This is the first in a new Kerala India Travel series on suggested itineraries for trips to Kerala. I have received many queries from people who are unsure about the best places to visit in Kerala, and what’s possible within a certain time frame. These suggested itinerary articles should give you some ideas for planning your trip.
Many people visit Kerala on short trips of around 1 week. Luckily, as Kerala is a compact state it is possible to see some of the highlights in this timeframe, especially if you hire a car and driver. I would recommend focusing on the Kerala backwaters. They are unique to Kerala, and one of the most beautiful, relaxing parts of India.
Here are some suggestions for 1 week itineraries in Kerala:
Backwaters Experience
Cochin-Alleppey-Houseboat-Homestay-Cochin
The Backwaters Experience focuses on my favourite part of the state- the beautiful backwaters. A full day’s sightseeing in Fort Cochin is enough to take in the Chinese Fishing Nets, art galleries, colonial architecture and an evening Kathkali performance, and then it’s time to head out of the city.
Spend the rest of your week sampling the full range of backwaters experiences, using Alleppey as your base for an overnight houseboat trip, canoe ride and local homestay.
Kathkali Performance in Cochin
Backwaters & Beach
Cochin-Alleppey-Marari Beach-Cochin
The Backwaters & Beach route is similar to the above Backwaters Experience, but includes a day or two at the beach. You’ll still have time for a houseboat trip and homestay, but the trip will be more rushed.
Unspoilt Marari Beach is the ideal beach to include on this itinerary as it is located only a short taxi ride from Alleppey, and an hour’s drive to Cochin airport for your departure.
Backwaters & Hills
Cochin-Munnar-Alleppey-Cochin
I wouldn’t recommend the Backwaters & Hills itinerary in a week for travellers using public transport. It can take 6-7 hours on the bus from Cochin-Munnar, and the same back down to Alleppey. However with a car and driver the trip can be done in much less time.
You’ll be able to enjoy the highlights of Fort Cochin, before wandering in luscious tea plantations in the cool mountain air of Munnar, then head back down to Alleppey to explore the backwaters.
If you are more interested in wildlife than tea and pretty mountain views, then you could substitute Periyar Wildlife Sanctaury for Munnar, for the chance to see elephants and monkeys. Visiting both would be too rushed in just a week though.
Kerala Backwaters
Keralan Coast
Cochin-Alleppey-houseboat to Kollam-Varkala-Trivandrum
If you are arriving in Cochin or Trivandrum and leaving from the other, the Keralan Coast itinerary is the best use of time to combine backwaters and beaches. It starts by following the same route as the above Backwaters Experience but you’ll take an overnight houseboat from Alleppey-Kollam, saving you time and exploring some of the quieter backwaters.
From Kollam you can head straight for Varkala, or spend half a day on the fantastic village canoe trip run by the DTPC Tourist Office. The lively beach scene and clifftop views of Varkala beach are only 30 minutes away, and it’s another short hop from here to Trivandrum. On a short trip there are better places to spend your time than Trivandrum, so arrive here just in time for your departure.
Hopefully these suggested itineraries will give you some ideas of places to visit in Kerala on a 1 week visit. If you have less than a week I would recommend focusing on just one of the locations detailed above – preferably the backwaters.
For more information about the destinations covered above read our Backwaters, Beaches, Canoe Trip, Houseboats, Homestay and Top 10 Places to Visit articles.
In future Kerala India Travel posts we will cover suggested Kerala itineraries for longer trips.
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Tags: blogsherpa, India, Kerala, Kerala Backwaters, Kerala India Travel, Kerala itineraries, Trip Planning
Hey there,
The blogs have been a great read.
We are 2 girls planning to stay at the Marari beach( in this we are including a day houseboat trip at Alleppey and a day’s chilling at Fort Cochi ) After this we have a day and 2 days more days on hand before we catch our flight out from Cochin.. Could you suggest some other option close to Cochin we could go which wouldnt include too much travel?
Thx,
Nirmala
oops, ignore the prev. post…
Hey there,
The blogs have been a great read.
We are 2 girls planning to stay at the Marari beach( in this we are including a day houseboat trip at Alleppey and a day’s chilling at Fort Cochi ) After this we have 2 days more before we catch our flight out from Cochin.. Could you suggest some other option close to Cochin we could go which wouldnt include too much travel?
