Kerala: hills, spice country, backwaters and cliffs

Days 1 to 2: Kochi

2 nights · Easy · Old harbour city with Chinese fishing nets, colonial churches, a synagogue and ferry rides.

Day 1: Kochi

• Arrive and settle in Fort Kochi.
• Visit St. Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica on foot.
• Walk the waterfront to the Chinese Fishing Nets for sunset.
• Seafood dinner in Fort Kochi.

Day 2: Kochi

• See the murals at Mattancherry Palace in the morning (closed Fridays).
• Walk next door to the Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town (closed Fridays and Saturdays).
• Take the Water Metro across to Ernakulam.
• Evening walk on Marine Drive.

Getting here from Kochi: Road, about 4 hours. About 130 km by road.

Days 3 to 4: Munnar

2 nights · Easy · Tea-covered hill station in Kerala's Western Ghats, about 1,600 m up, where three streams meet.

Day 3: Arrival day

• Travel from Kochi to Munnar (about 4 hours).
• Visit the Tea Museum (KDHP), 3.5 km from the bus station; it is closed on Mondays.
• Drive about 15 km to Eravikulam National Park (Rajamala) and take the forest bus up to see the Nilgiri tahr; the park is closed in February and March.
• Continue along the same road to Lakkam Waterfalls before it closes at 4 PM, if time allows.

Day 4: Munnar

• Start early for Top Station, about 32 km away, to get the views before cloud builds up.
• On the way back, stop at Kundala Lake for a pedal boat or shikara ride.
• Stop at Echo Point for the echo and a cup of local tea.
• Finish at Mattupetty Dam for a boat ride, then return 13 km to town.

Getting here from Munnar: Road, about 3.5 to 4 hours. About 85 km by road.

Days 5 to 6: Thekkady

2 nights · Easy · Forest and lake area of Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Cardamom Hills, next to the spice town of Kumily.

Day 5: Arrival day

• Travel from Munnar to Thekkady (about 3.5 to 4 hours).
• Take the 1:45 pm or 3:30 pm Periyar Lake boat cruise.
• Walk around Kumily's spice shops.
• Watch an evening show at Kadathanadan Kalari Centre.

Day 6: Thekkady

• Start at 5:30 am on the Gavi jungle safari, or join a bamboo rafting group.
• Trek and have lunch in the forest.
• Return to Kumily by late afternoon and rest.

Getting here from Thekkady: Road, about 4 hours. About 140 km by road.

Day 7: Alleppey (Alappuzha)

1 night · Easy · Kerala's main backwater town, known for houseboat cruises, canals, paddy fields and a long beach.

Day 7: Arrival day

• Travel from Thekkady to Alleppey (about 4 hours).
• Spend the late morning at Marari Beach.
• Visit the Revi Karunakaran Museum in town (closed Mondays).
• Climb Alappuzha Lighthouse between 3 pm and 5 pm.
• Walk the pier area and watch sunset at Alappuzha Beach.

Getting here from Alleppey: Train, about 2 hours. About 110 km by road.

Days 8 to 10: Varkala

2 nights · Easy · A Kerala beach town where red laterite cliffs drop straight onto the Arabian Sea.

Day 8: Varkala

• Arrive at Varkala Sivagiri station and check in near North Cliff.
• Walk the cliff-top path and go down to Papanasam Beach.
• Watch the sunset from a cliff-top cafe.

Day 9: Varkala

• Visit Janardhana Swamy Temple in the early morning.
• Go to Sivagiri Mutt before noon.
• Spend the afternoon at Thiruvambady and Kappil Beach.
• Take a boat ride on Kappil Lake if available.

Day 10: Varkala

• Drive about 12 km to Anjengo Fort and Lighthouse.
• Take a country boat from Nedunganda to Ponnumthuruthu Island.
• Stop at Sarkara Devi Temple on the way back if time allows.