Kerala Onam Festival Tour

A moment to reincarnate a past of prosperity and goodness

Summary of Kerala Onam Festival Tour

  • Duration: 14 Nights & 15 days
  • Major Attractions: Onam Festival, PuliKali Tiger Dance, Kummattikali, Meenakshi Temple, Western Ghats, Kerala Backwaters, Munnar Tea Estates, Folk Dances
  • Destination Covered: Cochin, Munnar, Madurai, Coonoor, Wayanad, Calicut, Thrissur

Highlights of Kerala Onam Festival Tour

Onam festival is the best time to be in God's own country. Our Onam Festival Tour is for you to enjoy the festival at its best. Take in the scent and tastes, delight the sights and voice of the festival. A whole universe of festivities open to clasp you throughout the Onam Festival. The atmosphere colored with the same joy which insides the people's hearts.

It's a time for the celebrations, games, and ritual functions in Kerala. Onam brings the very best of Kerala tradition and culture which celebrated for the ten days. Carefully decorated Pookalam, angelic Onasadya, thrilling Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dancing. These are a few of the most impressive attractions of Onam.

As per the legends, Mahabali – the mythological King of Kerala donated his land to Vamana – an incarnation of Vishnu. Vishnu later permitted him to visit his kingdom once in a year to see his people. Welcoming their king, people of Kerala celebrate this day as Onam.

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Itinerary Summary

Day Place Highlights Accommodation Details
August 15, 2026 Cochin Reception in Cochin Hotel Koder House
August 16, 2026 Cochin Athachamayam festival procession and boat race Hotel Koder House
August 17, 2026 Cochin Jewes Synagogue, Fort Kochi Hotel Koder House
August 18, 2026 Munnar Waterfalls, Tea plantations The Fog Resort
August 19, 2026 Munnar Tea Museum, Western Ghats and Lakes The Fog Resort
August 20, 2026 Madurai Meenakshi Temple and Local markets The Heritage
August 21, 2026 Coonoor Beauty of Nilgiri Hills The Gateway Hotel
August 22, 2026 Wayanad Toy Train Ride, Drive through Mountains Wayanad Wild
August 23, 2026 Wayanad Paniyas & Kurichas Tribes in Mananthavadi, Edakkal Caves Wayanad Wild
August 24, 2026 Calicut Theyyam at Sargaalya Crafts Village, Martial Art The Gateway Hotel
August 25, 2026 Cochin Classic Dances of South India Hotel Koder House
August 26, 2026 Cochin Onam Festival Celebration and Processions Hotel Koder House
August 27, 2026 Thrissur Kummatikali and Pulikkali processions Pooram International
August 28, 2026 Thrissur Kummamatti and other folk arts Pooram International
August 29, 2026 Departure Departure from Cochin Airport

Itinerary Details

  1. Kathakali dancers dressed in fancy attires with fancy headdresses enacting traditional Kerala dance drama on stage.
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    Day 01 August 15, 2026 – Cochin-Arrival

    International Arrival We will welcome you at the airport Drive to the hotel

    Cochin-Arrival

    The first day of the Onam tour will start with your arrival at the Cochin International Airport. You will get a warm welcome with the local Kerala tradition. This traditional welcome would be enough to say how beautiful this tour is going to happen. We will go for hotel check-in and then let you know every brief detail about the remaining days of the tour. You can rest there to be the refreshed for the next days of the Onam festival tour.

    Accommodation Details

    Hotel Koder House

    Room Junior Suite
    Meals Breakfast and dinner
    Style Heritage
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  2. Ornately-dressed elephants wearing gold caparison at the head of temple festival procession through thronging streets.
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    Day 02 August 16, 2026 – Cochin

    Enjoy Athachamayam Festival

    Cochin

    The very first day of the Onam festival tour (the ten days festival) starts with the Athachamayam festival. This is a celebration of the victory of the Kochi King. Athachamayam marks the beginning of the Onam festival. To witness Athachamayam, we will lead to Thripunithura (Hardly ten km away from Cochin) after taking the early breakfast. Athachamayam is such a festival which itself has replete all the folk art forms and dance forms of Kerala.

    The major attraction of the festival is the well-crafted makeup of the artists, which is quite adorable to watch. After lunch, you can thrill yourself with a boat race at Champakara village. Later, we will move forward to a local Church to enjoy the Flower carpet competition. In the evening, we will return to the hotel to relax.

  3. Plush interior of a catholic church, altar lit and baroque architecture.
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    Day 03 August 17, 2026 – Cochin Tour

    Fort Kochi Tour

    Cochin Tour

    After enjoying the mouthwatering tasty breakfast at the hotel, visit Santa Cruz Cathedral and Jewish Synagogue. Santa Cruz Cathedral is an architectural beauty and magnificence of Kerala. It is a church in Cochin fort and the center of holy historical concernment, which bestowed with artistical pomp and the colors of the ancient style. You will fall in love with the unique design and beauty of the church.

    Jewish Synagogue is another attractive place to must visit in Cochin fort. The Jewish synagogue is the symbol of care and worship of the Jewish community which is an elegant masterpiece of construction.

