7-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Kerala in August 2023

1. Day 1: Kochi
   30 minutes (17.4 km) from Cochin International Airport

   Visit the historic Mattancherry Palace and witness the Chinese fishing nets in Kochi's Fort Kochi Beach. Enjoy a traditional lunch with Kerala's famous fish curry. In the evening, head to the famous Jew Town to shop for souvenirs and antiques.

2. Day 2: Alleppey
   1 hour 30 minutes (53.8 km) from Kochi

   Take an early morning backwater cruise in a houseboat and witness the serene beauty of Kerala's backwaters. Enjoy a traditional sadya lunch on the boat. In the evening, take a stroll in Alleppey Beach and indulge in some fresh seafood.

3. Day 3: Thekkady
   3 hours 30 minutes (138.7 km) from Alleppey

   Visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and enjoy a jungle safari. Have lunch at a local restaurant and then visit the nearby spice plantations. In the evening, attend a traditional martial arts performance.

4. Day 4: Munnar
   3 hours 20 minutes (91.6 km) from Thekkady

   Visit the Eravikulam National Park and witness the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the tea plantations and learn about tea production. In the evening, relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of Munnar.

5. Day 5: Varkala
   4 hours 30 minutes (159.2 km) from Munnar

   Take a morning drive to Varkala. Enjoy a relaxing swim in the Papanasam Beach and visit the nearby Janardanaswamy Temple. Have lunch at a local restaurant. In the evening, stroll along the Varkala Cliff and enjoy the scenic view of the Arabian Sea.

6. Day 6: Kovalam
   1 hour 30 minutes (50.2 km) from Varkala

   Visit the Lighthouse Beach and enjoy the water sports activities. Have lunch at a beachside restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the nearby Halcyon Castle and explore its history. In the evening, take a short boat ride to the nearby Poovar Island and enjoy the sunset.

7. Day 7: Thiruvananthapuram
   30 minutes (15.7 km) from Kovalam

   Visit the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and witness its grand architecture. Have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the nearby Napier Museum and Art Gallery and explore its collection. In the evening, take a stroll in the Kovalam Beach and enjoy the local street food.

Recommendations

You may consider visiting Wayanad to enjoy its lush green forests and waterfalls. You can also plan a day trip to Kanyakumari to witness the sunrise and sunset at the southernmost tip of India. For maximum fun, try the local banana chips and jackfruit chips.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Mattancherry Palace (2 hours, ₹200)
• Houseboat backwater cruise (5 hours, ₹8000 per boat)
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (3 hours, ₹500)
• Eravikulam National Park (3 hours, ₹120)
• Water sports activities in Kovalam (3 hours, ₹1500)
• Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (2 hours, Free)
• Total Estimated Costs: ₹9680

Check https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo for hotel and flight prices.