7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Kerala in September 2023

1. Day 1: Cochin
   30 minutes (21.7 km) from Cochin International Airport

   Visit the Fort Kochi Beach in the morning, explore the Mattancherry Palace in the afternoon, and watch the Kathakali dance performance in the evening.

2. Day 2: Munnar
   4 hours 30 minutes (130 km) from Cochin

   Take a morning hike in the scenic tea plantations of Munnar, enjoy a traditional Kerala lunch, and visit the tea museum in the afternoon, followed by a spice plantation tour in the evening.

3. Day 3: Alleppey
   4 hours 20 minutes (155 km) from Munnar

   Cruise through the famous backwaters of Alleppey in a houseboat during the morning hours, savor a seafood lunch, and enjoy the sunset at Marari Beach in the evening.

4. Day 4: Kovalam
   4 hours 20 minutes (160 km) from Alleppey

   Explore the Kovalam Lighthouse Beach and indulge in water sports in the morning, follow it up with a visit to the Hawah Beach and the Samudra Beach in the afternoon, and end the day with a relaxing Ayurvedic massage.

5. Day 5: Thiruvananthapuram
   20 minutes (10 km) from Kovalam

   Visit the iconic Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the morning, explore the Napier Museum and Art Gallery in the afternoon, and shop for souvenirs at the Chalai Market in the evening.

6. Day 6: Thekkady
   3 hours 40 minutes (140 km) from Thiruvananthapuram

   Take a morning boat ride at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, visit the spice plantations in the afternoon and participate in a Kathakali performance in the evening.

7. Day 7: Kumarakom
   3 hours 10 minutes (110 km) from Thekkady

   Take a morning bird watching tour at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, experience the rustic village life in the afternoon, and relax with a soothing sunset cruise on the Vembanad Lake in the evening.

Recommendations

Do not miss the traditional Kerala boat races held between July and September. You can also consider taking a day trip to the beautiful hill station of Wayanad, which is around 6 hours (310 km) from Kumarakom. To maximize your fun, try exploring the local cuisine and street food, and indulge in some shopping for traditional handicrafts and spices.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Fort Kochi Beach (2 hours, free)
• Mattancherry Palace (2 hours, INR 5)
• Kathakali Dance Performance (2 hours, INR 600)
• Tea Plantation Hike (3 hours, INR 500)
• Tea Museum (1 hour, INR 100)
• Spice Plantation Tour (2 hours, INR 200)
• Backwaters Houseboat Cruise (5 hours, INR 12,000)
• Marari Beach (2 hours, free)
• Kovalam Beaches and Water Sports (6 hours, INR 1000)
• Ayurvedic Massage (2 hours, INR 2000)
• Padmanabhaswamy Temple (2 hours, free)
• Napier Museum and Art Gallery (2 hours, INR 20)
• Chalai Market (2 hours, prices vary)
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Boat Ride (3 hours, INR 500)
• Spice Plantations (2 hours, INR 200)
• Kathakali Performance (2 hours, INR 600)
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (3 hours, INR 100)
• Village Life Experience (2 hours, INR 500)
• Vembanad Lake Sunset Cruise (2 hours, INR 1000)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 17,125

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