    Also visit Dutch Palace or the Mattancherry Palace. Walk by the the Chinese Fishing Nets which is a big attraction in Kochi installed Chinese travelers in the 14th Century.

    Today, visit one of the theaters where you will get to see the classical dances of South India. South India itself a mother of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Mohiniaattam classical dance forms.

    Classical dances are the best way to delineate stories through facial expressions and hand signs. Everything is charming in classical dance whether it’s a costume, makeup, music, dance, jewelry. Dancers worship the classical dance from decades to perform on stage with perfection.

  4. Rolling hillsides with misty mountains in the background, lush green tea plantations cover the hillsides.
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    Day 04 August 18, 2026 – Cochin-Munnar

    Drive to Munnar (04½ Hrs)

    Cochin-Munnar

    Post relaxed breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive towards Munnar –Kashmir of South. En-route witness lots of waterfalls. After the arrival in Munnar, check-in to the resort surrounded by the natural beauty. Later, take a walk near to the resort.

    Accommodation Details

    The Fog Resort

    Room Premium Valley View
    Meals Breakfast and dinner
    Style 04 Star Resort
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  5. Munnar Tea Gardens in Kerala Onam Tour
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    Day 05 August 19, 2026 – Munnar

    Munnar Tour

    Munnar

    After the breakfast, we will unearth Munnar – the most scenic hill station of South India nestled in tea estates. Munnar offers tea plantations, tea museum, Mattupetty dam, Anamudi peak, and many other mindblowing places to retreat natural beauty to your eyes.

    The refreshing gust, all hills covered with haze and mountains with green tea plantations, amazing slopes, catchy eye canyons, and sludge streets between the green tea gardens along with some daring ride throughout the entire sharp turns will enthrall you. Extend over the Western Ghats, Munnar has lots of stunning landscapes and scenery excellent for you.

  6. Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai are lavish South Indian temples with elaborate colorful carvings against blue sky.
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    Day 06 August 20, 2026 – Munnar-Madurai

    Drive to Madurai (04½ HRS)

    Munnar-Madurai

    After witnessing the beauty of Munnar, today we will drive to Madurai – the temple town of the Tamil Nadu. The other name of Madurai is “Thoonga Nagaram”, the city which never sleeps, chiefly due to its rousing nightlife. After reaching Madurai, we will first check in to the hotel, and later we will visit the most famous Meenakshi temple. Meenakshi Temple located on the banks of Vaigai River is one of the most famous temples of India. Tirumalai Palace is another emblem of imposing inwrought with tall white balusters. We will also explore the local markets in Madurai.

    Accommodation Details

    The Heritage

    Room Deluxe
    Meals Breakfast and dinner
    Style 04 Star Hotel
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  7. The valley is hilly with terraced farming, sparsely built houses, and green vegetation.
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    Day 07 August 21, 2026 – Madurai-Coonoor

    Drive to Coonoor (07 HRS)

    Madurai-Coonoor

    Travel further to the hill stations of Coonoor, unfolding the village life, wildlife, and tea plantations on the way to Coonoor. Upon arrival at Coonoor, take some rest at the hotel. Later, we will visit Lamb’s Rock and other popular destinations of Coonoor. The special traveler enchantments in Coonoor are Catherine Falls, Hidden Canyons, Dolphin’s Nose Point, Sim’s Park, and Lamb’s Rock. Lamb’s Rock is a plethora of yards over sea level. An individual could get to the very top of Lamb’s Rock after having a thrilling conclusion, also indeed will scrutinize a large extent of the superlative scenery.

    Accommodation Details

    The Gateway Hotel

    Room Standard
    Meals Breakfast and dinner
    Style Heritage
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  8. A Large mountain valley on the terraced hills and with the distant mountain range.
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    Day 08 August 22, 2026 – Coonoor-Wayanad

    Toy Train to Ooty (02 HRS) Drive to Wayanad (04 HRS)

    Coonoor-Wayanad

    After breakfast, check out from Coonoor and move to Ooty by special toy train. The train ride will be a scenic journey passing through the Nilgiri mountains offering spectacular views. Ooty also named as the “Queen Of The Hills” because of its rich surroundings. The hill station offers itself spellbinding panorama, astounding tea gardens, and eucalyptus trees along with stunning mountains surroundings. From the breathtaking tour of Ooty, drive further to Wayanad in Kerala. Upon arrival, enjoy the serenity of Wayanad.

    Accommodation Details

    Wayanad Wild

    Room Standard
    Meals Breakfast and dinner
    Style Jungle Resort
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  9. Running waterfall in thick green rainforest cover during monsoon season.
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    Day 09 August 23, 2026 – Wayanad

    Wayanad Tour

    Wayanad

    After exploring the natural beauty, we will move today to the village life of the two main tribes (Paniyas And Kurchiyas) of the Wayanad. Thatched roof, mud, bamboo and brick houses are commonly seen that you are going to see here. In India, each tribe has its untold story of pride, traditions, rituals. Later, we will also visit Edakkal caves and the Western Ghats. Enthrall yourself with the fame of history at Edakkal caves and get drowned in the beauty of Western Ghats.

