7-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Kerala in December 2023

1. Day 1: Kochi
   40 minutes (22 km) from Cochin International Airport

   Explore the Mattancherry Palace and marvel at its stunning mural paintings. Visit the Paradesi Synagogue and the St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. Relax at the Marine Drive and enjoy the sunset.

2. Day 2: Munnar
   4 hours 20 minutes (133 km) from Kochi

   Go on a scenic drive to the tea plantations and witness the tea-making process. Visit the Tea Museum and learn about the history of tea in India. Trek to the top of Meesapulimala, the highest peak in the Western Ghats.

3. Day 3: Thekkady
   2 hours 45 minutes (91 km) from Munnar

   Take a boat ride through the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and spot elephants, tigers, and other exotic animals. Visit the Mangala Devi Temple, located inside the forest. Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance in the evening.

4. Day 4: Alleppey
   3 hours 15 minutes (143 km) from Thekkady

   Take a relaxing backwater cruise on a traditional houseboat and admire the lush green paddy fields and coconut groves. Visit the Alleppey Beach and enjoy the sunset. Take a stroll along the Alleppey Canal and explore the local markets.

5. Day 5: Kovalam
   4 hours 40 minutes (158 km) from Alleppey

   Relax and unwind at the Kovalam Beach. Visit the Vizhinjam Lighthouse and enjoy stunning views of the Arabian Sea. Explore the Halcyon Castle and learn about its history.

6. Day 6: Thiruvananthapuram
   25 minutes (11 km) from Kovalam

   Visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the richest temples in the world. Explore the Napier Museum and discover its vast collection of ancient artifacts. Take a walk through the beautiful Kuthiramalika Palace.

7. Day 7: Varkala
   1 hour 30 minutes (50 km) from Thiruvananthapuram

   Relax on the Varkala Beach and witness the stunning views of the Arabian Sea. Visit the Sivagiri Mutt and the Janardanaswamy Temple. Take a dip in the Papanasam Beach and enjoy its medicinal properties.

Recommendations

Make sure to try the local food such as appam, puttu, and sambar. Consider taking a day trip to the Athirapally Waterfalls or the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Take a cooking class and learn how to make traditional Kerala dishes. Visit a spice plantation and learn about the different spices used in Indian cuisine.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Mattancherry Palace (1 hour, INR 5)
• Paradesi Synagogue (1 hour, INR 5)
• St. Francis Church (1 hour, INR 10)
• Tea Museum (2 hours, INR 120)
• Meesapulimala Trek (6 hours, INR 3000)
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (3 hours, INR 450)
• Kathakali Dance Performance (2 hours, INR 400)
• Backwater Cruise (4 hours, INR 7000)
• Alleppey Beach (2 hours, Free)
• Vizhinjam Lighthouse (1 hour, INR 20)
• Halcyon Castle (2 hours, INR 200)
• Padmanabhaswamy Temple (2 hours, Free)
• Napier Museum (2 hours, INR 20)
• Kuthiramalika Palace (1 hour, INR 20)
• Varkala Beach (3 hours, Free)
• Sivagiri Mutt (1 hour, Free)
• Janardanaswamy Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Papanasam Beach (2 hours, Free)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 8440