Start your trip exploring the Fort Kochi area, the essence of the city's colonial history. Visit the St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India and followed by the Dutch Palace that features murals depicting Indian epics. Also, drop by the Chinese Fishing Nets and see how fishermen still use these traditional methods to catch fish. Lastly, visit the Jew Town and explore the bazaar market selling antique pieces and spices.
Make your way to the serene backwaters of Alleppey, where you can rent a houseboat to explore the lagoons, canals, and waterways flanked by lush vegetation. You can observe local life unfolding at the riverbanks, and witness how families cook using wood-fired stoves in their thatched-roof houses. During the night, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the starry sky from the deck of your houseboat.
Proceed to Munnar, famous for its verdant tea plantations. A walk around the tea estates will bring you closer to understanding how the tea leaves are grown and processed. Embark on an excursion to Kundala Lake, situated around 30 minutes from Munnar, to experience boating, trout fishing, and fresh mountain air.
Explore the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reservea habitat for Bengal tigers, Indian elephants, and other wildlife species. The Park offers several adventure activities ranging from Bamboo Rafting to Nature walks, which the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit a spice plantation tour offering an insight into the rich spices Kerala is famous for.
Head to Kovalam Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala. Enjoy the golden sand, clear blue water, and breathtaking sunsets on a relaxing day along the beach. You can unwind with family-friendly beach sports and activities and relish a meal at one of the many beachside restaurants. Other attractions near the area are Vizhinjam Lighthouse and the Halcyon Castle.
Complete your trip by visiting the Thiruvallam Backwaters, and taking a pause with the family on a traditional houseboat. Enjoy the calming views of the river and the surrounding coconut trees on your day trip. Take pleasure in the local culinary delights served by the crew and end your evening relaxing on the deck watching the sunset.
For seamless transportation between the tourist spots, it would be ideal to opt for a private car service with a driver or taking local buses that cover most of the routes. If planning local travel, we suggest downloading the KERALA RTC bus app, which offers a schedule and easy booking options. (Cost: 5 INR – 20,000 INR, depending on the choice, and travel time varies from 30 min- 5 h.)
For travelers visiting Kerala with more or less time, we recommend excluding or adding destinations from the itinerary based on travel interests and number of days on hand. For an extended trip, including hill-stations such as Wayanad or Vagamon, or beach towns such as Mararikulam, can be an excellent addition to the list. And for travelers with less time, we recommend visiting destinations that are closer to each other.
Kerala has three international airports; Kochi International Airport (COK), which is the nearest to the tourist spots mentioned, Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) and Calicut International Airport (CCJ). Kochi International Airport is situated approximately 22 km from the city center and is an essential gateway to Kerala.