Make this trip your own
Create your own free, personalized itinerary in seconds — then sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version

10-Day South-to-Southwest Loop: Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Backwaters → Varkala → Kovalam — Best of Kerala

Viewed by 108 travelers

Day 1: Arrival & Fort Kochi

Kochi, India on November 19, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Kashi Art Café

Popular Fort Kochi café with light Kerala breakfasts and baked goods; a relaxed spot to start and people-watch on the old Dutch streets.
INR500, 1h0m

9:30am

Stroll Fort Kochi & Chinese Fishing Nets

Walk the waterfront to see the iconic Chinese fishing nets and colonial-era streets; great for photos and a gentle introduction to Kochi's history.
INR0, 1h0m

10:30am

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)

Small museum with Kerala murals and royal history; typically open 10:00–17:00 (check for local closures on holidays).
INR50, 1h0m

12:00pm

Paradesi Synagogue & Jew Town

Explore the 16th-century synagogue (usually open 10:00–17:00) and browse antique shops on Jew Town for spices and handicrafts.
INR100, 1h0m

1:30pm

Lunch — The Rice Boat (Taj Malabar) or Local Seafood

Riverside restaurant for fresh Kerala seafood or choose a nearby local eatery for classic fish curry and rice; good midday atmosphere.
INR1200, 1h30m

3:30pm

St. Francis Church & Fort Kochi walk

Visit one of the oldest European churches in India and continue exploring Fort Kochi's colonial architecture and art galleries.
INR0, 1h0m

5:30pm

Sunset at Fort Kochi Beach

Relax at the beach and watch fishermen and sunset over the Arabian Sea; ideal end to the day in Kochi.
INR0, 0h45m

7:30pm

Dinner — Fusion at Malabar House or Captain's Corner

Choose a cozy Fort Kochi restaurant for Keralan and Indo-Portuguese fusion dishes; reservations recommended for evenings.
INR1000, 1h30m

Day 2: Drive to Munnar

Munnar, India on November 20, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast & Checkout — Fort Kochi

Early breakfast and depart for Munnar; expect a scenic 4–5 hour drive (approx. 150 km) through countryside and hills.
INR600, 0h45m

11:30am

Arrival & Check-in — Munnar hotel

Check in and rest briefly; Munnar sits at ~1500 m so the climate is cooler and tea-covered slopes dominate the scenery.
INR0, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — Rapsy Restaurant (local favorite)

Casual eatery serving South Indian meals and local specialties; convenient and popular with travelers.
INR400, 1h0m

2:30pm

Kannan Devan Tea Museum & Tea Estates

Learn about tea processing and history at the museum and walk through nearby tea gardens; museum hours roughly 9:00–16:30 (confirm locally).
INR100, 1h30m

4:30pm

Photo stop — Echo Point or Top Station (depending on fog/weather)

Short visits to scenic viewpoints for panoramic views of valleys and tea plantations; timing affects visibility, mornings and late afternoons can be misty.
INR0, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Local restaurant at hotel or Saravana Bhavan

Enjoy a warm Kerala-style dinner or South Indian thali; Munnar specialty dishes include local stews and vegetable curries.
INR700, 1h0m

Day 3: Munnar Nature

Munnar, India on November 21, 2025

7:00am

Eravikulam National Park — Early visit

Home to the Nilgiri tahr and the Anamudi peak views; park typically open 7:30–16:00 but confirm seasonal closures (calving season Feb–Mar may close parts).
INR300, 2h30m

10:30am

Mattupetty Dam & Boating

Short boat ride on the reservoir with views of hills and possible wild bison sightings; boating usually 8:30–17:00.
INR200, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Hotel or Local Café

Relaxed lunch featuring local flavors; try vegetable stews, appam, and Kerala fish if available.
INR500, 1h0m

2:30pm

Attukal Waterfalls hike or Spice walk

Short nature walks to viewpoints or plantations; easy to moderate walks offering close-up nature experiences and photo ops.
INR0, 2h0m

6:00pm

Tea tasting & sunset at a hill viewpoint

Return to a tea estate cafe for tea tasting and sunset views across rolling plantations.
INR200, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — The Curry or Hotel Restaurant

Hearty dinner at your accommodation or a recommended local restaurant; sample Kerala porotta and vegetable curry for a cozy mountain meal.
INR700, 1h0m

Day 4: To Thekkady (Periyar)

Thekkady (Kumily), India on November 22, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast & Checkout

