Kerala Holidays – Tours And Travels
A comprehensive 7-Day / 6-Night travel itinerary covering the major highlights of Kerala (Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, and Kovalam/Trivandrum), along with essential Frequently Asked Questions.
Grand Kerala Tour Itinerary (7 Days / 6 Nights)
- Day 1: Arrival in Kochi & Local Sightseeing
- Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Cochin International Airport (COK) or Ernakulam Railway Station. Transfer to your hotel.
Sightseeing: Explore Fort Kochi, the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), and the Jewish Synagogue in Jew Town.
Evening: Stroll along Marine Drive or catch a traditional Kathakali dance performance.
Overnight: ochi.
- Day 2: Kochi to Munnar (Appx. 130 km / 4 hrs)
- Morning: Drive to Munnar, enjoying scenic views, tea gardens, and cascading waterfalls (Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls) along the way.
- Afternoon: Check into your resort and relax amidst nature.
- Evening: Visit a local tea museum or explore the nearby market.
- Overnight: Munnar.
- Day 3: Munnar Sightseeing
- Morning: Visit Eravikulam National Park (home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr).
- Afternoon: Head to Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and Kundala Lake for boating.
- Evening: Stop by Pothamedu Viewpoint for panoramic sunset views over tea plantations.
- Overnight: Munnar.
- Day 4: Munnar to Thekkady (Appx. 90 km / 3 hrs)
- Morning: Drive to Thekkady (Periyar), driving through spice plantations.
Afternoon: Take a guided tour of a spice plantation (cardamom, pepper, cinnamon) and enjoy a boat safari on Periyar Lake inside the wildlife sanctuary.
Evening: Attend a Kalaripayattu (traditional martial arts) demonstration.
Overnight: Thekady.
- Day 5: Thekkady to Alleppey Backwaters (Appx. 140 km / 4 hrs)
- Morning: Drive down to Alleppey (Alappuzha).
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Board a traditional private houseboat. Cruising begins along the canals, palm-fringed backwaters, and paddy fields of Vembanad Lake.
- Meals: Traditional Kerala lunch, evening tea/snacks, and dinner served on board.
- Overnight: Onboard Houseboat anchored in the backwaters.
- Day 6: Alleppey to Kovalam / Trivandrum (Appx. 160 km / 4.5 hrs)
- Morning: Disembark the houseboat after breakfast (approx. 9:00 AM) and drive south to Kovalam.
- Afternoon: Visit Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum (dress code applies) and the Napier Museum.
Evening: Relax at Lighthouse Beach or Hawa Beach in Kovalam.
- Day 7: Departure from Trivandrum
- Morning: Enjoy breakfast with beach views. Depending on your flight/train schedule, visit Poovar Island or do last-minute shopping.
- Departure: Transfer to Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) or Trivandrum Central Railway Station.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the best time to visit Kerala?
The peak tourist season is between September and March when the weather is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing, backwater cruises, and beach trips. Monsoons (June to August) are great for Ayurveda treatments and lush landscapes.
Q2: What is the difference between an Overnight Houseboat Cruise and a Day Cruise?
An Overnight Cruise lets you stay onboard overnight (typically check-in at 12:00 PM, check-out at 9:00 AM next morning) with all meals included. A Day Cruise offers a 3–5 hour boat ride during daytime without an overnight stay, which is ideal for tight schedules.
Q3: Are there specific dress codes for temples in Kerala?
Yes. Traditional temples like Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Trivandrum) and Guruvayur Temple enforce a strict dress code: men must wear a Dhoti / Mundu (bare chest or folded shawl), and women must wear a Saree, Half-Saree, or Salwar Kameez. Leather items and shoes are strictly forbidden inside temple premises.
Q4: Which airport is best for arriving and departing?
For a north-to-south itinerary like the one above, arriving at Cochin International Airport (COK) and departing from Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) minimizes backtracking.
Q5: What are the must-try local dishes in Kerala?
Key culinary highlights include Appam with Ishtu (stew), Puttu and Kadala Curry, Kerala-style Fish Molee, Karimeen Pollichathu (pearl spot fish), Prawn Curry, and Banana Fritters (Pazham Pori). Vegetarian options like the traditional Sadya served on a banana leaf are also widely available.