7 Days Kerala Holidays

Arrive at Trivandrum International Airport or railway station, meet the driver and begin the short transfer towards Kovalam. The convenient distance between the capital and the coast allows the first day to remain comfortable even for travellers arriving after a longer flight or train journey.

After checking into the hotel or resort, proceed towards Lighthouse Beach, the best-known section of Kovalam's coastline. The prominent Vizhinjam Lighthouse rises above the rocky headland and may be visited subject to official opening hours and visitor access regulations.

Continue towards Hawa Beach (Eve's Beach) or spend the later afternoon relaxing beside the Arabian Sea. Swimming should only be considered when local sea conditions and safety guidance permit it. Keep the evening free to enjoy the coastal setting rather than adding unnecessary travel on the arrival day. Overnight stay in Kovalam.

After breakfast, spend some additional time around Kovalam Beach before checking out and beginning the journey north towards Alleppey (Alappuzha). The route gradually leaves Kerala's southern resort coast and moves through the populated and tropical landscapes of the state's lowlands.

On arrival in Alleppey, check into the confirmed backwater accommodation or board a houseboat when specifically included in the booked package. The Alleppey Backwaters form an extensive landscape of canals, lakes, paddy fields, coconut groves and communities whose homes are closely connected to the waterways.

If a cruise is confirmed, spend the afternoon travelling past waterside houses, local ferries, fishing boats and agricultural areas. The exact cruising route depends on navigation and operational conditions. Otherwise, enjoy the backwater surroundings from the selected hotel or resort and take in the quieter waterside atmosphere. Overnight stay in Alleppey.

After breakfast, leave Alleppey and travel towards Thekkady (Periyar). The scenery changes steadily as the route moves away from Kerala's low-lying backwater country and begins climbing towards the Western Ghats. Coconut-dominated landscapes gradually give way to rubber, spice and other plantation areas.

On arrival in Thekkady, check into the hotel and later visit a spice plantation. Depending on the season and plantation visited, see crops such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and cloves while learning about their cultivation and importance to the region.

Spend the later part of the day around Thekkady's local surroundings. The destination has long been associated with Kerala's spice-growing traditions as well as the nearby protected forests of Periyar. Return to the hotel after the plantation visit and enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Thekkady.

Begin the morning around Periyar Tiger Reserve and Periyar Lake. An authorised boat ride may be taken when booked, available and operational, providing views towards the forested shoreline. The wider protected landscape supports elephants, deer, gaur, monkeys and many bird species, but no particular wildlife sighting can be guaranteed.

After completing the scheduled Periyar activity, check out and travel towards Munnar. The road continues through the Western Ghats, passing spice-growing areas, forested hillsides and agricultural settlements before entering higher tea country.

As Munnar approaches, extensive tea plantations begin covering the slopes. Stop at suitable scenic points when road, traffic and weather conditions permit. Arrive in Munnar, check into the hotel or resort and spend the evening at leisure in the cooler mountain climate. Overnight stay in Munnar.

After breakfast, visit Eravikulam National Park, subject to seasonal opening, conservation regulations and official visitor limits. The protected landscape contains high-altitude grasslands and shola vegetation and is particularly associated with the Nilgiri tahr. Wildlife observations depend entirely on natural conditions.

Continue towards Mattupetty Dam, surrounded by hills and plantation scenery, and then travel to Echo Point. The road connecting these attractions passes through some of Munnar's characteristic tea-growing landscapes and provides views across valleys and reservoir areas.

Later, visit a suitable Tea Museum or Tea Visitor Centre, subject to its opening schedule, to learn about the development of tea cultivation and processing in Munnar. Spend some additional time among the surrounding tea plantations before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay in Munnar.

After breakfast, leave Munnar and begin descending towards Cochin (Kochi). Tea-covered mountain slopes gradually disappear as the route moves into Kerala's warmer and more densely populated lowlands. Suitable scenic and comfort stops can be made during the journey.

On arrival, check into the hotel and later proceed towards Fort Kochi. Visit St. Francis Church, an important landmark within the historic quarter, and continue to the waterfront to see the traditional Chinese Fishing Nets.

Depending on arrival time and official opening schedules, walk through the heritage streets around Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. The city provides a strong contrast to the nature-focused destinations earlier in the itinerary, bringing Kerala's maritime and trading history into the final stage of the holiday. Overnight stay in Cochin.

After breakfast, continue to Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), subject to its official opening schedule. The palace contains historic murals and exhibits associated with Kerala's royal traditions. Afterwards, walk through Jew Town, an old trading neighbourhood lined with heritage buildings and shops.

Visit the Paradesi Synagogue when open and accessible, observing applicable religious, security and photography regulations. If these sights were already covered on the previous afternoon, available time can instead be spent in Fort Kochi without unnecessarily repeating the same programme.

At the appropriate time, transfer to Cochin International Airport or railway station for departure. The seven-day Kerala journey concludes after travelling from Kovalam Beach and the Alleppey Backwaters through Thekkady's spice country and Munnar's tea plantations to the historic waterfront districts of Cochin.