Kerala Family Friendly 7-Day Itinerary in September 2023

1. Day 1: Kochi
   45 minutes (22.7 km) from Cochin International Airport

   Begin your trip in Kochi by visiting the iconic Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach. Afterward, visit the St. Francis Church to see the oldest European church in India. End the day by watching a Kathakali dance performance at the Kerala Kathakali Centre.

2. Day 2: Munnar
   3 hours 30 minutes (120 km) from Kochi

   Spend the morning exploring the tea plantations of Munnar and learn about the tea-making process at a local tea factory. Afterward, visit the Top Station viewpoint for a stunning panoramic view of the Western Ghats. End your day by experiencing the flora and fauna of the Eravikulam National Park.

3. Day 3: Thekkady
   3 hours 15 minutes (91.3 km) from Munnar

   In the morning, take a boat ride on the Periyar Lake to spot wildlife at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. In the afternoon, visit the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre to see a traditional martial arts performance. End the day with a relaxing Ayurvedic massage at a local spa.

4. Day 4: Kumarakom
   3 hours (129 km) from Thekkady

   Start your day with a visit to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary to spot local and migratory birds. In the afternoon, take a leisurely cruise on the Vembanad Lake on board a traditional houseboat. End your day with a seafood dinner on the backwaters.

5. Day 5: Alleppey
   45 minutes (33.9 km) from Kumarakom

   Begin your day with a visit to the Alappuzha Beach to soak in the sun and sand. In the afternoon, take a leisurely ride on a canoe through the narrow canals of the backwaters. End the day with a visit to the Revi Karunakaran Museum to learn about the history of Alleppey.

6. Day 6: Kovalam
   3 hours 30 minutes (159 km) from Alleppey

   Spend the morning relaxing on the shores of the Kovalam Beach and try your hand at some water sports. In the afternoon, visit the Vizhinjam Lighthouse and marvel at the stunning view of the Arabian Sea. End your day with a visit to the Halcyon Castle to learn about the history of the Travancore kingdom.

7. Day 7: Thiruvananthapuram
   30 minutes (15.3 km) from Kovalam

   Start your day by visiting the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple to see the intricate Dravidian architecture. In the afternoon, visit the Napier Museum and Art Gallery to see a collection of historic Indian art and artifacts. End your trip with a visit to the Kuthiramalika Palace Museum to see a traditional Kerala-style palace.

Recommendations

If you have more time in Kerala, consider visiting the backwaters of Kollam or the hill station of Wayanad. You can also experience the traditional art forms of Kerala at the Kerala Folklore Museum in Kochi. To maximize your fun, try the local cuisine at a street food vendor or take a cooking class to learn how to cook traditional Kerala dishes.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach (1 hour, free)
• St. Francis Church (1 hour, free)
• Kathakali dance performance at the Kerala Kathakali Centre (2 hours, INR 500 per person)
• Tea plantations of Munnar (2 hours, INR 100 per person)
• Top Station viewpoint (1 hour, INR 50 per person)
• Eravikulam National Park (3 hours, INR 120 per person)
• Boat ride on Periyar Lake (2 hours, INR 400 per person)
• Kadathanadan Kalari Centre (1 hour, INR 300 per person)
• Ayurvedic massage (1 hour, INR 1500 per person)
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (2 hours, INR 50 per person)
• Houseboat cruise on Vembanad Lake (4 hours, INR 8000 per night for a 2-bedroom houseboat)
• Alappuzha Beach (2 hours, free)
• Canoe ride on backwaters (1 hour, INR 500 per person)
• Revi Karunakaran Museum (1 hour, INR 50 per person)
• Kovalam Beach (2 hours, free)
• Vizhinjam Lighthouse (1 hour, INR 20 per person)
• Halcyon Castle (1 hour, INR 100 per person)
• Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple (1 hour, free)
• Napier Museum and Art Gallery (2 hours, INR 25 per person)
• Kuthiramalika Palace Museum (1 hour, INR 10 per person)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 10,865 per person