Kerala Christmas Church Tour Package (Kochi Kottayam Kumarakom) (4 Days)
4-day Kerala Christmas tour from Kochi: Kottayam and Kumarakom. 3-star stays with breakfast and sightseeing, travelling by cab. From ₹10,760 per person.
per person · inclusive of all taxes
24° – 29°C
October in Kerala Christmas Church
Description
4-day Kerala Christmas tour from Kochi: Kottayam and Kumarakom. 3-star stays with breakfast and sightseeing, travelling by cab. From ₹10,760 per person.
This 4 days 3 nights itinerary covers 10 handpicked stops, including St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Vallarpadam Basilica and more. November–February is the best time to travel for pleasant weather. Your 3-night stay is arranged in a comfortable, well-reviewed hotel such as Treebo The Qasr, Kochi. Pickup and drop are arranged right from your hotel or home, so there's nothing extra to plan on your end. Every booking is backed by Trypdeals' 24x7 support team, from planning to the day you're back home.
Weather in Kerala Christmas Church
Best time: October to MarchAverage temperature range: 23°C – 32°C
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Kochi churches
Our driver picks you up from your hotel or home in Kochi in the morning. Check in at your hotel in Kochi. Visit St Francis Church in Fort Kochi, the oldest European church in India, and the Santa Cruz Basilica with its painted ceilings, then cross to Vallarpadam for the Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom. Evening at the Chinese fishing nets. Overnight stay in Kochi.
- 1
St Francis Church
The Portuguese church of 1503, where Vasco da Gama was first buried.
- 2
Santa Cruz Basilica
A Gothic basilica of 1905 with painted ceilings.
- 3
Vallarpadam Basilica
The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom on Vallarpadam island.
Kottayam's old churches
Today's travel: from Kochi to Kottayam (about 63 km, 1 hr 15 min) and from Kottayam to Kumarakom (about 12 km, 15 min). Drive to Kottayam and visit St Mary's Valiyapally, with its ancient Persian crosses, and St Mary's Cheriapally, known for its old wall paintings. Continue to Bharananganam for the shrine of St Alphonsa, India's first woman saint, then drive to Kumarakom on the shore of Vembanad lake. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
- 1
Valiyapally, Kottayam
A church of 1550 with two Persian crosses carved in stone.
- 2
Cheriapally, Kottayam
A 16th-century church with murals on its walls.
- 3
St Alphonsa Shrine, Bharananganam
The tomb and shrine of St Alphonsa.
Christmas on the backwaters
Walk through the Kumarakom bird sanctuary in the early morning, when herons, darters and winter migrant birds are active, then take a canoe or motor boat on the backwaters. In the evening attend Christmas Eve mass at a nearby church, or enjoy a Kerala Christmas dinner at the resort. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
- 1
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
A wooded sanctuary on Vembanad lake, busiest with birds in winter.
- 2
Vembanad backwaters
Canals and lakes lined with coconut palms and paddy fields.
Kumarakom to Kochi
On the way back to Kochi, stop at Kuravilangad, the Marth Mariam church linked to an old tradition of an appearance of Mary, or at the St George Forane church in Edappally, before the drop. Drive from Kumarakom to Kochi (about 52 km, 1 hr), and drop at your hotel, home or the railway station in Kochi. The tour ends here.
Tentative Fare Estimate
Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST
Tentative estimate only, based on typical Indian public-transport tariffs (state transport bus fares, IRCTC sleeper/AC class rates, standard outstation taxi per-km rates) — not a live quote from any operator.
Route Map
By Car: Kumarakom to Kochi
52 km · ~1h 2m · About 1h of driving, plus stops.
- Start from Kumarakom
An early start keeps you ahead of city and highway traffic.
52 km · 1h 2m drive from previous stop
Arrive in KochiKochi, Kerala
Stops are typical for this road, not a fixed itinerary. Timings assume about 50 km/h on average — traffic, tolls and road conditions vary.
