This was our first trip as a couple. We had no idea or experience of traveling. The language was the issue. It was totally unknown place for us so we booked the tour from a tour agency which had a fixed itinerary so we didn’t have much flexibility. Even then I will try to explain the tour and itinerary to fullest so that you don’t find any difficulty in planning your trip.
Days required– 7-8 days
Nearby places to go – Kerala has many destinations to explore, the list is endless but mentioning some of them. Kochi, Alleppey, Kovalam, Kozhikode, Kumarakom, Munnar, Thekkady, Wayanad, Trivandrum, Kanyakumari, Poovar Island, Varkala, Kollam.
You can plan to visit any of these cities, though the following two options are preferred more.
Option 1: COCHIN-MUNNAR-THEKKADY-ALLEPPEY/KUMARAKOM-TRIVANDRUM-KANYAKUMARI
This is the most preferred travel routes of Kerala as you get to experience a wide variety of what the area has to offer. We also opted for this tour and it is explained below in detail.
Option 2: OFFBEAT KERALA: WAYANAD, KANNUR, ATHIRAPILLY
Plan a trip to Kerala to visit offbeat alluring areas, unlike any others. Visit Wayanad, Kannur, and Athirapilly if you are interested in the lesser-known gems of Kerala. They all are on the northern-most end of Kerala.
The tropical setting of Wayanad is a perfect getaway, especially for honeymooners. Stay at the beautiful resorts there and wake up to the sound of the gushing waters and splendid view outside your villa.
Kannur is a much less explored town, known as ‘The Land of Looms and Lore’ because of its high-quality production and export of handloom fabrics. Explore the natural beaches, backwaters, hill stations, and historical monuments it has to offer.
If starting your trip in Mumbai or Delhi, fly into Calicut and drive to Wayanad or Kannur. From either of these towns, you can take a train to Cochin.
Athirapilly is a 1.5-hour drive from Cochin. Take a day trip or spend a night visiting the Athirapilly Falls, ‘The Niagara of India’, and you will be mesmerized by the breathtaking sites. The area is home to a host of wild animals and birds.
Best time to visit – after the monsoon and from October to February (December-January is the peak season and very costly too. Prices for the hotels, packages, and taxis go skyrocket so my suggestion is that you can opt for September and February as these are shoulder season and will very cost-effective. Kerala receives a good amount of rainfall in monsoon so it is not advisable to go in those months but after the monsoon, Kerala’s beauty is at its peak.
How to reach – Kochi (Cochin) and Trivandrum (Trivananthapuram) are the major cities of Kerala and usually, visitors and tour operators choose these two cities as entry and exit point for the trip. Ideally, your tour starts from Kochi and ends up at Trivandrum (most common and convenient option) but you can modify it according to your need.
By air – Both Kochi and Trivandrum have good air connectivity. Direct flights are available from all major cities. Book your tickets in advance as prices shoot up near peak season.
By train – Kerala has an extensive railway network with frequent trains connecting the state well with the rest of the country but it is usually not a good option for visitors from the northern part of the country as it will take 16-24 hours to reach here.
By road – It is a cheaper and convenient option for tourists from nearby states. You can book buses (govt. as well as private) from official govt. website or Redbus.
How we traveled – We booked the tour from Kochi to Kochi including sightseeing, stays, and meals. We booked flights well in advance but one mistake we did as inexperienced tourists is that we booked flights from Delhi to Kochi and Kochi to Delhi which I will explain why is an issue. The benefit was I got cheaper flights from Kochi to Delhi. Trivandrum flights are somewhat costly by Rs.1500-2500 but on the last day, we had to wake up early by 4 am to reach Kochi airport from Trivandrum which is a 5hours journey. If we had booked Trivandrum-Delhi flight that journey would have been just 30 minutes (I booked this flight by mistake but our tour operator dropped us at Kochi Airport at no extra cost).
Where to stay – We stayed at very good 3-star hotels arranged by our tour operator. All stays were located near the main market or an easily accessible area with all the amenities nearby. They all were very spacious, clean and the cherry on the cake was that they all had views from their balcony.
