7-Day “Family-Friendly” Itinerary for Kerala

1. Day 1: Athirapally Waterfalls
   1 hour 10 minutes (30 miles) from Cochin International Airport

   Start your trip with a picturesque view of the Athirapally Waterfalls. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the falls and the surrounding landscape. Eat local cuisine at the nearby restaurants and retire for the day in a nearby hotel.

2. Day 2: Fort Kochi
   1 hour 30 minutes (40 miles) from Athirapally Waterfalls

   Visit the oldest European church in India – the Santa Cruz Basilica, take a stroll down the Jew Street, visit the Mattancherry Palace and the Chinese Fishing Nets. Enjoy a relaxing evening at Cherai beach.

3. Day 3: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
   2 hours 20 minutes (70 miles) from Fort Kochi

   Get up close and personal with nature and the beautiful birds at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Experience the serenity of the backwaters. Take a boat ride and enjoy the local cuisine.

4. Day 4: Varkala Beach
   4 hours (100 miles) from Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

   Enjoy the picturesque view of the Arabian Sea, take a swim or sunbathe at Varkala Beach. Relax and indulge in Ayurvedic massages. Go for a cliffside walk and enjoy the local cuisine.

5. Day 5: Kovalam Beach
   1 hour 30 minutes (40 miles) from Varkala Beach

   Experience Kerala's famous beaches at Kovalam, take a swim or sunbathe. Enjoy the local cuisine and indulge in Ayurvedic massages. Visit the Vizhinjam lighthouse and the nearby aquarium.

6. Day 6: Alleppey Backwaters
   4 hours (100 miles) from Kovalam Beach

   Take a boat ride in the world-famous backwaters of Alleppey. Experience the local village life and try the local cuisine. Stay overnight in a houseboat and enjoy the scenic beauty of Kerala.

7. Day 7: Periyar National Park
   4 hours 30 minutes (130 miles) from Alleppey Backwaters

   Visit one of the best national parks in India and experience the wildlife of Kerala. Go on a jungle safari and enjoy the local cuisine. Visit the nearby spice plantations and buy some for your friends back home.

Recommendations

Do not miss a chance to try the local cuisine of Kerala. Have some filter coffee and tea, and indulge in some Ayurvedic massages. You can also visit the nearby cities of Munnar and Wayanad to experience the rich flora and fauna of Kerala. Don't forget to bring back some spices and traditional Kerala sarees as souvenirs.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Athirapally Waterfalls (2 hours, ₹250 per person)
• Fort Kochi (4 hours, ₹500 per person)
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (4 hours, ₹500 per person)
• Varkala Beach (6 hours, ₹750 per person)
• Kovalam Beach (4 hours, ₹500 per person)
• Alleppey Backwaters (8 hours, ₹1000 per person)
• Periyar National Park (10 hours, ₹1250 per person)
• Total Estimated Costs: ₹4,750 per person