — the climb through Chinnar or Adimali — out of the way while everyone is fresh, and it ends the trip on the backwaters, which is the more relaxing experience. It also lets you leave Kerala from the Kochi side on the return, which has wider roads and more food stops than the Udumalpet route. Reversing the order is possible, but you end up climbing to Munnar mid-trip and then making a long, winding exit through the hills.

A 6-Day Plan

Day 1 – The long drive in

Leave Bangalore by 4:30–5 am. Breakfast near Krishnagiri, lunch around Pollachi or Udumalpet, and you should start the climb in the afternoon. Arriving in Munnar before dark is the target; hill roads in the High Ranges can get foggy in the evening.

Day 2 – Munnar

Use the vehicle for local sightseeing around the tea estates. Some popular points have restricted access or require parking a distance away, so expect a mix of driving and walking. Some groups prefer local jeeps for specific off-road viewpoints.

Day 3 – Second Munnar day or a buffer

If your group prefers fewer sights, use this day to rest. Otherwise explore the areas towards Mattupetty or Top Station. This day also absorbs any delay from day 1.

Day 4 – Down to the backwaters

Leave Munnar after breakfast and reach Alleppey by mid-afternoon. If you have booked an overnight houseboat, check-in times are typically around midday, so some groups instead schedule the houseboat for day 5 and stay at a lakeside hotel on day 4.

Day 5 – On the water

This is the day the tempo traveller rests too. During a houseboat cruise, the vehicle and driver usually wait near the jetty or at a nearby parking area. Confirm the drop-off and pickup jetty with your houseboat operator and share it with the driver.

Day 6 – Home

Disembark in the morning (houseboats usually check out around 9 am) and start the long drive. Expect to reach Bangalore late at night, or break at Coimbatore and arrive on day 7.

Where to Break the Long Legs

Two days of this tour exceed ten hours. Planned stops make them bearable.

• Krishnagiri (day 1, about 2 hours in): breakfast and a stretch before the highway run to Salem.
• Salem or Erode area (day 1, mid-morning): fuel, restrooms and a tea break.
• Pollachi or Udumalpet (day 1, lunch): the last large towns before the forest climb, and a good place to stock water and snacks.
• Thrissur (return day): a natural lunch halt about three hours out of Alleppey.
• Coimbatore or Salem (return day): the most practical overnight options if you split the drive home. Choosing Coimbatore leaves around 360–380 km for the final morning.

Short breaks every two to three hours also help the driver stay sharp, which matters more than shaving twenty minutes off the arrival time.

Shorter or Longer?

A 5-day version drops the second Munnar day and suits fit groups who can handle long drives. A 7-day version adds Kochi (a natural stop on the way home) or splits the return with a Coimbatore overnight. With families or elderly travellers, the 7-day version is often the most comfortable.

Interstate Permits and Border Checks

A Karnataka-registered tempo traveller on this route passes through Tamil Nadu and into Kerala. Tourist vehicles need valid permits or permit fees for each state; these are usually arranged by the operator and included or itemised in your quote. You may encounter check-posts at state borders, where drivers show documents. Ask for the permit costs to be shown separately so your group can see what they are, and check current rules if you are travelling during periods of changed regulations.

Vehicle Choice for a Six-Day Kerala Circuit

Over six days your group will spend 30 or more hours in the vehicle. That changes the calculation:

• Size up by one category. A group of 10 is more comfortable in a 17-seater than a 12-seater on a tour like this, because spare seats become storage for shopping, jackets and snacks.
• Pushback seats are close to essential for the Alleppey–Bangalore day.
• AC: strongly recommended. The Tamil Nadu plains and the Kerala coast are warm and humid for most of the year, even when Munnar is cool. Non-AC is better suited to shorter, hill-only trips.
• 20 or 26-seaters work for large groups; note that Munnar's narrow estate roads and some Alleppey lanes near the jetties can be tight. Your driver will advise where to stop.

Our 12 vs 17 vs 26 seater comparison explains the layouts in detail.

Seasons on This Route

• September to March: the classic window. Munnar is cool and clear; backwaters are calm. December and January are busiest, so book houseboats and the vehicle early.
• April to May: hot on the plains and coast, pleasant in Munnar. Good for groups who want Munnar as the main event.
• June to August: the southwest monsoon is heavy in Kerala. Landslides and road closures in the High Ranges are possible. The scenery is lush, but keep buffer days and check advisories before departure. Houseboat operations may also be affected.

If your dates fall around Onam, expect higher demand in Alleppey.

Breaking Down the Package Quote

A Kerala tour quote has more moving parts than a trip within Karnataka. It will usually reflect the vehicle and seat type, total kilometres including local running in Munnar and around Alleppey, Tamil Nadu and Kerala permit costs, tolls along NH 44 and the Coimbatore–Kochi corridor, driver bata for every day including the houseboat day, night halt charges, parking at sights and jetties, and your season. Houseboat and hotel bookings are separate from the vehicle.

XploreCabs currently runs a ₹1,500 off on eligible outstation rides offer. Long interstate tours like this may qualify; ask when you request the quote. T&C apply.

Steps to Book

• Choose 5, 6 or 7 days, and whether you will break the return journey.
• Book your Munnar stay and Alleppey houseboat or hotel, then share the details.
• Give passenger count, luggage expectations and preferred vehicle size.
• Name your pickup points across Bangalore — east and south side groups exit fastest via Hosur Road.
• Request the itemised quote, check permit and toll lines, and confirm.

Practical Tips for a Kerala Road Tour

• Pack two kinds of clothing: warm layers for Munnar evenings and light cottons for Alleppey.
• Carry rain jackets even outside the monsoon; showers are common in the High Ranges.
• Keep identity documents handy for every traveller; houseboats and hotels will ask for them.
• Plan meals carefully on day 1 — once you enter the Chinnar–Marayoor stretch, options thin out.
• Ask the driver before buying bulky items such as spice packs in quantity; luggage space adds up.
• Agree on how and where the driver will stay during the houseboat night.

Start Planning

A Munnar–Alleppey tour is one of the longest road packages you can do from Bangalore, and it rewards careful planning. For general information on hiring in the city, see our guide to tempo traveller rental in Bangalore. Then share your dates and group size with XploreCabs for a full-tour quote.