How to go around – Choose from numerous options such as road transport – bus, train, auto-rickshaw, taxi – to waterways such as ferry and boats. Kochi also has a Metro train facility.
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) are the lifelines of the state. These are the cheapest and sometimes fastest means of transit. They are present in every city, town, and village, and reach the most remote corners of the state.
Within city limits, the best forms of travel are KSRTC ordinary buses and privately owned city buses which are available every minute at every stop in the state. Another option is the auto-rickshaw which are unmetered, so seek advice regarding the price from local people or Google the distance and bargain well.
Chauffeur driven cars are a good option to explore the city. This will cost you around Rs.1000-2000 for a day depending on the season and distance.
Ferries are an important part of the day to day life in backwater areas of Kerala. One can get ferries from Kochi to nearby islands.
Places to visit –
Kochi
Fort Kochi – Walk along Fort Kochi Beach which may be the only beach in the state where you can still find Chinese fishing nets. You can get your hands on them by paying a nominal fee.
Mattancherry ( Dutch Palace) is the spot in Kochi where Portuguese influence can be seen.
Kochi also has India’s largest shopping mall – Lulu Shopping Mall
Vypeen Island is a group of islands which is popular among visitors coming to Kochi & Kerala. It can be reached by ferry from Fort Kochi. Vypeen is also the location of Pallipuram Fort which is the oldest surviving fort in India built by European settlers.
Kodanad Elephant Training Centre is a village located on the way to Munnar. Watching elephants roaming free in this rescue center is a wonderful experience.
Hill Palace: It was the residence of erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi and was converted to a Museum in 1986. The museum complex exhibits crown and ornaments of Cochin royal family.
Munnar
Mattupetty Dam: One of the major tourist attractions in Munnar, this water reservoir is located around 13km from the heart of the hill station.
Kundala Lake: Nestled amidst rolling hills and mountains, this artificial lake is located around 20km from Munnar. Enjoy leisure activities like boating and explore the miraculous beauty of the region.
Top Station -Enjoy panoramic views of the Western Ghats and some of the most gorgeous valleys in Munnar.
Eravikulam National Park: Spread across 97sq.km, Eravikulam National Park is the home of endangered Nilgiri Tahrs and is among the must-visit places in Munnar.
Private vehicles are strictly not allowed within the park; visitors can take mini-bus rides conducted by the forest authority. Also, the park remains closed to the public during February to March as it is the mating season of Nilgiri Tahrs. Expect long queues on public holidays and weekends.
Tea Museum – You must visit the Tata Tea Museum in Munnar. From plucking the leaves to processing and packing them, you will get an opportunity to know more about the tea industry and reveal some of the most fascinating facts about this industry.
Pothamedu Viewpoint: The drive to the Pothamedu Viewpoint takes you over an old bridge and narrow roads and the views during the drive are very scenic.
Attukad Waterfalls is a must-go tourist spot in Munnar where you can view a waterfall amidst hills and jungles and the road to reach the falls is amazingly beautiful.
Cheeyappara Falls is on the way to Munnar and flows down in seven steps making a great view from the road. It is also a great trekking point.
Blossom Park is situated near the Pallivasal hydro-electric project and you can enjoy activities like Cycling, boating.
Thekkady-
Periyar National Park should be the first place to visit in Thekkady. Sprawling over a densely canopied area of 925 sq.km, this wildlife protected area is an indigenous home to some of the rarest, exotic and endangered wildlife species in India.
Periyar Lake
Alleppey
Backwaters – The true beauty of Kerala lies in its different water bodies and most famous among all the water bodies is the backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom. You can enjoy this water body with the help of houseboats as it will give you a better and comfortable option to enjoy this place to the core. You must book these houseboats in advance otherwise you would not be able to hire one.
Marari beach – This is the ideal destination for those people who are looking for an escape from their stressful and hectic lifestyle closer to the sea.
Krishnapuram Palace – This palace is an archaeological museum whose best attraction is a 49 square meter single mural painting which is titled as Gajendra Moksham.
Alleppey beach is among the most popular beaches in Kerala.
Vembanad Lake- This is the largest and longest lake in Kerala. There are numerous small lakes which eventually end up meeting in the Vembanad Lake making it the longest one and ever-flowing as well. The most famous boat race which conducts during the Onam festival happens to take place in this Lake.
