Stop scrolling—this is the one trip plan your group will talk about for years. Imagine misty tea hills, spice-scented lanes, quiet backwaters in Kerala—and then, days later, powdery white beaches, glowing blue waters, and island sunsets in Andaman. All of it under ₹70,000 per person. Sounds unreal? At Touracle, we make it real, offbeat, and easy.
Offbeat Kerala and Andaman combo under ₹70,000 for groups
Most travellers do Kerala or Andaman. You can do both in one smart, budget-friendly loop. The secret is to mix famous sights with hidden gems, travel in shoulder season, and use group power for deals. This guide shows you exactly how to plan a Kerala and Andaman group trip under ₹70k per person, without cutting the fun.
- Trip length: 8 days, 7 nights
- Travel style: Offbeat, scenic, light adventure
- Group size sweet spot: 6–14 people
- Best for: Family travellers, honeymoon couples with friends, and luxury travellers who love value
Best time to visit Kerala and Andaman for budget groups
For great weather and fair prices, aim for shoulder seasons. You get fewer crowds, cheaper stays, and smoother bookings.
- October to mid-December: Post-monsoon green in Kerala. Calm seas in Andaman. Prices are better than peak Christmas-New Year.
- Mid-January to March: Dry, sunny days in both regions. Ferries run well in Andaman. Tea estates in Munnar look fresh.
- Monsoon (June to September): Lowest prices in Kerala with lush scenery, but heavy rain can cause delays. Andaman sea can be rough; many water activities pause.
Pro tip: Avoid 20 December–5 January and long weekends if you’re on a tight budget. Airfares and ferry tickets spike.
8-day offbeat Kerala + Andaman itinerary for groups
This plan blends classic highlights with lesser-known spots. It keeps travel times short and daily costs steady. You can swap days based on your flight timings.
- Day 1 – Kochi: Land in Kochi. Explore Fort Kochi on foot—Chinese fishing nets at sunset, heritage lanes, street art, and cafes. Try a spice market visit in Mattancherry. Night in Fort Kochi boutique homestay.
- Day 2 – Munnar: Drive to Munnar (4–5 hours). Stop at scenic viewpoints and a family-run tea museum. Evening stroll in tea gardens. Night in Munnar.
- Day 3 – Munnar: Offbeat tea trail at sunrise. Short forest walk or a waterfall stop (Attukal or Lakkam). Optional budget Ayurvedic massage in town. Night in Munnar.
- Day 4 – Alleppey backwaters or Marari: Drive down (4–5 hours). Choose a shared day-cruise houseboat with village lunch, or a quiet beach stay at Marari. Canoe through narrow canals at sunset. Night in Alleppey/Marari.
- Day 5 – Fly to Andaman: Early drive to Kochi and fly to Port Blair (usually via Chennai or Bengaluru). Evening light-and-sound show at Cellular Jail if time permits. Night in Port Blair.
- Day 6 – Havelock (Swaraj Dweep): Morning ferry to Havelock. Check in near Govind Nagar Beach. Afternoon snorkel at Elephant Beach or relax by turquoise waters. Sunset at Radhanagar Beach. Night in Havelock.
- Day 7 – Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep): Morning ferry to Neil. Beach-hop: Bharatpur for clear water, Laxmanpur for sunset, Sitapur for sunrise if staying two nights. Evening ferry back to Port Blair or night in Neil (based on flight schedule).
- Day 8 – Port Blair and fly home: If flight is later, visit Corbyn’s Cove or Chidiya Tapu for a quick photo stop. Fly home with a sandy smile.
Why it works: You get tea hills, culture, and backwaters in Kerala, then island hopping and coral reefs in Andaman. It balances travel days and chill days so the group stays energised and excited.
Budget breakdown: keep your group trip under ₹70,000
Here’s a realistic budget for 8 days when travelling as a group of 8–12. Costs can vary by city of origin and travel month. We picked mid-range budget choices that still feel special.
- Flights (multi-city): ₹24,000–28,000 per person with smart booking
- Stays (7 nights, triple/quad sharing in boutique homestays/guesthouses): ₹10,500–13,500 per person
- Kerala transport (tempo traveller + tolls + parking, split): ₹3,000–3,500 per person
- Andaman ferries + local transfers (2 inter-island ferries + cabs): ₹4,500–6,000 per person
- Food (local meals, 2–3 per day): ₹4,500–6,000 per person
- Activities (tea museum, canoe ride, houseboat day cruise, snorkelling, heritage walk): ₹2,500–4,000 per person
- Buffer and tips: ₹1,500–2,000 per person
Estimated total: ₹50,000–63,000 per person (without scuba). Add a try-dive in Havelock for ₹3,500–5,500 and you still aim below ₹70,000 with careful flight and stay choices.
