After arriving in Kochi, start your day with a relaxed breakfast at Kashi Art Cafe before wandering the colonial lanes of Fort Kochi; admire the Portuguese-era architecture and colorful street art around Danish Palace (Mattancherry Palace). Continue to Jew Town to browse antique shops and spice stalls, then pause for a short ferry ride to catch the iconic silhouette of the Chinese Fishing Nets from the waterfront and soak in the maritime ambience.
Stroll from Fort Kochi toward the waterfront and enjoy a leisurely seafood lunch at Fort House Restaurant, then visit the nearby St. Francis Church to see Kerala's oldest European church and its simple, atmospheric interior. Follow with a calm walk through the leafy lanes to Kochi Biennale Foundation (if open) for contemporary art, and pause at Princess Street Bazaar to sample coconut-based sweets and pick up local handicrafts as the light softens toward sunset.
As dusk falls, wander to Marine Drive (Ernakulam Waterfront) for a gentle promenade and lively local atmosphere, then head to Ginger House Restaurant or a nearby riverside café for a relaxed dinner with views of the harbour. Afterward, catch a traditional Kathakali performance at a local cultural centre or enjoy live music at Loft 38, soaking in Kerala's performing-arts heritage before returning to your Fort Kochi base.
After an early drive from Kochi, arrive in Munnar and stretch your legs with a fragrant walk through the rolling plantations around Kannan Devan Hills Tea Estate, where a guided tea-factory tour explains processing and includes fresh-cup tastings. Follow this with panoramic photos at the misty Kundala Lake viewpoint and a short shikara ride (or lakeside stroll) to soak the cool mountain air before checking into your Munnar base for the afternoon.
After checking in and freshening up, take a scenic drive to Top Station for sweeping views over the Western Ghats and the valley of tea gardens, then wander the ridge to watch clouds spill between peaks. Continue to Echo Point for a playful call-and-response amid the pine-scented air, and finish with a late-afternoon visit to Lakkam Waterfalls where you can relax by the tumbling pool as the light softens-perfectly bridging your morning plantation walk with Munnar's quieter, water-fed corners.
As dusk settles, take a serene walk through the hotel gardens to the nearby Chinnakanal Tea Estate for golden-hour views over tiered tea slopes, then stop at Pothamedu Viewpoint to watch the valley deepen into blue and the lights of distant homesteads come alive. Finish with a cozy dinner at Rapsy Restaurant sampling Malabar-style fish curry and appam, or choose a riverside homestay meal to soak in the cool mountain night and plan tomorrow's early outing.
Rise early for a cool mountain start with a guided trek through Blossom Park (Munnar) to catch mist lifting over terraced tea slopes, then continue to the serene Attukal Waterfalls for a short riverside walk and photo stops beside the cascading pools. Afterward, visit the atmospheric Tea Museum (Nallathanni Estate) to watch antique processing machinery in action and enjoy a freshly brewed cup on the museum terrace while soaking in panoramic views of the valley.
After a morning of misty treks and tea history, spend the afternoon driving toward the scenic Mattupetty Dam for a relaxed boat ride across the reservoir and chances to spot Nilgiri tahrs on the slopes. Continue to the nearby Kundala Rose Garden for a fragrant walk among manicured blooms, then wander the sleepy lanes of Kadamakkudy village to meet local artisans, sample homemade banana fritters and fresh cardamom tea at a roadside stall before returning to your base as the light softens.
As the sun dips, wander to Pryes Adventures Tea Trail for a gentle guided sunset walk through lesser-known plantation lanes, ending at a ridge where you can sip freshly brewed estate tea while watching clouds slide over the valley. Afterward, enjoy a rustic dinner at Sulthan Bathery Homestay (or a nearby traditional homestay) with a home-cooked Kerala thali, then stroll the quiet village road to catch stars emerging above the tea estates.
