Kerala Family-Friendly 5-Day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Fort Kochi
   1 hour 7 minutes (21.2 miles) from Kochi International Airport

   Start your day with a visit to the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets, a popular tourist attraction. Continue to St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, and then visit the Santa Cruz Basilica, a stunning cathedral with neo-gothic architecture. In the afternoon, explore the Mattancherry Palace, a museum with beautiful murals and artifacts, and then head to Jew Town to shop for souvenirs and antiques. End your day with a Kathakali dance performance, a traditional Indian dance form.

2. Day 2: Munnar
   4 hours 3 minutes (91.4 miles) from Fort Kochi

   Explore the tea plantations of Munnar with a visit to the Tea Museum and a stroll through the lush green fields. Visit the Pothamedu View Point for panoramic views of the valley, and then head to the Carmelagiri Elephant Park to see these gentle giants up close. In the evening, take a romantic walk through the Blossom Hydel Park, a beautiful garden with a variety of flowers and trees.

3. Day 3: Thekkady
   2 hours 51 minutes (88.7 miles) from Munnar

   Embark on a morning jungle safari in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to a variety of animals including tigers, elephants, and leopards. After lunch, take a boat ride on the Periyar Lake to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. In the evening, attend a traditional martial arts performance at the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, showcasing the ancient Indian art of Kalaripayattu.

4. Day 4: Kumarakom
   3 hours 42 minutes (92.7 miles) from Thekkady

   Spend a relaxing day at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a paradise for bird watchers with over 180 species of birds. Take a cruise along the Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in Kerala, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the backwaters. In the evening, watch a traditional Kathakali performance at the Kumarakom Cultural Centre.

5. Day 5: Kovalam
   4 hours 26 minutes (137.7 miles) from Kumarakom

   Visit the lighthouse beach, one of the most popular beaches in Kovalam, and enjoy water sports like surfing and parasailing. Relax at the beach and then visit the Halcyon Castle, a beautiful palace with stunning architecture. In the evening, attend an Ayurvedic spa session at one of the many spas in Kovalam for a rejuvenating experience.

Recommendations

You can also consider visiting the backwaters of Alleppey for a houseboat cruise and a visit to the Marari Beach. If you have time, you can take a side trip to the hill station of Wayanad for trekking and wildlife sightings. To maximize your fun, book activities in advance and plan your itinerary according to the opening and closing times of each place.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Chinese Fishing Nets (1 hour, ₹50)
• St. Francis Church (30 minutes, ₹5)
• Santa Cruz Basilica (1 hour, ₹20)
• Mattancherry Palace (1 hour, ₹25)
• Kathakali dance performance (2 hours, ₹500)
• Tea Museum (1 hour, ₹150)
• Blossom Hydel Park (1 hour, ₹10)
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (3 hours, ₹450)
• Boat ride on Periyar Lake (2 hours, ₹225)
• Kalaripayattu performance (1 hour, ₹300)
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (2 hours, ₹50)
• Cruise on Vembanad Lake (2 hours, ₹500)
• Kathakali performance (2 hours, ₹250)
• Water sports at Lighthouse Beach (2 hours, ₹500)
• Halcyon Castle (1 hour, ₹100)
• Ayurvedic spa session (1 hour, ₹1000)
• Total Estimated Costs: ₹3,040

Check out https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo to book your hotel and flight for a hassle-free trip to Kerala!