Touracle tip: Lock flights 6–8 weeks ahead. Keep dates flexible by 2–3 days for cheaper fares. Book ferries 2–3 weeks ahead in season.
Smart flight strategy: Kochi–Port Blair–home route
A good route keeps costs low and saves time. Try this:
- Fly into Kochi (COK): More flight options than Trivandrum for Kerala’s hills and backwaters.
- Fly Kochi to Port Blair (IXZ): Usually 1-stop via Chennai (MAA) or Bengaluru (BLR). Morning connections are best.
- Fly Port Blair to your home city: Direct flights run to Chennai, Kolkata, and sometimes Bengaluru. One-stop to other metros.
Use multi-city search for better pricing. Check fares on tools like Google Flights and set alerts for drops. See options here: Google Flights.
Light packing helps avoid baggage fees. Share a group check-in bag for snorkel masks, power strips, and snacks.
Stay choices: boutique homestays and shared houseboats
Your stay sets the tone. Groups get great value in homestays and small, clean resorts. Look for triple/quad rooms or family suites.
- Fort Kochi: Choose a heritage homestay near the Chinese fishing nets or Princess Street. Walk to cafes, spice markets, and art galleries.
- Munnar: Pick tea garden view rooms a short drive from town. Mornings here are magic. Check for bonfire space if your group enjoys evenings outdoors.
- Alleppey/Marari: Do a shared day-cruise in a premium houseboat with lunch. Then sleep in a homestay on land to save money and get AC comfort.
- Port Blair: Central guesthouses near Aberdeen Bazaar for easy transfers and quick meals.
- Havelock: Simple beachside cottages near Govind Nagar or Kalapathar Road. You’re on the sand in minutes.
- Neil Island: Stay near Bharatpur or Laxmanpur for fast beach access and sunset walks.
Couples and luxury travellers: Upgrade one night to a boutique resort in Munnar or a sea-facing cottage in Havelock. One special stay can lift the whole trip without breaking the budget.
Local transport for groups: tempo travellers, ferries and bikes
Getting around smoothly saves hours and stress.
- Kerala road travel: A 12–17 seater tempo traveller with an experienced hill driver is cost-effective for 6–14 people. Plan buffer time on Munnar’s winding roads.
- Alleppey canals: Hire a canoe for narrow water lanes. It’s cheap, serene, and closer to village life than big boats.
- Andaman ferries: Book government ferries for lower prices or private catamarans (like Nautika or Makruzz) for speed and comfort. Tickets sell out in season; book early.
- Island transfers: Pre-book cabs for jetty pick-ups. Scooters are fun for small sub-groups, but stick together and carry DLs.
Touracle tip: Keep all ferry and flight documents printed and on your phone. Network can be patchy on islands.
Must-do offbeat experiences on a budget
These low-cost experiences deliver high vibes and strong group memories.
- Fort Kochi heritage walk: Street art, old warehouses, and sunset by the Chinese nets. It’s free to wander. Add a cheap local ferry to Vypin Island for photos.
- Tea trail in Munnar: Sunrise walk in tea gardens. Chat with pluckers if they’re open to it. Visit a small tea museum.
- Spice stories: A short spice farm visit near Munnar or Kochi. Smell, touch, and learn. Great for families and foodies.
- Alleppey canoe at golden hour: Glide past homes, tiny bridges, and coconut groves. Affordable and peaceful.
- Kathakali backstage peek: See artists paint their faces and warm up. It’s a special culture window at a small cost.
- Havelock snorkelling: Elephant Beach has friendly reefs. You can see clownfish, parrotfish, and corals.
- Neil Island beach-hopping: Bharatpur for swims, Laxmanpur for sunset, Sitapur for sunrise. All free and stunning.
- Bioluminescence kayak (seasonal): On some nights in Havelock, the water glows. It’s magical and mid-budget.
Optional splurge: A try-dive in Havelock with a reputable dive shop. It’s often the highlight of the Andaman leg.
Foodie guide: what to eat in Kerala and Andaman on a budget
Good food doesn’t have to be fancy. Hunt for clean, popular local joints. Ask homestay hosts for their picks.
- Kerala favourites: Appam with stew, puttu with kadala curry, fish molee, karimeen pollichathu (pearl spot), Malabar parotta with beef or veg curry, and a banana leaf sadhya if available.
- Backwaters lunch: Take the houseboat day cruise with a homestyle fish thali. Simple, fresh, and generous.
- Fort Kochi cafes: Try a spice-infused seafood platter or a Syrian Christian special. Good for mixed diets.
