Family-Friendly 4-Day Kerala Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Fort Kochi
    30 minutes (13.5 km) from Cochin International Airport

    Visit the Fort Kochi Beach which offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea, take pictures with the Chinese Fishing Nets, visit the Dutch Palace to view traditional Kerala architecture, and the Jewish Synagogue, and finally stop by the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica which is one of India's eight basilicas.

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

    Explore the charming hill town of Munnar, home to the Munnar Tea Museum, the Eravikulam National Park which has the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, the Kundala Lake, and the Mattupetty Dam which offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills.

  3. Day 3: Thekkady
    3 hours 20 minutes (91 km) from Munnar

    Explore the scenic Periyar National Park, take a boat ride in Periyar Lake to spot wildlife such as elephants, sambars and gaurs. Visit Spice Village or Thekkady's Spice Garden and learn about the different spices grown in the region. Finally, visit the Mangala Devi Temple which is famous for its ancient Kerala architecture.

  4. Day 4: Kovalam Beach
    5 hours (218 km) from Thekkady

    Relax on the white sand beaches of Kovalam Beach, go for a swim in the Arabian sea, try various water sports activities like surfing, parasailing, or jet-skiing. Visit the Vizhinjam Lighthouse, which is over 140 years old and offers excellent views of the sea.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Chinese Fishing Nets (30 mins, free)
  • Dutch Palace (1 hr, ₹10 per adult)
  • Jewish Synagogue (1 hr, ₹5 per adult)
  • Fort Kochi Beach (1.5 hr, free)
  • Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica (1 hr, free)
  • Munnar Tea Museum (1-2 hrs, ₹150 per adult)
  • Eravikulam National Park (2-3 hrs, ₹125 per adult)
  • Kundala Lake (2 hrs, ₹20 per adult)
  • Mattupetty Dam (1-2 hrs, ₹20 per adult)
  • Periyar National Park (3 hrs, ₹50 per adult)
  • Periyar Lake (2 hrs, ₹200 per adult)
  • Spice Village (2 hrs, prices vary)
  • Mangala Devi Temple (1-2 hrs, free)
  • Kovalam Beach (2 hrs, free)
  • Vizhinjam Lighthouse (1 hr, ₹20 per adult)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ₹605 per adult

Useful Tips

If you have more time, add a visit to the Athirapally Waterfalls or the Alleppey Backwaters. If you have less time, skip Thekkady and extend your stay in Fort Kochi or Kovalam Beach. Make sure to sample local Keralan delicacies like Appam with stew, Puttu and Kadala Curry, Kerala Parotta and Beef Fry or Meen Curry and Steamed Rice.

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