Kerala Family-friendly 7-Day Itinerary

1. Thursday August 10: Kochi
   15 minutes (8.6 miles) from Cochin International Airport

   Spend the morning exploring the historic Fort Kochi area with its colonial architecture and Chinese fishing nets. In the afternoon, visit the Kerala Folklore Museum to learn about local art and culture. In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali dance performance.

   • Fort Kochi Sightseeing: ₹500 ($7) / 3 hours
   • Kerala Folklore Museum: ₹150 ($2) / 2 hours
   • Kathakali Dance Performance: ₹500 ($7) / 2 hours
2. Friday August 11: Munnar
   4 hours 30 minutes (84 miles) from Kochi

   Start the day with a visit to the Tea Museum to learn about the tea production process. Spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful tea plantations and enjoy a nature walk. In the evening, visit the Mattupetty Dam and take a boat ride on the lake.

   • Tea Museum: ₹250 ($3) / 2 hours
   • Nature Walk in Tea Plantations: Free / 3 hours
   • Mattupetty Dam Boat Ride: ₹500 ($7) / 1 hour
3. Saturday August 12: Thekkady
   2 hours 30 minutes (71 miles) from Munnar

   Embark on a morning jungle safari in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to elephants, tigers, and various species of birds. In the afternoon, take a boat ride on Periyar Lake and go for a spice plantation tour. Enjoy an evening Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performance.

   • Jungle Safari in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: ₹500 ($7) / 4 hours
   • Boat Ride on Periyar Lake: ₹350 ($5) / 2 hours
   • Spice Plantation Tour: ₹200 ($3) / 2 hours
   • Kathakali and Kalaripayattu Performance: ₹500 ($7) / 2 hours
4. Sunday August 13: Alleppey
   3 hours 30 minutes (90 miles) from Thekkady

   Start the day with a relaxing backwater cruise in a traditional houseboat, passing through scenic canals and lush greenery. Enjoy a delicious traditional Kerala lunch onboard. In the evening, explore the local markets and enjoy a sunset walk along Alleppey Beach.

   • Backwater Houseboat Cruise: ₹5,000 ($70) / 6 hours
   • Traditional Kerala Lunch: ₹300 ($4)
5. Monday August 14: Kovalam
   4 hours (97 miles) from Alleppey

   Start the day with a visit to the iconic Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beautiful Kovalam Beach and indulge in water sports activities. In the evening, watch a mesmerizing cultural show at the Kathakali Centre.

   • Padmanabhaswamy Temple Visit: Free / 2 hours
   • Kovalam Beach Relaxation: Free
   • Water Sports Activities: ₹1,000 ($14)
   • Kathakali Centre Cultural Show: ₹300 ($4) / 2 hours
6. Tuesday August 15: Varkala
   1 hour 30 minutes (38 miles) from Kovalam

   Start the day with a visit to the Janardanaswamy Temple, followed by a relaxing beach time at Varkala Beach. In the afternoon, explore the stunning cliffs and enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural spring waters at Varkala Cliff Beach. Enjoy a sunset view from the cliff.

   • Janardanaswamy Temple Visit: Free / 1 hour
   • Varkala Beach Relaxation: Free
   • Varkala Cliff Beach Exploration: Free
7. Wednesday August 16: Thiruvananthapuram
   1 hour (28 miles) from Varkala

   Visit the Napier Museum to admire its vast collection of artifacts. Explore the beautiful Priyadarshini Planetarium and learn about the wonders of the universe. In the afternoon, visit the Kanakakkunnu Palace and stroll through the lush gardens. Enjoy shopping at MG Road in the evening.

   • Napier Museum Visit: ₹20 ($0.30) / 2 hours
   • Priyadarshini Planetarium: ₹50 ($0.70) / 1 hour
   • Kanakakkunnu Palace Visit: ₹10 ($0.15) / 1 hour
   • Shopping at MG Road: As per your preference

Recommendations

If you have more time, consider visiting Wayanad for its lush green landscapes and wildlife sanctuaries. You can also take a day trip to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, to witness the meeting of three oceans and enjoy beautiful sunrise and sunset views. To make the most of your money, try local street food and explore local markets for unique souvenirs.