By Bus: Kumarakom to Kochi
52 km · ~1h 9m · Buses on this route are usually available as direct services. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability.
- Board at Kumarakom
Go to the main bus stand / ISBT in Kumarakom. Overnight buses usually leave in the evening; book a seat in advance for sleeper and Volvo services.
- Kumarakom → Kochi
Non-AC or AC Seater · ~52 km
~1h 9m|Tentative fare ₹60–₹200
- Arrive in Kochi
Kochi, Kerala
Halts and change points are typical for this route, not a specific operator’s schedule — check live availability and timings when booking.
By Train: Kumarakom to Kochi
Nearest railway stations: Kottayam for Kumarakom, Ernakulam Jn for Kochi.
Direct trains
Train details come from a 2015 railway timetable snapshot — newer trains, changed timings and running days are not included, so confirm on IRCTC before you plan around a train.
- 1
Kuravilangad Church
One of the oldest churches of Kerala, dedicated to Mary.
- 2
St George Forane Church, Edappally
An old church in Kochi, a centre of pilgrimage to St George.
Tour Overview
Kerala has one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, the Saint Thomas Christians, with churches older than those of most of Europe. This Christmas trip visits the historic churches of Kochi and Kottayam and ends on the backwaters of Kumarakom.
Christmas Tour: 24–27 Dec 2026 (Christmas Fri 25 Dec + weekend)
Christmas falls on Friday 25 December 2026. In Kerala Christmas means paper stars hung outside every Christian home, cribs in the churches, carol groups going from house to house through the nights of December and midnight mass on Christmas Eve, followed by a feast of appam and stew. The weather is dry and pleasant, the best of the year.
This 4-day, 3-night package starts and ends in Kochi. The route runs Kochi → Kottayam → Kumarakom → Kochi, about 127 km in all. Choose how you travel: cab. Every price includes 3-star hotels with breakfast and all sightseeing transport.
Highlights of the Kerala Christmas Tour from Kochi
- St Francis Church
- Santa Cruz Basilica
- Vallarpadam Basilica
- Valiyapally, Kottayam
- Cheriapally, Kottayam
- St Alphonsa Shrine, Bharananganam
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
- Vembanad backwaters
Inclusions in the Kerala Christmas Tour Package
- 3 nights in 3-star hotels (twin sharing) with daily breakfast
- All sightseeing and transfers as per the itinerary
- AC cab from Kochi for the whole trip with the cab option: Swift Dzire (2–3 persons), Ertiga (4–7) or Tempo Traveller (8–12)
- Driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel
- GST on cab hire
Exclusions in the Kerala Christmas Tour Package
- Lunch and dinner
- Temple darshan, pooja and special entry tickets
- Monument and park entry tickets, boating and ropeway tickets
- Flights, and anything not listed under inclusions
- Personal expenses such as tips, laundry and phone calls
Child Policy
Child up to 6 years: free (no extra bed)
Child 6 to 8 years: half charge
Child above 8 years: full charge
Payment Policy
20 percent advance at the time of booking
20 percent after you receive the hotel booking voucher
60 percent during the tour
For tours between 15 December and 2 January, 50 percent advance is required.
Cancellation Policy
Minimum cancellation charge: Rs. 3000 per person, or 10 percent of the tour cost, whichever is higher
25 percent between 46 and 30 days before departure
50 percent between 30 and 15 days before departure
75 percent between 15 and 5 days before departure
100 percent within 5 days of departure or on no-show
Important Travel Information for the Kerala Christmas Tour
Best time to visit: November–February
Travel window: 24–27 Dec 2026 (Christmas Fri 25 Dec + weekend)
Route: Kochi → Kottayam → Kumarakom → Kochi (about 127 km in all)
Before you go: Christmas services are times of worship: dress modestly, keep phones silent and ask before taking photographs. Some churches close to visitors during services.
Hotels: Treebo The Qasr, Kochi; 3-star hotel in Kumarakom, or similar.
