Planning a trip to Kerala and don’t know where to start? This extremely detailed Kerala itinerary for 7 days includes all the essential practical information and tips you need to know for planning your trip along with the best things to do in each place. Read this now and thank me later!

Kerala is one of the 3 most popular Indian tourist destinations in the world (the other two being Rajasthan and Goa) and rightly so! This south Indian state, known as God’s own country is filled with lush natural scenery, beaches, backwaters, culture and warm locals making it a must visit place for every traveler. 7 days in Kerala is just enough to give you a taste of this state and show you some of the highlights and lesser known sites.

In this Kerala itinerary for 7 days, you will get enough time to travel the state from south to north and have pit stops to check out some of the best tourist places such as the cliffs and beaches in Varkala and the scenic beauty of Munnar. You will get to experience the quaint charm of the canals in the lesser known but stunning Munroe island as well as stay overnight in a traditional houseboat in Alleppey. And you will end the trip at Kochi, Kerala’s cultural capital. Are you excited yet? If you have some additional days in hand, you can use that to explore some more places that I have listed in the alternative itineraries at the end.

This trip will be a thrilling experience and be prepared to return home with unforgettable memories. I hope you enjoy Kerala as much as I did and get a lot of useful information and tips from this Kerala itinerary for 7 days to plan your trip and have a great vacation!

ABOUT THIS KERALA ITINERARY FOR 7 DAYS

To follow this Kerala itinerary you will need 7 full days. So, you will have to reach on the previous evening/night. In this itinerary, you will be landing at Tiruvanthapuram airport in the south and moving north till Kochi. But you can also do the opposite and move down from Kochi in the north to Varkala in the south.

Kerala is a small state and its pretty easy to navigate the state by road. You can either rent a car and have a road trip or take taxis from one place to another. If you want to see all the places mentioned here in this Kerala itinerary and maximise your time, I would not suggest using public transportation.  Private cars will be a very comfortable and time saving option in this scenario. If you do want to travel by bus/train, make sure to book train tickets from much before and factor in the additional time required.

You can do this itinerary independently without a full time guide.

Lastly, my itineraries are usually packed with a lot of sightseeing and a few sunrise and sunset missions. Its okay if you want to leave out a few things and sleep in. After all, it’s a vacation right! Pick and choose the places according to your interest and tweak the itinerary to fit you!

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KERALA

The best time to visit is from November to March. Summer begins from April and sightseeing in the high temperatures becomes very difficult and exhausting. Alternative option: During the monsoon season from July to September when prices drop and nature is at its best. However, excess rain might cause flooding in the backwaters which can hamper your houseboat stay plans.

WHAT TO EAT IN KERALA:

The interesting history of Kerala has left a mark on the food with a lot of different influences from the Portugese, muslims and Syrian Christians. Different regions have their specialities and you will find a lot of sea food dishes thanks to the state’s long coastline. Note that Beef is a common food item here so make sure to specify if you want to avoid beef. Also try eating on a banana leaf in the traditional way for a new experience!

• Puttu: a breakfast staple consisting of steamed rice cakes cooked with grated coconut. Usually served with a curry.
• Appam : Crepe like pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. Usually served with a vegetarian stew.
• Karimeen pollichathu: A fish found in the backwaters is marinated in lemon juice, chillies and other herbs, wrapped and baked in plantain leaves.
• Malabar Parotta with Kerala beef curry: A variant of the North Indian paratha, here the parotta has thin layers and is usaully eaten with beef curry. To avoid beef, specify it at the outset.
• Payasam: A sweet rice dessert made in all households.
• Chemmeen curry: A Malabar prawn curry that is spicy and tangy and often referred to as the signature dish of the state.
• Fish moilee: Fish stew made from coconut milk and eaten in a traditional earthern vessel. One of the typical Syrian Christian delicacies.
• Banana fritters: Traditional snack where bananas are coated with plain flour and deep fried.

KERALA ITINERARY FOR 7 DAYS: THE COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE

ITINERARY OUTLINE

DAY 0: Arrive in Tiruvanthapuram airport and proceed to Varkala which lies approx. 50kms away.

DAY 1: VARKALA: Cliffs, beaches and island temple

DAY 2: MUNROE ISLAND: Boating in the backwaters of a rural village

DAY 3: ALLEPPEY: stay in a traditional houseboat while exploring the backwaters

DAYS 4-5: MUNNAR: waterfalls, tea plantations and nature all around

DAYS 6-7: KOCHI: Historic and Cultural attractions

DAY 8: FLY BACK

DAY 1: VARKALA

We will begin this itinerary from the southern coastal town of Varkala which has become really popular in recent times as a backpacker haven. Varkala boasts of unique red cliffs that dot the beaches, trippy cafes and an air of relaxation that hangs heavily in the atmosphere. For this itinerary I have allotted 1 day to Varkala which I feel is sufficient to touch upon the main highlights here. If you have more time, I suggest spending an additional day for some more sightseeing and relaxation.