- Andaman eats: Fresh grilled fish, prawns, and coconut-based curries. Veg thalis, dosas, and North Indian staples are easy to find in Port Blair and Havelock.
Hydration tip: Carry a reusable bottle. Refill at your homestay or safe water stations. Many beaches in Andaman discourage single-use plastic.
Group planning hacks: keep the vibe high and the cost low
Good planning keeps everyone happy and on budget.
- Roles: Assign one person for stays, one for payments, one for time-keeping, one for photos.
- Shared kitty: Keep a daily kitty for tolls, snacks, tips, and small entries. Track spends on a simple expense-split app.
- Block dinners: Pre-select 2–3 dinner spots near your stay each day. Saves wandering time, especially for families.
- Free time windows: Give 1–2 hours daily for couples, kids, and solo strolls. People enjoy the trip more.
- Early starts: Kerala hills and Andaman beaches shine in early light. Beat crowds, enjoy cool weather, get better photos.
Permits, safety and responsible travel tips
Stay safe, travel light, and respect local rules.
- Permits: Indian citizens do not need special permits for Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil for regular sightseeing. Some remote islands and tribal areas are off-limits.
- Reef safety: Do not step on corals. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Keep a safe distance from marine life.
- Plastic and waste: Andaman beaches enforce strict anti-litter rules. Carry back your trash.
- Sea conditions: Obey lifeguards and local advice. Monsoon swells can be strong.
- Health and insurance: Carry basic meds for motion sickness and stomach upsets. Travel insurance is a smart low-cost add-on.
- Connectivity and cash: ATMs exist but carry some cash to islands. Networks can be weak; download offline maps and tickets.
For ferry routes and weather, check official updates or your operator a day prior. If you like doing your own checks, scan a trusted source before travel: Andaman Tourism.
What to pack for Kerala + Andaman in one backpack
- Light clothes: Quick-dry tees, shorts, breathable pants, a light shawl for evenings
- Footwear: Flip-flops for beaches, sturdy sneakers for tea trails
- Swimwear: Rash guard helps for snorkelling
- Rain layer: Compact poncho or thin rain jacket (even in shoulder seasons)
- Sun kit: Hat, UV sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, lip balm
- Health: Personal meds, ORS, motion sickness tablets, small first-aid kit
- Gear: Power bank, universal power strip for the group, dry bag, reusable bottle
- IDs and copies: Aadhaar/passport, 2–3 printouts of tickets and ferry passes
Luxury-on-a-budget upgrades for couples and families
Want a touch of luxe without blowing the budget? Try one or two of these:
- Premium houseboat lunch cruise with upper deck lounge in Alleppey
- Tea estate suite for one night in Munnar with a balcony view
- Private sunset dinner by the beach in Havelock
- Night kayak in Havelock for bioluminescence (seasonal)
- Private catamaran ferry for one leg if someone is prone to sea sickness
By choosing just 1–2 upgrades, you keep the total close to ₹70,000 and still feel pampered.
Kerala and Andaman combo FAQs for group travellers
Here are quick answers to questions we get often at Touracle.
- Is 8 days enough? Yes, if you keep the plan tight and offbeat. For a slower pace, add 1–2 buffer days.
- Can seniors and kids join? Absolutely. Adjust walks to easy trails, choose ground-floor rooms, and keep afternoon rests.
- Do we need to know swimming for snorkelling? No. You’ll get life jackets. Listen to your guide and stay within safe zones.
- Veg food options? Many. South Indian, North Indian, and Jain meals can be arranged in most places.
- How early to book? Flights 6–8 weeks ahead. Ferries 2–3 weeks in advance in season. Stays at least 3–4 weeks out for good homestays.
How Touracle helps you plan an offbeat Kerala + Andaman trip under ₹70k
We curate real experiences, not cookie-cutter routes. With Touracle, your group gets a hand-built plan that matches your pace and budget. We pick clean homestays and small resorts we trust, time ferries with flight slots, and mix must-sees with quiet corners you won’t find on standard lists. Families get comfort, honeymooners get moments, and value seekers get more for less.
- Customised route design based on your city and dates
- Group-friendly stays with triple/quad options
- Reliable drivers and timed transfers so you never miss a ferry
- Optional add-ons like scuba, bioluminescence kayak, cooking class, or a plantation picnic
- Clear budgets from day one so you stay under ₹70,000 per person
If you’re ready to plan, tell us your group size, dates, and must-dos. We’ll sketch the perfect offbeat Kerala and Andaman combo for you.
Have questions or want a free custom day-by-day plan for your group? Contact us here: Touracle Contact. We’ll help you turn this under-₹70k dream into a smooth, unforgettable journey.