Package Price: Cab
Per-person price by group size and how you travel from Kochi. Every price includes 3-star hotels (twin sharing), breakfast and all sightseeing transport.
| PersonsGroup size | By Cab |
|---|---|
| 22 Persons | ₹18,740 |
| 33 Persons | ₹15,370 |
| 4–74–7 Persons | ₹13,600 |
| 8–108–10 Persons | ₹12,540 |
| 11–1211–12 Persons | ₹10,760 |
Prices are per person in rupees. The highlighted price is the lowest for that group size.
Kochi is right next to Ernakulam, the railway station for this trip, so no train is needed; the cab starts from Kochi.
Route Map
Top Attractions
St Francis Church
The oldest European church in India, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried before his remains were taken to Portugal, with a simple yet historic colonial architecture.
Santa Cruz Basilica
One of the oldest churches in India, with a striking Gothic-style exterior and beautifully painted ceilings, frescoes, and stained-glass windows.
Vallarpadam Basilica
The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom on Vallarpadam island.
Valiyapally, Kottayam
A church of 1550 with two Persian crosses carved in stone.
Cheriapally, Kottayam
A 16th-century church with murals on its walls.
St Alphonsa Shrine, Bharananganam
The tomb and shrine of St Alphonsa.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
A wooded sanctuary on Vembanad lake, busiest with birds in winter.
Vembanad backwaters
Canals and lakes lined with coconut palms and paddy fields.
Kuravilangad Church
One of the oldest churches of Kerala, dedicated to Mary.
St George Forane Church, Edappally
An old church in Kochi, a centre of pilgrimage to St George.
Who Is This Tour For
Best Time to Visit
November–February is the ideal window for this trip, with the most pleasant weather for sightseeing.
How to Reach
What's Included / Excluded
Inclusions
- 3 nights in 3-star hotels (twin sharing) with daily breakfast
- All sightseeing and transfers as per the itinerary
- AC cab from Kochi for the whole trip with the cab option: Swift Dzire (2–3 persons), Ertiga (4–7) or Tempo Traveller (8–12)
- Driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel
- GST on cab hire
Exclusions
- Lunch and dinner
- Temple darshan, pooja and special entry tickets
- Monument and park entry tickets, boating and ropeway tickets
- Flights, and anything not listed under inclusions
- Personal expenses such as tips, laundry and phone calls
Hotels for This Tour
Handpicked stays for a comfortable trip
Packing Checklist
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- ID proof (for hotel check-in)
- Basic first-aid/medication
- Modest, traditional clothing for temple visits
- A shawl or stole to cover shoulders
Important Travel Information
Best time to visit: November–February
Travel window: 24–27 Dec 2026 (Christmas Fri 25 Dec + weekend)
Route: Kochi → Kottayam → Kumarakom → Kochi (about 127 km in all)
Before you go: Christmas services are times of worship: dress modestly, keep phones silent and ask before taking photographs. Some churches close to visitors during services.
Hotels: Treebo The Qasr, Kochi; 3-star hotel in Kumarakom, or similar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you go
4 days and 3 nights. It starts from Kochi on day 1 and you are back in Kochi on day 4.
Kochi → Kottayam → Kumarakom → Kochi. That is about 127 km in all; each leg is listed on this page with its distance and driving time.
For 2 persons it is ₹18,740 per person (cab); for a group of 11–12 it comes down to ₹10,760 per person. Prices include 3-star hotels with breakfast and all sightseeing transport.
Yes. This package is offered by cab. By cab, the same AC car takes you from Kochi and back. The price table shows each option for your group size.
This package is planned for 24–27 Dec 2026 (Christmas Fri 25 Dec + weekend). Book early: hotels fill up fast in this season.
Christmas services are times of worship: dress modestly, keep phones silent and ask before taking photographs. Some churches close to visitors during services.
Destinations Covered in This Tour
Explore the places this package takes you to