HOW TO REACH VARKALA

From Tiruvanthapuram airport: the distance is 50 kms and it takes around 1.5 hours by road. You can take a pre paid cab from the airport or arrange an airport pick up by your hotel in Varkala.

THINGS TO SEE IN VARKALA

1. THE CLIFFS: The reddish brown cliffs that lie along the main beach are Varkala’s unique selling point. While North cliff is the most touristy place here filled with numerous stalls selling souvenirs and plenty of cafes, south cliff is comparatively quieter. Tall coconut trees are lined up along the cliffs and a paved path runs along the entire length. The best thing to do is to take a sunrise walk from North to south cliff and see the view of the Arabian sea before the hustle and bustle begins.
2. VARKALA BEACH: The main beach lies just across North cliff and is accessible via steps that lead down from the cliff. Its one of your typical Indian beaches with lots of locals and tourists milling around. Go for an early morning run or some yoga on the beach to start your day. It’s also a good sunset spot.
3. BLACK BEACH: Continue walking for 15 mins or so from the main beach to reach a stretch of black sand that has been named as ‘Black beach’. There are much lesser tourists in this part of the beach compared to the main beach.
4. ODAYAM BEACH: Further 1 kms away from the Black beach is Odayam beach which is a good spot for viewing the sunset.
5. KAPPIL BEACH AND LAKE: Located 8 kms away from the main beach, Kappil beach is actually a meeting point of the sea and the river and is very popular among locals. It’s also a famous sunset spot.
6. GOLDEN ISLAND (PONNUMTHURUTHU): This small island is located in the Anjengo backwaters, 10kms from North cliff and houses a temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The temple is only reached via boats and closed after noon. Make sure to haggle with the boatmen who often charge a lot for this ride.
7. ANJENGO LIGHTHOUSE AND ANJENGO FORT: Located in the same direction as the Golden island so you can combine them for a visit. The fort is honestly not that well maintained and you can give it a miss.
8. JANARDHANASWAMY TEMPLE: A 2000 year old temple that is situated on top of a small hill near Varkala beach.

*If you have additional time in Varkala, you can visit the Jatayu Earth center which houses the world’s largest bird sculpture of Jatayu. Its situated 350 m above the sea level and is reached by cable cars. The park is located around 35kms from Varkala town and takes an hour to reach.

DAY 2: MUNROE ISLAND

From Varkala you will move onto your 2^nd stop: Munroe Island.

This tiny cluster of villages, located amidst the lush green foliage and backwaters is an underrated off beat gem in Kerala, hardly known outside the passionate travel community. In recent years however, Munroe Island is slowly becoming popular among the younger crowd, thanks to those instagram reels of its beautiful backwaters. Munroe island is a popular half day tour from Varkala, yet I suggest staying overnight in a local homestay to experience the place in all it’s charm. I assure you: Munroe island will turn out to be one of the most beautiful places you will see on this trip!

HOW TO REACH MUNROE ISLAND

Munroe Island actually comprises 8 small islets that are located at the confluence of the Ashtamundi Lake and Kallada river in the Kollam district of Kerala. The nearest town is Kollam, located around 20 kms away.

Train: The island has it’s own railway station called Munroturuttu. Trains run from Kollam (20 mins), Trivandrum (2 hrs) and Kochi (3 hrs). You can hire auto rickshaws from the train station to drop you at your home-stay.

Road: If you are coming from Varkala like most other tourists, hire a cab for the 50 kms ride which should cost approx. Rs 1500-2000.

THINGS TO DO IN MUNROE ISLAND:

If you want to experience Kerala’s famed backwaters and scenery in a low key and non commercialised manner, Munroe Island is your place and offers beautiful views in a more authentic experience. Go for a sunrise and/or sunset boat ride through the intricate network of canals that criss cross through the village before opening into the vast Ashtamundi lake. Boating here will give you a peek at local village life, passing very closely by houses whose inhabitants go on with their daily life and activities like coir making, prawn farming and fishing. The canals are lined up with tall coconut palm trees with an abundance of lush natural greenery.

