Kerala: A 7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary

1. Day 1: Fort Kochi
   1 hour (22 km) from Cochin International Airport
   Morning: Visit the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets and stroll through the old-world charm of Fort Kochi.
   Afternoon: Head to the Dutch Palace to experience its beautiful architecture and then proceed to the Jewish Synagogue, one of the oldest in the Commonwealth.
   Evening: Watch a Kathakali dance performance, a traditional dance form of Kerala, at the Greenix Village.
2. Day 2: Munnar
   4 hours 30 min (130 km) from Fort Kochi
   Morning: Drive through the scenic Western Ghats to reach Munnar and start the day with a visit to the Tea Museum to learn about tea production.
   Afternoon: Take a stroll through the beautiful tea gardens and visit the Mattupetty Dam and the Kundala Lake.
   Evening: Enjoy a campfire and barbecue dinner at a tea estate.
3. Day 3: Thekkady
   3 hours (91 km) from Munnar
   Morning: Head to Thekkady and start the day with an exciting jungle trek in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
   Afternoon: Take a boat ride on the Periyar Lake to spot some rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.
   Evening: Shop for handicrafts and spices at the local market.
4. Day 4: Alleppey
   3 hours 30 min (145 km) from Thekkady
   Morning: Drive to Alleppey and enjoy a relaxing morning on the houseboat while cruising through the backwaters.
   Afternoon: Stop at a village and interact with the locals, and then continue the houseboat ride through the serene backwaters.
   Evening: Enjoy a delicious dinner on the houseboat while watching the sunset over the backwaters.
5. Day 5: Kovalam
   3 hours 30 min (160 km) from Alleppey
   Morning: Drive to Kovalam and relax on the beautiful beaches.
   Afternoon: Visit the Kovalam Art Gallery to view some beautiful paintings and sculptures.
   Evening: Enjoy a beautiful sunset at the Lighthouse Beach and take a walk along the promenade.
6. Day 6: Trivandrum
   30 min (15 km) from Kovalam
   Morning: Visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the richest Hindu temples in the world.
   Afternoon: Explore the beautiful architecture and history of the Napier Museum.
   Evening: Enjoy some shopping and street food at the local markets.
7. Day 7: Varkala
   1 hour 30 min (55 km) from Trivandrum
   Morning: Visit the beautiful Varkala Beach and indulge in some water sports.
   Afternoon: Visit the ancient Janardhana Swamy Temple and then take a dip in the Varkala natural springs.
   Evening: Enjoy a beautiful sunset at the Varkala Cliff and relish some amazing seafood.

Recommendations

If you're interested in Ayurvedic treatments, Kerala is famous for its authentic Ayurveda centers. You can also take a side trip to Wayanad to experience the wilderness of the Western Ghats. To maximize your fun, try attending a local festival, such as Onam or Vishu, to experience the rich culture of Kerala. Lastly, don't miss out on trying the famous Kerala Appam and Stew.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Chinese Fishing Nets (1 hour, Free)
• Dutch Palace (1 hour, INR 5)
• Jewish Synagogue (1 hour, INR 5)
• Kathakali dance performance (2 hours, INR 350)
• Tea Museum (1 hour, INR 130)
• Mattupetty Dam (1 hour, INR 10)
• Kundala Lake (1 hour, INR 40)
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Jungle Trek (4 hours, INR 1500)
• Periyar Lake Boat Ride (2 hours, INR 225)
• Houseboat in Alleppey (24 hours, INR 8000 per night)
• Kovalam Art Gallery (1 hour, INR 20)
• Padmanabhaswamy Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Napier Museum (2 hours, INR 20)
• Janardhana Swamy Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 9500 (excluding accommodation)