Thx,
Nirmala
Hi Nirmala,
I think the backwaters are worth more than a day trip. Options from Alleppey could include a homestay or a canoe ride to visit villages. You could also visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary near Kottayam. Or if you are interested in temples you could visit Thrissur, 2 hours from Cochin.
I hope this helps,
Erin
Thanks Erin, The bird sanctuary sounds like a good idea..
Sure seems like it would be a fun place to visit. See the Taj Mahal as well as the exciting jungles.
-Jack
Hello,
My name is jay and I am planning for my honeymoon between Dec 4 – Dec 15 I am planning to spend about 6-7 days there but we really don’t want to do too much traveling, instead we like to go out for seightseeing and sped time with each other more! Here is plan; something I put togather for 3 days–What are other good places I can visit aroud Munnar? How far is Alleppey Backwater and what is a MUST seen stuf around Munnar? Thanks in advance for helping! Also, any good airline I can purchase tickets for good price? Should I get a package form an agent or book hotels/airfar by myself?
Day 01: Cochin –Munnar
Day 02 :Munnar
full day sightseeing trip of Munnar –visit – Mattupetty Lake & Dam, Echo Point, Kundale Lake, Blossom Garden, Rajamalai, (pls help me add if I am missing any MUST seen place)
Day 03: Munnar
visit Eravikulam Wildlife sanctuary & Tea Plantation. (pls help me add if I am missing any MUST seen place)
Hi Jay,
If you don’t want to rush around too much then combining Munnar with the backwaters would be possible in that time if you hired a car and driver to take you from Munnar-Alleppey. It can take 6 hours on the bus, but 3-4 hours by car.
I think you have planned all the main sights around Munnar- I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
It will probably work out cheaper to book the hotels and flights yourself. I use http://www.kayak.co.uk to find flights. It depends where you are flying from though. If you are flying within India there are lots of budget airlines that Kayak doesn’t cover.
Regards,
Erin
Hi Erin,
Your posts are so helpful and interesting to read. My husband and i are planning our first trip to Kerala this January – about 6 days. We are definitely planning on some time in Thekkady – at the Muthoot Cardamom County. That seems like it would be a bit too quiet for 6 full days though. We would also love to spend a couple days exploring villages, the backwaters (can you do that from Thekkady?) and maybe beaches unless that is overkill for 6 days. Can you suggest a possible itinerary for this? Is Kovalam a good option?
Also, would we need a car/driver and what those costs might be? Thanks! Nitika
Hi Nitika,
Thanks for your comment. It is possible in 6 days to visit the backwaters as well as Thekkady, but I would recommend hiring a car and driver as the bus can take the best part of the day, while the car journey is only 3-4 hours.
A homestay in the backwaters would be a great way to experience another side of Kerala. Have a look at my Community Greenpalm Homes Review- I love that place!
Thekkady and the backwaters homestay would be a good plan for just 6 days. I think Kovalam is too far away and isn’t as unique as these other parts of Kerala. If you wanted a day at the beach you could visit Marari Beach which isn’t too far from the backwaters, or Cherai beach near Cochin. Have a look at my article Which Kerala Beach is Right For You? Part 2-Central Kerala.
A car and driver should cost about 1500 rupees a day, and can easily be arranged in the country through your hotel or the tourist office.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Have a great trip, Erin
Dear Friend,
we are a group of 7 italian friends. We will stay for a few days in Amritapuri and then we have 2nts for the backwaters.
What to choose one day on a houseboat and 1 in a homestay or have an excursion to Munnar?
Do you know Olavipe homestay?
Dates would be 3 or 4/6 January.
Could you suggest a company which has good eco-houseboats, I would not like to spend too much time looking for a good one. Also coming from Amritapury were would you suggest we take a houboat? From Kumarakom or Kottayam (better than from Allepy, wright?)
Thanks for your help,finally a clear, concise guide which answers many questions.
Gabriella Fusi
Hi Gabriella,
If you only have 2 nights in the backwaters I think one night on the houseboat and one night in a homestay is a good plan. Munnar is too far away for that short a trip.
To avoid the houseboat jam you could travel from Kollam-Alleppey on an overnight houseboat.
I don’t know Olavipe Homestay but it looks very nice. It should be possible to visit Fort Cochin for the evening if you take a taxi- it is best to check with the homestay that this is possible.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Have a great trip.
Best Wishes,
Erin
[...] It’s only a 30 minute train ride from Varkala. Read our Keralan coast itinerary in our 1 Week Kerala Suggested Itineraries post for an idea of how to fit Kollam into your [...]