Early breakfast and depart Munnar for Thekkady; drive approx. 3–3.5 hours through cardamom country.
INR500, 0h45m

11:30am

Check-in & Spice Plantation Walk

Arrive Kumily and visit a spice plantation to see pepper, cardamom, clove and learn about spice cultivation; plantations open daily, tours ~1–2 hours.
INR300, 1h30m

1:30pm

Lunch — Local Kerala restaurant

Try local vegetarian and non-vegetarian preparations popular in the region; Kumily has a number of family-run eateries.
INR400, 1h0m

3:00pm

Periyar Lake Boat Safari (afternoon slot)

Scenic boat ride on Periyar Lake to spot elephants, deer and birds along the sanctuary edge; boat timings typically 6:30–9:00am & 14:00–16:00 for large boats.
INR200, 2h0m

6:30pm

Optional Cultural Show — Kathakali or Kalaripayattu

Attend an evening classical dance (Kathakali) or martial arts (Kalaripayattu) performance in Kumily; shows generally start ~6:00–7:30pm and last ~1–1.5 hours.
INR400, 1h30m

8:30pm

Dinner — Hotel or Local Specialty

Dinner with spicy Kerala flavors; enjoy a relaxed night near the spice gardens.
INR700, 1h0m

Day 5: Alleppey Houseboat

Alappuzha (Alleppey), India on November 23, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast & Drive to Alleppey

Depart Thekkady after breakfast for Alleppey (approx. 3–4 hour drive); scenic descent to the coastal backwaters.
INR600, 4h0m

12:00pm

Houseboat Check-in & Cruise Begins

Board a traditional kettuvallam (houseboat) around noon; houseboats typically check in 12:00–13:00 and cruise through the afternoon into the evening.
INR8000, 0h30m

12:30pm

Lunch on Houseboat

Freshly prepared Kerala meals served aboard while cruising narrow canals, paddy fields and village canals — highlight of the backwaters experience.
INR0, 1h0m

3:00pm

Village Cruising & Canal-side Life

Slow cruise past coir fields, small villages and birdlife; boats often stop for short walks in villages if wanted.
INR0, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner on Board

Dinner is served on the boat; enjoy the quiet backwater evening and stars over the canals.
INR0, 1h0m

9:30pm

Overnight on Houseboat

Sleep aboard anchored houseboat — optional early-morning bird viewing if you wake early.
INR0, 10h0m

Day 6: Kumarakom & Kollam

Kumarakom → Kollam, India on November 24, 2025

8:30am

Houseboat Breakfast & Disembark (approx.)

Breakfast served and disembark in Alleppey around 8:00–9:00 if you opted for overnight; transfer to Kumarakom (~1 hour) for bird sanctuary.
INR0, 1h30m

10:30am

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Small but rich wetland reserve great for birdwatching — typically open 6:00–18:00; best in early morning but mid-morning still rewarding.
INR100, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch — Lakeside Café in Kumarakom

Enjoy fish specialties and fresh coconut-based dishes overlooking Vembanad Lake.
INR600, 1h0m

2:30pm

Drive to Kollam (Ashtamudi Lake area)

Travel south along the coast to Kollam (~2–3 hours), arriving in time for a late-afternoon boat or lakeside stroll.
INR800, 2h30m

5:30pm

Ashtamudi Lake Sunset & Boat View

Short evening boat or lakeside walk to experience Kerala's second-largest backwater lake; calm sunsets and local life on the water.
INR300, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Local Seafood in Kollam

Try fresh catch prepared Kerala-style — Kollam is known for coastal seafood curries and grilled fish.
INR700, 1h0m

Day 7: Varkala Cliff & Beach

Varkala, India on November 25, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & Drive to Varkala

After breakfast in Kollam, drive ~1.5–2 hours to Varkala — coastal cliffs, beaches and a relaxed cliff-side atmosphere await.
INR400, 1h30m

10:30am

Papanasam Beach & Cliff Walk

Walk the famous Varkala cliff for sea views, cafes and temples; the beach below is known for natural springs and is open to visitors all day.
INR0, 1h30m

12:30pm

Janardanaswamy Temple visit

Ancient temple on the cliff open morning and evening (darshan typically early morning and late afternoon/evening); check daily timing if you plan to enter the shrine.
INR0, 0h45m

1:30pm

Lunch — Cliff cafés (e.g., Café del Mar or Clafouti)