WHERE TO STAY IN MUNROE ISLAND

You can choose between homestays and a few resorts. I personally feel this is a good chance to experience a traditional Kerala homestay experience that will enrich your travel experience. Some accommodation options include:

• Green Chromide Homestay
• Munroe Island Backwaters homestay (our stay/ run by Vijeesh)
• Vini’s farm
• Munroe Island Lake resort
• Lake and River resort

DAY 3: ALLEPPEY

After experiencing the quiet and quaint charm of Munroe Island, it is time for one of Kerala’s biggest tourist experiences: a houseboat stay! And the best place to enjoy this is in Alleppey or Alappuzha.

Alleppey is home to Kerala’s famed network of beautiful backwaters that are interconnected by a labyrinth of canals, lagoons and small rivulets. Traditional houseboats (called locally as Kettu vallams) offer stay packages ranging from a day tour to 3 nights. The boats are of various categories: from budget to luxurious, from 1 room to multi room bigger boats. The rooms have all amenities including ACs/ heaters.

For this 1 week itinerary, I suggest a 1 night stay in a houseboat. The boats cruise through the backwaters going past paddy and coconut fields, villages, temples and open up into the large Vembanad lake. Relax on your boat and take in the lush beauty of nature while getting a glimpse of the local life. This is quiet relaxation at it’s peak.

A houseboat stay includes meals prepared by a chef and you can choose from a variety of local fishes on offer along with other vegetarian/non vegetarian items. The boats dock at a chosen spot and you can enjoy eating the local way from a banana leaf! One of my special moments was the arrival of a small ice cream boat during lunchtime which made the rounds of all the docked boats offering a selection of ice creams for dessert! It was my first time seeing an ice cream boat and I will cherish the memories.

While Alleppey has certainly become very touristy now especially during peak season, I would still recommend this experience for your first Kerala trip simply to experience the beauty of the natural surroundings in such a unique way.

MUNROE ISLAND TO ALLEPPEY TRANSPORTATION

The distance between the two is almost 90 kms. The easiest way to transfer to Alleppey is via a taxi cab. But it is also the most expensive way costing approx. Rs 2000-3000 for the 2.5 hours ride.

Other options include taking the bus or train from Munroe to Kollam (the nearest town) and catching the train from there to Alleppey. You can also take the daily 10.30am ferry from Kollam to Alleppey.

Note: Make sure to reach Alleppey on time as the houseboats depart around 12noon.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN ALLEPPEY:

Alleppey town is situated on the Arabian sea coast If you have extra time in hand, you can stay an additional night or two in town and see a few more things here.

• Allepey Beach with it’s old lighthouse and stunning sunsets
• Krishnapuram palace: a traditional Kerala style heritage property that was built by the Travancore royals in the 18^th Today it functions as an archeological museum that houses one of Kerala’s largest murals.
• Arthunkal church
• Sri Krishna temple
• Karamundi temple

WHERE TO STAY IN ALLEPPEY

If you do decide to spend some extra time here, here are some hotel options to consider:

• Alleppey Beach resort
• Seashore homely stay
• Punnamade resort
• Malayalam lake resort

ALLEPPEY V/S KUMAROKOM

DAY 4 AND DAY 5: MUNNAR

On entering Munnar, you will get the feeling of being transported into a different world: a world of rolling hills, waterfalls and tea plantations with lush verdant nature all around. The cool and misty weather of Munnar has made it one of India’s most loved hill stations and a popular holiday destination to escape the heat and humidity that is so prevalent in most parts of the country.

Munnar oozes charm and has super romantic feels aka big time honeymoon destination. Be prepared for the mid afternoon rains that come right on time and enjoy this weather before setting off for your last stop Kochi!

HOW TO REACH MUNNAR

From Alleppey: The distance is 160 kms and takes approx. 5 hours. The best option is to take a private/shared taxi or even self drive. On approaching Munnar, there are many pit stops on the way like Cheerappaya and Vallara falls and Karadipara restaurant with a good view point. You will also come across spice farms on the way.

Public buses are available but I would not suggest them unless you are on an extreme budget. You will have to change buses a couple of times and the journey will take up a lot more extra time.

NOTE: There is no train station in Munnar.

THINGS TO DO IN MUNNAR:

Munnar is one of those places where it is actually easier and more efficient to just go on a tour (whether group or private) with a taxi rather than trying to see the places independently one by one. The main reason for this is the transportation issues and scattered locations. Most of the good hotels and resorts are located out of town amidst the hills and tea plantations where it can be difficult to rely on public buses. The hotels easily arrange taxi tours to the popular tourist spots and you can choose from a few tour options. The most popular one is Top station-Echo point tour.