After an early scenic drive from Munnar, arrive in Alleppey and begin with a stroll through the palm-fringed lanes to Alappuzha Beach for a bracing sea breeze and views of the pier before boarding your houseboat. Next, visit the vibrant Alleppey Market to sample fresh coconut chutney, karimeen fry from a stall, and pick up banana chips, then embark on your traditional kettuvallam from Marari/Alappuzha boat jetty, easing into the backwaters as local crew prepare a Kerala-style lunch on board.
After settling into your kettuvallam and enjoying the onboard lunch, glide deeper into the quieter canals to visit the tranquil village of Kuttanad-walk the lane to see rice farmers working below sea level and peek into a toddy shop for a fresh palm-toddy tasting. Continue to Pathiramanal Island (boat permitting) for birdwatching among mangroves and then pause at a floating home-stay or lakeside café such as Punnamada Lakeview for a late-afternoon kingfish fry and homemade tapioca while the backwater light turns golden.
As twilight deepens, step ashore at a quiet village jetty and wander to Champakulam Church to see its illuminated facade and catch a glimpse of local evening prayers before returning to the water. Then glide past lantern-lit paddy banks toward a riverside homestead like Kuttamangalam for a freshly cooked crab curry dinner served on banana leaf, followed by a slow, starlit cruise through narrow canals as the houseboat crew steers toward an anchored spot for the night.
Drift through the dawn light on a short canoe ride from your houseboat into the quieter reed-lined canals around Thottappally Lake, where a local guide will point out kingfishers and village life while you visit a small coir-weaving shed to see traditional rope-making. After a fresh coconut-breakfast at a snug lakeside café such as Kuttanad Café, board your private transfer toward Varkala, stopping at Krishnapuram Palace (optional quick visit) for a brief stretch and photographic pause before the coastal drive resumes toward the cliffs.
After checking out from your houseboat, pause for a relaxed, riverside lunch at Tharavadu Restaurant (Alappuzha) enjoying freshly caught fish and spicy meen molee before boarding the comfortable coastal-drive transfer to Varkala. Midway, stop at Mannar Kayal for a short walk along the estuary and a visit to a local coir workshop to see artisans hand-weaving mats; arrive in Varkala late afternoon and take a first stroll along the Varkala Cliff promenade, sampling street-side coconut water and watching tide-pounded cliffs glow as you settle into your cliffside hotel.
After arriving in Varkala and settling into your cliffside hotel, stroll toward Janardanaswamy Temple to witness local evening rituals and the gentle flow of pilgrims, then wander down to the quieter stretch of Varkala North Cliff for sunset chai at a laid-back café. Finish with a seafood dinner at the cliff-edge The Juice Shack & Café or a sunset-view table at Clafouti Beach Café, followed by a leisurely moonlit walk along Varkala Beach to listen to the surf and plan tomorrow's cliff-top exploring.
Begin with a sunrise stretch and gentle yoga session on Varkala North Cliff followed by a cooling swim at the quieter Varkala Beach (Edava-Kappil stretch) where you can watch local fishermen sort their morning catch. After drying off, wander to Sivagiri Mutt for a peaceful stroll through its gardens and simple memorials, then enjoy a leisurely coffee and fresh fruit plate at the cliffside Coffee Temple before checking out for your onward journey.
Spend a lazy, sunlit afternoon exploring the artisan-lined lanes around Varkala Cliff Market, where you can pick up handwoven sarongs and ceramics before settling at Sagar Sea View Restaurant for a long seafood lunch with coconut-infused curries and fresh prawns. Afterward, stroll down to the quieter Papanasam Beach for a soothing beachside massage at a trusted shala, then rent a beach mat and watch local fishermen mend nets as the tide rolls in-an unhurried finale before your evening transfer.