Trivandrum
Kovalam Beach – most famous beach of Kerala –long coastline, Palms, a lighthouse near the shore and many water activities- make it a must-visit destination in Kerala.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple -Do not miss the famous corridor supported by three hundred sixty-five and a quarter pillars, all made of granite. You need to see this architectural marvel and craftsmanship that has gone into its making.
Napier museum showcases Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. Built during the colonial era, the museum has an extensive collection of rare artifacts, idols, ivory carvings, and ornaments.
Shanghumugham beach – A secluded beach, far away from the hassles of the city. It is an ideal getaway destination with white sand and calm sea. The gigantic statue of mermaid popularly called as ‘Jalakanyaka’ is the landmark of this beach.
Kanyakumari-
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Take a 10-minute ferry ride from Kanyakumari beach
Thiruvalluvar Statue
Ferries to Vivekananda Rock Memorial stop at the Thiruvalluvar statue afterward if the tide permits. It’s possible to go inside the base of the statue and climb the stairs up to its feet for a superb view.
Visit 3000-year-old Kumari Amman Temple (also known as Bhagavathy Amman Temple) dedicated to Goddess Kanyakumari which sits by the sea near Triveni Sangam and has a beautiful black stone idol of the goddess.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
About an hour northwest of Kanyakumari, the town of Padmanabhapuram is a popular day trip with regal heritage. It was once the capital of the princely state of Travancore. The Palace is the largest wooden one in Asia. Its craftsmanship and architecture are admirable, especially the detailed woodwork on the walls and ceilings.
Suchindrum Temple – situated 11km from Kanyakumari is built in Dravidian style. The temple has a strict dress code. Details are given below.
Itinerary –
Day 1
I suggest you to reach Kochi airport around noon so that you get to enjoy the evening in Kochi. We decided to go Munnar from there which is 4-hour journey as Kochi in February is very hot and humid. We skipped night stay in Kochi and consider Munnar for our night stay which was a good decision. On the way, we visited spice gardens and enjoyed the Elephant ride which was a new experience. We reached the hotel by evening and checked in our valley view room. We had our dinner at the hotel as we were very tired.
Day 2
Next morning, our driver was on time. We first visited the botanical garden (rose garden) then there was a photo stop at Tea gardens. After having lunch at a local restaurant, we headed for the Mattupetty dam and Kundala lake. The main attraction of the day was off-road jeep ride(not included in the package) which everyone should try. Cost is around Rs.2500-3000 for 3-4 hours covering the unexplored side of Munnar. Our driver Joseph was very charming Hindi speaking smiling person, he showed and guide us through villages, showed banana, coffee, cashew, and cardamom plantation on the way and was very friendly and a decent photographer and he earned his tip for the day. He dropped us at 7 pm at the hotel after a tea stop.
Day 3
We checked out from the hotel the next morning and drove for Thekkady (4hour journey). On the way, we visited the Tata Tea Museum. The entry fee was Rs. 200 per person and you can enjoy a free cardamom tea along with the demonstration of the history of tea in Munnar. We got to visit the Tea gardens nearby with a nominal entry fee.
We reached Thekkady and checked in our hotel room which was far better, beautiful and bigger than the one in Munnar. And the view, we were just amazed to see the backside of the Periyar Reserve from our balcony (this view was equally scary after the sunset). We got ready for the Periyar visit. There is an entry fee for visitors as well as vehicle at Wildlife reserve and usually, there is a long queue for that and there are fixed timings for ferry tours. We were lucky to get tickets to the ferry but not lucky enough to spot any animal during the trip (except few elephants and buffaloes). The cool climate of Munnar was far gone as we were experiencing intense humidity in Periyar. We returned from there and relaxed in the balcony of our room enjoying the spectacular view of the jungle. The evening was very happening as we booked tickets for Kalaripayattu(Indian martial art and fighting system that originated in Kerala and practiced by warriors of Kerala and Tamil Nadu) show which is a Must-Watch. You can also see Kathakali show there but we were tired and skipped that.