To do things independently, it is better to stay in Munnar town where you can easily get access to public buses and tuk tuks.

Some of the best things to do in Munnar include:

1. Enjoy the tea plantations and visit a tea factory: Munnar abounds in these beautiful plantations which are lined up everywhere along the roadside. While you can’t (and should’nt) enter these ones as they are privately owned and forbid trespassing, it is possible to line up a proper tour at Lockhart tea factory and museum. You can get to meet the workers in the plantations, ask questions and take photographs. The other option is the Kanan Deva tea factory tour (the largest in South India) but here plantation walks are not included (though you can certainly admire the views).

2. Take in the views from Top Station: the highest view point in Munnar from where you can see into neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The views are beautiful but you need a good deal of luck to get those views, thanks to the clouds and fog that comes rolling in during the day. To improve your chances, head very early in the day or camp overnight as it is usually clearest after dawn. Plus that way, you can avoid the large tour crowds that start coming later in the day which often creates a traffic mess on the mountain road and overcrowding at the view point.
3. Hear your Echo at Echo point: On the way to Top station, you will come across a beautiful reservoir which has become famous as Echo point. It’s a popular picnic spot and I suggest stopping a little ahead of the car park area to get a less crowded but equally gorgeous spot with amazing views of the reservoir.
4. Go boating at Mattupetty Dam: A popular family picnic spot where you can go boating/paddleboarding and get good views of the reservoir.
5. Watch a Kalaripattayu performance: You can catch a performance of Kerala’s traditional martial art form at Kala Kshetra which has daily performances. The graceful, brave and fluid movements will leave you mesmerized!
6. Check out the many waterfalls: Munnar is filled with waterfalls and you will come across many on the road to Kochi. Some of the popular ones include: Valara falls, Lakkam falls and Cheerappaya falls.
7. Eravikulum national park: Located 7kms from Munnar in the Kanan Deva hills, this wildlife park is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr deer and boasts sweeping views of the nearby hills including Anamudi, the highest South Indian peak.
8. Watch the stunning sunrise at Kolukkumalai tea estate: At 2170 meters above sea level, this is the highest tea estate in the world. You will need to go on a 4*4 off roading adventure to reach the top and will be rewarded with gorgeous views. Try to stay overnight in the estate to get a view of the famous sunrise.
9. Rose Garden: Home to a wide variety of roses and other flowers, you will come across this pit stop on your way to Top station and can easily spare a short amount of time.
10. Visit a Spice Farm: End your stay with a visit to a local spice farm where you can tour the various spice plants with a guide and can buy a selection of spices to take home.

WHERE TO STAY IN MUNNAR

MUNNAR TOWN: For budget friendly small guesthouses and more transport options like buses/tuk tuks which are readily available for independent sightseeing, it is better to stay in Munnar town. The area has shops, restaurants, markets and ATTMs along with the bus station. Cons: the area is really busy, noisy and unattractive and I doubt you will want to stay there and miss out on the gorgeous views that are present out of town.

OUT OF TOWN: The valley outside Munnar offers lots of good hotels and resorts that are located amidst the plantations and hills and offer beautiful views with a more peaceful atmosphere. Most of these places are higher priced compared to the town options and usually have their own in house restaurants and taxi/tour services. Some of the well reviewed ones include:

• Green Valley Vista
• Tea Harvester colonial bungalow
• Ela Ecoland nature retreat
• Eden woods resort and spa
• Mistletoe homestay

DAY 6 AND DAY 7: KOCHI

The final stop in this itinerary is one of the most historic places of India: Kochi. Originally a small fishing village, Kochi got transformed into a major trading port with the arrival of the Portugese via Vasco Da Gama in 1498 who discovered a direct sea route from Europe to India. The Portugese were granted land by the Raja of Kochi to build their settlement and this area is what is known today as ‘Fort Kochi’, the historic heart of Kochi. Subsequently, the Dutch and later the British held control until independence in 1947. This history produced a mix of cultures and Fort Kochi is filled with plenty of interesting historic sites.

In recent years, Kochi has also become something of a boho chic locale with colourful art work, hip cafes, trendy boutiques and galleries that draw in young people looking for a vibrant urban escape from the big city life. Kochi also hosts an annual art biennale that is slowly becoming known in the international art community, further cementing its status in the progressive art scene.

HOW TO REACH KOCHI

TAXI: If you are coming from Munnar, the easiest option is to take a private/shared taxi. Alternately, you can also self drive. The distance is almost 130 kms and the road journey takes 4 hours.

FLIGHT/TRAIN: If Kochi is the first stop of your itinerary, you can take a flight. Kochi has an international airport and has flight connections from most major Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru. Or take a train from most major Indian cities.