As the day cools, wander the quieter southern stretch to Anjengo Fort ruins for golden-hour views and a tranquil photo stop away from the main cliff crowds, then drift toward Kappil Boat Jetty for a short estuary cruise where you can watch mangroves glow in the sunset and spot shorebirds. Finish with a farewell dinner at Theeram Beach Bistro, enjoying fresh seafood and coconut-infused cocktails on a table set into the sand before a relaxed transfer to the station or airport, giving you time to collect luggage and savor one last tide-sound memory.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Kashi Art Cafe (breakfast) | ₹300 |
| Danish Palace (Mattancherry Palace) | ₹10 |
| Jew Town (browsing) | Free |
| Ferry ride (Fort Kochi waterfront) | ₹20 |
| Chinese Fishing Nets (viewing) | Free |
| Fort House Restaurant (seafood lunch) | ₹800 |
| St. Francis Church | Free |
| Kochi Biennale Foundation (if open) | ₹150 |
| Princess Street Bazaar (snacks & handicrafts) | ₹200 |
| Marine Drive (Ernakulam Waterfront) | Free |
| Ginger House Restaurant (dinner) | ₹700 |
| Kathakali performance (local cultural centre) | ₹600 |
| Loft 38 (live music/drinks) | ₹500 |
| Drive Kochi to Munnar (shared/private transfer per person estimate) | ₹800 |
| Kannan Devan Hills Tea Estate (tea factory tour & tasting) | ₹200 |
| Kundala Lake (viewpoint & shikara ride) | ₹300 |
| Top Station (viewpoint) | Free |
| Echo Point (visit) | Free |
| Lakkam Waterfalls (entry/parking) | ₹50 |
| Chinnakanal Tea Estate (walk/viewpoint) | Free |
| Pothamedu Viewpoint | Free |
| Rapsy Restaurant (dinner) | ₹400 |
| Blossom Park (Munnar) trek | Free |
| Attukal Waterfalls (visit) | Free |
| Tea Museum (Nallathanni Estate) / Tea Museum (Munnar) | ₹75 |
| Mattupetty Dam (boat ride) | ₹200 |
| Kundala Rose Garden | ₹50 |
| Kadamakkudy village (local snacks) | ₹100 |
| Pryes Adventures Tea Trail (guided sunset walk) | ₹400 |
| Sulthan Bathery Homestay (dinner estimate) | ₹300 |
| Drive Munnar to Alleppey (per person transfer estimate) | ₹1000 |
| Alappuzha Beach (visit) | Free |
| Alleppey Market (snacks) | ₹150 |
| Houseboat (overnight kettuvallam) - per person (budget/shared) | ₹2500 |
| Kuttanad village visit (walking) | Free |
| Pathiramanal Island (boat permitting) | ₹300 |
| Punnamada Lakeview (late-afternoon meal) | ₹500 |
| Champakulam Church (visit) | Free |
| Village homestead/crab curry dinner (onboard/shore) | ₹600 |
| Canoe ride (Thottappally area) morning | ₹300 |
| Kuttanad Café (breakfast) | ₹250 |
| Krishnapuram Palace (brief visit) | ₹20 |
| Tharavadu Restaurant (riverside lunch) | ₹400 |
| Transfer Alleppey to Varkala (per person) | ₹1200 |
| Varkala Cliff promenade (stroll) | Free |
| Janardanaswamy Temple (visit) | Free |
| The Juice Shack & Café (dinner) | ₹400 |
| Clafouti Beach Café (sunset table/dinner) | ₹500 |
| Varkala North Cliff (sunrise yoga session) | ₹400 |
| Varkala Beach (swim) | Free |
| Sivagiri Mutt (visit) | Free |
| Coffee Temple (coffee & fruit plate) | ₹250 |
| Varkala Cliff Market (shopping estimate) | ₹500 |
| Sagar Sea View Restaurant (seafood lunch) | ₹600 |
| Papanasam Beach (beachside massage) | ₹600 |
| Anjengo Fort ruins (visit) | Free |
| Kappil Boat Jetty estuary cruise | ₹300 |
| Theeram Beach Bistro (farewell dinner) | ₹700 |
| Transfer to station/airport (final) | ₹400 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ₹19728 |