7-Day Family-Friendly Kerala Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Cochin Fort Area
    1 hour 30 minutes (37.4 km) from Cochin International Airport

    Explore the historic Cochin Fort Area, visit St. Francis Church, Indo-Portuguese Museum and the Jewish Synagogue. End the day with a sunset harbor cruise.

  2. Day 2: Munnar
    4 hours 6 minutes (126.8 km) from Cochin Fort Area

    Admire the beautiful tea plantations, visit the Tata Tea Museum and enjoy a traditional Keralan meal. Then explore the Carmelagiri Elephant Park and the Attukad Waterfalls, perfect for a family picnic.

  3. Day 3: Thekkady
    2 hours 54 minutes (91.5 km) from Munnar

    Experience a spice plantation tour, engage in a cultural programme showcasing Kalaripayattu and Kathakali, and watch elephant bathing at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Finish the day with a boat ride at Periyar Lake.

  4. Day 4: Alleppey's Backwaters
    2 hours 27 minutes (75.3 km) from Thekkady

    Glide along the serene backwaters on an authentic houseboat and enjoy the local cuisine. Explore the Alleppey Beach and check out the unique Alleppey Lighthouse.

  5. Day 5: Kovalam
    4 hours 15 minutes (211.2 km) from Alleppey's Backwaters

    Relax on the white sand beaches of Kovalam, try out some water sports at Lighthouse Beach. Don't miss the Vizhinjam Lighthouse, Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and the Napier Museum for a well-rounded visit to Kerala's capital city.

  6. Day 6: Trivandrum
    more time exploring Kovalam's Beaches

    After breakfast, head to Trivandrum, stroll through the ancient Padmanabhapuram Palace, visit the Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary, and indulge in some Ayurvedic spas.

  7. Day 7: Kanyakumari
    1 hour 55 minutes (88.1 km) from Trivandrum

    Watch the sunrise at Kanyakumari's sunrise point, visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue, and then spend some time shopping for souvenirs at the local markets before departing for home.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Taj Malabar Cochin dinner (2 hours, ₹2500)
  • Elephant bathing (1 hour, ₹1500)
  • Kalaripayattu and Kathakali cultural performance (2 hours, ₹500)
  • Houseboat on Alleppey's Backwaters (8 hours, ₹12000)
  • Kovalam Beach Water Sports (2 hours, ₹2000)
  • Padmanabhapuram Palace (2 hours, ₹400)
  • Entrance to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue (3 hours, ₹700)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ₹21100

Useful Tips

For a more relaxed itinerary, reduce by a day's stay in Thekkady or Alleppey's Backwaters. To extend the trip, add some extra days in Kovalam or venture farther south, to the beautiful beaches of Varkala.

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