4-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Kerala in June 2023

1. Day 1: Fort Kochi
   1 hour 30 minutes (34.4km) from Cochin International Airport

   In the morning, explore Fort Kochi's rich colonial past and take a stroll through the Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue and St. Francis Church. Enjoy a traditional Kerala lunch at Kashi Art Cafe before heading to the Kerala Folklore Museum for an afternoon of art and cultural exhibits. In the evening, catch a Kathakali dance performance at the Cochin Cultural Centre.

2. Day 2: Alleppey Backwaters
   1 hour 30 minutes (53.2km) from Fort Kochi

   Start off the day with a peaceful morning on a houseboat ride through Alleppey's serene backwaters. Enjoy a freshly prepared Keralan breakfast on the boat as you take in the breathtaking views. Spend the afternoon exploring the lush green paddy fields and quaint villages. In the evening, relax at one of the many Ayurvedic spas in the area.

3. Day 3: Munnar Hill Station
   4 hours 20 minutes (130.6km) from Alleppey

   Spend the morning driving up to Munnar's hill station and stopping at scenic viewpoints along the way. Once in Munnar, head to the Tea Museum to learn about the region's tea plantations and harvesting process. Take a guided tour through the Pothamedu Viewpoint and Eravikulam National Park to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. In the evening, take a leisurely walk around the town's bustling bazaar and enjoy a traditional dinner at Saravana Bhavan.

4. Day 4: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
   3 hours 50 minutes (101.7km) from Munnar

   In the morning, drive to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and take a boat ride through the mangrove forests and canals to spot various bird species. Enjoy lunch at the popular Tharavadu Restaurant before heading to the Vembanad Lake for an afternoon of fishing and boating. In the evening, attend a Kalaripayattu martial arts performance at the CVN Kalari Centre.

Recommendations

In addition to the above itinerary, consider visiting the Athirapally Waterfalls and Periyar National Park for a chance to see elephants, tigers, and other wildlife. For a relaxing beach day, head to Kovalam Beach or Varkala Beach. If you're interested in local culture, check out the traditional Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances at the local cultural centres. Finally, for some unique culinary experiences, try toddy tapping and banana leaf meals.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Mattancherry Palace (1 hour, INR 5)
• Jewish Synagogue (30 minutes, INR 5)
• St. Francis Church (30 minutes, INR 5)
• Kashi Art Cafe (1 hour, INR 500)
• Kerala Folklore Museum (2 hours, INR 100)
• Kathakali Dance Performance (2 hours, INR 500)
• Houseboat Ride (6 hours, INR 10,000)
• Ayurvedic Spa (2 hours, INR 2,000)
• Tea Museum (1 hour, INR 200)
• Pothamedu Viewpoint (1 hour, INR 100)
• Eravikulam National Park (3 hours, INR 400)
• Saravana Bhavan (1 hour, INR 500)
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (4 hours, INR 500)
• Tharavadu Restaurant (1 hour, INR 800)
• Vembanad Lake (3 hours, INR 1,000)
• Kalaripayattu Martial Arts Performance (2 hours, INR 500)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 17,315