Choose a cliff café for fresh seafood or continental options with a view; cliff cafés typically open 8:00–22:00.
INR600, 1h0m

3:30pm

Ayurvedic massage or beach time

Book a short Ayurvedic massage (many clinics open 9:00–18:00) or relax on the sandy beach and swim carefully.
INR1200, 1h30m

6:00pm

Sunset on the Cliff

Enjoy the dramatic sunset from the cliff cafés — one of Varkala’s highlights for photographers.
INR0, 0h30m

8:00pm

Dinner — Cliff-side Seafood

Dine at a recommended cliff restaurant with seafood and regional dishes; reserve if you want a prime sunset view table.
INR800, 1h15m

Day 8: Kovalam Beach Relax

Kovalam (Thiruvananthapuram district), India on November 26, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & Drive to Kovalam

Leave Varkala after breakfast for a ~2–2.5 hour coastal drive to Kovalam, one of Kerala's most famous beach hubs.
INR400, 2h0m

11:00am

Lighthouse Beach & Hawa Beach

Explore the three adjacent beaches — Lighthouse Beach is busiest and has a famous light house viewpoint; beaches are open all day.
INR0, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — Seaside Café or Hotel Restaurant

Casual seaside lunch with seafood, salads and local curries; many cafés are open 9:00–22:00 catering to international diners.
INR600, 1h0m

3:00pm

Optional Dolphin Spotting / Boat Ride

Short organized boat trips for dolphin sightings and coastal views (season and sea conditions permitting; usually morning or early afternoon departures).
INR1000, 1h30m

5:30pm

Visit Kovalam Lighthouse viewpoint

Climb the lighthouse steps for panoramic views of the coastline; lighthouse access hours vary — often open until late afternoon.
INR50, 0h45m

8:00pm

Dinner — The Beach at Taj Green Cove or Local Seafood

Choose a resort restaurant for a special dinner or a lively beach shack for simpler Keralan dishes and fresh fish.
INR1500, 1h30m

Day 9: Thiruvananthapuram Culture

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), India on November 27, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & Short Drive to Trivandrum

After breakfast, drive ~30 minutes to Thiruvananthapuram for cultural sites and museums.
INR300, 0h45m

9:30am

Napier Museum & Art Gallery

Museum with regional art, archaeology and natural history exhibits; generally open 10:00–17:00 (check local hours and Monday closures).
INR50, 1h0m

11:30am

Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum

Late-19th-century palace with unique woodwork and royal collections; usually open 9:00–16:30 (closed Mondays), great for craft and architecture lovers.
INR50, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — Local Thali or Hotel

Savor a Kerala thali or other South Indian cuisines at a recommended local restaurant near the city center.
INR500, 1h0m

3:00pm

Padmanabhaswamy Temple (exterior / limited darshan)

Iconic temple in Trivandrum — darshan times are early morning and late morning/afternoon; non-Hindu access and booking rules may apply so confirm in advance; otherwise admire the exterior and precincts.
INR0, 0h45m

5:30pm

Chill at Shanghumukham Beach or Local Park

Relax on the city beach and watch locals gather at sunset; a peaceful alternative to busier tourist beaches.
INR0, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Hotel or Local Favourite

Final night dinner in Trivandrum; try Malabar seafood or a well-regarded hotel restaurant for comfort and variety.
INR1200, 1h30m

Day 10: Poovar Estuary & Departure

Poovar / Thiruvananthapuram, India on November 28, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast & Checkout

Pack and check out early for a short drive (approx. 1 hour) to Poovar Island for a relaxing estuary cruise and beach time before departure.
INR400, 0h45m

9:00am

Poovar Backwater Estuary Cruise

Boat trip where the river meets the sea; mangroves, local islands and calm estuary waters make this a tranquil finale (boat trips typically 9:00–17:00 timings available).
INR800, 1h30m

11:00am

Beach Relaxation & Lunch — Local Resort/Restaurant

Enjoy a leisurely final lunch near the sea with fresh fish and coconut-based dishes; relax before transfer to the airport.
INR800, 1h30m

1:30pm

Transfer to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Drive to the airport (approx. 45–60 minutes depending on traffic) for onward flight connections; leave with recommended 2–3 hour pre-flight lead time.
INR800, 1h0m

4:00pm

Departure

Arrive at airport for check-in and departure; end of the 10-day Kerala journey filled with hills, spices, backwaters and beaches.
INR0, 0h0m
0
Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version