Kerala Family Friendly 5-Day Itinerary in December 2023

1. Day 1: Fort Kochi
   1 hour 20 minutes (20.8 miles) from Cochin International Airport

   In the morning, explore the historic Fort Kochi area with a visit to St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. Then, stop by the Chinese Fishing Nets for a photo op and walk along the beach. In the afternoon, visit the Indo-Portuguese Museum to learn about the cultural history of the region. For the evening, take a sunset cruise on the backwaters of Kochi and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

2. Day 2: Munnar
   4 hours 30 minutes (92.6 miles) from Fort Kochi

   Start the day with a visit to the Tea Museum to learn about the history and production of tea in the region. Then, take a scenic drive to the Top Station viewpoint for breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys. In the afternoon, enjoy a nature walk in the Eravikulam National Park and spot some of the local wildlife. For the evening, relax with a cup of tea and a book at your hotel.

3. Day 3: Kumarakom
   4 hours 20 minutes (94.7 miles) from Munnar

   In the morning, take a houseboat ride on the backwaters of Kumarakom and enjoy the serene views of the water and surrounding scenery. In the afternoon, visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary to spot some of the local and migratory birds. For the evening, relax at your hotel and enjoy the amenities.

4. Day 4: Kovalam
   4 hours 30 minutes (119.5 miles) from Kumarakom

   In the morning, visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, a beautiful Hindu temple located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram. In the afternoon, head to the Kovalam Beach for some fun in the sun and water activities. For the evening, take a stroll along the beach and watch the beautiful sunset.

5. Day 5: Varkala
   1 hour 20 minutes (29.2 miles) from Kovalam

   Start the day with a visit to the Varkala Beach, a unique beach with a cliff and gorgeous views of the Arabian Sea. In the afternoon, visit the Janardanaswamy Temple, a beautiful Hindu temple with stunning architecture. For the evening, head to the Varkala Cliff for some shopping, dining and nightlife.

Recommendations

Consider taking a side trip to Alleppey to visit the famous backwaters and enjoy a houseboat ride. Another great option is Thekkady, home to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and spice plantations. To maximize your fun, try some of the local cuisine such as appam and stew, puttu and kadala curry, and fish curry. Don't forget to pack comfortable walking shoes and clothing for the warm weather.

Time and Costs Estimates

• St. Francis Church (1 hour, free)
• Chinese Fishing Nets (30 minutes, free)
• Indo-Portuguese Museum (1-2 hours, INR 50)
• Sunset cruise (2 hours, INR 500-1000)
• Tea Museum (1-2 hours, INR 150)
• Top Station viewpoint (1-2 hours, free)
• Eravikulam National Park (2-3 hours, INR 125-420)
• Houseboat ride (4-5 hours, INR 5000-10000)
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (2-3 hours, INR 50)
• Padmanabhaswamy Temple (1-2 hours, free)
• Kovalam Beach (2-3 hours, free)
• Janardanaswamy Temple (1-2 hours, free)
• Varkala Beach (2-3 hours, free)
• Varkala Cliff (2-3 hours, free)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 545-11370