  10. Classical Theyyam actor in full red dress with fancy make-up on his head.
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    Day 10 August 24, 2026 – Wayanad-Calicut

    Drive to Calicut (03½ HRS)

    Wayanad-Calicut

    On the tenth day of the beautiful trip, we will drive to Calicut in the morning stopping on the way at Sargaalaya Crafts village to enjoy more than 800 years old temple ritual dance form – Theyyam. Theyyam means “the dance of god”. Theyyam is all about to make life thriving and recapture all perils. After enjoying Theyyam, we will go to Kalaripayattu School at Calicut to be a spectator to the ancient martial art of Kerala. Kalaripayattu considered as the mother of all the martial art forms.

    Kalaripayattu is a little bit a mixture of dance and defense. It is warfare with the peerless rhythmical feel that makes you forget that what you were watching is once a route to a fight. Finally, reach to the resort and enjoy the hospitality of Kerala.

    Accommodation Details

    The Gateway Hotel

    Room Standard
    Meals Breakfast and dinner
    Style 04 Star
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  11. Indian dancers in classical Bharatanatyam suits in colour code silk costumes.
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    Day 11 August 25, 2026 – Calicut-Cochin

    Drive to Cochin (05 Hours)

    Calicut-Cochin

    After an awesome day at Calicut, we will drive back to Cochin today after enjoying the breakfast. Take the rest in the hotel upon arrival at Cochin. Rest of the time is kept free to explore the town by walk or enjoy Ayurvedic massages.

    Accommodation Details

    Hotel Koder House

    Room Junior Suite
    Meals Breakfast and dinner
    Style Heritage
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  12. Procession in the festival with decorated elephants and great number of devotees came together.
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    Day 12 August 26, 2026 – Cochin

    Thiruvonam Festival

    Cochin

    Today is the day for Thiruvonam. First, we will go to Vamana Moorthy temple in Trikkakkara village to see the Pooram celebration. Trikkakkara village itself has holy importance. After being a part of the Pooram celebration, we will go back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch, we will explore Kochi Fort and nearby areas.

    In the evening, be a spectator to the preparation of Pulikali & the other folk artists. Enjoy Onam festival procession – one of the most valued harvest festivals celebrated in Kerala.

  13. At Kerala cultural festival, pulikali performers wear colorful costumes in forms of tigers body paint.
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    Day 13 August 27, 2026 – Cochin-Thrissur

    Drive to Thrissur (03 Hours)

    Cochin-Thrissur

    After taking the breakfast, drive to Thrissur – the cultural capital of Kerala.
    After having lunch, observe the festival procession including Kummatikali and Pulikkali in Chembookavu and Olarikkara. It will be a huge procession, therefore, it will include the artists as Mahabali, Krishna and other Hindu mythological figures.

    Accommodation Details

    Hotel Pooram International

    Room Deluxe
    Meals Breakfast and dinner
    Style 04 Star
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  14. Grass costumes and garlands Folk performers in costumes of colorful deities.
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    Day 14 August 28, 2026 – Thrissur

    Festival Celebration in Trissur

    Thrissur

    Today, we will visit a few museums in Thrissur to spend some quality time there before lunch. Later, we will move to enjoy the Kummattikali procession in the Kizhkenpattukara area of the town. Kummattikali – the colorful mask dance is the traditional dance done to pamper the Godness where dancers wear a colorful mask and embellish dress.

    In the evening, we will drive to Shornur (34 KMS from Thrissur) for Tholpavakoothu Shadow Puppet Show. Tholpavakoothu is a unique folk art form of Kerala that represents stories in front of the viewers. The stories are mostly from the Hindu mythologies such as Ramayana.

  15. Effigy of six-armed deity and flower garlands to celebrate the festival.
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    Day 15 August 29, 2026 – Thrissur-Cochin

    Drive to Cochin (03 Hours) International Departure

    Thrissur-Cochin

    The Kerala Onam festival trip ends today. Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Trissur. Today, there may be another festival celebration such as Pulikali etc, which you can see.

    later you will move to Cochin airport to go back home. Waiting to see you again on another Indian trip.

    Check other exciting and relevant Kerala Tour Packages. Our south India tour packages include Tamilnadu Temple Tour, South India Architectural Tour, and much more.

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Feedback from Guests Who Joined this Tour in Past

Information & FAQs

How will be the weather during Onam Festival?

September is normally the dry season of Kerala, however, there can still be rain hence, please bring raincoats, a small umbrella, and waterproof shoes. Bring light sweater and jacket for the hill station as the weather will be a little cooler there.

What else to pack for this trip?

Hat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen lotion, Walking shoes, light clothes like T-shirts, short pants, and an International adaptor.

Any suggestion for the trip?

Ask your credit card/ debit card banks that you are traveling to India otherwise, they might decline the payment.
Always drink bottled water because the normal water in India may not be suitable for you.
Cover your arms and legs while entering the temples and cover your head too. No hat is allowed for men.
No leather items are allowed inside the temples.

Will Photography be allowed during the festival?

Yes, you can photograph as much as you want. However, in Meenakshi Temple at Madurai, photography is not permitted.

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