Journey to God's own country Kerala

Arrive at Cochin International Airport or railway station and meet the driver for transfer to the hotel. After check-in and some time to rest, begin exploring a city whose history was shaped by maritime trade and long-standing connections with merchants and communities from different parts of the world.

Proceed to Fort Kochi and visit St. Francis Church, one of the area's important historic landmarks. Continue towards the waterfront to see the traditional Chinese Fishing Nets, whose distinctive cantilevered structures remain closely associated with Kochi's harbour landscape.

Depending on arrival time and opening schedules, continue towards Jew Town and the surroundings of the Paradesi Synagogue. If the arrival is later in the day, the remaining heritage sights can be accommodated the following morning rather than rushing through them. Return to the hotel after sightseeing. Overnight stay in Cochin.

After breakfast, visit Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), subject to its official opening schedule. The palace is known for its historic murals and exhibits connected with Kerala's royal traditions. If open, also visit the Paradesi Synagogue if it could not be covered comfortably on the previous day.

Leave Cochin and begin the drive towards Munnar. The route initially passes through Kerala's populated lowlands before gradually entering the foothills of the Western Ghats. Agricultural landscapes, forested slopes and plantation areas become increasingly prominent as the road climbs.

Closer to Munnar, the hills are covered by extensive tea plantations, creating the landscape for which the region is best known. Stop at suitable viewpoints where traffic, road and weather conditions allow before continuing to the hotel. Check in and enjoy a relaxed evening in the cooler mountain climate. Overnight stay in Munnar.

After breakfast, proceed to Eravikulam National Park, subject to seasonal opening, conservation regulations and official visitor limits. The park protects high-altitude grasslands and shola ecosystems and is particularly associated with the Nilgiri tahr. Wildlife observations depend entirely on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Continue to Mattupetty Dam, where the reservoir lies among rolling hills and plantation landscapes. Afterwards, travel towards Echo Point, following roads that pass through some of Munnar's characteristic tea-growing countryside. Any boating activity available in the area can be taken separately when operational.

Later, visit a suitable Tea Museum or Tea Visitor Centre, subject to its opening schedule, to understand how tea cultivation and processing developed in Munnar. Spend additional time enjoying the surrounding tea plantations before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay in Munnar.

After breakfast, check out and travel towards Thekkady (Periyar). Although the journey remains within the Western Ghats, the landscape gradually changes from Munnar's broad tea estates to spice-growing areas, forest patches and smaller agricultural settlements.

After arrival and hotel check-in, visit a spice plantation. Depending on the season and the plantation visited, see crops such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and cloves while learning how they are cultivated. The visit provides context for Kerala's centuries-old importance within the international spice trade.

Later, spend time around Periyar Tiger Reserve and Periyar Lake. An authorised boat ride can be taken when booked and operational. The wider protected landscape supports elephants, deer, gaur, monkeys and numerous bird species, although no particular wildlife sighting can be promised. Overnight stay in Thekkady.

After breakfast, leave Thekkady and descend towards Alleppey (Alappuzha). Forested hills and spice-growing landscapes gradually disappear as the route enters Kerala's lower countryside, where coconut palms, paddy fields, canals and village settlements become increasingly prominent.

On arrival, check into the confirmed backwater accommodation or board a houseboat when one is specifically included in the booking. The Alleppey Backwaters form a broad network of lakes and canals where local transport, agriculture and daily village life remain closely connected with the water.

If a cruise is included, travel past coconut-lined banks, waterside houses, local ferries and paddy-growing areas. The precise cruising route depends on navigation and operational conditions. Otherwise, enjoy the backwater surroundings from the selected hotel or resort and spend the evening at a relaxed pace. Overnight stay in Alleppey.

After breakfast, enjoy a final look at Alleppey's waterside landscape before checking out and travelling south towards Kovalam. The route leaves the central backwater region and continues through Kerala's tropical lowlands towards the state's southern coastline.

On arrival, check into the hotel or beach resort. Later, proceed to Lighthouse Beach, the most recognisable section of Kovalam's coastline. The prominent Vizhinjam Lighthouse overlooks the headland and may be visited subject to official opening hours and access regulations.

Continue towards Hawa Beach (Eve's Beach) or spend time walking along the coast. The evening is intentionally kept relaxed after the road journey, allowing time beside the Arabian Sea without adding another distant excursion. Swimming should only be considered when local safety conditions permit. Overnight stay in Kovalam.

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning around Kovalam Beach. Return to Lighthouse Beach for a longer walk along the shore or spend time at the resort. The coastal section of the itinerary is designed to provide a slower day after the hill drives, plantation visits and backwater journey of the previous days.

Later, explore Samudra Beach, which offers another perspective on Kovalam's coastline, and spend time around accessible sections of the local waterfront. Depending on personal interest, locally available coastal activities can be considered separately, subject to weather, sea conditions and operational availability.

Keep the afternoon free for relaxation and return to the shore towards evening. The changing light over the Arabian Sea provides an appropriate conclusion to the final full day of the holiday. Return to the hotel after enjoying the coastal surroundings. Overnight stay in Kovalam.

After breakfast, check out and travel towards Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). The short distance from Kovalam allows some sightseeing to be included when the confirmed flight or train departure time comfortably permits.

Visit the surroundings of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the city's most important religious landmarks. Strict religious, dress and security regulations apply. Depending on the available time and official opening schedules, continue to the Napier Museum and Sri Chitra Art Gallery, which introduce different aspects of Kerala's artistic and cultural heritage.

At the appropriate time, transfer to Trivandrum International Airport or railway station for the onward journey. The eight-day tour concludes after linking historic Fort Kochi, Munnar's tea plantations, Eravikulam National Park, Thekkady's spice country, Periyar Lake, the Alleppey Backwaters and Kovalam Beach.