7-Day Itinerary for Kerala

1. Day 1: Fort Kochi
   1 hour (12.5 km) from Kochi International Airport

   Visit the famous Chinese fishing nets in the morning, followed by a tour of the historic Fort Kochi area. In the afternoon, explore St. Francis Church and the Dutch Palace. In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali dance performance at the Kerala Kathakali Centre.

2. Day 2: Munnar
   4 hours (130 km) from Fort Kochi

   Take a scenic drive to Munnar and visit the Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point in the morning. After lunch, visit the Tea Museum and learn about the history of tea plantation in the area. In the evening, take a sunset hike to the Top Station viewpoint.

3. Day 3: Periyar National Park
   3 hours (90 km) from Munnar

   Take a jeep safari through Periyar National Park in the morning to spot elephants, tigers, and other wildlife. After lunch, take a boat ride on Periyar Lake and enjoy the scenic views. In the evening, visit the spice plantations and learn about the local spices.

4. Day 4: Alleppey
   3 hours (140 km) from Periyar National Park

   Take a houseboat cruise through the backwaters of Alleppey in the morning and enjoy the breathtaking views. After lunch, visit the Marari Beach and relax in the sun. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Keralan dinner at a local restaurant.

5. Day 5: Kovalam
   3 hours (150 km) from Alleppey

   Visit the Kovalam Beach in the morning and enjoy the scenic views. After lunch, visit the Napier Museum and the nearby Kuthira Malika Palace. In the evening, relax at the Vellayani Lake and enjoy the sunset.

6. Day 6: Varkala
   1 hour 30 minutes (50 km) from Kovalam

   Visit the Varkala Beach in the morning and enjoy the scenic views. After lunch, visit the Janardhana Swamy Temple and the nearby Kappil Lake. In the evening, relax at the Papanasam Beach and enjoy the sunset.

7. Day 7: Thiruvananthapuram
   1 hour (40 km) from Varkala

   Visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the morning and learn about its rich history. After lunch, visit the nearby Kerala State Science and Technology Museum and the Zoological Park. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Recommendations

Don't miss the opportunity to try out some authentic Keralan cuisine such as Appam, Puttu, and Karimeen Pollichathu. You can also take a side trip to the nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary or the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. To maximize your fun, consider taking a trek to Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in South India. And finally, make sure to visit the local markets to buy some souvenirs and spices to take back home.

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