Day 4
After checking out from the hotel, it was 4-hour journey to Alleppey for our much-awaited House Boat trip. I have discussed our Houseboat stay in a different blog. Do read it for all the details.
Day 5
We were again on road and by noon, we reached our hotel in Kovalam where we had our sea-facing room. We first decided to take a nap so that we could enjoy the evening at the beach. There are 3-4 beaches here in Kovalam – one was just outside our hotel. We later reached the Kovalam beach. Have you ever wished that you could freeze a moment and keep it forever? I caught the perfect moment, just before it flew away and locked it in my heart, it was us walking along the beach with our feet soaked in the sand and sea. We spent hours on the beach just enjoying the tides, chaos around us and sun disappearing in front of us. Filled with sand, soaked in saltwater, we reached our hotel and it was our 2nd best evening spent in Kerala.
Day 6
We never waste time on our trip. Early in the morning, we headed for Kanyakumari (2 hours from Kovalam). On the way, we visited Padmanabhapuram palace and Suchindrum Temple. It was our bad luck that because of high tides, ferries to Vivekanand Memorial were canceled but we were lucky enough to find a spot where we could click POTD, Photo of the Day. We were at the southernmost tip of the country. Tides were very high and the wind was so strong that we have to balance ourselves while standing there. We could see the Thiruvalluvar Statue and Memorial from there. We headed back to Kovalam after paying a visit to Kanyakumari Temple and spent evening again on the beach.
Day 7
It was a long boring journey back home (Jaipur). As discussed above, we had booked flights from Kochi which was 5-hour journey from Kovalam. It was a wonderful journey and experience.
Quick tips for fellow travelers –
- Though language may be a barrier, Locals are very friendly and helpful.
- Try to eat at local restaurants, they serve the best South Indian food (we have heard some complaint from people that they had to eat Idli Dosa for a week but we both like South Indian cuisines. North Indian food is available easily but I doubt it will be tasty so better to avoid it. We always prefer to eat local cuisine because Roti-Daal-Aaloo is always waiting for us back at home).
- Avoid shopping if you don’t know what you are buying. Buy souvenirs for friends and family but be alert as shopkeepers usually try to make you pay more for nothing.
- While visiting temples, stay alert, don’t give a penny to anyone, they will recognize you from the crowd and hand you Malas, Thalis, and Prasad. We got 1-liter holy water for Rs.150. Please avoid these people. Simply visit the temple, pray and come out.
- Many temples have a strict dress code (eg. Suchindrum Temple). No exposed body parts for women. My wife was given a big cloth to cover her legs and men are given dhotis and asked to remove Shirts. Again there are charges for dhotis and lockers to put your stuff so follow the dress code and keep your belongings in your car.
- Always bargain for water activities during a beach visit. They will easily cut down price.
- For those who are first-time travelers, it is better to plan a trip through the tour operator as they will give you better deals with hotels, pick up and drop facility from hotel and airport, cover all main sightseeing. Trips can be customized as per your requirements, the distance between places is 3-4 hour journey daily and Language will be an issue while communicating to locals. Car and driver will be at your service from the point you enter Kerala and till you board your flight.
- For those who hate organized tours, exploring unknown is always an adventure. Always research well before your trip. Book your flights, accommodations, and transfers in advance. Check timings for monuments, museums, and other places.
- Always carry a good amount of cash.
- Do carry an umbrella to protect you from scorching heat and unexpected rains. Also, carry hats, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion.
Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)
Destination overall rating 8/10 – Amazing place. Lovely people. Mesmerizing view. Perfect honeymoon destination.
Travel Expense 5/10 – major expenses are flights and the local transfers which can be cut down if you book flights in advance and use local transport. In peak season, everything is expensive. If you are on a leisure trip or honeymoon, then just enjoy the trip.
Travel ease 7.5/10 – it will be an issue if you want to cover many cities like a local because of the language barrier. You can self-drive and explore the unknown territories. Kerala has good intercity connectivity. If you have a chauffeur-driven car then just sit back and relax.
Food 8/10 – If you love South Indian food like us then it’s good. It’s not just Idli and Dosa. Try their thali, they have so many options to explore. Throw the spoon and use your hand that will enhance the flavors.