Spend the day in Coonoor, a hill station known for tea plantations and scenic views. Start with a visit to Sims Park, a botanical garden with over 1000 plant species. Next up is a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage train journey that takes you through the Nilgiri Hills. End the day with a beautiful sunset at Lamb's Rock, a viewpoint overlooking the hills.
Leave early to arrive in Munnar, a hill station popular for its tea estates and wildlife. Start the day with an easy trek to Lakkam Waterfalls and then head to the Eravikulam National Park to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a mountain goat species. End the day with a peaceful walk in the Tea Museum to learn about tea processing and history.
Head to Thekkady, a town near the Periyar National Park known for its elephant safaris and spice plantations. Start with a bamboo rafting tour on the Periyar lake to observe wildlife in their natural habitats. Afterward, visit Abraham's Spice Garden to learn about the agriculture of typical Kerala spices and plants and take an elephant ride at the Elephant Junction.
Drive to Kovalam beach, a crescent-shaped beach in Thiruvananthapuram. Start with some thrilling water activities like surfing or parasailing, or lounge on the beach. Afterward, visit the Napier Museum to see beautiful sculptures and arts representing the traditional dresses, weapons, and paintings of Kerala. End the day with sunset at Lighthouse Beach.
If you have more time, spend an extra day in Munnar to relax and hike in the hills. Alternatively, if you have less time, skip one of the activities. Surprisingly, if you are more inclined towards religious activities, you may visit a couple of famous temples in Thiruvananthapuram, such as Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. Don't miss trying the authentic Kerala cuisine of fish curry, appam, and puttu, which are available in every city mentioned in the itinerary.