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

1. Day 1: Kochi
   30 minutes (20 km) from Cochin International Airport

   In the morning, visit the Dutch Palace and Jewish Synagogue. In the afternoon, take a boat ride to see the Chinese fishing nets and explore the Fort Kochi area. In the evening, watch a Kathakali dance performance.

2. Day 2: Munnar
   4 hours (130 km) from Kochi

   In the morning, visit the Tea Museum to learn about the history of tea in Munnar. In the afternoon, take a jeep tour of the tea plantations and enjoy the scenic beauty. In the evening, relax at your hotel and take in the views of the surrounding hills.

3. Day 3: Thekkady
   3 hours 30 minutes (90 km) from Munnar

   In the morning, go on a nature walk with a local guide in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. In the afternoon, take a boat ride on Periyar Lake and try to spot some wildlife. In the evening, attend a martial arts performance at the Kadathanadan Kalari & Navarasa Kathakali Center.

4. Day 4: Kumarakom
   3 hours (130 km) from Thekkady

   In the morning, take a guided tour of the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. In the afternoon, enjoy a houseboat ride through the backwaters and have a traditional Kerala lunch on board. In the evening, relax at your resort and take a dip in the pool.

5. Day 5: Alleppey
   30 minutes (16 km) from Kumarakom

   In the morning, explore the Alleppey Beach and visit the 150-year-old Alappuzha Lighthouse. In the afternoon, take a traditional Kerala canoe ride through the narrow canals and villages. In the evening, enjoy a sunset dinner cruise on a houseboat.

6. Day 6: Kovalam
   3 hours 30 minutes (160 km) from Alleppey

   In the morning, visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple which is known for its intricate carvings and architecture. In the afternoon, relax at the Kovalam Beach and indulge in some water activities. In the evening, watch a traditional Kalaripayattu martial arts performance.

7. Day 7: Thiruvananthapuram
   20 minutes (10 km) from Kovalam

   In the morning, visit the Napier Museum which has a collection of ancient and contemporary art. In the afternoon, take a stroll through the beautiful gardens of the Kanakakunnu Palace. In the evening, visit the Sri Chitra Art Gallery which has a collection of paintings from different parts of India.

Recommendations

You can also consider visiting the Athirapally Waterfalls or the Varkala Beach. For day trips, you can explore the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary or the Silent Valley National Park. To maximize your fun, try some authentic Kerala cuisine and go shopping for some spices and handicrafts.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Dutch Palace (1 hour, INR 5)
• Jewish Synagogue (1 hour, INR 10)
• Chinese Fishing Nets (1 hour, INR 100)
• Kathakali Dance Performance (2 hours, INR 500)
• Tea Museum (1 hour, INR 150)
• Jeep Tour of Tea Plantations (3 hours, INR 1500)
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (2 hours, INR 250)
• Boat Ride on Periyar Lake (2 hours, INR 400)
• Kadathanadan Kalari & Navarasa Kathakali Center (2 hours, INR 300)
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (2 hours, INR 100)
• Houseboat Ride through Backwaters (6 hours, INR 5000)
• Alleppey Beach (2 hours, Free)
• Alappuzha Lighthouse (1 hour, INR 20)
• Canoe Ride through Villages (3 hours, INR 1000)
• Sunset Dinner Cruise on Houseboat (3 hours, INR 2500)
• Padmanabhaswamy Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Kovalam Beach (2 hours, Free)
• Kalaripayattu Martial Arts Performance (2 hours, INR 200)
• Napier Museum (1 hour, INR 20)
• Kanakakunnu Palace (1 hour, Free)
• Sri Chitra Art Gallery (2 hours, INR 25)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 12,230

For hotel and flight prices, you can check here.