Tea hills in Munnar, spice gardens in Thekkady, a night on an Alleppey houseboat and an evening in Fort Kochi — how to fit God's Own Country into one relaxed week.
Kerala is one of the easiest holidays to plan from Mumbai: a short flight to Kochi, good roads between the main stops, and a mix of hills, wildlife, backwaters and beaches that suits couples, families and senior travellers alike. Six days is enough to see the highlights without spending the whole trip in a car.
The route at a glance
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Day 1 — Arrive in Kochi, drive to Munnar
Land at Kochi and drive about four hours into the hills, stopping at the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls on the way. Check in, rest and enjoy the cool evening.
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Day 2 — Munnar
Tea estates, the tea museum, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and, in season, Eravikulam National Park for the Nilgiri tahr. Keep the evening free for a walk through town.
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Day 3 — Munnar to Thekkady
A scenic three-hour drive to Thekkady. Visit a spice plantation in the afternoon and catch a Kathakali or Kalaripayattu show in the evening.
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Day 4 — Thekkady to Alleppey houseboat
Start early for a boat ride on Periyar Lake, then drive to Alleppey and board your houseboat by lunchtime. Cruise the backwaters and stay overnight on board.
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Day 5 — Alleppey to Kochi
Disembark after breakfast and drive to Kochi. Spend the afternoon in Fort Kochi — the Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Jew Town and the cafés along the waterfront.
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Day 6 — Depart
A little shopping for spices and banana chips, then the transfer to the airport.
When to go
October to March is the most comfortable time, with pleasant days and cool nights in Munnar. The monsoon months (June to September) are green and quieter, and hotel rates are lower — good for travellers who don't mind rain. April and May are warm on the coast but still pleasant in the hills.
Tips that make the trip smoother
- Book the houseboat early for December and the long weekends — the better boats sell out first.
- Choose a private houseboat for families; a shared one works well for couples on a budget.
- Carry a light jacket for Munnar evenings, even in summer.
- Hill roads are slow, so plan no more than one long drive a day.
- Add two nights at Kovalam or Varkala if you'd like beach time at the end.
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