THINGS TO SEE IN KOCHI:

1. Explore the heritage area of Fort Kochi: The historic center is filled with churches, museums and heritage homes and is best explored by walking through those cobblestone lined streets. Some of the important places include St Francis church, Dutch cemetery and the Indo-Portugese museum.
2. Watch a traditional Kathakali Dance performance: The Kerala Kathakali centre is the best place for this.
3. Mattancherry Palace: Built by the Portugese in the 15^th century as a gift for the Raja of Kochi, this palace houses murals and artefacts and is a centrally protected monument under the ASI.
4. Jew Town: Located minutes away from the Mattancherry palace, Jew town houses the original Jewish settlement in India along with the Pardesi synagogue.

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT IN KERALA:

If you have more time in hand, you can choose from one of these options:

• WAYANAD: Slowly becoming popular via social media, Wayanad is a charming hill station with stunning mountain views, forests and wildlife sanctuaries. Most importantly, it is largely untouched and unspoiled (yet) thanks to low tourist arrivals. The nearest airport is Calicut airport and train station is Nilambur junction.
• KOVALAM: If you are a beach bum, Kovalam is your place! The coastline boasts of some beautiful beaches like Lighthouse beach, Samudra beach and Hawah beach. The famous ‘Padmanabhaswamy’ temple is also located nearby. Kovalam is 16 kms from Tiruvanthapuram airport and 13 kms from the train station.
• THEKKADY: Known as the spice capital of Kerala, this beautiful place is home to ‘Periyar national park’ where you have a chance of spotting tigers in the midst of hills and valleys. The nearest train station is Kottayam (107 kms away)
• KOZHIKODE/CALICUT: A vibrant city on Kerala’s Malabar coast, Calicut has beaches, waterfalls (Kozhippara falls, Thusharagiri falls) and historical sites to fill your days.
• PALAKKAD: A paradise for nature lovers, it has the Palakkad fort, Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary, gardens, heritage temples all in the midst of lush natural greenery.
• THRISSUR: The cultural capital of Kerala! This city is home to many sacred temples of which Guruvayoor temple is the most important and it hosts the famous temple festival/Thrissur pooram. Apart from this, it is near to the magnificient Athirapally waterfalls which are best visited during monsoon/post monsoon.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME IN KERALA: ALTERNATIVE ITINERARIES

5 DAYS IN KERALA: I suggest concentrating on Kerala’s golden triangle: Kochi, Munnar and Alleppey for a 5 day trip where you can check out 3 of Kerala’s most famous tourist destinations.

10 DAYS IN KERALA: The extra days give you more options depending on what you want to do.

1. For wildlife lovers: you can keep the original itinerary while adding a couple of extra days to the Munnar leg to include Thekkady and Periyar national park which lies only 100 km from Munnar and is easy to access by road. For the last day (10^th day) you can add a day tour from Kochi to check out Athirapally falls which lies 66 kms away (2 hours by road).
2. For beach Lovers: You can add Kovalam at the beginning of the trip for a day or two before proceeding to Varkala. Religious minded tourists can add a visit to Padmanabhaswamy temple that lies 10 kms from Kovalam. From Varkala, proceed as per the original itinerary. You can add an extra day at Alleppey beach and if time permits do a day trip to Athirapally waterfalls from Kochi.
3. For Nature Lovers: Add 2 days in Wayanad and a day for Athirapally falls to the original itinerary to get your extra dose of nature. If you feel it might be too tiring, cut off the Varkala leg and add a day for Periyar national park. In case of such a plan, start and end your trip at Kochi/Kozhikode.
4. For culture Lovers: Add 2 days at Thrissur and visit the many stunning temples. Plus enjoy a day trip from there to Athirapally falls which is 55 kms from Thrissur.

15 DAYS IN KERALA: You can enough time to visit the best places in the whole state! A rough itinerary would look like this:

Day 1-2: Land in Thiruvanthapuram, Kovalam and Padmanabhaswamy temple

Day 3: Varkala

Day 4: Munroe Island

Day 5-6: Alleppey houseboat 1 night stay and 1 night on Alleppey beach

Day 7-8: Munnar

Day 9-10: Thekkady and Periyar national park

Day 11-12: Kochi

Day 13: Day trip to Athirapally falls, proceed to Thrissur

Days 14-15: Wayanad

Day 16: Departure from Kozhikode airport/train station

I hope you found this blog post on a Kerala itinerary for 7 days helpful and got useful information and inspiration to plan your own trip independently.  Happy travels!

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